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Does the Most Insecure President Ever Watch Insecure?
Before I became an entertainment writer at The Root, I wrote general news for another publication. Writing anything outside of the entertainment beat wasn’t my favorite thing to do, but it was the job. Now that I’m here, I often revel in the fact that it’s not really likely I’ll ever have to write about…
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Kanye West Puts His Money Where His Mouth Once Was, Sets Up College Fund for George Floyd's Daughter Gianna
You know the echoes of “Mr. West, Mr. West, Mr. West” in Kanye West’s song, “Good Morning?” Well apparently, that’s the energy media personality Ibrahim “Ebro” Darden had when he called out the rapper’s silence on social media. I’ve already expressed this in another blog, but I have to reiterate my point specifically for ‘Ye:…
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Demand for Dear White People and When They See Us Skyrockets During George Floyd Protest Era
Dear white people, do y’all see us today? According to data sent to The Root by Parrot Analytics, apparently more people are eager for commentary on race and police brutality because demand for two Netflix projects, Dear White People and When They See Us has gone through the roof. As we’re living in an era…
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Where Do We Go From Here?: Oprah to Host Two-Night Conversation Special on Systemic Racism
When it feels like we’re trapped in an endless loop of police killings and the fights to dismantle the system that perpetuates it, we often can’t help but ask, “Where do we go from here?” That very conversation will be the topic of OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?, a two-night special hosted…
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The Hollywood Black Squares: A Reckoning on Whether Solidarity With Black Lives Matter Is Fact or Fiction
In the ongoing fight for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, black boxes and squares are Hollywood’s deus ex machina. From Studio Binder: Deus ex Machina is when a hopeless situation is suddenly solved by an unexpected occurrence. It is a contrived plot device often used in film or novels. It is an easy way…
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Gabrielle Union Files Harassment Complaint Against America's Got Talent Producers, Attorney Issues Statement
Gabrielle Union has filed a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH) against the producers of America’s Got Talent, citing harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Union is named as the complainant with Universal Television, LLC, Fremantle Productions North America, Inc., Simon Cowell and Syco Entertainment Inc. are named as respondents in the DFEH…
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Da Brat Says She Felt Pressured to Stay in the Closet and Appear Desirable to Both Men and Women to Sell Records
It’s Pride Month and Da Brat is celebrating the LGBTQIA commemoration for the first time this year, after having been the subject of swirling rumors surrounding her sexuality for decades. In a recent Variety feature titled, “Da Brat’s Coming Out Story Is 25 Years in the Making,” the rapper-turned-radio-personality opened up about the complexities that…
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For John Boyega, Black Lives Matter More Than the Possibility of Burning Hollywood Bridges
*Cue Star Wars theme* A short time ago in a country far, far away, John Boyega once again proved that he’s about that life—black life, to be specific. On Wednesday, many gathered to participate in the Black Lives Matter protest and demonstration located in Hyde Park, a public park in Central London. In addition to…
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Wypipo Wite-Out: K-Pop Fans Use Social Media Privilege to Drown Out #WhiteLivesMatter Hashtags
We have to admit—#BlackOutTuesday didn’t go the way its originators intended. Though we tried to alleviate a bit of confusion with a quick explainer that morning, some of the spiraling was unavoidable and unfortunately, the intended message was lost in the muddled mess. However, today is a brand new day and a new opportunity to…
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Just Mercy Is Available to Rent for Free Throughout June in Honor of George Floyd
Though the primary purpose of films is to entertain, it can also be used to make a statement and inform the masses on important issues throughout history. 2019’s Just Mercy was certainly touted as a film that accomplished as much. In June, Warner Bros. Pictures decided to make the critically acclaimed film available to the public…
