culture

Four in 10 African Americans have been personally impacted by gun-related violence and believe “there is a perception that the rest of the country doesn’t care about it.” That’s what was written in a new study on gun violence being released Thursday. A comprehensive study, “Engaging Communities in Reducing Gun Violence: A Road Map for…

In part 3 of The Root’s video series on Afrofuturism, we get inside the creative mind of John Jennings, a professor of graphic design at the University at Buffalo, as well as an award-winning cartoonist, illustrator and graphic novelist. He was pulled into Afrofuturism as a method of investigating and debating topics of black agency,…

To her credit, my mother has always allowed me to go my own way in life, for better or worse. Even if she has something to say out the side of her mouth from time to time (like every black mama), she has never actively tried to block any of my movements. And there’s no…

During a recent academic media presentation, a colleague argued that reality TV hurts images of blackness more than it helps. Of course, I’d be foolish to argue that the way some shows are written doesn’t present questionable representations of black people, and particularly black women, but these shows can also create some teachable moments for…

Please let us survive this. Please let me survive this … I was on my knees, hands clasped, tears pooling in my palms as I tried to pray the truth away. I could barely breathe. The newfound fact of his infidelity was crushing. How could he do this—to me? I wasn’t sure what hurt more:…

What is Lemonade? Lemonade is my favorite fruit-related beverage. It’s great with everything—raspberries, artificial raspberry flavor, oranges, iced tea, gin, vodka, post-fellatio conversations about groceries, etc.—which makes it both versatile and delicious. It’s also both the title of Beyoncé’s new album and the hourlong film accompanying it. Wait … Beyoncé has a new album? How…

The statistics are clear: There is a stark shortage of women in leadership roles at top technology companies in Silicon Valley and beyond. When it comes to addressing the lack of black women in managerial or senior roles within the industry, the numbers are grim. Despite their gross underrepresentation, several black women are paving pathways…

I first saw Prince as an audience member back in 1981, when I was on a first date. My proper Bermudian beau and I had dressed in our Sunday best. We awkwardly sat front and center in orchestra seats watching this superhuman little being gyrate across the stage performing music that defied anything I had…

Well, if anyone could move the conversation away from the tragic death of Prince this weekend, it’s Beyoncé, once a pop princess, now a fully grown queen who dropped her 12-track visual album, Lemonade, on HBO Saturday night (now available on Tidal). And far from being a “cool, refreshing drink,” Bey’s lemonade was a hot…