What Is the Difference Between Sunni, Shiite and Sufi Muslims?

September 08, 2010

Which sect believes in hereditary successors to the Prophet Muhammad? Which one has ayatollahs? If you don't know the answers, let The Root explain.  

What Is Sharia, Exactly?

Some critics of plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero warn that the imam behind it wants to bring Islamic Sharia law to the U.S. Before we decide to fear it, let's at least understand what Sharia means.

The Return of 'Sundown' Towns?

A tough law against illegal immigrants in Nebraska could revive the whites-only-at-night towns of our Jim Crow past.

The Miseducation of Texas School Kids

There’s a reason why Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1928.

How to Be a Black Genius

Looking for $500,000 to pursue your work? No strings attached? The Root gives some clues on how to play the MacArthur Fellowship game to win.

Hit the Road, Black!

The Lorraine Motel, a real-life Ku Klux Klan uniform, the oldest black church. Forget the stay-cation. Pack up the minivan and head out on a black history road trip this summer.

Why We Still Need February

The contributions of black people are still largely ignored 11 months of the year. So even if Black History Month seems a little contrived, it remains a valuable and necessary showcase for black achievement.

Remixing Grandma's Voice

How to preserve her stories in the age of the iPod.

How Do You Count the Crowd at Inauguration?

Want to know how many folks are expected for the inauguration? Well, it depends on whom you ask. Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty predicts at least 3 million people, but can anyone provide a definitive crowd estimate for the big day? The Root Explainer to the rescue...

A Primer on Black Independence Day

Fuzzy on your Juneteenth history? Some basic background to help boost your historical street cred.