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The 50th anniversary of the landmark desegregation case Brown v. Board of Education comes up in May. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that segregation of public schools “solely on the basis of race” denied black children equal educational opportunity, even though “physical facilities and other ‘tangible’ factors may have …

All week long we have been hearing about how the “sophisticated” world outside our borders is laughing at us for the hubbub over the flash of a breast on national TV. Chuckle on, Swedes: Animal sex is not illegal in Sweden, and every year between 200 and 300 pets are …

And trample each other to death – every year. Andrew Anthony thinks it may be pertinent to mention this inconvenient little fact.: Listening to a report last Saturday on From Our Own Correspondent, I heard John Simpson describe the Haj as a “superbly organised” event. I remember thinking that this …

Ian Buruma, who with his writing partner Avishai Margalit, has been advancing a theory of “Occidentalism” as a counterpart to Said’s “Orientalism” since 9/11, restates his theory in The Chronicle of Higher Education in advance of their new book: the kind of violence currently directed at targets associated with the …

Our manga exploration continues with a look at a popular shoujo (girls') comic series.

Janet Jackson has been removed from the Grammy show Sunday night: Sources tell ET that Miss Jackson was scheduled to present the tribute to LUTHER VANDROSS, but since Luther is unable to attend the event due to his health, Jackson has been told her services are no longer needed. Vandross’ …

This is huge music news. I remember very vividly interviewing the Pixies, especially Kim Deal, in the locker room of the Oberlin Field House in the winter of ’91 or ’92 – Daivd Bowie was hanging out with us also as his son Joey went to Oberlin at the time …

Justin Timberlake may be a co-conspirator and unreconstructed hooter snatcher, but he sure is funny: “wardrobe malfunction.” USA Today has a roundup of similar malfunctions: * An admitted owner of two left feet, President Bush tried to take daughter Jenna for a twirl on a 2001 Inaugural Ball dance floor, …

The VFW is pissed about Kid Rock wearing an American flag as a poncho in the Super Bowl halftime show: The VFW is upset that media outlets are ignoring the poncho Rock wore during the Super Bowl halftime show, which was made by cutting a slit in an American flag. …

After the Great Super Bowl Breastation, Bono at the Golden Globes, this dustup with John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) in the UK, and congress coming down on the FCC for “indecency” (even before Janet) – does truly live TV have a future? The Lydon incident: ITV has apologised after John Lydon …