culture
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Don't Judge Kobe's Family Money Drama
(The Root) — There’s a lot not to like about Kobe Bryant. For one, no matter what he does, he manages to come across as smug and arrogant, something that has been a complaint of fellow players and fans alike. Then there’s the small detail of being accused of rape. Those charges were eventually dropped,…
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Detroit 'Kidnapping' and 'Dumping' the Homeless?
Michigan ACLU Legal Director Michael Steinberg spoke on Sunday’s Melissa Harris-Perry about the ACLU’s yearlong investigation into a practice that the organization says amounts to kidnapping. Police, Steinberg says, pick up people they believe to be homeless in the city’s tourist areas and “dump” them outside city limits, often leaving them stranded miles away. Watch…
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Youngest Member at NRA Convention: A 3-Year-Old Black Girl
The National Rifle Association capped its annual convention in Houston on Sunday by hosting a “Youth Day” event that included free six-month memberships offered to kids, the Daily News reports. It came a day after the organization welcomed the youngest member in attendance, Elaih Wagan. Tweets from the event described her as a “three year…
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Sibling for Blue Ivy? Beyoncé Says Daughter Needs Some Company
In an interview Monday morning with Amy Robach on ABC’s Good Morning America, Beyoncé discussed her latest role (Queen Tara in the upcoming animated film Epic), the reaction to her trip to Cuba (“actually quite shocking”) and plans to expand her family, ABC News reports. Chatting about 1-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, she said, “I just want to…
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Chris Kelly's Funeral to Include Public Viewing
Funeral services for Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly are scheduled to take place in Atlanta on Wednesday, Extra reports. The plans include a public viewing at Atlanta’s Murray Brothers Funeral Home, in addition to the funeral at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church on Thursday. Kelly, who reportedly died of a drug overdose, was originally discovered by…
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Murder in Black Communities: Is America Desensitized?
Would we care more if victims of violence were white? News One‘s Tamika Mallory explores the recurring question while reflecting on the recent murder of a Bronx, N.Y., teen, determining that the nation has become desensitized to murder in black communities. On Saturday, April 27th, I attended the funeral of 17-year-old Alphonza Bryant III who…
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What's Racist About a Talking Goat?
In a piece at CNN, contributor L.Z. Granderson checks in on the kerfuffle over the pulled Mountain Dew ad, calling it a sad day when the policing of comedy gets to the point where we can’t laugh at a talking goat. (CNN) — I went online this morning to see the Mountain Dew ad —…
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HBCUs Are Still Relevant Today
Writing at CNN, Michael Lomax, a contributing editor at The Root and president and CEO of the United Negro College, reflects on the value of HBCUs nearly 159 years after the first institution was chartered. (CNN) – More than 35,000 students will graduate from college this year because of something that happened 159 years ago…
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Mississippi Inmate Denied DNA Test, Execution Set
The Huffington Post is reporting that convicted double murderer Willie Jerome Manning, who has been on death row for nearly two decades, is set to be executed on Tuesday, after he was denied a DNA test that could save his life. In a 5-to-4 decision in April, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that there was…
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Watch This: Kris Kross' 10 Best Videos
Kris Kross, the popular 1990s rap duo, is undoubtedly best-known for their global hit, “Jump,” Vibe writes. But they also built a stable of follow-up hits, with accompanying videos. In light of the passing of Chris “Mack Daddy” Kelly, the site reflects on the group’s most memorable video moments. Can you name a few? Watch…