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Carpooling with Canadians
It’s easy to forget about Canada these days. Despite the fact that many Americans can actually see it from their windows, most of us get little news about our neighbor. With so much chaos in the world—a global financial meltdown, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, terror attacks in Mumbai, riots in Greece—the lack of focus…
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Dolls Like Me
As the mother of two daughters, holiday shopping has now turned into an annual quest for black dolls. And not just any black dolls. I’m not talking about those white dolls that look like they’ve been dipped in chocolate or dyed that ubiquitous shade of candy-bar brown in an effort to pass for black. I’m…
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Barack, Sit Down With Damon!
Dear Transition Team, Okay, so you haven’t granted The Root an interview yet, but we’re willing yo wait our turn if you sit down with Damon Weaver, a 10-year-old student reporter at Canal Point Elementary in Palm Beach, Fla., who is coming to Washington for the inauguration. Yes, he’s only in the fifth grade, but…
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Kanye's Pity Party
For those who like to draw a line in the sand to distinguish between “real” hip-hop and that which is not-so-real, Kanye West has shown a consistent ability to blur the line. Since his 2004 breakthrough album, The College Dropout, there have been many rap artists as prolific and visible. But where so many of…
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Why Don't We Throw Shoes at People?
After an Iraqi journalist pelted a shoe at President Bush in a press conference yesterday, the New York Times reports that “Hitting someone with a shoe is a strong insult in Iraq. It means the person is as low as the dirt underneath the sole of a shoe.” My question is: Why is the first…
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Tips on Tipping
If the people who deliver your newspaper, cut your grass (or your hair) or hold open the door to your apartment building suddenly become much cheerier around the holidays, it could be the spirit of the season—or it could be they’re hoping for a holiday tip. In some parts of the country, tipping is welcome…
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The Ultimate Santa Gift Guide
Santa might be a little strapped for cash this year, but if your kids are anything like mine, they won’t be trying to hear that on Christmas morning. It’s true; it’s the thought that counts, and many Americans just might be on the verge of busting out the depression glass this year. But most kids…
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Give the Gift of Fitness
Skip the ugly sweater, nix that stinky perfume and—unless you want to bestow the gift of a big fat behind—definitely say no to the gi-normous bucket of caramel corn. If you’re looking for a unique gift this year, something that really shows how much you care about someone, think about giving the gift of fitness.…
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The Root's Holiday Book Guide
Books are fool-proof gifts. Not just because they virtually last forever, unlike that fruitcake or sweater that shrinks after one wash, but also because they’re affordable in these tough economic times. And, just think, you can take care of everyone on your list with one trip to your local bookstore. That alone should relieve some…
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Shakin' Up The Game
The NBA is the most predictable of the three major North American sports. In each of the last five seasons, the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Mavericks, the Phoenix Suns, the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers have been top teams in the Western Conference. The Detroit Pistons have gone to the Eastern Conference…