The Root

Bill Cosby is a free man.Read more...

It’s so hot outside that the covers of my paperback books have curled back onto themselves in response the ever-present humidity that is blanketing much of the country.Read more...

In recent years, we’ve seen both a rise in domestic extremism, and a disturbing amount of former and active-duty service members implicated in domestic terror plots. An active-duty Marine was discharged from the Marine Corps last year after coming under federal investigation for allegedly plotting to bomb the…Read more...

Embattled comedian Bill Cosby has served more than two years of his 3 to 10-year sentence for sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004. On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Cosby’s conviction, not because the court believes him to be innocent, but because…Read more...

Lil Nas X has definitely collected all the infinity stones.Read more...

Every time there’s a Verzuz match, the Twitter convo inevitably progresses into who the next matchup should be—and often evolves into a whole list of ideal matchups. There are still a whole lot of folks we’d love to see participate in a Verzuz, so The Root hung out at the BET Awards 2021 red carpet and asked the stars…Read more...

On Jan. 31, 2011, The Root unveiled its first annual Young Futurists list to honor “25 African Americans between the ages of 16 and 21 for being true innovators.”Read more...

After 23 Grand Slam titles, 79 major appearances, and 24 seasons on the WTA tour, the uncomfortable truth is that Serena Williams’ reign as the most dominant force in sports is finally drawing to a close.Read more...

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted to remove all Confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol as well as a bust of former Chief Justice Roger Taney, the white supremacist lawmaker who wrote the 1857 Dred Scott ruling that said Black people aren’t U.S. citizens. Predictably, members of a certain party that…Read more...

As one of the most unpredictable seasons in NBA history limps to its conclusion, a condensed schedule, rampant injuries, and the looming threat of COVID-19 have worked hand-in-hand to ensure that this war of attrition is one for the ages.Read more...

Calling all the Roni’s to the floor!Read more...

After pressing pause on her WNBA career so that she could devote herself full-time to prison reform advocacy, 2020 The Root 100 honoree Maya Moore is being recognized for her commitment to the cause.Read more...

Here’s a question: If Republicans aren’t racist then why do they keep appearing to be so buddy-buddy with white supremacists? I mean, KKK leaders are showing up at GOP campaign rallies; neo-Nazi’s are running for office as Republicans; David Duke and the “very fine people” at the “Unite the Right” rally in…Read more...

If you’ve been looking for a reason to slide to the west side, then H.E.R. might’ve just given you one!

In what seems to be the latest in a string of vandalisms around the country, a mural in Louisville, Ky., dedicated to Black people killed by police violence was vandalized early Monday morning.

One of our beloved Black TV and film matriarchs is starring in a new supernatural thriller, y’all!Read more...

What our “new normal” looks like may still be in question, but in Detroit, the city’s Avenue of Fashion recently hosted a heartwarming sight. Dozens of men dusted off their Stacy Adams and favorite—and in many cases, flashiest—suits to compete in the Times Square competition for best dressed. Reporter Charlie Langton…Read more...

Here are some words the uniformed might use to describe ballet: “awkward,” “formal,” “slow,” “complex”… you get the gist.

T-Pain, is the king of Auto-Tune. Full stop.Read more...

I know that it is the year of our Lord and Lil Nas X 2021, and America is going through a “racial awakening,” (in which America gets half-woke then doses off and says a bunch of racial slurs in its sleep then blames it on the Ambien like Roseanne) but it appears that the country isn’t so anti-racist that we don’t…Read more...

The past year-and-half has been one of the most challenging in American history—physically, psychologically and fiscally. But for Melissa Butler, founder of The Lip Bar, it was yet another in a series of challenges she’s not only overcome but welcomed while growing her now nine-year-old brand, which has evolved from a…Read more...

Losing DMX this past spring was absolutely devastating to hip-hop. One of the many ways fans and peers paid tribute was through storytelling. DMX was always the most effervescent character in his stories—it was a Ruff Ryder’s [Role], indeed.Read more...

Is it just me, or is it starting to feel like every other week another college or university is taking steps to address its “legacy of racism.” The latest school to acknowledge its racist history is Georgia’s Emory University, which announced on Monday it would begin the process of renaming some of its buildings to…Read more...

When Ray Williams first heard about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s multibillion dollar loan forgiveness program for farmers of color meant “to remedy centuries of government discrimination,” the managing director of the Black Farmers Collective and urban farmer at Yes Farm thought it was a long time coming.Read more...

Outright calling somebody a racist is a pretty serious accusation.Read more...

Gwen Levi, 76, was one of around 4,500 federal inmates who were released from prison and sent to home confinement as a precautionary health measure during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the mother and grandmother is back behind bars because for a few hours of one day, she was taking a class that caused her to miss…Read more...

It’s pretty well known that Migos told us back in 2018 they were about to come through drippin’ alongside frequent collaborator Cardi B. But if you needed yet another reminder, this new YouTube series is just what the drip doctor ordered.Read more...

When Mario Golf: Super Rush was announced earlier this year for the Nintendo Switch, the reaction from me and my friends could be boiled down to “Yo, that looks fun!,” which was quickly followed by “Know what else looks fun? Me beating your punk ass.”Read more...

Fresh off playing arguably the best game of his career, in the most important game in the history of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise, Paul George said something that stuck with me. The seven-time All-Star was asked if he receives more criticism than his NBA superstar peers and he kept it a buck.Read more...

NeNe Leakes may be well known for her shade and jokes on Bravo’s popular reality series Real Housewives of Atlanta, but the latest news regarding her husband’s health is no laughing matter.Read more...

We’re still running “WAP”-inspired acronyms into the ground, right? Well, I think it’s safe to say Cardi B is experiencing a Winning-Ass Pregnancy!Read more...

The murder of George Floyd last year was the unexpected catalyst for the current state of race relations not only in America, but the world as well. His death spurred a historic report by the human rights chief for the United Nations that is calling on countries to fight harder against anti-Black racism and to “make…Read more...

I was a teenager the first time I saw the movie Mississippi Burning, and despite knowing even at that young age America’s capacity for hate and racism, I remember thinking: “Nah, that can’t be real.”Read more...

One thing that has become incredibly apparent in recent years is that a certain portion of the population seems to be sincerely shocked to find out that white supremacists have decent paying jobs. Considering that we just had a white nationalist president only two seconds ago, it shouldn’t come as too much of a shock…Read more...

This actor, director and children’s television host is most known for his work in Roots (1977), the Star Trek: Next Generation franchise (1987-1994) and Reading Rainbow. (1983-2006). He’s also the popular pick to succeed the late, great Alex Trebek in hosting duties for the popular game show, Jeopardy!Read more...

What is F9, if not the Fast & Furious franchise persevering? (Y’all see what I did there? Marvel fans, that was for you.)

It is the year 2021 of our Lord, and Lil Nas X has been out and proud since Pride Month 2019—and bringing you the rapture since the release of “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” this March. But despite the artist’s unapologetic and increasingly fearless unveiling of his identity, there are some who still believe they…Read more...

After spending over a year trapped inside of our apartments, this Pfizer and Moderna coursing through our veins mean it’s finally time to return outside. And yes, there will be plenty of pool parties and debauchery to make up for the Thanos snap that stole last summer, but for those truly dying to turn up, after a…Read more...

“Y’all wanna hear a story about why me & this bitch here fell out? It’s kind of long but full of suspense,” and with these words began perhaps the most epic thotyssey of our time.

Last year, 147 Republican lawmakers voted against certifying the election results that declared President Joe Biden our new commander-in-chief, while declaring y’all’s ex-President Donald Trump the commander-in-nothing-but-Twitter-bans-and-failed-blogs.Read more...

A tragedy occurred in Winthrop, Mass., on Saturday when a man and woman, both Black, were fatally shot by a white man who stole a plumber’s truck and crashed it into a house. Officials are now investigating the shooting as a hate crime after discovering white nationalist rhetoric allegedly written by the assailant.Read more...

Da Brat is continuing to brat-tat-tat-tat with her boo thang Jesseca “Judy” Dupart and it looks like we’ll get to come along for the ride. WE TV will be debuting a series following the couple titled Brat Loves Judy.Read more...

For many Americans, this upcoming weekend is a celebration of the country’s independence from England—despite the persistent lack of freedoms afforded to marginalized people within this so-called liberated country’s confines. But for Black hair advocates, there’s another (and arguably better) Independence Day to…Read more...

As a former member of the United States Air Force, I’m often asked for my opinion on Colin Kaepernick’s decision to take a knee during the national anthem. I’m also told that I’m supposed to be infuriated that Kap “disrespected” me as a military veteran, even though I have vivid memories of being spit on and called a…Read more...

The memories I attach to the year 2000 still manage to be some of the worst of my life. No matter what happened even the day before or after July 16, 2000—the day my cousin was killed 20 feet from me in my grandmother’s driveway—I lived in somewhat of a fog for the rest of the year.Read more...

After a year and change spent indoors, it was likely inevitable that our reemergence into social life might be accompanied by a bit of...exhibitionism. The 2021 BET Awards proved a prime opportunity; as reimagined and socially distanced formats continue to change the awards show landscape (in many ways for the…Read more...

At this point, any reasonable person should be able to see that when it comes to the subjects of Critical Race Theory and other anti-racism teachings, Republicans really just be out here saying shit, and because conservative media outlets are always ready and willing to act as vessels for GOPropaganda, their erroneous…Read more...

We all know a Khris Middleton.Read more...

Somebody get Swizz and Tim on the phone!

All of us have done our best to remain as calm and healthy as possible in the midst of working from home, virtual school and social distancing. The truth is it can be too much for any family, even one as close as ours. We all needed a break.Read more...