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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/duro_davis_21012_400jrw.jpg "[title-raw]")
Fashion Week's Message-Driven Kickoff
The biannual New York event started with a fashion-art expo and a talk about black women's images.
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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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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/Michelle Obama_21011_AFP GI_400lh.jpg "[title-raw]")
Michelle Obama Needs Another 4 Years, Too
Michelle Obama has served as a formidable role model for children and adults through her healthy-eating campaign and deserves a second term as first lady, Michael H. Cottman writes at BlackAmericaWeb.
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![[title-raw]](http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blurb-image/Barack and Michelle Obama__pool GIN_21012_400lh.jpg "[title-raw]")
President Obama Illustrated as an Ape
Ebony.com news and lifestyle editor Jamiliah Lemieux delivers a scathing critique of New York magazine's depiction of President Obama as an ape. In its cluelessness, she says, it represents the basest principle of white privilege.
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Jay-Z and Beyoncé 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/Education reform_21012_400lh.jpg "[title-raw]")
Adding Color to the Education-Reform Debate
Because students of color will be most affected by state education-budget cuts, Seattle Times columnist Lynne K. Varner encourages their parents to engage in the reform debate.
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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 admits that 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/Sowell-21112-400-tr.jpeg "[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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