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Remembering the Afro-Latinx Mother of Cuba: Mariana Grajales Cuello
For the last day of Latinx Heritage Month, The Root is highlighting Mariana Grajales Cuello, the “Mother of Cuba.” This Afro-Cuban woman helped lead the fight against Spanish rule on the island and lost everything in her fight for the freedom of Afro-Cubans. “Mi Gente Afrodescendiente” (My People of African Descent) is a series that…
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Global Blackness and the Legacy of Arturo Schomburg
Janel Martinez, creator of Ain’t I Latina? guest hosts Episode 2 of “Mi Gente Afrodescendiente,” which highlights Arturo Schomburg, one of the most influential curators of black history. “Mi Gente Afrodescendiente” (My People of African Descent) is a series that sheds light on Afro-Latinx figures whose stories are often left out of our history books.…
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Dascha Polanco Tells the Story of Dominican-Born Tuskegee Airman, Esteban Hotesse
For Latinx Heritage Month, The Root is highlighting black Latinxs who’ve made history. “Mi Gente Afrodescendiente” (My People of African Descent) is a series that sheds light on Afro-Latinx figures whose stories are often left out of our history books. In episode 1, actress and Dominican native Dascha Polanco (Orange is the New Black) tells…
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We Found Nathan: Here's What He Really Thinks About Ghosting
I’ll be the first to admit that Insecure’s “Obsessed-Like” episode put me all the way in my feelings. That helpless feeling you have after someone ghosts you is one of the most trash feelings ever. If you haven’t been ghosted at this point in your life, brace yourself because the way life is set up,…
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Watch: Nappily Ever After's Sanaa Lathan Says You Don't Need Marriage to Be Complete
Sanaa Lathan broke the internet when she revealed her big chop last September. Lathan, who has dazzled the big screen since the late ‘90s, has rocked a number of styles throughout her career— but this moment was different. Lathan’s big chop was a part of her role as Violet Jones in Nappily Ever After, which…
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The Black Lives That Don't Matter
Did you know that on average, there was one queer person (pdf) killed a week in 2017? Most people don’t, and that’s a problem. Through July 2018, at least 19 transgender people were fatally shot or killed by other means. That number continues to climb by the week and many of these killings are happening…
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Nicki Minaj's CRWN Interview Proved She Is Tired of Being Asked to Prove Herself
Nicki Minaj is on track to make history once again following the release of her fourth studio album Queen. As Minaj climbs up music charts, industry experts predict Queen will debut at No. 1. If predictions hold, this will be Minaj’s third number one album, making her the first woman to snag three number one rap…
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This Is How Black Joy and Resistance Triumphed Over White Supremacy at D.C.'s Unite The Right Rally
White supremacists behind the original Unite the Right rally that terrorized Charlottesville, Va., in 2017 with violent protests, decided to have another riveting event. This time, in our nation’s capital. But the group was dwarfed by counter-protestors. This is their story. “The Black Lives Matter movement is such a place of hope and faith. To…
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Common on Putting His Money Where the Government Won't
Rapper and actor Common is investing in black children across the country by donating money to public schools. He and his mother, Mahalia Hines, Ph.D., teamed up with Burlington Stores and AdoptAClassroom.org to fund school supplies for students nationwide, including Puerto Rico. “Instead of educate, they’d rather convict the kids,” Common rapped, in front of…
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Black Actors Bring Attention to Trump's Heartless Immigration Policies
Over 30 celebrities joined Maggie Gyllenhaal in a collaboration with the ACLU to release a video bringing attention to the zero-tolerance immigration policies that have resulted in the forced separation of young children from their parents. In the video, stars like Chadwick Boseman, Lena Waithe, Miguel and Thandie Newton read a letter written by Mirian,…
