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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/howtobeblack.jpg "[title-raw]")
How to Be the Black Friend
Comedian Baratunde Thurston breaks it down in his memoir, How to Be Black.
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/denzel_safe_house_2912_300jrw.jpg "[title-raw]")
No Playing It Safe for Denzel Washington
The actor plays the villain and performs his own stunts in his new action thriller, Safe House.
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/deforce_documentary_2912_300jrw.jpg "[title-raw]")
Film Takes a New Look at the Motor City
The Root Recommends: A new documentary that looks at how Detroit's politics may have ruined Michigan's largest city.
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He's Ditching Me on Valentine's Day
Ask Demetria: If he's making excuses to be somewhere else, his heart may not belong to you.
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/beyonce-blue-ivy-400x300-21012-aoa.jpg "[title-raw]")
Jay-Z and Beyonce Release Photos of Baby Blue Ivy
The proud parents shared photos and a short message with their fans.
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/_duluth-racism-400jdh.jpg "[title-raw]")
Billboards: Hard for Whites to See Racism
In today's link roundup: A billboard campaign about race causes a backlash. Plus: Denzel Washington talks about being waterboarded.
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/michelle-obama-lingerie-rumor-21012-4002jdh.jpg "[title-raw]")
Paper Is Sorry for Michelle O. Lingerie Piece
The Telegraph admite the Agent Provocateur shopping spree it reported "never occurred."
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/famu-ammons-21012-400jdh.jpg "[title-raw]")
FAMU Submits Anti-Hazing Plan
Hopefully it won't take more tragedy for other institutions to take this issue seriously.
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/navy-lacrosse-rick-sowell-021012-400ds_0.jpg "[title-raw]")
Loose Ball: Black Coach Heads Navy Lacrosse
Rick Sowell takes over the historic program in a sport where less than 10 percent of players are black.
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/mike-huckabee-cpac.jpg "[title-raw]")
Huckabee: 'Thanks' to Obama for Birth Control Firestorm
Huckabee also lectured the president on what it means to be a real Christian.
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/too-short-sex-advice-21012-400-jdh.png "[title-raw]")
Crazy Talk: Too Short's Sex Advice to Boys
It's disgusting for anyone -- even an irreverent rapper -- to talk about how to "turn little girls out."
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/michelle-obama-blackwomenhistory-21012-400jdh.png "[title-raw]")
Watch This: First Lady Shouts Out Black Women
Her Black History Month message: Celebrate heroes, honor women of today, and reinvest in those around us.
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/obama-gay-donors.jpg "[title-raw]")
Obama to Gay Donors: 'More Work to Be Done'
Obama points to "don't ask, don't tell" and hospital visitation rights as wins for the community.
![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/LWO-020912-400mr.jpg "[title-raw]")
![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blog-latest-published-image/Obama contraception 2102012cg.jpg "[title-raw]")
