activism
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Highlighting the Contributions of an 'Unknown Unknown' This Women’s History Month
The great journalist and civil rights activist, Ida B. Wells once said, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” This Women’s History Month, I want to turn the light of truth on three women whose lives intersected to right the wrong of segregated public transportation. These women deserve…
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LeBron James, Naomi Osaka Named Associated Press Male and Female Athletes of the Year
During a year that’s presented an endless succession of unprecedented challenges, LeBron James and Naomi Osaka dug deep and still managed to dominate both on and off the court, and for their accomplishments in both sports and social activism, the Associated Press has named them the Male and Female Athletes of the Year. From NBC News:…
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![10 Black Lives Matter Chapters Pen Open Letter Criticizing BLM Global Network for Lack of Transparency in Decision Making [Updated]](https://www.theroot.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pexqcd8lyee5dx4gxm0w-300x200.jpg)
10 Black Lives Matter Chapters Pen Open Letter Criticizing BLM Global Network for Lack of Transparency in Decision Making [Updated]
Black Lives Matter has become such a mainstream rallying cry and concept that it’s easy to forget it’s also an organization—and one that has grown from a grassroots movement to a global network aimed at the betterment of the Black collective. Since the BLM explosion over the summer, the organization has been making some serious…
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Colin Kaepernick and Ben & Jerry's Are Here to 'Change the Whirled'
In case you missed the memo, Ben & Jerry’s has been about that action. Need receipts? Here’s what I wrote about them last year when the premium ice cream company partnered with the Advancement Project to release the flavor Justice Remix’d as part of their efforts “to address the destructive cycle of mass incarceration in…
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LeBron James and Michelle Obama Join Forces to Encourage People to Vote Early
High-key, if I just won my fourth championship ring after spending months away from my family, I’d probably sit my happy ass down for a beat. LeBron James, fresh from winning his fourth ring and (probably) beating his son’s ass, has teamed up with former First Lady Michelle Obama to encourage folks to vote early.…
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Killer Mike to Receive the Inaugural Change Maker Award at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards
The Billboard Music Awards will present its inaugural Change Maker Award, and the first-ever recipient will be Killer Mike. The award, which honors an “artist or group that speaks truth to power through their music, celebrity and community” will be presented by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms this year, which makes sense given Killer Mike’s…
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Seattle Seahawks’ Pete Carroll Calls on Other Head Coaches, White People to Tackle Systemic Racism: ‘This Is a White People’s Issue’
Though short-lived, the Milwaukee Bucks’ wildcat strike last week has recalibrated many people’s expectations of what is possible when it comes to professional athletes speaking out on social justice issues. Over the last week, teams from various professional sports leagues, including the NFL and MLB, canceled practices or games. For some, it was a necessary…
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Shots Fired at Black Activists Marching to DC For MLK Event
Shots were fired at a group of organizers marching from Milwaukee to Washington, D.C., on Monday night. ABC News reports that the group was headed to D.C. for the “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks,” march. Frank “Nitty” Sensabaugh, a Milwaukee activist and one of the organizers for the march, told WJAC-TV that the shooting…