culture
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Watch This: Tyler Perry Blesses Bishop TD Jakes
The Huffington Post is reporting that one of the highlights of Bishop T.D. Jakes’ MegaFest last weekend in Dallas came when Tyler Perry attended Sunday service at the Potter’s House, Jakes’ church. During the service, Perry announced a $1 million donation toward Jakes’ developing youth center. Perry then gave an inspiring speech, placed a hand…
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Facilitator Named to Reform NYPD's Stop-and-Frisk Policy
Federal Judge Shira A. Scheindlin on Wednesday named a community facilitator to aid a court-appointed monitor in modifying the New York City Police Department’s controversial stop-and-frisk policy, the Daily News reports. The community facilitator, Nicholas Turner, president of the Vera Institute of Justice, will help police monitor Peter Zimroth develop reforms to the policy, which…
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Essence 2.0: Can the Magazine Find Its Digital Voice?
Britt Julious, writing at WBEZ91.5, explains her own disconnect with Essence magazine and how she thinks it could appeal to a younger audience: by bringing its brand of storytelling online. When I think of the appeal of print, I think of packaged storytelling. The value in this form is the tangibleness of the magazine itself.…
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The GOP's Assault on Public Education
Arguing at Salon that public education has always been a pathway to the middle class for people of color, Brittney Cooper chides Republican lawmakers for creating barriers to success for minorities by defunding urban school systems at every level across the nation. “Unfortunately, the increasing national disdain for all things ‘public’ is increasingly becoming a…
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How Racism Spurred My Commitment to Activism
In a piece at xoJane, Danielle Moodie-Mills recalls how a painful encounter with racism as a teen taught her how the issue was not relegated to a chapter in history books. Her experience also triggered her lifelong commitment to civil rights activism. “Get out of my seat, nigger.” I was 14 years old when I realized…
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Will Dancer Daughters End Up Like Miley?
(The Root) — “My girls, ages 8 and 10, have been in dance class since they were little. They do a variety of classes but both recently joined a diverse dance troupe that performs hip-hop around the county at various events. They love it, and honestly I don’t think they associate it with any particular…
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Black Pastor Under Fire for 'Only White' Greeters Request
Makeda Pennycooke, a Charlotte, N.C., pastor, has issued an apology to the congregation at Freedom House Church after asking that “only white people” serve as greeters during the 9 a.m. Sunday service, according to WBTV. A viewer contacted WBTV after getting an email from Pastor Makeda Pennycooke, an African-American woman, at Freedom House Church along…
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Father of 1-Year-Old Shooting Victim Won't Cooperate
In the aftermath of the tragic killing of 1-year-old Antiq Hennis of Brooklyn, N.Y., last weekend, a wave of support has come from city officials and activists in their pursuit of justice. A moment of silence was observed at the West Indian Day Parade, and the New York City Police Department has offered a $12,000…
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Cleveland Kidnapper Found Hanged in Prison Cell
Ariel Castro, the Cleveland kidnapper, was found hanging in his Ohio prison cell Tuesday night, according to CNN. He was sentenced in August to life plus 1,000 years for kidnapping and raping three women, as well as murder. Authorities found Castro, 52, hanging in his cell at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio, about…
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Terrence Howard Allegedly Threatened Suicide
On-screen, Terrence Howard’s career seems to be going just fine. He’s one of the stars of the hit movie Lee Daniels’ The Butler. But offscreen, the actor’s personal life has been in a tailspin, according to New York’s Daily News. Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard allegedly threatened suicide and murder with an X-Acto blade, threw his…