culture
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When Whites Attend HBCUs, Is That Progress?
Racial integration has long been a symbol of American progress, but Stephen Crockett Jr. wonders at the Washington Post whether white students attending predominantly black educational institutions will be remembered as a step forward or an odd joke. In the last few weeks, two white women have come out about their experiences as Howard University…
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Don't Be Fooled; America Needs Affirmative Action
As the Supreme Court deliberates over whether America still needs affirmative action in the case of Fisher v. University of Texas, Sherrilyn A. Ifill writes at the New York Times that many in the liberal media have already decided that we don’t. Ifill argues that they are all mistaken. No, the Supreme Court has not…
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Is 'Yeezus' Still Hip-Hop? Producer Rick Rubin Explains
If you’re one of the many listening to Kanye West’s newest album, Yeezus, right now, you should probably learn about producer Rick Rubin. Embedded in hip-hop’s story since the early days of Def Jam, Rubin has produced records for everyone from LL Cool J to Johnny Cash, but it was his minimalist creativity that pushed…
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50 Years Later, Myrlie Evers-Williams Remembers Medgar Evers
For America, Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of the death of the civil rights leader Medgar Evers, but for his widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams, the old wounds are still fresh. This week Evers-Williams reflected on her experiences and her late husband’s legacy on NPR. The family moved to Jackson when Evers accepted a job as the…
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Gay Student Expelled From College, Billed for Scholarships
When Danielle Powell fell in love with her female partner, she knew her sexuality wasn’t welcome at Omaha, Neb.’s Grace University, but she didn’t expect to be expelled. However, months away from graduation, Powell was asked to leave the school and was then sent a bill to repay her school loans and scholarships, reports the…
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A Modern Look at Fatherhood
In an interview with Colorlines‘ Julianne Hing, artist Janine Macbeth discusses sharing gender roles. The artist talks about how mothers are actually detached from the parenting process because of how demanding their role is. She explains that to protect herself and her family, she and her husband have had to share the responsibilities of mother and…
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Taking DNA With No Search Warrant: That's a Problem
Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson discusses his problems with the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that permits police to take DNA samples from anyone who commits a serious crime. In an unusual position for him, Robinson agrees with dissenting conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. The words “Antonin Scalia was right” do not flow easily for me. But…
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Father's Day Isn't 'Single Moms' Day'
Janelle Harris shares at Ebony why, as a single mom, she doesn’t need recognition on Father’s Day. Her piece reflects on the fact that while, yes, single mothers take on the responsibilities of both mother and father, in no way can they fill the actual role that a man has in a child’s life. In…
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Zimmerman's Dad: Blacks Are the Racists
(The Root) — With his son on trial for murder in the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin, the father of George Zimmerman has published an e-book criticizing the case and calling some African-American leaders who called for his son’s arrest racists. Robert Zimmerman Sr.’s book, Florida v. Zimmerman: Uncovering the Malicious Prosecution of My…
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Mandela Remains in Hospital for 7th Day
Schoolchildren in former South African President Nelson Mandela’s home village sang songs in his honor, and others left balloons and well wishes outside the hospital where he’s completed nearly a week of treatment for a recurring lung infection, the Huffington Post reports: There was no immediate word Friday on his condition, though the government said…