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Facebook Introduces the Coronavirus Information Center to 'Ensure That Misinformation Doesn’t Spread'
While Facebook seems to give less than a shit about the rampant racism crippling its platform, they at least appear to be vigilant in their quest to keep users safe and informed regarding the coronavirus. To that end, Facebook has taken a number of steps to ensure that its billions of users aren’t misled by…
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Rep. Bobby Rush Isn't Here For Race-Based Coronavirus Misinformation
Congressman Rep. Bobby Rush is not here for the spreading of misinformation regarding the coronavirus crisis—particularly, race-based misinformation. CNBC reported that Rush lashed out at the CEOs of Facebook and Twitter on Friday for allowing their digital spaces to be used as propaganda hubs for false and often racist information mentioning, specifically, the debunked claim…
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High School Principal Suspended After Suggesting Kobe Bryant Deserved to Die
Here at The Root, we keep trying to warn white folks that freedom of speech doesn’t equate to freedom from consequences; but be it an ass-whooping, a vicious Twitter dragging, or a one-way trip to the unemployment line, they remain resolute on jeopardizing their quality of life—and occasionally their jaw. And in the latest example…
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Deathstreaming: U.S. Army Vet Whose Son Was Killed on Facebook Live Says ‘Violence Has to Stop’
Could you imagine how it feels to have served in the military and then work a quarter of a century for the Department of Corrections to learn one day that your son has been murdered while broadcasting on social media—of all places? That is what happened to Roosevelt Rankins, Sr., whose 34-year old namesake was…
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Maybe Meghan Markle Was Just Tired of Eating Baked Beans and Eggs on Toast for Breakfast
Any list of the pleasant surprises from the months of book-related touring, talks, events, and appearances in 2019 would include the week I spent in London in May. It was my first time in England—a place I never had any desire to visit. (I’ve seen Closer seven times, which I figured was enough London for…
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More Republican Bigotry in Today's 'Water Is Wet' News
Ok, I need everyone to brace themselves. You’re going to want to sit down for this and make sure you’re not currently operating any heavy machinery or in the middle of fixing your edges just right. The news I’m about to break is both shocking and virtually unheard of: Republican leaders have recently been caught…
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Black Facebook Workers Write Open Letter to Company: We Are Treated Every Day 'As If We Do Not Belong Here'
One year after a black Facebook employee accused the social media giant of failing its black employees and users, a group of Facebook employees published an anonymous memo saying the culture at the company has only gotten worse for nonwhite workers. Published on Medium last week, the letter documents a variety of micro- and full-blown…
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Rep. Joyce Beatty Presses Mark Zuckerberg Like a Panini Over Facebook's Dismal Civil Rights Record
To hear Congresswoman Joyce Beatty tell it, this wasn’t the first time she took the founder and CEO of Facebook to task for his dismal record on civil rights—but after her tense, blistering exchange with Mark Zuckerberg on Capitol Hill Wednesday, he’d better hope it’s the last time. The Ohio Democrat called Zuckerberg out on…
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It’s Getting Hot in Here: AOC Grills Mark Zuckerberg About Whether Facebook Will Allow Ads That Lie to Black Voters
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—aka the Notorious AOC, aka key member of the House’s progressive “Squad”—set Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg back on his heels Wednesday when she grilled him about the social media giant’s potential to manipulate marginalized communities in next year’s elections. The exchange came during hearings for the House Financial Services Committee, according…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
