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The International Fight for Gay Rights
Zanele Muholi has a long story of activism. A member of black lesbian organizations during the ’90s, in 2002 the South African photographer co-founded the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW), which is “the only black lesbian organization that has lasted for long in South Africa, if not Africa as a whole.” Five years…
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The 'Jim Crow' Injustice of Crack Cocaine Continues
Nothing symbolizes the conflicted state of U.S. race relations more than the tortured odyssey of crack cocaine. Federal sentencing enhancements for the drug, which we now know is pharmacologically indistinguishable from powder cocaine, date to the Reagan administration. They have had an astonishingly injurious impact. Although surveys show that most users of cocaine, in all…
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Should Hair Braiders Be Licensed?
Charemi Jones, an “occasional braid wearer,” has experienced it all when it comes to hair-related drama. The Chicago police officer’s hair has been braided so tight she had to take Ibuprofen to ease headaches. And once she had a braid rip away from her scalp while she was sleeping. So the fact that Illinois legislators…
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Introducing Facebook Social Plugins
If you’ve ever wanted to share an article on The Root with several friends, you’ll appreciate the new feature we’ve added to the site that should make it a lot easier. There’s a new button for Facebook’s ”Like” option at the top left of stories on The Root. Now by clicking on the Like button,…
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Young, Female and Fabulous in D.C.
Thursday evening kicked off the first event in The Root’s “Young, Fabulous and Female” series of gatherings focused on black women’s pursuit of success and meaningful change. It was a full house at the Washington Post building in D.C., as roughly 125 people came to see a lively panel discussion and mingle at a cocktail…
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Are You a Young Hustler?
The Root is looking for young artists and entrepreneurs across America who are working to make their dreams a reality. We’ll be showcasing stories sent in by The Root readers to potentially be featured in an upcoming photo gallery on the site. If you’re someone in their late teens/early-mid 20’s trying to make it big in…
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Did You Mail in Your Census Form?
Today is the last day to mail back your 2010 U.S. Census form before the government takes things to the next level: sending canvassers out to knock on your door, starting May 1. Once they do that, the cost of having you counted goes up from the pennies it costs for postage to $57 per…
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'Treemonisha' in Paris
Nearly 100 years after it was composed, nearly 45 years after its first full-scale performance in America, Scott Joplin’s opera Treemonisha has arrived in France. Beneath the glittering chandelier and the towering proscenium arch of the Théâtre du Châtelet, one of Paris’ finest concert halls, Treemonisha, the first opera ever composed by an American, is…
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The Root Goes Mobile
You can access The Root from any mobile phone that has a Web browser. Now there’s no reason to miss reading the latest black news and your favorite articles from The Root. Just go to: mobile.theroot.com using your smart phone’s Web browser. Bookmark us for easy access. Become a fan of The Root on Facebook.…
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Getting Smoked at the Gym by a Senior Citizen
Thought of Morjorie Newlin this morning. A picture of her at age 86 is attached. Yes, age 86. I’ve received this same photo from friends a number of times over the years, and the woman who tightens my locs keeps the Jet magazine photo of Ms. Newlin on her refrigerator, as a reminder of what’s…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
