Breaking News! History in the Making
Alex La Guma: The Greatest Novelist Whose Name You’ve Never Heard Before
Lindsay Johns, a writer for The Root, discusses Alex La Guma, a South Africa novelist and an activist in the liberation struggle, and his remarkable work of literature, which she describes “articulates a distinct world view”. She explains the relevance of his novels in this age and why they should be read.
Obama Breaks Down ‘Black Lives Matter’ During Panel on Criminal-Justice Reform
President Barack Obama presents his opinion on the Black Lives Matter Movement during a panel about criminal justice reform. Watch video of his statement.
ABHM Exhibit Featured in German High School Textbook
A school book publisher located in Hannover, Germany, will reprint ABHM exhibit “The Education of Black Children in the Jim Crow South.” It will appear in their new book for high school students learning English, called “Abi-Box Englisch Niedersachsen2017 II.”
A Rare, Firsthand Account of an African Muslim Enslaved in Brazil
Mahommah Gardo Baquaqua described his capture and enslavement in Brazil during the 19th century and his journey through Haiti, upstate New York, Canada and England. While a legally free in these places, he was homesick for Africa and desired to return home. His detailed account includes his Islamic faith, his experiences, and life after his escape.
Louisiana middle school principal, high school coach wear offensive Halloween costumes
Two couples, affiliated with different schools, wore costumes called “People of Walmart” that sparked some controversy.
My Friend Married the Maintenance Man
It’s a fact that African-American women far outnumber their male counterparts in higher education. D.S. Coleman, a writer for The Root, discusses the dilemma of dating for black women and the impact of the dynamics of their relationships. She presents some statistics that provide context to why this makes dating a complex world to navigate for African-American women.
Malcom X Suggests Cure To Racism In Newly-Discovered Handwritten Letter
A letter that was recently discovered is said to have been written by civil rights activist Malcolm X.
Yes, It Is Rocket Science, and African Americans Are Doing It
These 11 African Americans are leaders in their STEM fields, from video game technology to space exploration, setting an example for the kind of professional achievement that is possible. By Nigel Roberts, The Root 1. African Americans are missing out on the tech boom. Job creation in science, technology, engineering and math—known as STEM—career…
Baltimore cop spits in handcuffed black man’s face, then charges him with assault
By The Grio A Baltimore police officer has been suspended after video emerged showing him spitting in the face of a black man who he then charged with assault. The officer, Sergeant Robert Mesner, was placed on leave by interim chief Kevin Davis. In the video, Mesner can be seen following 31-year-old Alfred Evan after Evan had been…
Detention of black teens by police outside D.C. bank sparks protests
Jason Goolsby, 18, was tackled and handcuffed by D.C. police outside a bank.
‘You Talk White:’ Being Black and Articulate
By Keith Powell, The Huffington Post In my early 20s, before I was cast on 30 Rock and while I was still trying to find my way as an actor, I attempted a very odd social experiment: I would often walk into audition rooms using an English accent. I’d introduce myself and engage in…
Officials in Texas Grapple With Police Decision to Use Taser on City Council Member
Officials in a small Texas town are questioning a decision by the police to use a Taser on a member of the City Council before charging him with resisting arrest.
Black College Student Brutally Beaten By Police Officers In D.C.
The Metropolitan Police Department later confirmed that Jason Goolsby had committed no crime. Philip Lewis, Huffington Post A video that went viral on Twitter appears to show Jason Goolsby, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of the District of Columbia, being brutally beaten and detained by police officers Monday night. D.C. police claimed the incident was in response…
Thousands Gather for Million Man March 20th Anniversary in D.C.
Black men and women from around the nation are gathering on the National Mall to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March and call for policing reforms and changes in black communities.
2 Outside Reviews Say Cleveland Officer Acted Reasonably in Shooting Tamir Rice, 12
By Mitch Smith, New York Times Two outside investigators looking into the death of Tamir Rice have concluded that a Cleveland police officer, Tim Loehmann, acted reasonably in deciding last year to shoot when he confronted the 12-year-old boy carrying what turned out to be a replica gun. Those opinions, reached separately by…
UCLA students protest after partygoers wear blackface at Kanye West-themed frat party
By Veronica Rocha, LA Times Chanting “Black Bruins Matter,” UCLA students crammed into Chancellor Gene Block’s office Thursday, demanding a response for a party described as racist after some students wore blackface to a Kanye West-themed fraternity party. Holding signs reading, “Our culture is not a costume,” hundreds of students marched on campus days…
Texas Mother Teaches Textbook Company a Lesson on Accuracy
By Manny Fernandez and Christine Hauser, New York Times HOUSTON — Coby Burren, 15, a freshman at a suburban high school south of here, was reading the textbook in his geography class last week when a map of the United States caught his attention. On Page 126, a caption in a section about immigration…
Man Alleges NYPD Cop Called Him N-word Several Times During Stop-and-Frisk Arrest in Lawsuit
By Stephen Rex Brown, New York Daily News An NYPD sergeant repeatedly called a man walking in Brooklyn the c before arresting him on bogus charges that were later dismissed, a new suit claims. Diquan Fedee says he was walking on Marcus Garvey Boulevard near Willoughby St. in Bedford-Stuyvesant on July 10 of last year…
U.S. to Release 6,000 Inmates From Prisons
The Justice Department is preparing to release roughly 6,000 inmates from federal prisons starting at the end of this month as part of an effort to ease overcrowding and roll back the harsh penalties given to nonviolent drug offenders .
New California Law Aims To Curb Racial Profiling
Activists hailed the law, but police union leaders complained it would create more paperwork. By Matt Ferner, The Huffington Post California police will have to publicly report race and other demographic characteristics of any person stopped by officers under a new law intended to respond to high-profile deaths of unarmed black men and charges of racial…
Racist Jokes About This Photo Got People Fired and Sparked the Hashtag #HisNameIsCayden
By Dian Ozemebhoya Eromosele, The Root There is a man who goes by the name of Geris Hilton on Facebook (reportedly not his real name) who used to have a job. “Hilton” used to work at Polaris Marketing Group, according to AtlantaBlackStar, but his employment status changed after he posted a photo on Facebook Sept.…