culture

President Barack Obama gave his annual Christmas message Wednesday and used the opportunity to ask Americans to remember the troops who are serving the country far from their loved ones. “Our extraordinary men and women in uniform are serving so that the rest of us can enjoy the blessings we cherish during the holidays,” the…

The family of 13-year-old Jahi McMath, who has been on life support since tonsillectomy surgery earlier this month, spent Christmas next to her in the hospital. They set up a Christmas tree in her room with presents for her and her siblings, ABC 7 reports. On Tuesday, McMath’s family got the news that the girl…

“It amazes me the double standards of cheating: Friend cheated on wife; both their families more or less were upset but shrugged, expected her to stay/forgive. She then cheated two years later and everyone was screaming he should leave her. Why is a woman cheating more unforgivable?” —F.T. We live in a patriarchy that’s full…

This was a good year for black women. From Emmy nominations to elections, music to movies, black women dominated 2013. The Root has gathered a list of the black girls who won in 2013. Sasha Obama Sasha caused a unicorn sweater shortage this year. After she was spotted wearing this ASOS sweatshirt, it promptly sold…

Editor’s note: You can read part 1 of this conversation here and part 2 here. When the creators of a drama that would bring Solomon Northup’s 12 Years a Slave to the big screen needed a historical consultant, Henry Louis Gates Jr., who edited a recent edition of the memoir, was a natural choice. Gates,…

Crazy as it sounds, actor Idris Elba tells The Root, his first hesitation when approached about portraying South African leader Nelson Mandela in the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom was, “He’s light-skinned and I’m dark-skinned!” It was a trivial concern when weighed against the greater challenge of taking on the role of what Elba…

Dear Readers, As 2013 comes to an end, The Root would like to thank all of you for your continued support. We are committed to providing honest, thought-provoking journalism as well as strong opinion and analysis, and we would like to think of the work we do as the beginning of a broader conversation about…

For many of us—hapless, shopping-till-we-drop souls duped into endless Black Friday specials, last-minute mall runs and online discounts—the holiday never ends until well after the New Year. That’s when the sticker shock of credit card bills and drained checking accounts sets in like a street mugging. And in a few weeks, many stressed American families—who…

Editor’s note: You can read part 1 of this conversation here. When the creators of a drama that would bring Solomon Northup’s 12 Years a Slave to the big screen needed a historical consultant, Henry Louis Gates Jr., who edited a recent edition of the memoir, was a natural choice. Gates, a Harvard history scholar,…

Editor’s note: How many times in your life have you heard some version of the words “go get a job” from well-meaning parents, teachers, friends or spouses? But has anyone ever told you to “go start your own company”? Does that seem too scary, too tough or impractical? Yes, it can be hard. And, yes,…