Kendrick Lamar Sent Coded Message To Black America During Super Bowl, Amanda Gorman Warns Florida Parents After Inaugural Poem Gets Banned, Why Super Bowl Star Jalen Hurts Rents Modest Philly Apartment, What Happened During The Red Summer of 1919 And More

A collection of our most popular culture stories from the week.

Kendrick Lamar Sent A Coded Message To Black America During Super Bowl. And We Got It

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Mazur

If the only takeaway you got from Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance was that he gave another deathblow to Drake’s career – I’ll need you to watch it again. And probably again after that. – Ernest Owens Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Hidden Symbolism in Ryan Coogler’s Masterpiece Sinners

After Florida Banned Amanda Gorman’s Inaugural Poem, She Sent This Warning to Parents

National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman speaks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 21, 2024 Photo: Getty Images Mandel NGAN / AFP

When Amanda Gorman read her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” at former President Joe Biden’s inauguration, she became the youngest poet to deliver a poem at a presidential inauguration. Although the 26-year-old Los Angeles native says she felt an immense sense of pride at being included in such an important moment in American history, she had no idea her work would resonate the way it did. And in a recent interview with “Meet The Press,” Gorman opened up to moderator Kristen Welker about how she felt when she learned that there was an active campaign to remove “The Hill We Climb” from schools around the country. – Angela Johnson Read More

Why Super Bowl Star Jalen Hurts, With His $255 Million Contract, Rents a Modest Philly Apartment

Photo: Getty Images Jamie Squire

After winning his first Super Bowl, you could expect Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts would need a bigger trophy cabinet, but it seems the NFL star has no plans to upgrade his lifestyle, and he has a pretty good reason for it. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Jalen Hurts and Bry Burrows Love Story

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles and fiancee, Bry Burrows, embrace after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Getty Images Jamie Squire

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has a lot to celebrate these days. Hurts, who just led the Eagles to a 40 – 22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs to become one of just four Black quarterbacks with a Super Bowl “W” under his belt, is about to join an even more exclusive team, as he prepares to say “I Do” to his fiancée Bryonna “Bry” Rivera Burrows. And because there’s nothing we love more than Black love around here. we’re taking a little time out to celebrate their story. – Angela Johnson Read More

This Black Philly Eagles Player Takes a Shot at Travis Kelce, and Taylor Swift Fans are Dragging Him Over It

Photo: Getty Images Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire // Frazer Harrison // Cooper Neill

Philadelphia Eagles star C.J. Gardner-Johnson is feeling what it’s like to be an enemy of the Swifties after attacking Travis Kelce on social media. But before he even has a chance to respond, his mother is coming to the rescue. – Noah A. McGee Read More

You Heard of the Tulsa Massacre, But I Bet Nobody Told You About Red Summer of 1919.

Photo: Getty Images Unidentified Photographer, June 1921

Most Black Americans have never heard of the Red Summer of 1919…but it is an element of Black history that we need to pay attention to. This country specializes in committing monstrous atrocities and then ignoring the consequences of their actions. It happened with Native Americans and the Trail of Tears. And, of course, it happened with Black folks. This truth is best captured when we consider what happened in the year 1919. – Lawrence Ware Read More

This Black Commercial Pilot Went Viral For Having Locs and a Grill…You Can Probably Guess Why

Screenshot: TikTok

Even though social media can instrumental in building community amongst Black folks, it has become just as easy to peddle hate. One TikTok user was reminded of this fact when he posted about being a commercial pilot. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Etsy Sellers Clapped Back at Kanye West’s Anti-Semitic Shirt With This Anti-Kanye Tee, And That’s Not All…

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: (L-R) Kanye West and Bianca Censori attend the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer

Earlier this week, we told you that Kanye West — who now goes by Ye — bought local ad time in Los Angeles during the Super Bowl to promote the latest from his Yeezy fashion line. The ad, which was shot on his iPhone from a dentist chair (we’re also confused), encouraged viewers to visit his website where the only thing for sale…was a t-shirt with a swastika on it. – Angela Johnson Read More

‘Dirty South’ Georgia Lawmakers Want to Do What to Cornbread!?

Photo: Getty Images Karen Warren / Houston Chronicl

While many states have a plethora of foods recognized as “state foods,” it seems one southern state is looking to add cornbread to its growing palette… yes, that’s right— cornbread. – Phenix S Halley Read More

The Great Marcus Garvey and His Scandalous Tale of Two Wives

Marcus Garvey “Africa’s Provisional President” during the renaming of the ship from the “General G.W. Goethals” to the S.S Booker T. Washington. Photo: Getty Images NY Daily News

We know Marcus Garvey as a powerful figure in Black history who dedicated much of his life to promoting self-love among Black people and encouraging an eventual return to their ancestral homeland of Africa. An outspoken Black nationalist who is said to have influenced other civil rights leaders including Malcolm X, many of Garvey’s supporters believe his 1923 conviction on mail fraud charges was politically motivated. However, former President Joe Biden issued a posthumous pardon to Garvey on his way out of the White House in January. – Angela Johnson Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Favorite Books By Black Authors in 2025

Favorite Books By Black Authors in 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re looking at our favorite books by Black authors of the year …
Save Room For These Black-Owned Restaurants in NYC!

Save Room For These Black-Owned Restaurants in NYC!

If you’re planning on traveling to New York City, bring your appetite. We’ve rounded up our favorite Black-owned restaurants in the Big Apple …
Everything You Didn't Know About Boxing Champ Anthony Joshua

Everything You Didn’t Know About Boxing Champ Anthony Joshua

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is becoming a household name in America. Here are all the deets you never knew about him! …
You'd Better Pay Close Attention to This Small But Crucial Change in U.S. Postal Service Policy

You’d Better Pay Close Attention to This Small But Crucial Change in U.S. Postal Service Policy

Late fees and penalties have been predicted after USPS changed its decades-long postmark policy …
Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream Right Now on Netflix

Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream Right Now on Netflix

With some much needed time off on the horizon for a lot of us, we thought it’d be fun to round up more than a handful of documentaries that keep you on the edge of your seat as 2026 rolls around! …
Oprah Breaks Silence on Her One Unexpected Side-Effect of Popular Weight Loss Drug

Oprah Breaks Silence on Her One Unexpected Side-Effect of Popular Weight Loss Drug

After losing and regaining weight on and off for years, Oprah feels that what’s working right now is making her healthier …
Chicago Blocks Troops but New Orleans Welcomes Them

Chicago Blocks Troops but New Orleans Welcomes Them

Chicago celebrates a court victory blocking federal troop deployments as New Orleans prepares for hundreds of National Guard members to enter the city for New Year’s Eve …
Cardi B.'s Clapback to Her Haters Over Stefon Diggs is <i>Peak</i> Cardi

Cardi B.’s Clapback to Her Haters Over Stefon Diggs is Peak Cardi

In true Cardi B fashion, her latest post is super funny. Unfortunately, not everybody is finding the humor in her situation with Stefon Diggs …
The Terrifying Reason a N.C. Amazon Driver and Her Son Were Shot At While Delivering Packages

The Terrifying Reason a N.C. Amazon Driver and Her Son Were Shot At While Delivering Packages

A North Carolina Amazon driver and her teen son were delivering packages when a homeowner allegedly shot at them with a shotgun …
The Bizarre Reason a Ga. Prison Guard Allegedly Held Welfare Workers Captive in Their Office

The Bizarre Reason a Ga. Prison Guard Allegedly Held Welfare Workers Captive in Their Office

A Georgia prison guard locked people up for a living, but now he’s accused of locking welfare workers in their building over this wild reason! …
Ryan Coogler's Newly Revealed Original 'Black Panther 2' Script is Mind-Blowing!

Ryan Coogler’s Newly Revealed Original ‘Black Panther 2’ Script is Mind-Blowing!

While ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ was good, the original script sounds like it would’ve slapped SO HARD. Let’s talk about it! …
New Development In The Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver-Classmate Saga

New Development In The Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver-Classmate Saga

Fawn Weaver isn’t done apologizing after the internet dragged her over that awkward interaction with her old schoolmate …
How Trump is Threatening to Erase the Legacies of World War II's Black Soldiers

How Trump is Threatening to Erase the Legacies of World War II’s Black Soldiers

After Trump’s anti-DEI policies rocked the nation, a WWII museum in Europe is facing backlash for removing Black soldiers’ memorials …
Do You Know Bobby Garnett, the Black Godfather of Vintage Fashion Who Inspired Ralph Lauren?

Do You Know Bobby Garnett, the Black Godfather of Vintage Fashion Who Inspired Ralph Lauren?

From high-end fashion designers to Hollywood costume designers, Bobby Garnett’s vintage clothing collection has had a major impact on the fashion industry …
The Most Shocking Black Sports Stories of 2025

The Most Shocking Black Sports Stories of 2025

These are the sports stories that had everyone — fans or not — tuned in in 2025! …
Best and Worst Black Tiny Desk Performances Ever

Best and Worst Black Tiny Desk Performances Ever

From Usher and Doechii to Amerie and Rick Ross–let’s get into a handful of the most memorable and worst-sounding NPR Tiny Desks performances! …
This Video Might've Predicted 'Big Brother' Star Mickey Lee's Death

This Video Might’ve Predicted ‘Big Brother’ Star Mickey Lee’s Death

Mickey Lee, a fan favorite contestant on the most recent season of ‘Big Brother,’ has died and her death is causing an interesting reaction online thanks to a viral video …
Why The Democratic Party Is Struggling Ahead of Midterm Elections

Why The Democratic Party Is Struggling Ahead of Midterm Elections

As we prepare for the 2026 midterms, the Democratic party could be its own worst enemy …
5 Most Shocking Parts of Marjorie Taylor Greene's Bombshell New York Times Interview

5 Most Shocking Parts of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Bombshell New York Times Interview

The firebrand Republican representative sat with The New York Times for a candid interview that will have more than a few eyebrows raised …
Tyler Perry Brings Receipts, Calls Sexual Assault Lawsuit a '$77 Million Money Grab Scam'

Tyler Perry Brings Receipts, Calls Sexual Assault Lawsuit a ‘$77 Million Money Grab Scam’

In June 2025, Tyler Perry was sued by an actor for sexual assault. Now, yet another man is making similar allegations–but Perry is pushing back! …