But this year, two cases show that it isn't always so black-and-white to honor the nation's fallen men and women in blue.

NPR: Police Memorial Wall Comes With Some Tough Calls

"We believe that this isn't a particularly lucrative project, but it will run in the black, " said George Aridas, senior vice president of the Albanese Organization.

WSJ: Wyandanch Rising Tries to Undo Long Fall

What isn't as clear is what the black community is going to do about it.

CNN: Violence and race: a two-way street

"Losing your job isn't the end of the world of course, but it's still like getting a black eye, " she says.

WSJ: Turning That Layoff Into Career Catalyst

Also, the gap between black and white, rich and poor, isn't as wide as it used to be, but it's not closing very much, either.

NPR: Revisions to No Child Left Behind

Ron Walters, a political scientist at the University of Maryland, thinks the phenomenon of white voters misrepresenting their views about black candidates to pollsters isn't extinct, but he's sure it will play a smaller role this year.

NPR: As Obama Leads Polls, Bradley Effect Examined