culture
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Locs and Chains: Nothing to ‘Dread’ About Locs Except Discrimination if You’re Black
Do a Google image search for “dreadlocks” and the entire first row of images is of white people—mostly women, the one exception being an image of Johnny Depp in faux dreadlocks as Capt. Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean movies. While not surprising, it seemed very telling that Googling a hairstyle primarily associated with…
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Watch: Asha Bandele and Carl Hart Talk Marijuana Legalization, Drug Stigma and Racial Discrimination [Retracted]
RETRACTED (6/12/18): This story has been removed because we have discovered it was in breach of our editorial standards. If you’d like to know more, you can read an editor’s note here. A cached version of the story is available here for transparency.
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Empire Recap: Mariah Enters the Lyons’ Den
Last week’s cliffhanger ended with Andre, who was doing nothing wrong, roughed up by cops. It’s the same old song: living while black. Since Andre didn’t end up riddled with bullets, the plot didn’t pack as much punch as it could have. When have we ever seen Andre don a hoodie? He really can’t pull…
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9 Perfect Clapbacks to Trump’s Bigotry and Lies From Black TV Pundits
When we scroll through channels and see these talking heads on TV, it’s best to grab the popcorn and settle in. These black political analysts and commentators speak for many in the black community, sharing our points of view, and truths, with those who’d rather remain blind. If you weren’t sure how New York Times…
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The Vilification of Marilyn Mosby
Just last week, the right-wing Media Research Center’s annual black-tie gala honored the three arresting officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray. Officers Brian Rice, Edward Nero and Garrett Miller received standing ovations and “deafening cheers” while they explained how they have to deal with a hostile public that is down on cops in…
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Join The Root as We #RiseUpAsOne Through Music
The Root is heading to San Diego on Oct. 15 for Univision and Fusion Media Group’s “RiseUp AS ONE” concert. This show is a celebration of music, diversity and unity. All of this awesomeness will be staged along the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego and will feature a talented lineup of artists, musicians and performers.…
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American Nightmare: Counsel of Record Christina Swarns Talks Buck v. Davis
Editor’s note: For more information about the Buck v. Davis case, read “Racial Bias Got Duane Buck the Death Sentence; the Supreme Court Can Fix It,” also on The Root. Christina Swarns, litigation director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, has her work cut out for her Wednesday. Swarns is lead counsel in…
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Racial Bias Got Duane Buck the Death Sentence; the Supreme Court Can Fix It
The perceived criminality and dangerousness of black men in the United States has a long and storied history. Black men are killed, become hashtags, and their names become etched into an American lexicon of atrocities against blackness. Terence Crutcher. Philando Castile. John Crawford III. Duane Buck could be next. “Nobody in this room is unaware…
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Special ‘Wraparound’ Services for Black Children Aren’t the Solution to Bad Policy Decisions
We’re not going to “nonprofit” our way out of poverty, housing unaffordability and economic injustice. Historic discrimination and structural inequality have laid the groundwork for multiple life-sucking neighborhood factors that black children face every day: Poverty, crime, unemployment, unaffordable housing, inaccessible health care and limited transportation make it difficult for children to learn. The rise…
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Top 10 Celebrity Afros Worthy of the Hall of Fame
Afros have been what’s hot in the streets since before hot combs were invented. In the mid-1960s, the hairstyle became a full-on fashion trend when it gained popularity both inside and outside the black community. During the black power movement, Afros symbolized a reawakening of racial pride and promotion of an Afrocentric culture and standard.…