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How School Closings Ruin Communities
(The Root) — One way to exact structural change in America is through schools and their curricula, The Root’s editor-in-chief, professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., said recently about creating a national dialogue about race that could help prevent tragedies like that shooting death of the unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Professor Gates was discussing his PBS…
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March on Washington: What They Wore
(The Root) — The 1963 March on Washington attendees and supporters were a fly bunch. Here’s how they sartorially represented civil rights. RDA/Getty Images Playwright James Baldwin, center, and friends attend a pro-March on Washington event in Paris, August 1963. Baldwin also joined the marchers in Washington. Carl Iwasaki/Getty Images Members of the Carmel Presbyterian…
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Shooting at Atlanta-Area Elementary School
(The Root) — Parents, students and online onlookers are thankful that a scary situation at an Atlanta-area elementary school didn’t turn deadly, as these events often do. All students are accounted for and a suspect is in custody after shots were fired at Ronald E. McNail Academy, a charter elementary school in Decatur, Ga. USA…
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Black People: Don't Avoid Mental-Health Services
In a piece for Ebony, Dr. Donald E. Grant Jr., a psychologist, encourages black people to give therapists, psychologists and other mental-health experts a chance to weigh in on their wellness needs. Although Black suicide has historically been low when compared to other groups, don’t be fooled. From 1981-1994, Black suicide rates grew by a ghastly 83%.…
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Prince Debuts Amazing New Cover Art
(The Root) — Twitter has been fawning over legendary musical artist Prince since he joined Twitter. He’s making sure he keeps people talking with tweets like this one: Game: Blouses http://t.co/3jShq2r9Ci http://t.co/3oEI8kQsKB http://t.co/G0uLp2mbJk pic.twitter.com/dNwDPifP8j — PRINCE 3RDEYEGIRL (@3rdeyegirl) August 16, 2013 Yes, that’s Dave Chappelle dressed as Prince from his famous Chappelle Show sketch, featuring…
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Kid President Interviews and Kisses Beyoncé
Beyoncé asked Kid President to kiss her on the cheek after the 10-year-old YouTube sensation asked her a slew of questions about the United Nations’ World Humanitarian Day campaign, the Huffington Post reports. The day, which was observed on Monday, honors aid workers who have lost their lives helping others. “I think it is so important for…
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Confronting the Racism of White Feminism
Lauren Walker, in a piece at xoJane, describes how her infatuation with women’s rights as a child was a way to numb the insecurities she felt as a black girl. She also realized that it closed her eyes to the erasure of black women within feminism. Ultimately, she says, “oppression in the guise of liberation for another…
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How to Become a 'Trayvon Martin Voter'
In a piece for the Washington Post, Benjamin L. Crump, the lead attorney for Trayvon Martin’s family, is encouraging supporters of the Trayvon Martin movement to sign a petition on Change.org to amend “Stand your ground” laws in 21 states. He also says that these “Trayvon Martin voters” should come out in droves during the…
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March on Washington's Unsung Heroes
A. Philip Randolph, Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders worked together to make the March on Washington a success 50 years ago. However, there were a number of people who worked behind the scenes to put together the event. This slideshow honors nine of those unsung heroes who contributed to the historic…
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Race Conversation We're Already Having
(The Root) — Whether or not we want to admit it, Americans are finally engaging in a national conversation about race and democracy. But it’s not happening in a single town hall forum televised on C-SPAN or through a Twitter chat hosted by President Obama, with millions tuning in. No, this conversation has been happening…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
