culture

  • Jameis Winston and the Case of the Concealed Crab Legs Continues

    The case of the Heisman Trophy winner and the stolen crab legs just got more interesting, thanks to video footage that, according to the Associated Press, appears to show Florida State University football and baseball star Jameis Winston pausing briefly to avoid a police deputy before leaving a supermarket without paying for crab legs and…

  • Nigeria Defends Its Actions as More Girls Abducted

    On the heels of heavily armed suspected Boko Haram gunmen storming into a northeastern Nigeria village Tuesday night and kidnapping eight more girls, Nigeria’s government is defending what many have criticized as an ineffective response. “The president and the government [are] not taking this as easy as people all over the world think,” Doyin Okupe,…

  • Ebony: ‘Not Your Grandmother’s Magazine Anymore’

    Just departed Ebony Editor-in-Chief Amy DuBois Barnett wanted to “put some hot sauce” on her final issue of the magazine. So she spiced up June’s tribute to Black Music Month with four iconic covers featuring Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kanye West and Rihanna. Barnett spoke with The Root about what went into the cover choices, the…

  • These Celebrity Men Need to Get a Grip

    Many months ago I was having a conversation with a group of women about whether women could be good leaders. Yes, I know. Yes, in 2013. Anyway, I, of course, said yes, women can lead. Another woman said no, in fact, women would not make good leaders because they are too emotional (because of PMS).…

  • Help! My Boss Thinks All Black Hairstyles Are Unprofessional

    I’m a store manager for a major national clothing retailer. Several of my employees are African-American women who wear their hair in a variety of styles—Bantu knots, twist-outs, Afros, Marley braids. I think they look great and have no problem with them (I’m black). But the last few times my regional manager (white) has made…

  • Man Imprisoned 13 Years After He’s Convicted Is Set Free

    A clerical error kept Cornealious “Mike” Anderson, 37, out of prison for 13 years. As a free man, Anderson started his own construction-related businesses, married and had children. He also coached youth football and volunteered at his church. Basically, Anderson was an upstanding, taxpaying citizen. But after the mistake was caught, the Missouri man was…

  • Meet the 16-Year-Old Who Graduated From College Before High School

    Grace Bush has already graduated from college. That may not be fascinating in and of itself, but the 16-year-old has yet to receive her high school diploma. That graduation ceremony will happen this Friday, the Sun Sentinel reports. The clever teenager attends Florida Atlantic University High School, which has a special program with FAU that…

  • Virginia Boy, 8, Fondly Remembered by Mom as ‘Man of the House’

    Martin Cobb was his family’s “man of the house,” raised as he was in a home without a father, the 8-year-old’s mother told the Associated Press. “As soon as he could talk, I told [him] he’s the man of the house,” his mother told the newswire. “That’s what he did. He’s a hero.” Facts about…

  • Rutgers Offers Paralyzed Player Commencement Speech and Then Takes Back Offer 

    Updated Tuesday, May 6, 2:18 p.m. EDT: Eric LeGrand will, in fact, speak at Rutgers University’s commencement later this month, according to university President Robert Barchi, who issued a statement viewed by ESPN.com. “It was never our intention that Eric would be the only speaker,” Barchi’s statement says. “We have resolved that miscommunication and are delighted to…