‘Karen’ Calls Amazon Driver The N-Word, Cali Family Demands Justice After Alleged Racist Attack On 13-Year-Old Boy, NYPD Chief Resigns Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations, Oregon Letter Encourages Residents To ‘Round Up’ People of Color And More

The Root’s most memorable news stories from the last seven days.

WATCH:  ‘Karen’ Calls Amazon Driver the N-Word, But That’s Not All…

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘TikTok’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]

Because it’s a day that ends in “y,” yet another video has surfaced on social media of a “Karen” doing what they do best – threatening to call the police on someone because they feel they have been wronged. – Angela Johnson Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Tyler Perry Deals ‘Mind Crack’, According to Judge Joe Brown

A FedEx Contract Worker Was Arrested After Allegedly Doing This With Undelivered Packages

Photo: Holmes County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook

A Black FedEx worker was arrested in Bonifay, Florida following an investigation of several missing packages. Officials with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office said in a official statement that they reached out to the shipping company for help finding the driver, who was ultimately identified as Latavion Lewis. – Candace McDuffie Read More

California Family Seeks Justice After Alleged Racist Attack On 13-Year-Old Boy

Sal’Vyion “Sal” Torres with his parents and grandparents, Dec. 23. Photo: SFVS/el Sol Photo/Semantha Raquel Norris

On Monday, Dec. 23, civil rights activists assembled in front of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in Northridge, California to demand justice for 13-year-old Sal’Vyion “Sal” Torres. Torres, who is Black, was the victim of an alleged racist attack. – Candace McDuffie Read More

NYPD Chief Resigns Amid Disturbing Sexual Misconduct Allegations—But There’s Much More

Photo: Getty Images Lev Radin

The latest scandal to rock the New York City Police Department (NYPD) is one that no one saw coming. Jeffrey Maddrey, the department’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, stepped down from his position on Friday, Dec. 20, after being accused of sexual misconduct. – Candace McDuffie Read More

NY Public School Teacher Sued Over Allegedly Asking Black Students This Outrageous Racially-charged Question

Photo: Google Maps

A white teacher at a public school in New York is being sued for allegedly asking an outrageously racist question to two Black students. According to The Independent, Monique-Gale Messina—a teacher at Eldred Junior Senior High School in Sullivan County—asked the pair if they were “’pure-bred’ Black” in front of their peers. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Black Celebs We Lost in 2024

Photo: Getty Images Leon Bennett

Black people have had a significant impact on every aspect of life. From entertainment to sports to politics, to business, we’ve made this world a better place. Sadly, 2024 has seen us lose some of these industries’ most important figures. As we continue to make it through the year, join us in honoring the lives and legacy of those we’ve lost in 2024. – Root Staff Read More

SMH: Letter Circulates in Oregon Encouraging Residents to ‘Round Up’ People of Color

Photo: Getty Images Joe Sohm/Visions of America

Oregon officials have condemned a racist letter that has been circulating in various communities throughout Lincoln County. According to a Dec. 19 Facebook post by the sheriff’s office, the letter entitled “The Brown Round Up, Part 1″ encouraged residents to track and report information regarding people of color. – Candace McDuffie Read More

How Jay-Z Finally Got Back At Tony Buzbee After a Wild Few Weeks

Photo: Getty Images Astrid Stawiarz and JC Olivera

While everyone was celebrating the holiday, it seems like Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter had a special gift for Texas attorney Tony Buzbee…in the form of a lawsuit. – Phenix S Halley Read More

What?? Why Former Black Panther Members Believe They’re Still Being Monitored By The FBI After More Than 50 Years

Photo: Getty Images San Francisco Chronicle

According to a shocking new report by The Nation, former Black Panther Party members have insisted that they are still being monitored by the FBI even though COINTELPRO was terminated back in 1971. COINTELPRO, which stands for Counterintelligence Program, was a covert operation started by the FBI in 1956. – Candace McDuffie Read More

After Suffering Tragic Loss, This Black Ohio Teen Received a Text That Changed His Life

Screenshot: abcnews.go

At just 17 years old, Petey Jones has already experienced unspeakable tragedy. In 2017, the Ohio teen lost his father, who died from a heart attack at age 40. Three years later, his mother passed away from an unknown condition on New Year’s Day 2021. In March of that same year, tragedy struck again when a fire destroyed his apartment and took the life of his older sister, Maronique, who had been caring for him. – Angela Johnson Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

13 Years After 'Being Mary Jane' Premiered, Here’s Where the Cast Is Now!

13 Years After ‘Being Mary Jane’ Premiered, Here’s Where the Cast Is Now!

The groundbreaking drama “Being Mary Jane” ended in 2019, but its cast have continued to evolve. Here’s where they are today …
Black Stars Who Showed Out for Paris Fashion Week 2026

Black Stars Who Showed Out for Paris Fashion Week 2026

From Usher and SZA to Kai Cenat and Pharrell, let’s take a look at some of our fave faces out and about at Paris Fashion Week! …
The Feud Between Djimon Hounsou and the His Children's Mother Just Got Messy — Now The Cops Are Involved

The Feud Between Djimon Hounsou and the His Children’s Mother Just Got Messy — Now The Cops Are Involved

Longtime actor Djimon Hounsou is back in the news, but sadly—it isn’t for anything positive. Let’s talk about it! …
How the Gullah-Geechee People Stopped Gentrification Dead in its Tracks... For Now

How the Gullah-Geechee People Stopped Gentrification Dead in its Tracks… For Now

Since 2023, an effort to raise property taxes and displace Black Gullah-Geechee residents has threatened the community’s deep history …
Veteran Black Journalist's New Novel Explores Love, Hip-Hop and Magazines in the 1990s

Veteran Black Journalist’s New Novel Explores Love, Hip-Hop and Magazines in the 1990s

The Root spoke to Amy DuBois Barnett about her debut novel which explores the good and bad of hip-hop and journalism in the late 1990s …
How Duke University Suing Its Own Quarterback Could Impact All College Athletes

How Duke University Suing Its Own Quarterback Could Impact All College Athletes

Right after Duke University quarterback Darian Mensah announced he’s entering the transfer portal, the university sued him …
A$AP Rocky Finally Opens Up About His 'Crazy' Time In Swedish Jail

A$AP Rocky Finally Opens Up About His ‘Crazy’ Time In Swedish Jail

Life may be good for rapper A$AP Rocky now, but back when he was Swedish jail—things were anything but sweet. And now he’s providing more details about his time there! …
The Root Exclusive: Shaq's Masterclass On Business Success

The Root Exclusive: Shaq’s Masterclass On Business Success

Shaquille O’Neal explains how he has found success on every level. Here is his formula! …
Morris Brown College Reinstates President 1 Week After Firing Him... And That's Not All Either

Morris Brown College Reinstates President 1 Week After Firing Him… And That’s Not All Either

Morris Brown College’s Board of Trustees is under fire after terminating then reinstating the president in less than a week …
Shocking New Development in Case of ICE Agent Killing Keith Porter Jr. on New Years Eve

Shocking New Development in Case of ICE Agent Killing Keith Porter Jr. on New Years Eve

Now we know the identity of the ICE agent who shot and killed a Black man, Keith Porter Jr., on New Years Eve …
Why Don Lemon's Latest Reporting Could Land Him in Serious Trouble With the DOJ

Why Don Lemon’s Latest Reporting Could Land Him in Serious Trouble With the DOJ

Don Lemon is at risk of legal trouble by the Department of Justice for reporting on ICE protests in Minnesota …
Black Doctors Explain Why It Feels Cancer Is Everywhere These Days

Black Doctors Explain Why It Feels Cancer Is Everywhere These Days

We spoke with Black medical experts on why cancer feels more common than ever, and what genetics, lifestyle, and delayed screenings may have to do with it …
How Ben Crump is Involved With a 70-Year-Old Grandmother's Tragic Fate On a Universal Orlando Coaster Ride

How Ben Crump is Involved With a 70-Year-Old Grandmother’s Tragic Fate On a Universal Orlando Coaster Ride

Respected attorney Ben Crump is taking on the tragic case of a grandmother who died after riding a rollercoaster at Universal Orlando …
Why Michael Jordan's 'NBA On NBC' Coverage Flopped as Soon as It Started

Why Michael Jordan’s ‘NBA On NBC’ Coverage Flopped as Soon as It Started

Michael Jordan will not make any more appearances on NBC’s network’s coverage of the NBA, leaving fans feeling let down …
What Jill Scott Says About Being a 'Dominant Submissive'

What Jill Scott Says About Being a ‘Dominant Submissive’

Jill Scott’s comments about what she’s looking for in a man have sparked an online debate about power dynamics in relationships …
Why Everyone is Losing It Over Naomi Osaka's Australian Open Outfit

Why Everyone is Losing It Over Naomi Osaka’s Australian Open Outfit

Naomi Osaka is making a bold fashion statement at the 2026 Australian Open and you’ve got to see how she slayed! …
This Black TikToker's Super-Catchy Dr. Pepper Jingle Went Viral, Here's What Happened Next

This Black TikToker’s Super-Catchy Dr. Pepper Jingle Went Viral, Here’s What Happened Next

Romeo Bingham’s viral TikTok video, an ode to Dr. Pepper, leads to national commercial with the soft drink brand …
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Ronald Martinez

Why LeBron James is Getting Dragged For His MLK-Inspired Nike Sneakers

Designed to commemorate MLK Day and LeBron James’ 23rd season, “King James” and Nike have been called “tone-deaf” for the new shoe …
The Heartbreaking Fate of a Former Nickelodeon Black Child Star Exposes a Deeper Issue

The Heartbreaking Fate of a Former Nickelodeon Black Child Star Exposes a Deeper Issue

Kianna Underwood, a child star on Nickelodeon’s ‘All That’ had a life that should raise concerns about other child stars …
'High School Musical's' Black Stars, 20 Years Later

‘High School Musical’s’ Black Stars, 20 Years Later

Twenty years after the premiere, we’re looking at the lives and careers of three of the most memorable– and Black– stars from “High School Musical.” …