In December, President Barack Obama commissioned a task force to come up with recommendations on how to deal with recent police killings of unarmed black men and the distrust that working-class communities feel toward law enforcement as a result. On Monday, the President’s Task Force on 21st-Century Policing issued its proposals (pdf), including that “there should be…

Rep. Sheila Butt, a member of Tennessee’s House of Representatives, drew the ire of her black counterparts Thursday when she tried to backpedal away from her use of the abbreviation “NAAWP.” Her critics argue that the initials make a mockery of civil rights organization the NAACP, WKRN reports. Butt responded to a Facebook post about…

Protests erupted last week after models for an Italian designer emerged on the catwalk sporting glittery blackface at Milan Fashion Week. Claudio Cutugno presented his collection on Feb. 24 as part of his all-black themed show, which featured sheer blouses and feathered embellishments, according to E News. “I’m all for unique and interesting styles that…

A South Florida police chief found himself on the wrong side of the law last week after he was arrested on a charge of soliciting a prostitute. Miami Gardens Police Chief Stephen Johnson, 53, was fired late Friday after he was arrested at a Dania Beach motel during a sting operation conducted by the Broward…

A celebration Friday for outgoing U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder brought tears to President Obama’s eyes during a performance by Aretha Franklin, who “literally” sang his praises, CNN reports. “I think about all the young people out there who have seen you work and have been able to get just an innate sense, without knowing…

Responding to a lawsuit filed by the family of Tamir Rice, Cleveland city officials blamed the 12-year-old youth for inciting a police officer to fatally shoot him as he played on a playground, according to Cleveland.com. The response came Friday to a lawsuit filed by the Rice family, stating that the child “died and his…