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The Black Observer

Monday, November 2, 2026News that matters to Black communities

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Keep this paper independent. Become a member.

The Black Observer is paid for by its readers. Members get Tanish James's opinion columns, twice a week, and the monthly edition, in print or digital.

The Record
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  • Two exclusive columns a week, never published on the site
  • Monday, The Argument: Tanish's position on a question that matters
  • Thursday, The Numbers: the data behind it, with charts
  • Members-only threads: reply, and she answers
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Everything in The Record, plus:

  • The Black Observer monthly magazine, digital, on the 1st of every month
  • Every past edition, to read or download
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Print Edition
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Everything in Digital Edition, plus:

  • The printed magazine, mailed to your address in the US or Canada
  • Your name on the supporters page of every edition
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Billed monthly through Patreon, in US dollars. Change tier or cancel anytime.

Compare what each membership includes
The number 600,000

Black early ballots in North Carolina, 1.5 times 2022

They redrew the maps to shrink Black power. Black voters are casting ballots at a record pace anyway.

Firsts, records and wins

Achievement

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The monthly edition

The month, in a magazine worth keeping

The stories that mattered, the numbers behind them, and reporting you will not find on this site, edited to be read start to finish. On your screen or on paper, every month.

Out now Issue 1 · November 2026: Sent home in labor, she gave birth 8 minutes later. Federal data says Black women are mistreated most.

Both include The Record, Tanish's columns for members.

Cover of The Black Observer, November 2026
Issue 1 · November 2026

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Opinion lives in The Record

The reporting on this site is free. The argument about what it means is for members: Tanish James's exclusive columns, The Argument every Monday and The Numbers every Thursday, from $5 a month.

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