culture
-
Black Is the New Face of American Comic Book Heroes
For better or for worse, there has been an increased effort to diversify the comic book realms of Marvel Comics and DC Comics over the past five years. Superheroes, many of whom have spent decades being household names, have been reinterpreted and transformed in ways that many have celebrated, while others have criticized. In essence, many…
-
After Ferguson, We Need a Working Definition of Racism
In the smoking wake of Ferguson’s fires, everybody wants a hearing. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), seeing a political opening, has already scheduled a September panel on the militarization of local police. Congressional Black Caucus members, mostly powerless on the House side, want their day of hearings, too. But wondering whether or not the Republican majority…
-
DNA Evidence Clears Mentally Disabled Half Brothers in NC of 1983 Rape and Murder
They have spent the last 30 years of their lives in prison for the gruesome rape and murder of an 11-year-old North Carolina girl, but now Henry Lee McCollum and his half brother, Leon Brown, have been given their freedom after DNA evidence cleared their names, the New York Times reports. According to the Times,…
-
Judge Considering Media Requests Regarding Michael Brown’s Possible Juvenile Records
Michael Brown’s possible history with the juvenile-justice system is taking center stage as a judge looks into requests by media to release any juvenile records he may have had, the Associated Press reports. According to the report, juvenile records are considered private in Missouri, so no one really knows if, in fact, Brown had a…
-
Keli Goff Leaves The Root to Join the Writing Staff of BET’s Being Mary Jane
As summer gives way to fall, The Root is feeling bittersweet about our own transition as Keli Goff, our special correspondent, leaves us to join the writing staff of BET’s Being Mary Jane. Goff joined The Root’s editorial team in 2012 and built a compelling catalog of articles that offer unique insight on topics ranging from politics…
-
Theodore Wafer Sentenced to at Least 17 Years for Renisha McBride’s Death
Detroit-area homeowner Theodore Wafer, who was convicted in the death of 19-year-old Renisha McBride, has been sentenced to at least 17 years in prison, the Associated Press reports. Wafer, who was convicted on all three charges—second-degree murder, felony firearm and manslaughter—apologized to McBride’s family before his sentencing, acknowledging that he was responsible for killing someone who…
-
Michael Sam Signs With New NFL Team
Looks like Michael Sam may still have a future in the NFL. After being cut from the St. Louis Rams this past week, Sam flew into Dallas late Tuesday night and took a physical Wednesday. Now ESPN is reporting that the Dallas Cowboys have signed the rookie to their practice squad. “It’s been a roller coaster this…
-
Family of Strangled, Burned Teen Wants Justice
Fifteen-year-old Dominique Allen wanted to be a model. She had plans to one day attend the prestigious Spelman College in Atlanta. Last weekend the Indianapolis teen’s body was found burned, and police believe that she didn’t know the person who abducted and killed her. Dominique had been staying with one of her sisters, Mareeka Allen,…
-
2nd Black American Fighting for ISIS in Syria Is Reportedly Killed
Abdirahmaan Muhumed is reportedly the second black American to have been killed while fighting in Syria for the jihadist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, according to CBS News and KSMP-TV in Minneapolis. Muhumed was reportedly killed in the same melee that took the life of Douglas McAuthur McCain, the first American—and first black American—known…
-
Ferguson Police Now Equipped With Body Cameras
There was something different about officers in the Ferguson Police Department over the weekend as protesters continued their calls for justice in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in the Missouri city. Officers have started wearing the body cameras provided by two companies, Safety Visions and Digital Ally, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The cameras were…