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Steven Gray is a young, ambitious African-American journalist. But he's struggling to find a job, he feels himself slipping out of the middle class, and he says he's not the only one. Host Michel Martin speaks with Gray about his recent article in Salon.com, where he says the black middle class is vanishing.

Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng called into a U.S. congressional hearing to describe violent attacks on his family and "trumped up" homicide charges against his nephew. He was able to call in to the hearing through the help of his friend, fellow activist Bob Fu.

Chef Charlie Trotter helped pioneer American fine dining at a time when French cuisine reigned on the food scene. After 25 years, Trotter will close his namesake restaurant — Charlie Trotter's — in Chicago, Ill., to pursue a Master's in philosophy and political theory.

Rivalries are taking center stage at the Olympics, but they're also playing out in the race for the presidency here in the United States. And on the heels of a trip abroad by Republican Mitt Romney, a new poll gives the advantage to President Obama. Host Michel Martin talks political news with Gabriel Sanchez, a political science professor at the University of New Mexico, and Mario Loyola, a contributor to the National Review.

Pat Summitt, head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers and the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2011. As her 38th season concludes, Washington Post sports columnist Sally Jenkins talks about suspicions that Summit won't return next year.

San Bernardino, California is seeking bankruptcy protection. Officials said the government can not cover its bills and faces a $46 million deficit. Phil Batchelor, former interim city manager for Vallejo, California, talks about what happens to workers and services when a city goes bankrupt.

New Orleans' Recovery School District will soon have the nation's first all-charter school system. Michel Martin explores whether that will boost achievement, or leave the most vulnerable kids behind.

A cost-cutting, face-saving move by the Post to replace its independent ombudsman with what sounds like a customer care representative is sadly shortsighted. It contributes precisely to the decline in public trust that lies behind the travails at the Post and all American news media. NPR in polls confronts the same trust malady. The press grows in power, yet sheds ever more controls. Editors will never investigate themselves. The public rebels.

"Evangelical" is one of the most poorly defined terms in the U.S. political conversation.

Those snippets of praise on book covers have been around for over 150 years (at least). But how do they get there — and why? The answers are more complicated, and compelling, than you might think.