culture
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I Miss the Old Kanye
Kanye’s latest album, The Life of Pablo, has been reviewed and discussed at length in the almost week since it was made available via Tidal, and not always for good reasons. The music is super well produced, and the featured artists all add wonderful layers to what is a pretty schizophrenic project. The music is…
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Scandal Recap: Olivia and Mellie Become Besties
During Scandal’s midseason premiere last week, we saw a number of strange realliances—Fitz and Jake, Jake and Papa Pope, and Olivia and Mellie—but this week, folks got into formation as they geared up for what looks to be a scandalous presidential race. Olivia Pope and her new BFF: The episode kicks off with Olivia giving Mellie Grant notes…
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Is Sex With an Uncircumcised Man Really Better?
I am a 28-year-old married man and I am about to have a son. When we were told that we were having a boy, my wife and I discussed whether he should be circumcised or not. It brought up a touchy subject. I’m circumcised, but my wife has often said that she has experienced more…
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No, Sexism Is Not the Main Reason Beyoncé Was Criticized and Kendrick Lamar Wasn’t
It’s been almost a full three days since Kendrick Lamar unleashed holy blackness on the Grammy stage, performing “The Blacker the Berry,” “Alright” and a verse from an untitled song that didn’t make the final cut of his Grammy-winning album, To Pimp a Butterfly. It was a powerful, defiant statement about the state of black…
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Toni Morrison Has Always Refused to Privilege White People in Her Writing
Toni Morrison, who celebrates her 85th birthday today, has always enjoyed using her immense talent with words to write about blackness. Her entire writing career—which spans over four decades and includes more than enough books to fill your shelves—has not included the white experience or privilege. In an interview with Charlie Rose, Morrison discussed the…
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Shonda Rhimes Is a Titan and Her TED Talk Explains Why
“I understand that a dream job is not about dreaming. It’s all job. All work. All reality. All blood. All sweat. No tears. I work a lot—very hard—and I love it,” said Shonda Rhimes in a February 2016 TED Talk. She continued, “When I am hard at work, when I am deep in it, there is…
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Should I Force My Daughter to Participate In Extracurricular Activities, Even if She Wants to Quit?
Aliya’s turn: Several years ago I interviewed Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, percussionist and founder of hip-hop band the Roots. I assumed he’d always loved music and I asked him when he knew he wanted to be a professional musician. His answer surprised me. Although he picked up drumming at an early age, he told me that…
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A Young Filmmaker Pursues His Dream With an Assist From Viola Davis
Editor’s note: This short-film series is a collaboration between The Root and El Rey Network to support, elevate and promote African-American filmmakers throughout Black History Month via on-air, digital and editorial platforms. Filmmakers were contacted and recruited through film festivals and industry partnerships in December, with finalists selected by both El Rey Network and The…
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Kendrick Lamar Is Not Who Kanye West Could Have Been
It’s Wednesday, two days removed from the Grammy Awards. Yet much of America—black America, specifically—is still recovering from the hangover induced by Kendrick Lamar’s sublime performance Monday night. His explosive mashup of “The Blacker the Berry,” “Alright” and a yet-to-be-titled new track referencing Trayvon Martin was equal parts brilliant, bold, ebullient, boiling and unapologetically black.…
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Watch: Chess Grandmaster Schools Trash-Talking Chess Hustler
Maurice Ashley is one of the best chess players in the world. This is what happened when he sat down to play against an über-confident chess player in Washington Square Park in New York City.