Sylvester's Articles

Rodney King's Legacy: A Civil Rights Symbol

His life after his 1991 beating had its ups and downs, but the pain wasn't in vain.

LA Riots: Could They Happen Again?

Racial tensions and police conduct are better in Los Angeles, say locals. But what about elsewhere?

The Root Cities: Who's Got the Money in La La Land?

As part of The Root's city series, we take a look at who's really holding the purse strings in the entertainment capital. Hint: They don't necessarily work in Tinseltown.

Lessons From the Great Compromiser

In today's all-or-nothing political climate, both sides of the aisle act as if the object of the game is to destroy your opponent by any means necessary. This is setting a terrible example for the next generation.

Closing Cabrini-Green

When the last tenant moved out of Chicago's notorious housing project, it signaled the end of an era and raised questions about the future of displaced tenants -- and public housing itself.

The Root Cities: Chicago Then and Now

The more things change, the more they remain the same. The final installment in The Root's series profiling the Windy City. The Root Cities: Chicago Series

Why Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Win Won't Save His Career

Jackson easily held on to his seat in this week's midterm elections. But the scandal-ridden congressman "could'a been a contender" on a much larger scale. Some say he has only himself to blame.

Getting Shot at in Chicago

I now know the terror of gun violence firsthand. A carload of teens fired four shots at me and drove away, laughing. Fortunately, they missed.

Atlanta and the Powers That Be

In the second installment of a three-part series, The Root takes a look at who's really got the power in this Southern city that's allegedly too busy to hate.