culture
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Hotep, Explained
What does “Hotep” mean? “Hotep” is an Egyptian word that means “at peace.” It’s basically the Egyptian “What’s good?” Over the past several decades, the word has also been utilized quite frequently by black Americans who happen to be more Afrocentric. Let me put it this way: If you happen to attend a Juneteenth festival…
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Stop Lying. If Donald Trump Wins the Presidency, You Aren’t Moving Anywhere
Here’s what will likely happen if Donald Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States of America: You may be shocked, you may be disgusted and you may think it’s about to be the worst four years of your life. I get it. The guy who hosted a show featuring NeNe Leakes, Brandi Glanville…
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When Will I Realize ‘2-Piece and a Biscuit’ Is Not My Friend?
On any given Sunday (or, really, any day that ends with “y”), I have the consumption habits of a 13-year-old boy. I’m talking gigantic, carb-heavy meals that prominently feature either rice, cassava or potatoes, and a big ole chunk of meat that I can consume with aplomb. I’m the queen of the Popeyes two-piece and…
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Watch: Michael Jackson Impersonator Does Spot-On Impression of Late Singer
Michael Jackson’s is one of the most distinct voices in all of music, so it is pretty impressive that this M.J. impersonator does a really nice job. See below:
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Join The Root in Celebrating #BlackHistoryForever
We’re getting rid of Black History Month. No, this is not us standing in solidarity with Stacey Dash. This is an extension of Black History Month. Black History Month is a glorious celebration of our contributions to the world. But it’s only a month. There have been decades of complaints about black history being limited…
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An Open Letter to Melissa Harris-Perry From a Grateful Student
Dear Professor Harris-Perry: When the news broke that you would no longer be appearing on MSNBC, it signaled the end of a very important era for me. I was in graduate school at Princeton University when President Barack Obama was sworn into office as our first black president, a time when we could only speculate…
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Why Successful Black Men in Brazil Won’t Marry Black Women
In 1965, Ebony magazine published a 10-page spread about Brazil with the headline, “Does Amalgamation Work in Brazil: Absorbing Negro Through Interracial Marriage Is Their Answer to the Race Problem.” The top image in the article showed a black woman walking hand in hand down the street with a white man. “Interracial couple walking hand…
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How Ashley Hicks of Black Girls Run! Is Literally Running It
Calling all the ladies in the world who are owning their #BlackGirlMagic and winning in life. You’re running your career, your love life, managing family and friends; and anyone who knows you knows you’re absolutely a boss. However, while having it all and doing it all may be part of our #BlackGirlMagic DNA, if we…
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Where Are the Men?
In 1999, girl group 702 (which included my boo-in-my-head at the time, Kameelah Williams) released the song “Where My Girls At?” It is a great song from a great group from the ’90s that brings me much joy and happiness. Well, it’s 2016, and I’m asking, “Where my dudes at?” Why am I asking this?…
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An Open Letter to Everybody Involved in the Creation of Rihanna’s ‘Higher’
Dear Love Haters: I recently took the time to check out Rihanna’s newest album, Anti, which was a much different sound from her than I expected. I’d heard many people talk about the album’s direction not being the typical paint-by-numbers Rihanna album, but waited to check it out. It’s quite a good album, or at…