William Raspberry, after 39 years as a newspaper columnist, is signing off.

This week marks his "what's next" column. "The precondition for even considering the what-next question is having the energy to do something -- which is one reason I've decided to retire now rather than too late," he writes.

"I've taken it as my next-step project to help restore the faith that education can work wonders and to help another generation of young people learn to ask: What's next?...

"The problem may be nationwide, but I've chosen to start in my home town of Okolona, Miss. I've mentioned the project -- Baby Steps -- before. It is my attempt to renew faith in the magic of education and to spark a faith in the efficacy of community. I believe that pulling a community together around the future of its children can do wonders to transform both."

He explains that one of the main reasons he's giving up the column is that he's going to need to do some fundraising for his project over the coming years, and that doing so as a journalist would be a bad thing--hence, while he will continue teaching, the end of this year marks the end of his column.

See Peter Ferrara: That's the classy way to do it.