Black newspapers, the voice of our communities, must hold advertisers accountable to the African American Consumer Market.

For the past eight months, the man behind the curtain has been Richard M. Daley. He has been in plain sight, carrying out his mayoral duties, visiting neighborhoods, cutting ceremonial ribbons and shaking hands.

Just how many aldermen does Chicago need?

Few positions in city government carry more importance than the superintendent of police.

It was an opportunity missed.

For the first time in more than five decades, there won’t be a Daley on the ballot for mayor of Chicago.

It is hard to believe that it has been 25 years since America chose to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a national holiday. So much has changed in those 25 years, and not all of it for the better.

There is no question that the death penalty, as administered by the state of Illinois, has been unfair.

As we come to the end of another challenging year at the Defender and in our country, I wish to thank all of the readers, advertisers and community leaders for their support throughout 2010.