culture
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The Root Live: Bring It to the Table Tackles Job Loss
In many African-American families, when we have an important issue to discuss, we gather in the kitchen and bring it to the table. That’s especially true of financial discussions, whether about how to pay the bills, how to send Junior to college or where to start looking for a new job. For the next seven…
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New York Times Corrects Article About Solomon Northup More Than 160 Years Later
In 1853 the Times published an article about the now-famous kidnapping of Solomon Northup, in which Northup’s name was misspelled—and it went unnoticed until Monday. The mistake was brought to light by the recent fame Hollywood has bestowed on the lost narrative and Twitter, CNN reports. The article was about how Northup was sold into…
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Indiana Mall Bans Upturned Hoodies
A mall in central Indiana has stirred up the debate surrounding hoodies and what they represent by posting a sign requesting that all patrons lower their hoods when on the premises. According to the Raw Story, signs that read, “For the safety and well-being of everyone, please lower your hoodie” are posted at the entrances…
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The Beef Between 12 Years Writer and Director
A bitter feud brewing between 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen and writer John Ridley came to a frosty head during the Oscars Sunday. Ridley won for best adapted screenplay, and in accepting his award, he bypassed the director to hug director David O. Russell. Ridley did not mention McQueen in his acceptance speech,…
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NJ Supreme Court to Review Rap Lyrics in Shooting
A New Jersey man on trial for attempted murder will wait for the state Supreme Court to decide whether the words he rapped should have been admitted at trial. Vonte Skinner, who rapped that he would “blow your face off and leave your brain caved in the street,” is having his case watched closely by…
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Oscar-Nominated Actor Barkhad Abdi Is Broke
This isn’t a Hollywood rags-to-riches story, yet. Despite being Oscar-nominated for his role in the movie Captain Phillips, actor Barkhad Abdi is allegedly broke. According to the New Yorker, the actor was paid only $65,000 for his role as Muse, a Somali pirate. Captain Phillips went on to earn $210 million worldwide. The New Yorker…
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Free Advice and Free Gifts: How to Succeed in Business
This month I’m celebrating my 15th anniversary in business and thinking back on all I have learned. If you want to learn the secret to becoming an entrepreneur and running a thriving small business, I share here five things that will help you succeed. I have met thousands of business owners around the country, and…
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Marissa Alexander’s Sentence Could Triple in Retrial
Marissa Alexander could be slapped with a 60-year prison sentence, triple the length of her original 20-year sentence, when she goes up for retrial in July for aggravated assault, the Florida Times-Union reports. According to reports, State Attorney Angela Corey will now push to have the entire 60 years served if Alexander is convicted again,…
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Will and Jaden Smith Win Worst Actor Awards for After Earth
While celebrities were gliding the red carpet and scooping up Oscars Sunday, Will and Jaden Smith received honors they probably could’ve done without: They were both given Razzies for their roles in After Earth, the Associated Press reports. Golden Raspberry Awards are given each year to movies that suck and to actors whose performances also…
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Michael Jackson’s Estate Now Flush With Cash
When Michael Jackson died almost five years ago, his finances were a disaster. Comedians joked that the llamas on his Neverland ranch were going to be sold as tall pit-bulls in Los Angeles just to recoup money owed to collectors. Now the executors are claiming that the estate is not only out of the black…