Opinion
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The Root's Clapback Mailbag: True or False Equivalency
“If a white person said that…” “What about…” “The Bible says…” Those three introductory phrases are staples in the language used by trolls. But, while some people immediately tune out everything that follows, we at The Root have an obligation to respond to these false equivalencies. We even built a system for it. All during…
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Auntie Unfiltered: Friendship, Favors, and Why Molly And Issa Are Trash
Have you been watching this season of Insecure? If you haven’t but you plan to, stop right here, because I am about to spoil it for you. If you don’t care, then keep reading. This week on Auntie Unfiltered, I discuss friendship—specifically communication in friendships. If your friendships (or any other relationship for that matter)…
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I'm Finally Good Enough to Die
I wasn’t always this guy. I wasn’t always a married father who lives in a nice community. I wasn’t always a writer. When I was 16, my dad sat me down and had a very real conversation with me. He told me that he’d given up, that he wasn’t going to hit me anymore for…
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Auntie Unfiltered: White People Using Black and Brown Emojis
As my granny used to say, “We can’t have shit to ourselves.” White people using black and brown emojis has been a thing for a while now, and one lady wrote me an email asking me to address why that practice should be seen as wrong. In this episode of Auntie Unfiltered, I discuss the…
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Ain't Nowhere to Run: An Open Letter to Ahmaud Arbery
Although Michael Harriot is on vacation this week, he still agreed to write our weekly Clapback Mailbag. However, instead of responding to trolls, haters, disgruntled readers and anyone who has a question about the content on The Root, Michael submitted this open letter to Ahmaud Arbery. Dear Mr. Arbery, Do not rest in peace. Haunt…
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And Now We Know Where Karens Come From: The Root Examines Kids' Obama Blackface Dance Routine
Karens are a unique breed. They can usually be spotted in head-to-toe Gap clothing drinking a pumpkin-flavored beverage. What’s most noticeable is the larger-than-normal pointer finger which is always ready to dial 9-1-1. They are usually unable to speak to sales associates and often can only communicate with managers. They are strong, but their collective…
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This Is Dedicated to All the Unfiltered Aunties I Have Known and Loved
Aunties are a thing in the black community. Whether they are the actual sibling of one of your parents, a close friend of your mama’s, a coworker, a teacher, someone at the church or just a member of your community, we all know at least one black lady we think of as “Auntie.” She gives…