Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude

racism

News

Sen. Tom Cotton Is Extremely Concerned That We Aren't Sending Enough Black People to Prison

America is racist. When I invoke the word racism in this context, I am not referring to a self-concocted, liberal definition that excludes Black people and progressive white people who work in underprivileged communities with their LatinX nephew-in-law. I’m talking about the classic, white definition of racism—the “belief that race is a fundamental determinant of…

By

Michael Harriot

Published

April 7, 2021
Entertainment, It’s Lit

Anti-Racism Titles Are All Over the List of 10 Most Challenged Books in 2020

While 2020 marked an inflection point in the nation’s awareness of issues of racial injustice, it also quickly ushered in heaps of backlash against anything to do with acknowledging the pervasiveness of racism in America. Critical race theory, the New York Times’ 1619 Project, the phrase Black Lives Matter and anti-racism training have all been…

By

Ishena Robinson

Published

April 7, 2021
Clapback/Mailbag, News, Opinion

The Root's Clapback Mailbag: Caucasian Race Theory

Like most people, I have a special alert for when I receive emails from important people. And, of course, The Root’s Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton is on the email VIP list. Sometimes, it’s something important like when Crown Royal announces a new flavor or a video of a white woman calling the police on a Black…

By

Michael Harriot

Published

April 2, 2021
News, Race Matters

Undergraduate Students at Brown University Vote in Favor of Reparations for Students Who Descended From Slaves

A report commissioned by Brown University over a decade ago revealed that the school’s namesake family was deeply involved in the transatlantic slave trade. Citing the school’s history with slavery, the school’s undergraduate students have voted in favor of the university providing reparations for descendants of those who were enslaved. According to CNN, in 2003…

By

Joe Jurado

Published

April 1, 2021
News, Opinion, Wypipo

Pennsylvania Cop Suspended Over TikTok Video Declaring Confederate Flag Not Racist Despite Slavery Symbolism

White people, I need you to listen. No, seriously; lean in close, hear this and hear this well… *clears throat* POSTING STUPID AND RACIST SHIT ONLINE WILL FUCK WITH YOUR EMPLOYMENT!! I’m not even telling you to stop being stupid and racist—this is America, the land of stupidity and racism, after all—I’m actually trying to…

By

Zack Linly

Published

April 1, 2021
Entertainment

The 1st Project From Lionsgate/Nikole Hannah-Jones' 1619 Project Deal Will Be a Hulu Docuseries, With Roger Ross Williams Producing

Let’s take you on a trip to memory lane! Back in July 2020, The Root exclusively announced that Nikole Hannah-Jones, Lionsgate, the New York Times and Oprah Winfrey were teaming up in a major content deal to adapt The 1619 Project into a portfolio of films, television programming and other content across studio platforms. Well,…

By

Tonja Renée Stidhum

Published

April 1, 2021
Entertainment, Media

Van Lathan Wants to Know If Given the Opportunity, Would You End Racism or Take $100 Billion Instead?

On the latest episode of The Ringer’s Higher Learning—which you should absolutely subscribe to since I would never steer you wrong—co-hosts Van Lathan and The Bachelorette alumna Rachel Lindsay ponder a question that’s been tormenting even the deepest recesses of the Internet since Tuesday. “The fates come to you, they say, ‘Hey, look. You got…

By

Jay Connor

Published

March 31, 2021
News, Opinion, The Root University

Why White People Hate Critical Race Theory, Explained

They’re back! On Monday, Mississippi state Rep. Chris Brown (not that one) introduced two bills in the state legislature affirming the “resolute opposition to the promotion of race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating.” While the concurrent resolutions seem like no-brainers, the measures are part of the Republican Party’s nationwide effort to eliminate the anti-racist terror…

By

Michael Harriot

Published

March 30, 2021
News

A Black Girl's Event on Being a Better White Person Has Triggered the Worst White People

Great news! There’s a vaccine for racism! According to some people, eradicating the scourge of discrimination, white supremacy and oppression is easy. The Caucasian cure for systemic inequality involves the simple task of ignoring the issue, pretending it doesn’t exist and shutting the fuck up until the problem magically dissipates into thin air. While naysayers…

By

Michael Harriot

Published

March 29, 2021
Clapback/Mailbag, News, Opinion

The Root's Clapback Mailbag: Maybe Whiteness Is Not a Pandemic

Last week, a white man did white man things, which caused a lot of pain and heartache. Some people call Robert Aaron Long a “spree shooter,” while others call him a “mass murderer.” Because he went from location to location to kill people, he may technically be a serial killer or a hate criminal —…

By

Michael Harriot

Published

March 26, 2021