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Black Uncle Sam Weather Vane May Point to Which Way the Wind Blows on the Issue of Race in Post-Civil War America
This image is part of a weekly series that The Root is presenting in conjunction with the Image of the Black Archive & Library at Harvard University’s Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. Valued for its practical union of art and utility, the weather vane has long been considered a classic form of…
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American Citizen Lands on Barbed Wire Fence Trying to Escape Namibian Prison
An American citizen attempted to escape a Namibian prison, the Associated Press reports. In 2011 Marcus Kevin Tomas, a Los Angeles native, and another American, Kevin Townsend, were charged with the murder of Andre Hackmair, a Namibian national. Prison authorities say that Tomas climbed a tree outside Windhoek Central Prison and attempted to climb over…
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Black Women Are Riding a Wave From Voter Participation to Political Office
Black women went to the polls in record numbers in 2012, registering and voting at a higher rate than any other group of voters. In 2014 they’ve set another record: More black women are making bids for national and statewide elected office this year than ever before. According to a recent analysis, 30 black women…
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NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray: ‘Why Are People Spreading These Lies?’
The first lady of New York City says that the New York Post is “spreading lies.” Writing for the New York Daily News, Chirlane McCray says that a Post article quoting her criticism of New York City police Commissioner Bill Bratton for the resignation of black NYPD Chief of Department Philip Banks is just false:…
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Mother of Eric Garner Disputes Claims She Received Special Treatment From Police
The mother of Eric Garner, the unarmed New York City man who died after being placed in an illegal choke hold by a police officer earlier this year, is denying allegations that she received special treatment from city police officers during an Oct. 21 traffic stop, reports the New York Daily News. Gwen Carr told…
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Which Boxing Champ Was ‘Unforgivably Black’?
Editor’s note: For those who are wondering about the retro title of this black-history series, please take a moment to learn about historian Joel A. Rogers, author of the 1934 book 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro With Complete Proof, to whom these “amazing facts” are an homage. Amazing Fact About the Negro No. 98: Who were the…
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Outrageous Moments for Black TV Journalists
Live news broadcasting is serious and important business, but it can also lead to memorable gaffes. Here are a handful of examples. Grace Under Pressure: Lester Holt Viewers who saw it live Saturday night were convinced that a weather reporter was relieving himself when anchor Lester Holt tossed to him. But an NBC representative says that…
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Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols Detained at LAX After Cops Find Drugs on Companion
A “cloaking device” would have come in handy last week for a traveling companion of Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura on the popular, classic TV series. The 81-year-old actress was stopped at Los Angeles International Airport Friday after her 20-something male companion was discovered carrying drugs, New York’s Daily News reports, citing…
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Ala. Teen Accused of Robbing Subway Eateries After Diet Fail
Revenge allegedly was on the mind of a Hueytown, Ala., teen, who is accused of robbing four Subway Restaurants. Zachary Rapheal Torrance, 18, allegedly told investigators he was angry and wanted his money back after failing to lose weight on the eatery’s famous so-called Jared diet, according to AL.com. He was arrested Thursday and charged…
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Prince and Chris Rock Triumph on SNL
Saturday Night Live was poised to deliver a winning show last night, with Chris Rock returning as host and Prince appearing as the musical guest. And the stars delivered the goods. Prince performed four new songs during a sublime eight-minute jam. Rock joked about everything from ISIS, the Boston Marathon bombing and even the Freedom…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
