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The Guy I’m Dating Wants to Put Us on Pause While He Studies. Should I Be Offended?
The guy I’m dating is studying for a certification and pretty much said that’s his biggest priority for the next few weeks and that his free time will be dedicated to studying. Should I be offended? Understanding? How should I handle this? —Anonymous It sounds like the guy you’re seeing might be studying for a…
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Director Steve McQueen’s Art Project Offers a Haunting Look at the FBI Surveillance of Paul Robeson
When director Steve McQueen was 14, a neighbor introduced him to the work of Paul Robeson. McQueen was initially intrigued by the legendary performer and activist’s commanding presence, and he began to research his career. He, like many others who have studied Robeson, was amazed. Of the level of inspiration, he said that “it was…
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A Tech Entrepreneur Gets Inspiration From Afrofuturism
Emile Cambry is a social entrepreneur whose technology center, Chicago’s Blue 1647, teaches people living in underserved communities how to code, make apps and solve technical problems. Cambry’s been inspired by Afrofuturism and what it can do for the next generation of young entrepreneurs. In part 4 of The Root’s series on Afrofuturism, Cambry talks about the importance…
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Watch: Misty Copeland on Becoming the Firebird Barbie
Very seldom does one find a person as gracious and graceful as Misty Copeland. In June 2015, Copeland became the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre’s 75-year history. She has amassed innumerable accolades and graced a slew of magazine covers, helped redefine the Under Armour brand, and has…
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President Obama’s Top 10 Jokes From the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Hands down, President Barack Obama nailed his final White House Correspondents’ Dinner. POTUS was in tip-top comedic form last night, and his eighth and final “nerd prom” was filled with pointed sarcasm, witty barbs, surprise video vignettes and wistful nostalgia. 6. On Hillary Clinton pandering to younger voters (he actually laughed during this one): “You’ve…
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Malia Out: The First Daughter Chooses Harvard
After much speculation, Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, has announced her plans to attend Harvard University, but not until 2017. The White House announced her plans Sunday, as well as her intention to take a “gap year” so that when she begins, her father will be…
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Watch: Chicago Cops Beat Pastor in Front of Her Children
In 2013 a Chicago woman was simply pulling into her driveway one evening and ended up in a violent confrontation with police in front of her two small children. By the end of the night, the woman had had a gun drawn on her, been hit by a police car and pepper-sprayed, and been charged…
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East Texas Flash Flood Kills Great-Grandmother and 4 Children
Torrential rains pounded East Texas on Saturday, and six people tragically lost their lives, including a great-grandmother and four school-age children. The downpour forced residents to wade through water up to their chins after rain swamped a cul-de-sac of homes during the night and forced some onto rooftops. In less than an hour, more than…
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MayBeWell: Shining a Spotlight on Mental Health in the Black Community
I don’t know how to talk about mental health in a short, sweet and all-encompassing way. On the topic, my mind is a Powerball drawing of sorts. The first ball up is MarShawn McCarrel, the brilliant Black Lives Matter activist who tragically took his own life earlier this year. Then I think of the artist…

