Great Regulars: The lack of political power has both plagued

and inspired African-American poets since the nation was founded, but it's too early to tell if the election of Barack Obama will alter that traditional conflict.

Arnold Rampersad, biographer of Langston Hughes and Ralph Ellison, explored the issue Friday when he discussed "Poetry and Political Power in America" at the University of Pittsburgh.

from Bob Hoover: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Election challenges black poets

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In the many "appreciations" that followed his death Jan. 27, [John] Updike was distinguished as our guide to the lives of everyday Americans, as though he created a new form of literature.

In fact, Updike was simply doing what many writers who preceded him did.

from Bob Hoover: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Updike's novels followed the 'middle' road of William Dean Howells

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