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Is Mo’Nique a Donkey? Was Charlamagne Wrong for Calling Her One? Spoiler Alert: The Answer Is No
I am writing a book. When finished, I hope it will be a critical examination of race and culture in the United States. It will be unapologetic and fact-based and will pull no punches discussing the uniquely American brand of racism and how it is inextricably interwoven into the fabric of U.S. politics, economics and…
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What I Learned From My Week as a Conservative
Two years ago, as part of an assignment, I was white. I didn’t change my skin color or anything, but I drove across country for three days into Mexico in a van with eight white men. After three days, we camped out in a remote, untouched wilderness for 12 days, hiking 75 miles total, with…
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The Root’s Clapback Mailbag: Secondhand Clapbacks
I am often accused of hating white people. I don’t usually defend myself because … well … I don’t hate white people. But this week was different. You probably don’t know this, so I’ll let you in on a little-known fact: Sometimes I can be a little provocative. I called the National Rifle Association “terrorists.”…
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R. Kelly and the Black People on the Wakanda Travel-Ban List
During an emergency meeting at 7:27 p.m. Wednesday, the past, present and future residents of Wakanda went to the Black Twitter polls and voted to ban all attempts at entry by Grammy Award-winning singer and world-renowned urinator R. Kelly. It began when the crooner known for loving 11th-graders and singing the song “12 Play” posted…
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America: Wakanda for White People
Before most of black America pulled their dashikis over their head and threw kente cloths over their shoulders for the Black Panther premiere, they had collectively anticipated the premise of the movie with an unnatural excitement. Much of the hype had nothing to do with the storyline or the fact that the Marvel Universe had…
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Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Queer Black Woman Who Invented Rock ’n’ Roll
What we know as rock ’n’ roll did not exist before her. She came before Elvis and Johnny Cash. She preceded Chuck Berry and Little Richard.
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University Spokesperson Complains About Horrific Reverse Racism That Affects Her in No Way
A University of North Texas official and future candidate for dean of white fragility took to Twitter to protest an incredibly racist petition circulating around the campus to name one of the college’s new buildings after a woman of color. UNT Student Government Association Sen. Misaki Collins recently posted a petition online to get signatures…
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Papa Don’t Snitch: Parents of Alleged Serial Killer Arrested for Not Cooperating With Prosecutors
The recent case of an alleged serial killer in Tampa, Fla., raises an interesting question—namely, should parents be forced to participate in the conviction of their child if it could quite literally mean the death of their offspring? Would your mother do it? Could you snitch out your own child? More important, in this specific…
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There’s a Theory That if Black People Buy Guns, It Could Stop the NRA’s War on Kids; It Won’t
Before one begins any discussion about the gun debate, it is necessary to dismiss the slow-thinking zealots from the room by pointing out that two things can be true: I can believe that Church’s fried chicken is actually deep-fried Triceratops raised on a secret Jurassic Park-type farm, and it tastes delicious. I also believe that…
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Why I Decided to Become a Black Conservative
A few months ago, The Root began a series of stories under the name “I Tried It,” chronicling the experiences of writers who were willing to step outside their comfort zones to try things they normally wouldn’t consider. Some were incredibly adventurous, like senior reporter Terrell Jermaine Starr’s visit to one of the most radioactive…
