culture

The first time I remember someone saying that I looked more “other” than African American, I completely misunderstood the comment. My second-grade teacher told my mother that I looked Samoan. I had no idea that “Samoan” referred to an ethnic group and wasn’t some frivolous adjective like “cute.” In my 7-year-old mind, the word sounded…

I recently taught history to a group of Harlem’s best and brightest teens. They are kids from all walks of life. Some are outgoing and energetic. Others are shy and reserved. All of them are leaning forward, toward a brighter future, leaving the past behind. These young people are very much like you. Their optimism…

Each year during Black History Month, as The Root recognizes and celebrates the great accomplishments of our forebears, we believe it is also important to recognize and celebrate the young African-American men and women who are forging a path to future greatness. We call them Young Futurists, and we are pleased to introduce our 2014…

The Hutchins Center at Harvard University has announced the appointment of Alejandro de la Fuente as the new editor of Transition, the longest running Pan-African cultural magazine in history. Under professor de la Fuente’s leadership, the journal will extensively broaden its print and online distribution, and will highlight emerging Afro-Latin perspectives, while continuing to publish…

Let’s be clear, if Oklahoma State University sophomore basketball star Marcus Smart was still in the running for sportsman of the year, he isn’t now. Saturday night, after trying to block a shot and falling into the stands in the waning moments of a heated game against rival Texas Tech, he reacted to something said…

Two years after Trayvon Martin’s killing ignited a passionate debate about race, the slain teen’s parents are hosting a memorial gathering today in Davie, Fla., bringing together community leaders, celebrities and other supporters, the Daily News reports. The gathering, described as a gala event and sponsored by the Trayvon Martin Foundation, is the culmination of…

As the Oklahoma State game against Texas Tech wound down to its final seconds Saturday night in Lubbock, Texas, Marcus Smart reportedly tussled with a Texas fan, ESPN reports about the incident that is under review.  It was not clear what prompted the incident before hundreds of stunned spectators and it’s still being determined whether…

If Justin Bieber were Michelle Obama’s son, she “would pull him close,” she said in an interview with Univision, when asked how she would aid the embattled teen pop star if she were his mom, according to Politico. Bieber has grabbed national attention recently, but not for his art. The teen was reportedly arrested in…

Blame an attack of conscience, and black Twitter, for the TKO of the “celebrity” boxing match planned between George Zimmerman and the rapper DMX, the promoter says. In his first interview after canceling the fight on Saturday, Damon Feldman, owner of Celebrity Boxing, told The Root he felt surprised and overwhelmed by the opposition on…

Every tale of struggle and triumph has its soundtrack, and African Americans’ fight for freedom in the U.S. is no different. From spirituals with roots in Africa to songs with hidden messages for those fleeing slavery to brave civil rights anthems, these works of music are more than art—they’re the sound of our history.  1.…