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.

Minorities won a record number of seats in Parliament in the last election, and two black women are preparing groundbreaking campaigns. Yet given the U.K.'s severe economic challenges, some observers wonder how much there is to celebrate.

Pat Robertson's least favorite religion comes out in Brooklyn, N.Y., to celebrate the trigger of the Haitian revolution.

Contemporary Ethiopian musicians reinvigorate traditional jazz stylings for new audiences in America and Addis Ababa.

Since the departure of Aristide, Haiti's youth have created a network of grass-roots organizations that could propel the hip-hop candidate to power.

More than six months after Haiti's devastating earthquake, how much of the international aid that was promised has actually been delivered? A chart shows the shocking answer.

In an open letter to the hip-hop icon, a fellow Haitian-American explains why it's a bad idea for him to try to become president of Haiti.

This week the British supermodel finally took to the stand to testify about Charles Taylor. Her testimony revealed some ugly truths. And it's not just about the blood diamonds.

Achy Obejas talks to an Afro-Cuban intellectual who says that Cuba's gotten a pass on race for far too long.

When it comes to race, Cuba is far from a utopia. As part of The Root's series exploring the island's color complex, one of Cuba's esteemed social scientists writes about the aftermath of an open letter decrying racism there.