This is an article from our archives. For the latest news on The Root, check out our Buzz section. Fresh from our “Castration for $1,000, Alex” file, the New York Daily News is reporting that 16 people have been arrested in the gang rape of an 11-year-old girl in the small town of Cleveland, Texas.…

The New York Daily News is reporting that Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings, 74, has been sued by former aide, Winsome Packer, for sexual harassment. The suit was announced on Monday on behalf of Packer by conservative group Judicial Watch. Hastings is accused of touching Winsome, making unwelcome sexual advances and asking about her underwear. Hastings…

Christine Pelisek of the Daily Beast is reporting that the battle between the husband and son of Etta James continues as the legendary singer fights for her life. James, 73, suffers from dementia, leukemia and numerous other ailments. She is now bedridden at her ranch-style home in Riverside County, Calif. Pelisek writes, “Her son, Donto…

If arrogance had a name, it would be Anthony Mackie. Mackie, who is quite frankly an amazing actor, put his proverbial foot in his mouth last week in an interview with the Grio, saying that people in black Hollywood are being “lazy on their game.” Mackie has had a pretty interesting career trajectory, navigating between…

The Boston Herald is reporting that Google will give the Nelson Mandela Foundation $1.25 million to digitize documents, audio recordings and film clips from Mandela’s life and publish them on the Internet. Google spokesman Luke Mckend said Tuesday that the foundation will scan more than 10,000 of Mandela’s personal records, including notes he wrote during…

MSNBC is reporting that two elderly Sikh men were gunned down in Sacramento, Calif., while taking a walk. Surinder Singh, 65, died from his wounds, and his friend, 78-year-old Gurmej Atwal, remains in critical condition. Witnesses say that someone in a pickup truck opened fire as they walked through their Elk Grove neighborhood on Friday.…

Mediabistro.com is reporting that Larry Wilmore, the “senior black correspondent” for The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, will be the entertainment at the annual Congressional Correspondents’ Dinner later this month. Wilmore, who created The Bernie Mac Show, has appeared on The Office and wrote the 2009 book, I’d Rather We Got Casinos and Other Black Thoughts.…

The Associated Press is reporting that an independent report commissioned by Congress says that the U.S. military is too white and too male at the top and needs to change recruiting and promotion policies and lift its ban on women in combat. Seventy-seven percent of senior officers in the active-duty military are white, while only…

Mark Cina of the Hollywood Reporter is reporting that the animal-rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is stepping into the ring with boxing legend Mike Tyson over his new reality show on Animal Planet. The animal-rights group is going after the famed boxer for his new project, Taking on Tyson, which documents…