SOJOURNER TRUTH

Week of May 29 to June 4

May 29

1854—Escaped slave and abolitionist Sojourner Truth delivers her famous “Ain’t I a Woman” speech at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in Akron. Truth (born Isabella Baumfree) had been physically and sexually abused by various slave owners and their wives in New York. She sought refuge in religion. She finally escaped after her last slave owner reneged on a promise to free her. She became the leading female abolitionist of the period giving powerful speeches. She traveled widely in her anti-slavery mission telling friends “The spirit calls me and I must go.”

President Barack Obama, accompanied by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, stop to play the 'Touchdown Fever' arcade game on the boardwalk during their visit to Point Pleasant, NJ., May 28. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama was looking to get his groove back — at the beach.

People carry signs during a protest against Monsanto in Montpelier, Vt. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Marches and rallies against seed giant Monsanto were held across the U.S. and in dozens of other countries Saturday.  (AP Photo/Mark Collier)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Protesters rallied in dozens of cities Saturday as part of a global protest against seed giant Monsanto and the genetically modified food it produces, organizers said.

Michael Richards stands with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, left, after appearing on Jackson's nationally syndicated radio show in Los Angeles on Nov. 26, 2006. Richards said on the program he did not consider himself a racist, and said he was "shattered" by the comments he made during a tirade at a Los Angeles comedy club. (AP Photo/AP TV)

by Jesse Washington

(AP)--It's almost a cliche. First, someone talking about Blacks makes reference to fried chicken, watermelon, monkeys or dogs - or even uses the indefensible N-word. Then, along with the inevitable apology, comes the kicker: I'm not racist.