culture
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Let White Leaders Defend Institutional Racism; Let Black Leaders Defend Black Lives
If one looks and listens closely, black reform advocates and charter leaders are responding to the mythology that black people don’t want charter schools or reform in general. For most black folk, however, not liking reform equates to not liking institutional racism, which impacts our communities no matter how many black and brown people an organization hires.…
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Exclusive: Nate Parker's Former Classmates, Penn State Alumni Speak Out in Support
Four Penn State University alumni have come out in support of embattled actor Nate Parker and writer Jean McGianni Celestin, releasing a statement exclusively to The Root late Wednesday night. In the letter, Penn State alums LaKeisha Wolf, Assata Richards, Lurie Daniel Favors and Brian Favors all state their belief in the innocence of Parker…
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As Summer Ends, Tensions Remain High Between Black Community and Police
The third summer of our discontent is almost over. The latest tensions started in Ferguson, Mo., two years ago; then came Baltimore last year, with Milwaukee the latest city to erupt in protests and upheaval as tensions continue to run high across the nation between law enforcement and black Americans living in some of the…
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Andrea Lewis, Former Degrassi Star, Announces Women's #EmpowermentWknd
Andrea Lewis, former star of the tween classic drama Degrassi, is developing a Women’s Empowerment Weekend. Lewis, most notable for her role as Hazel, or Wheelchair Jimmy’s Drake’s ex-girlfriend on the hit show, will launch the inaugural Women’s Empowerment Weekend on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 in the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District. Day 1 of the two-part weekend event…
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While We Were on a Break, He Got His Ex Pregnant. Now I’m Torn About What to Do
I’ve been dating this guy for a little over two years. During the time we both were studying for the bar, we were on a break. He slept with his ex-fiancee once, and now she’s pregnant. I’m devastated and broken. I feel like a part of me has died. He’s the only guy I’ve ever…
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Yes, Zendaya in Spider-Man Is the Mary Jane We All Hope For
Earlier this week I wrote an article on my site about the superficial critiques coming from naysayers over Zendaya’s casting in the role of Mary Jane Watson in the film Spider-Man: Homecoming. After a period of exasperating sighs and side eyes once I was done writing, I stumbled onto another article on The Root from…
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Where Recreational Marijuana Is Legal, Should Those in Prison for Weed Crimes Get a Puff, Puff, Pass?
Editor’s note: This is the first article in an ongoing series that looks at the growing legal marijuana industry and its effect on the black community. Twenty years ago, Rico Garcia was 21 when he got caught up in a marijuana sting in Colorado with a friend who wanted to buy some weed. The seller…