Commentary

Comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh often jokes about being a "pork-eating, alcohol-drinking, married-to-an-atheist" Muslim. But lately she finds herself wanting to connect with her religious traditions.

Writer Mat Johnson reflects on what the Obama presidency meant to his biracial family. "I didn't always agree with Obama," he says. "But I always respected — and will always respect — that man."

Murray Horwitz began his career as a clown on the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. With the Greatest Show on Earth planning its last performances this spring, he remembers that experience.

Dear Sugar Radio is a podcast offering "radical empathy" and advice for the lost, lonely and heartsick. Today the hosts consider if it's worth it to have a short relationship away from home.

Dear Sugar Radio is a podcast offering "radical empathy" and advice for the lost, lonely and heartsick. Today the hosts consider if it's OK to judge a man after he confessed to cheating in the past.

As during the campaign, the president-elect wants the established media's attention and craves its respect — but gladly will feed outlets into the news grinder if they cross him. Ask CNN and BuzzFeed.

When Ashley Theriot died unexpectedly at the age of 32, her friend asked her family if they'd donate Theriot's kidney. They agreed, and now that kidney — and seven more of her organs — have new lives.

Sarah Spain says the case of Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon shows there is still work to do when it comes to athletes and violence against women. Spain is an ESPN sportscaster from Chicago.

The man was held captive and beaten by four people who livestreamed the attack. He was white. His tormentors were black. Calling that a hate crime doesn't tell the whole story.

Syracuse University Professor Corey Takahashi offers his commentary on the challenge of teaching students who, instead of wanting to be writers or filmmakers, aspire to be online "influencers."

When a congressman's son performed a dance move called the dab after his father's swearing-in ceremony, he made headlines. Or was he sneezing? Either way, the 17-year-old got grounded.

Appalachia is thousands of miles from Nigeria. But at a potluck dinner in rural Kentucky, natives of the two places found points of connection between their cultures.