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Michelle Obama: A Secret Weapon
(The Root) — During the last midterm elections when candidates in tough races found themselves in trouble, Democrats dispatched their secret weapon: Michelle Obama. The first lady campaigned in a number of states for candidates. She did so in part because her schedule made it easier for her than her husband, but also because, as…
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Budding Dark-Skinned Superstar?
(The Root) — 12 Years a Slave is being hailed as the front-runner to sweep the next Academy Awards. In addition to Chiwetel Ejiofor’s powerful performance and Steve McQueen’s forceful direction, there is Lupita Nyong’o’s haunting turn as a slave named Patsey. Nyong’o’s ability to convey Patsey’s grace and humanity, regardless of the abuse and…
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Is the Tea Party Like the KKK?
(The Root) —In recent years when the words “racial controversy” or “race scandal” and “politics” have appeared in the same sentence, the word “Republican” has usually appeared somewhere in the sentence, too. But this week a racially charged scandal has erupted involving Democrats. High-profile Republicans are demanding an apology from Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.)…
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$350 Belt Sparks a Wrongful Arrest
(The Root) — When President Obama delivered remarks on the issue of race and racial profiling in the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin verdict, he said the following: “There are very few African-American men in this country who haven’t had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store. That includes…
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Cory Booker's Fight to End Homophobia
(The Root) — Making good on a promise, Sen.-elect Cory Booker began officiating the marriages of same-sex couples in New Jersey just after midnight this morning — as they first became legally possible, thanks to a court ruling. Later this morning, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced that although he continues to oppose same-sex marriage,…
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Why Obama Won the Shutdown
(The Root) — Though the president made a point to say during his remarks on the end of the shutdown, “There are no winners here,” that’s not entirely true. While the days of the shutdown marked a low point for the American people and an even lower point for government, the crisis ultimately marked a…
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Could Women Have Prevented Shutdown?
(The Root) — When history looks back on this latest government shutdown, there will likely be a few key culprits who get the blame. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) will surely be mentioned, along with the Tea Party and Obamacare. But is it possible that the biggest culprit of all may escape blame? I’m referring to…
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Are College Sports a Modern-Day Plantation?
(The Root) — When 2012 Heisman Trophy winner and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was reprimanded for allegedly taking payment for signing autographs, the ensuing controversy reignited an age-old debate: Should college athletes be compensated? Manziel appeared on the cover of Time magazine under the headline “It’s Time to Pay College Athletes.” But the way…
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Legendary Motown Etiquette Expert Dies
(The Root) — On Monday Maxine Powell — the modeling-school proprietor, etiquette expert and charm-school coach — died at age 98. Best known for her work with Motown’s Artist Personal Development Department, she trained performers there in the arts of poise, posture, grace, speech and style. But her legacy extends far beyond the legendary record…
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GOP Threatens Birth Control in Showdown
(The Root) — Contraception coverage has been one of the most contentious issues in the debate over the Affordable Care Act. As reported by The Root, so-called Obamacare requires insurers to cover birth control as routine preventative care, thereby requiring coverage with no copay. After church groups objected on moral grounds, the White House worked…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
