Beyond Words

NEWSWEEK asked descendants of key figures in civil rights history to write letters to their ancestors describing their thoughts and feelings about the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. And to add to the record, we've collected letters from students and notable figures to Obama, and discussed the power of words with will.i.am and the inaugural poet. 

Oscars VIDEO

"I'm Not Sexually Attracted to You"

At our 13th Oscar Roundtable, six of this year's most-talked-about performers reveal more of themselves than they'd sometimes like.