Meet the editor and publisher 2002 brings new leadership to ColorLines.

Tram Nguyen, Editor

Lately, it's been important for me to prove that I'm tough. There are just so many fronts to fight on, and that's a fact that gets depressingly clearer every day.

The American Way of War, as Walden Bello called it, continues and gains strength with little major opposition in sight. Meanwhile, the Bush Administration has seized the historical moment to curtail civil liberties and consolidate a racist, anti-poor, and anti-immigrant infrastructure. It's a grim outlook and, as several writers in this issue point our, it's also the challenge now facing everyone working for racial justice to align our struggles within a larger movement.

Coincidentally, this year will also be ColorLines' fifth anniversary. We barely had time to remember it as this issue went to press, but decided all the same that we should celebrate or at least give a little pat on the back to a magazine that has managed to stick around nationally and represent for racial justice with the voices and talents from communities of color. It's also worth remembering that we have a lot of work ahead of us. There's a contribution that journalists can make within social justice movements, and we have to do it by having clarity of purpose married to rigorous reporting and analysis.

Yes, there's much to prove. And there's also much to look forward to. As I take on the job of editor and Rinku that of publisher, we'll be trying to improve upon the last four years and to add some new ideas too. Don't hesitate to let us know what you think.

Finally, I want to say goodbye to Tim Sampson, who never lost enthusiasm for ColorLines and for the fight ahead.