culture

There are very few things in 2016 that take me by surprise—after all, we live in a world where our federal government can look at my paltry checking account and insist that I owe them more money than they already take out of my pay stub. At this point, someone could tell me, “Hey, that…

The guy I’m dating is studying for a certification and pretty much said that’s his biggest priority for the next few weeks and that his free time will be dedicated to studying. Should I be offended? Understanding? How should I handle this? —Anonymous It sounds like the guy you’re seeing might be studying for a…

There are very few conversations I find more cringe-inducing and exhausting than the debate over whether or not it is best for a black student to attend a predominantly white institution of higher learning or one that is historically black. Everything ain’t for everybody, and not enough people on either side of the issue know…

The intentionally chosen May 4 is National Star Wars Day. Yes, May 4, as in “May the Fourth be with you,” playing off the classic “May the force be with you” line from the movies. While the holiday officially started in the ’70s (with the British), it has kicked into hyperdrive over the last few…

Afeni Shakur, who died Monday at age 69, always understood the idea of resistance. In her 20s, she was a member of the Black Panther Party in New York City. When the authorities raided the group’s headquarters and charged the Panthers with 156 different charges, including 30 counts of conspiracy, she didn’t blink. She fought,…

When director Steve McQueen was 14, a neighbor introduced him to the work of Paul Robeson. McQueen was initially intrigued by the legendary performer and activist’s commanding presence, and he began to research his career. He, like many others who have studied Robeson, was amazed. Of the level of inspiration, he said that “it was…

What happens to lofty campaign promises after the candidate is no longer a front-runner? Do they dry up like a raisin in the sun? I imagine that the supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders who believe in his promises about prison reform have the same question. As former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continues to…

We are having what can be considered one of the blackest years on record. Larry Wilmore dropping the n-word at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is peak blackness no matter which side of the appropriate aisle you sit on. In fact, in any other year it would be the runaway winner, except, moments prior to…

Emile Cambry is a social entrepreneur whose technology center, Chicago’s Blue 1647, teaches people living in underserved communities how to code, make apps and solve technical problems. Cambry’s been inspired by Afrofuturism and what it can do for the next generation of young entrepreneurs. In part 4 of The Root’s series on Afrofuturism, Cambry talks about the importance…