culture
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The 2015 List of People We Don’t Mess With Anymore
Notwithstanding the fact that two very smart brothas (Damon Young and the late comedian Patrice O’Neal) instructed me never to trust a black man without facial hair—we (black people) collectively stopped messing with Taye Diggs for a very different reason. Diggs made headlines, and our s—t list, when he said he doesn’t want his biracial…
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Being Mary Jane Recap: I’m Not Your Superwoman
Pauletta “Mary Jane” Patterson is finally double-Dutching out of family drama that doesn’t involve her. Being Superwoman all these years has only made her come off as the “ferocious bitch” raining on everybody’s parade. M.J. steps in as the super-cool auntie by having D’Asia over for a sleepover. This includes reading I Am Malala. And…
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Remember When T-Pain Made Auto-Tune a Thing?
Let’s get the album title out of the way first. T-Pain indeed started out as a rapper. His hip-hop cover of Akon’s hit single “Locked Up” led to a record deal. But T-Pain decided to transition to singing in lieu of rapping, hence the name of the album, which was released a decade ago on…
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5 Gift Alternatives so You’ll Spend #Not1Dime This Holiday
The holidays are upon us, and the coquito-infused ugly-sweater parties are in full effect. This is the time of year when we are all a little “extra.” We eat, drink and even spend more than we typically do. But this year might be a little different. In support of the call for “justice or else,”…
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What You Can Do Now to Save Money in 2016
Harriette Cole is the author of the book of meditations 108 Stitches: Words We Live By and a contributing editor at The Root. Follow her on Twitter.
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What Would R. Kelly Have to Do to Make His Supporters Turn Against Him?
Last week R. Kelly was invited onstage to perform at the Soul Train Awards—an event that was as close to a Memorial Day BBQ at a black family’s house as you’ll ever see on live TV. The only thing missing was an uncle in tube socks and flip-flops burning his shins while deep-frying a turkey.…
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No, Ayesha Curry Did Not Slut-Shame Women With Her Tweets
I’ve been following the drama over Ayesha Curry’s tweets from this past weekend, in which she casually chatted about her preference for wearing “classy” clothes instead of more revealing, “trendy” wears. I’ve been throwing the illest side eye at responses in editorials, on social media and even among my friends as I read about how…
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Berry Gordy Had and Is Still Having a Wonderful Time
Stories. Berry Gordy has them. Stories of Diana Ross, whom he once romanced, leaving Motown for $20 million. Stories of Stevie Wonder’s mother’s list of demands before she would allow her child to sign with the label, which included a washer and dryer. Stories of Rick James smoking ”Mary Jane” in the studio. And stories…
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150 Years of Freedom
One hundred and fifty years ago this Sunday, the shackles of bondage were finally shorn from every former slave in the United States. Now a group of influential African Americans are seeking to have Dec. 6 formally recognized as “Abolition Day.” “Abolition Day marks a key moment in history and should not be overlooked,” says…
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10 Things I’ve Learned Since I Lost My Job
Dear Former Employer, Welcome to my independence day. You actually instituted it. Three years ago I walked into your suite on the seventh floor of that glassy office building as I had every workday at 9 a.m. for nearly two years. Before I could go to the kitchenette to fill my water cup, I was…