culture
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NY Urban League Supports Common Core Standards
As we prepare for 2014, our thoughts turn to the events that shaped our year, from the acquittal of George Zimmerman to the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington to the recent passing of Nelson Mandela. Indeed, it has been a year of great loss, remembrance and, yes, hope. Hope that in honor of…
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Bride’s Story a Cautionary Tale of the Mistakes Some Black Women Make
Over the weekend, the New York Times published “A Reluctant Bride Conquers Her Fears” in its Weddings section. The story focused on a black couple who said “I do” on Dec. 14. It was a celebratory tale with a happy ending, but some women found themselves in tears before they finished. “I’m crying over this Demetria,”…
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Black Men Who Won in 2013
Black men triumphed in 2013. From film to politics and music, here’s a look at how they captured America’s hearts and minds. Steve McQueen The British auteur scored seven Golden Globe nominations—including one for best picture-drama—for his groundbreaking film, 12 Years a Slave, based on the memoir of Solomon Northrup. More than one critic described…
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A Year of Race Advice: Mixed Kids, Miley and ‘My Ghetto Name’
When it comes to race, racism and just plain old decency, there’s no doubt that there are plenty of people in dire need of a little guidance. But it’s a shame that these “teachable moments” so often come after a misstep, misunderstanding or controversy. (See Paula Deen, Duck Dynasty, that friend who yelled at a…
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Ani DiFranco Cancels Retreat Scheduled at Slave Plantation
Feminist folk singer Ani DiFranco has canceled her “Righteous Retreat,” an expensive songwriting workshop, after black Twitter bashed the singer for the choice of venue. That’s because the gig was to be held at Nottoway Plantation in Louisiana, where hundreds of slaves were held under brutal conditions and which is now owned by the conservative…
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Out and Proud: Black Gay Trailblazers
By thanking her longtime girlfriend on social media on Sunday, ABC’s Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts joined a list of influential celebrities and public figures who made history by being among the first black Americans in their respective fields to come out as gay. Here is a list of others. Glenn Burke Burke is…
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Rapper Waka Flocka’s Brother Is Dead
Hip-hop star Waka Flocka Flame’s younger brother, rapper Kayo Redd, died Sunday in Atlanta. The cause of death is still unknown, but conflicting reports have stated that Redd, who died shortly after tweeting out a link to his new mixtape, was either shot in his old neighborhood or committed suicide, Rolling Stone reports. A tweet…
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Duck Dynasty Star: Marry Girls When They Are 15 or 16
It’s only been a few days since A&E lifted the ban on Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson over racist and homophobic comments made in GQ magazine earlier this month, but the joe.my.god blog released footage of the reality star claiming that it’s best to marry a girl who is 15 or 16. During a talk at…
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First Lady Shouts Out To Robin Roberts and Girlfriend on Twitter
Updated Monday 3:57 p.m.: Michelle Obama tweeted support and congrats to Good Morning America host Robin Roberts and her newly acknowledged girlfriend, Amber, as Roberts reflected on her remarkable recovery from a bone marrow transplant. “I am so happy for you and Amber!” the first lady tweeted Monday, while the first family spends the holidays…
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Who Legalized Arming Black Men to Kill Confederates?
Editor’s note: For those who are wondering about the retro title of this black-history series, please take a moment to learn about historian Joel A. Rogers, author of the 1934 book 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro With Complete Proof, to whom these “amazing facts” are an homage. Amazing Fact About the Negro No. 62: How did black soldiers come…