Opinion
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The Root's Clapback Mailbag: FAQ
Sometimes, when I sift through all the emails, tweets and DMs for the weekly Clapback Mailbag, I’m astounded by the fact that many of the letters are variations of the same theme. So I decided to answer some of our most frequently asked questions so that we can move forward. From: DonatoTo: Michael Harriot Do…
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The 2018 World Wypipo Tournament: The Fragile Four
Once upon a time, there was a little kid who dreamed that one day, if he worked hard enough and focused on his goals, he could achieve things no one else thought were possible. So he pursued his dreams, allowing nothing to stand in his way. After years of hard work and determination, he realized……
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#NetNeutrality: Will FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Face the Music at a Congressional Hearing This Week?
Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai is going to have some explaining to do when he appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Thursday morning at a hearing titled “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).” Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the chairman of the committee, said, “From efforts to better utilize…
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The 2018 World Wypipo Tournament: The Ecru Eight
And then there were eight. Of all the kale-eating, MAGA-sapiens who let their white so shine among men so that we may see their evil works, eight have managed to claw their way to the bottom. Eight competitors have set themselves apart by defeating their opponents in our free-for-all, head-to-head competition that seeks to crown…
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When Black Lives Are Under Attack, What Do We Do? Stand Up, Fight Back!
It seemed like the “alt-right” got the memo that spewing hateful rhetoric and inciting violence like we saw last year in Charlottesville, Va., only further marginalizes them. The few neo-Nazis, white nationalists and sympathizers who were present at the Unite the Right 2 March were completely dwarfed and drowned out by thousands of counter-protesters. Black…
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The Root's Clapback Mailbag: Who Am I to Judge?
Yesha’s not here today and today’s mailbag is pretty long so … Fuck this intro. Our first correspondence comes from a DM on Twitter: From: Aric To: Michael Harriot I wanted to know if it’s possible to be white and conservative without being a bigot or viscous [sic] criminal? I’m a college student but have…
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2018 World Wypipo Tournament Round 2: The Fight for Wypipo Supremacy
Welcome to the second round of the 2018 Wypipo Tournament. Our first round featured some barn burners (Vladimir Putin vs. Paul Manafort) and some blowouts (The Police vs. Karen Peconi). But the round of 32 is where the real magic happens. These competitors are vying for the opportunity to be crowned champion of Wypipo for…
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Awkward Black Guy: I’m Not Nigerian But I Played One for a Whole Weekend
“You’re totally Nigerian,” Nkechi Nneji said, holding her hands out in a frame like she was sizing up my face for a photo. “And you’ve got an Igbo head!” This was uttered to me in a vaguely complimentary way by my friend, Nkechi (pronounced EN-KAY-Chee), as she and fellow Nigerian Omarosa (yes, that Omarosa), tried…
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'White Civil Rights' Aren’t a Thing: Why Black People Are Protesting Unite the Right 2
On Aug. 12, white nationalists, fascists and their sympathizers will descend on Washington, D.C., for a “white civil rights” rally intended to terrorize black and brown residents. This rally is coming from the same white nationalists responsible for the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., where Heather Heyer was killed and dozens of…