culture
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Ohio Teacher Claims His Alleged Racist Comment About Obama Was Misunderstood
The southwest-Ohio teacher who allegedly told a black student with big dreams that “we don’t need another black president” is prepared to fight for his job and his reputation. Gil Voigt has stated that he is challenging the accusations and has requested a hearing so that he may defend himself, the Associated Press reports. He…
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Google’s Eyes Are Watching Zora Neale Hurston
If you thought you saw a familiar face this morning when you went to do your first Internet search of the day, it’s because you did. It was the famous face, framed by her ever-present ’20s-style cloche, of writer, anthropologist and all-around American icon—and iconoclast—Zora Neale Hurston. Google celebrated what would have been her 123rd…
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Motion Filed to Revoke Marissa Alexander’s Bond
Florida State Attorney Angela Corey has filed a motion to revoke the bond of Marissa Alexander, claiming that she has violated her parole, Florida Coast News reports. The Alexander case became national news after she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing what she argued was a warning shot at her abusive husband.…
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White Man Who Slapped Black Baby Sentenced
The 60-year-old man who pleaded guilty to slapping a crying toddler on a plane has been sentenced to eight months in federal prison, two months longer than prosecutors recommended, the Associated Press reports via USA Today. Joe Rickey Hundley pleaded guilty in October after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors, and was sentenced Monday. Prosecutors say…
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Quote of the Day: Marian Wright Edelman on Service
You can read this quote from the book The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours, and others by Marian Wright Edelman in Bartlett’s Familiar Black Quotations. Also read this quote and more by her here. Henry Louis Gates Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and founding director of the Hutchins Center…
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Gabrielle Union Would Have Been Olivia Pope. Instead She’s Being Mary Jane
Gabrielle Union might as well be a unicorn or a leprechaun or some other mythical creature. She is stunning and petite and warm and kind—all things that actresses of her stature and beauty aren’t supposed to be. And get this: She likes bacon. Not all things bacon, but a quiche-looking thing that sits in rows…
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Jahi’s Family Reflects Deep Mistrust of End-of-Life Decisions
Anyone following the case of Jahi McMath, the California teenager declared brain-dead after an operation at an Oakland, Calif.-area children’s hospital went awry, awoke Monday to substantive news. After weeks of legal wrangling, the girl was transferred out of the hospital Sunday to an undisclosed facility. But beyond the emotionally wrenching details of the McMath…
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Glenn Beck Defends Melissa Harris-Perry Against Conservative Critics
Here’s something you don’t see every day. Conservative radio host Glenn Beck came to Melissa Harris-Perry’s defense on Monday—saying that she didn’t do anything bad and he didn’t believe her to be a bad person—in response to the flak the MSNBC host has been getting over comments made on her show last week. During the…
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Ever Hear About a White Athlete’s Baby-Mama Drama?
The jury on whether life imitates art or vice versa will forever be hung. Celebrities and their work definitely have an impact on how individuals perceive the world. We are wowed by the exploits of athletes, croon along to the angelic voices of singers, marvel at the on-screen personas of our favorite thespians and nod…
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7 Flawlessly Choreographed Beyoncé Songs That Will Make You Wanna Dance
Since Beyoncé’s self-titled album dropped on iTunes this past December, some videos featuring choreographed dances to her songs have surfaced. We’ve collected a few for your viewing pleasure. These folks make the wilderness look good with “Grown Woman”: Rising dance star Charlize Glass kills this rendition of Beyoncé’s “Yoncé/Partition”: And then there’s Yanis Marshall. He…