The Root's New Look -- A Sneak Peek

The Root is moving into its second year with a brand new look and feel. We've listened to the feedback from both our writers and readers, and we've revamped the site to give you more of what you want and some new things, too. Tell us what you think!

Dear Readers,

Can you believe The Root is approaching the end of its first year? And my, what a year it’s been! As we’ve kept pace with the news and issues that matter to you most, providing you with insightful, provocative and witty commentary that you can’t find anywhere else, we’ve also been listening to your feedback. We want The Root to be your Web home, a true community that makes you part of the conversations we’re starting here, your must-go place each day for views and voices that reflect your world.  

For the past few months, we’ve been working on a redesign of The Root, a new look and feel to make it easier to find your favorite sections, writers and topics. The changes are based on suggestions and questions we’ve heard from you, and we feel confident that you’ll like them. All of your favorite features, like our Views essays and our blogs are still here, and they are displayed in a way that makes it easier for you to find, enjoy and keep track of them. We’re doing more to showcase our writers and our readers. And we’re creating better ways of highlighting special features that you’d like to see more of, from books to travel to politics, politics and more politics! We won’t be done with the full redesign until January, when we’ll relaunch the site in celebration of The Root’s first anniversary! But we thought we’d let you take a peek at what we’ve done so far.  

Remember, what you’re seeing is not complete. It’s a first glance at our premier Views section, and a bit more, just enough to give you a sense of the improved look and function that we’re bringing to you. And there is more to come. As you’ve reached out to us this year, we’ve heard loud and clear that you want to stake your claim to The Root, to be part of the discussions we’re having, and even start discussions of your own. We want to have more interactions with you, too. In its next phase, The Root will be not just a one-of-a-kind Web magazine, but a community, a family who gathers regularly to share everything from big ideas to trivial pursuits.

Don’t just look once at this advance peek. Come several times over the coming weeks to http://beta.theroot.com/. There will be small updates and improvements each time you visit, and it will give you a chance to kick the tires a bit and get used to the new us. Once you've clicked through our beta site, please share your thoughts by taking this quick, 5-question survey. 

We’re looking forward to an exciting second year, and we’re thrilled to have you coming along with us. It’s a new day, a new time, your time—a time for The Root! 

Sincerely, 

Lynette Clemetson

Lynette Clemetson

Managing Editor