culture
-
The ‘We Love You’ Project Embraces Black Men
Frustrated by the recent deaths of black men at the hands of the police, Washington, D.C.-based photographer Bryon Summers felt the need to do something to change the image of black men. Admittedly, he’s not a marching kind of guy, but he absolutely believes in the power of protest and making himself “heard.” His personal…
-
GOP Candidate's Black Outreach: Kool-Aid, Watermelon and KFC
As many of us politicos have come to know, the Grand Old Party is overflowing with stupid white men. In this campaign season, though, Donald J. Trump has been sucking up so much of the election coverage, the rest of those of that dumb-dumb-diddy demo have been overlooked. That’s why I am so grateful to…
-
All Films Matter: The Birth of a Nation and the Vilification of Black Feminism
Before you read this, there are two things you should know: I paid to see The Birth of a Nation. I reviewed it. I liked it. I wish more people had seen it. I believe Nate Parker is a despicable human being. I don’t believe those two facts negate each other. Intelligent people understand that…
-
The 6 Best Clapbacks of This Week’s HTGAWM
Hit them and they’ll hit you back, literally and figuratively. Through pimp slaps, suspensions and black eyes, this was the week of stellar clapbacks, with nearly everyone slinging shade. This episode of How to Get Away With Murder begins with Annalise crying up snot in a jail cell. She is rocking and moaning like she missed…
-
On Justice Ginsburg's 'Arrogant' Opinion on National Anthem Protest
Updated Friday, Oct. 14, 4:50 p.m. EDT: Justice Ginsburg did not respond to The Root’s interview request to discuss her comments about Kaepernick and the national anthem protest, but she released the following statement: “Some of you have inquired about a book interview in which I was asked how I felt about Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players…
-
Empire Recap: That Moment When a Ghost Joins a Threesome
Empire’s Cookie Lyon is arguably the most colorful character on TV. In last night’s episode, “Cupid Kills,” Miss Cookie was the star of the episode. She was loud, uncouth and justifiably hostile—that’s the Cookie we all know and love. With the spotlight on Cookie, clearly defined story arcs and a deliciously ludicrous ending, Empire delivered…
-
13th and the Invisibleness of Black Women
Acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s documentary 13th was released on Netflix last week. Masterfully produced and directed by DuVernay, it is a poignant documentary detailing white America’s continual, desperate and ever-changing attempts to maintain racial and legal domination over black people. What has emerged as common knowledge through the Movement for Black Lives is laid out clearly and…
-
How Trump Turned the 2nd Debate Into a Rap Battle
Sunday’s debate showed one thing about Donald Trump that I’d never noticed: He is thoroughly versed in the Loaded Lux playbook of battle rap. Just 90 minutes prior to Sunday’s town hall showdown versus Hillary “Supa Predatah” Clinton, Trump hosted a Facebook Live press conference with several women who’d accused the former president and current…
-
A Plan to Change the Negative Narrative About Black Boys and Men
On Feb. 26, 2012, a 17-year-old boy wearing a hoodie and carrying a bag of Skittles and some iced tea was profiled, targeted, stalked and killed for no other reason than “walking while black” in his own neighborhood. In the weeks and months following his death, the name “Trayvon Martin” would become synonymous with what…