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Barneys Fiasco: Jay Z Is Not the Problem
(The Root) — Once upon a time, a crazed radio host called a team of basketball-playing black women “nappy-headed hos.” When confronted about his racism, he blamed hip-hop. Then suddenly everyone was talking about rappers dropping n-bombs and calling women “hos,” and Oprah finally addressed hip-hop in a two-part special on why hip-hop sucks. And…
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R. Kelly Imposter Can't Fool Fans
If you want to see what’s hot on black Twitter, check out The Chatterati.Akoto Ofori-Atta is the editor of The Grapevine. Like her Facebook page and follow her on Twitter.
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Blackface on Halloween: Should You Do It?
(The Root) — Halloween is rapidly approaching, and in light of recent events — namely these horrible, horrible Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman costumes — we thought it important to recirculate this image, courtesy of @BobbyBigWheel. If you need help deciding whether or not you should be offensive for Halloween, use this as a reference.…
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Shaquille Endorses Chris Christie
(The Root) — While there are some celebrities known for their political activism (think Kerry Washington), Shaquille O’Neal is not one of them, which is why it surprised many when the famed NBA star waded into a political campaign. In a television advertisement, O’Neal endorsed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for re-election. Making the endorsement…
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Quote of the Day: Paul Robeson on Community
Read more about Paul Robeson’s family and early life here. Henry Louis Gates Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and founding director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. He is also the editor-in-chief of The Root. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Like The Root on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
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Michelle Obama: A Secret Weapon
(The Root) — During the last midterm elections when candidates in tough races found themselves in trouble, Democrats dispatched their secret weapon: Michelle Obama. The first lady campaigned in a number of states for candidates. She did so in part because her schedule made it easier for her than her husband, but also because, as…
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Cory Booker and the 1st Black Senators
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. (The Root) — Amazing Fact About the…
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Single Moms With Family Values
University of North Carolina assistant history professor Molly Worthen writes a piece at the New York Times about single mothers who are changing the landscape by rejecting the politics of their liberal peers. When Jennifer Maggio was in her early 20s, she was raising two children by herself on the $750 per month that she…
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Time for Washington's Football Team to Change Its Name
“The name fails the most basic tests of acceptability,” writes Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson about the Washington Redskins’ team name. He joins a widening chorus calling for a name change for the football team based in the nation’s capital. I’m a bit late to the topic, but the Washington, D.C., professional football team really…
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'SNL' Parodies '12 Years a Slave'
Saturday Live tried to poke fun at 12 Years a Slave, the movie chronicling the brutal era of slavery in the United States. The sketch, “12 Days Not a Slave,” features Jay Pharoah, a regular, and Edward Norton, the guest host of the evening. While visiting with his friend, Norton, at an all-white saloon, Pharoah,…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
