Reader staffers share stories that fascinate, alarm, amuse, or inspire us.

   • About whether the Oregon standoff is really evidence of a racial double standard? —Steve Bogira 
     • That the Coachella lineup is out? (It includes the Black Madonna, who recently appeared in the Reader‘s People Issue.) —Leor Galil 
     • About The Defender, Ethan Michaeli’s new history of the Chicago Defender—a “towering achievement,” according to this New York Times review? —Steve Bogira