black families
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#38PercentCounts: It's Black Women's Equal Pay Day—and What You Don't Know Might Hurt Us
Do you know what today is? It’s Tuesday, August 7; 219 days from the start of 2018. Today is also Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, the date that signifies how much longer black women had to work into 2018 to equal what white men earned in 2017. And in case you’re wondering, it’s been a…
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Red Table Talk: Jada Pinkett Smith Starts a Multigenerational Dialogue
Just in time for Mother’s Day, one of Hollywood’s most famous moms is inviting us to her table—the red table, that is—for Red Table Talk, a new Facebook series created and hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith, featuring her 17-year-old daughter, Willow, and mom, Adrienne Banfield-Norris. “Motherhood and everything that comes with it is our red-hot…
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The Stress of Parenting While Black Can Take a Toll on Mental Health
My son is only 2 years old—he’s loving and outgoing. He runs to strangers with open arms, saying “Hug” in his cute little voice. He laughs heartily and shares his toys regardless of the other child’s color. But most importantly, he’s free. I want him to keep that freedom for the rest of his life.…
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Why Don’t You Know How to Play Spades? An Important Question
Over the next couple of weeks, families all over the country will congregate to observe and celebrate whichever holiday those particular families observe and celebrate. Some of these families will be black—including mine—and in these particular holiday celebrations, there may be many unique things present, including (but not limited to) … Dining room tables with…
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The Caucasian’s Guide to Black Thanksgiving, Part 3: Giving Thanks
Dearly beloved white people, Today we are gathered here among our cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews to celebrate the tradition called Black Thanksgiving. We have already informed you about the invited guests, so you should be familiar with all of the people in attendance. Black Thanksgiving is a holiday based on family and love,…
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Tracing Your Roots: What Is the Secret of My Grandma’s Past?
A record search uncovers clues to why a Georgia family fractured eight decades ago, leaving painful memories. Dear Professor Gates: My grandmother Frances Walker of Edison, Calhoun, Ga., was born on Dec. 22, 1938, and died Dec. 2, 2002. Her mother was Ella M. King, who was born in 1913 and died in 1981 under…
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Queen Sugar Hits This Dad Right in the Feels
I love Queen Sugar. Let’s start there. I’d take Queen Sugar on a $200 date, juju on the beat with it, and cook greens, beans, tomatoes and potatoes just so it would have something to take home in case it got hungry. For those who aren’t familiar, the Ava DuVernay-helmed show is the story of…
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Raising a Child in the Era of the Obamas, the Currys and (the New) Cosby
I come from a broken home. My parents were married for a time, but memories of my father in the house are few and far between because his military career often required him to be stationed out of state. I was about 8 when my mother filed for divorce, and as far as I was…