social media

  • Social Studies: Black People Invented Social Media

    Social Studies: Black People Invented Social Media

    According to numerous internet historians, including Social Media Today, in 1997, a website called Six Degrees was the first social media platform on the world wide web. Then came Friendster, which began in 2002. Then Myspace and LinkedIn burst on the scene in 2003. Facebook emerged in 2004, which begat Twitter in 2006… And the…

  • Happy(?) Memorial Day: Here Are Some Virtual Events to Turn That Frown Upside Down This Weekend

    Happy(?) Memorial Day: Here Are Some Virtual Events to Turn That Frown Upside Down This Weekend

    This weekend is Memorial Day weekend, which typically serves as the kickoff to summer with barbecues, parties, and more. However…you know what’s up this time around. If you don’t have any plans to keep yourself occupied this particular weekend, social media is chock full of entertainment at your fingertips, and The Root is here with…

  • Social Studies: If a Karen Falls in the Woods…

    Social Studies: If a Karen Falls in the Woods…

    Here’s a question that needs answering: What is the male equivalent of a Karen? Is it Chuck or a Todd? How about Bryce? It’s an existential question akin to “What’s the sound of no Beckies crying?” If a Karen falls in the woods, does God speak to the manager for her? Well, I think we’ve…

  • Cynthia Bailey Wants to Know: Are You the 'Next Great Face of Ambi'?

    Cynthia Bailey Wants to Know: Are You the 'Next Great Face of Ambi'?

    One of the hottest trends we’ve seen in beauty, as of late? Revisiting the classics—those tried-and-true brands we grew up seeing in the cabinets and on the countertops of our mothers, grandmothers, big sisters and favorite aunties. In recent years, it’s become customary to see some of our favorite legacy brands (including Afro Sheen and…

  • Social Studies: By Any Memes Necessary

    On this day, in 1925, Malcolm Little was born. The man whose name offends white people would become known by many monikers: Detroit Red, Malcolm X, Minister Malcolm and El-Hajj Malik Shabazz. He remains a revolutionary, an icon and one of the greatest orators of his time. Contrary to popular belief, belligerent black leaders like…

  • Social Studies: The New Negro Spiritual

    Social Studies: The New Negro Spiritual

    As we begin to flesh out this social studies feature, we heard through the grapevine (not The Grapevine) that many of you were wondering what the hell we were trying to do with this series. Is it just a listicle meant for clicks? Is it a list of memes? Nah, it’s black history. Throughout the…

  • Social Studies: Black Twitter 'Verzuz' White Twitter

    Social Studies: Black Twitter 'Verzuz' White Twitter

    Social media is a great educational tool. Because of slavery, Jim Crow, redlining and white flight, there are many black people who have not had the chance to acquire firsthand knowledge of white people. Luckily, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc. allows for great insight into the practices and habits of people who buy clothes from QVC.…

  • Amanda Seales Calls Out White Celebrities Who Support Black Causes but Turn Off Instagram Comments
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    Amanda Seales Calls Out White Celebrities Who Support Black Causes but Turn Off Instagram Comments

    Comedian and actress Amanda Seales often says what a lot of us are thinking. Recently, the actress and comedian went on Instagram to call out white celebrities who are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and Ahmaud Arbery through social media posts, but turn off their comments sections on these specific posts. Her observation and…

  • From Poetry to Music Battles, Here Are Some Events to Check Out This Weekend

    From Poetry to Music Battles, Here Are Some Events to Check Out This Weekend

    With all that’s going on in the world, it can be challenging to remember to sit down, take the load off and just breathe. Some people like to unwind with a good book or television show, but whether you like it or not, social media is chock full of entertainment at your fingertips. Especially during…

  • Social Studies: The Black Internet, Curated

    Imagine if Black Twitter hooked up with GroupMe and had a baby who was raised by Desus and Mero. Welcome to The Root’s “Social Studies” — an ongoing, running collection of the stupidest, smartest and most fascinating stuff on Al Gore’s innanet. It is long reads texted from your intellectual uncle and Tik Tok posts…