The Root

To say Amanda Gorman has had a big year would be an understatement. In January, America’s first Youth Poet Laureate took the dais—and stole the show—at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration with her poem, “The Hill We Climb.” But that was just the beginning; within a week, she was signed by IMG Models and confirmed to…Read more...

Remember all those folks who swore Colin Kaepernick disrespected the military by taking a knee in defiance of racism?

A painting depicting George Floyd laying in the arms of Mother Mary has angered students attending Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. I mean angry, so much so that the painting was stolen from its spot outside the law school chapel twice and students started a petition to make sure it never goes back…Read more...

Have you ever had a white friend? Apparently lots of us have, and that’s probably to the shock of Rhode Island state Rep. Patricia Morgan, who we have to thank for the hashtag #iHadAWhiteFriend.Read more...

On Tuesday, fans of the late rapper DMX were given a special gift: more insight into his oft-mentioned, unreleased dual album, Walk With Me Now and You’ll Fly With Me Later.Read more...

The post-holiday streaming choices aren’t always the best. Networks roll out all their big titles in December, then save the rest for February to get awards traction. We did the hard work of sorting through the racks of options so you can just set your calendar. Disney+ brings another Marvel blockbuster to the small…Read more...

If you thought something as insignificant as a COVID-19 mandate in New York City that requires people to provide proof of vaccination in order to enter arenas, gyms, restaurants, and other indoor venues would keep a seven-time NBA All-Star in his prime from playing a single game of NBA basketball this season let me…Read more...

At the start of 2021, our country made a major historic political stride when Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first Black and Asian woman vice-president. As millions watched on TV and in person, we were reminded of how far we’ve come in the political landscape, but also how far we must go. The 2020 election was…Read more...

While Dr. Dre may still be in a celebratory mood following “his divooooorce” from his now-ex-wife Nicole Young, he won’t be the only one celebrating, thanks to the recent divorce settlement.Read more...

As someone who watches an absurd amount of basketball—thanks in part to the coronavirus and its evil stepsisters, Delta and Omicron—I have vivid memories of watching Russell Westbrook’s teammates throughout the years literally stare at the ball flying off the rim while twiddling their thumbs so that the nine-time NBA…Read more...

More than a year after the looting and destruction that took place during the August 24, 2020 demonstrations in Kenosha, Wisconsin, police and prosecutors continue to seek out the protesters responsible. As of last week, Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley’s office has filed more than 90 criminal charges…Read more...

Patricia Yannet Cornwall was arrested and charged last Thursday in an alleged assault aboard a Delta Air Lines flight. She is charged with hitting a passenger in the face and spitting on him after an argument. According to NBC News and recent court documents, Cornwall invoked the name of Rosa Parks. Yes, Rosa Parks on…Read more...

On Tuesday, the world learned of the passing of NFL legend John Madden, whose unexpected death at 85 years old has sent shockwaves throughout the NFL community. ESPN describes him as a “Hall of Fame coach-turned-broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL…Read more...

Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush revealed Monday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 making him the latest member of Congress to be affected by the spike in coronavirus cases. Rush, who is 75-years-old, says he hasn’t experienced any symptoms and is vaccinated and recently received his booster shot.Read more...

Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor will now also be the city’s first to have a remote inauguration, thanks to our good friend the ‘Rona.Read more...

Jail is getting more violent and dangerous in-part because of the pandemic.

Not everyone likes to go out on New Year’s Eve, some of us are perfectly fine staying home in sweatpants, eating junk food and watching the various TV specials broadcasting the big ball drop in Times Square. There are familiar favorites, new duos and streaming comedies on tap this year, so if you’re not ready for…Read more...

A suspected serial killer, who is also a handsome real estate agent, was charged with attempted murder for the non-fatal shooting of a homeless man in Miami, , according to the Miami Herald.Read more...

In Richmond, Virginia, at the site where the now removed Robert E. Lee statue once stood, a second time capsule from 1887 has been discovered and opened, according to NPR.Read more...

OK, OK. So, I know I promised you a list—and you will get one! But before I supply you with it, let me first start off by saying: Happy Birthday, Denzel! Now that that’s outta the way, let’s just cut right to the chase: There is quite literally no other Black actor out right now that could be the next D—

The Proud Boys are buried under numerous lawsuits and criminal charges thanks to their poorly thought out insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. In one of the more major cases, a federal judge has ruled to allow a case brought by the Justice Department to continue, rejecting a motion to dismiss charges against…Read more...

After buzzing her hair to a close fade this summer at the urging of daughter Willow, Jada Pinkett Smith is doing her best to embrace her ongoing hair loss. On Tuesday, the 50-year-old actress, musician and Red Table Talk host-creator gave fans an update via Instagram as she showed off her latest follicular development.Read more...

Republicans are turning to young, Black conservatives to help fill their back bench with candidates for local office who can help carry the party into the future.

The state of the Build Back Better Act is either still obtainable or finished, depending on who you ask. Last week, Sen. Joe Manchin gave the “Julius Ceasar thumbs down” to the bill on the Lord’s day. U.S. House Representative and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Pramila Jayapal, wrote an opinion piece…Read more...

The sophomore jinx is real.

While in custody at the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center in Wichita, Kansas, 17-year-old Cedric Lofton’s heart stopped beating while laid on the ground, restrained. He never regained consciousness.Read more...

The fallout for Travis Scott continues following the mass casualty event that took place at his Astroworld festival in Houston on November 5, leaving 10 concertgoers dead. In addition to hundreds of lawsuits filed and multiple cancellations of upcoming performances, several of Scott’s highly anticipated collaborations…Read more...

I can’t lie. When I first heard former President Trump’s claim that dead people were casting ballots in the election, my imagination raced. In my head, Zombies rose out of the grave on Election day; they headed to a ballot place and started pressing buttons. Then, I thought, if this was even remotely true, what…Read more...

My dearest and most patient reader,Read more...

Add Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations to the growing list of Broadway closures.

Who will win the most controversial—read: conservative—seat on The View? That’s the question facing producers of the long-running daytime talk show, which has gone without a right-wing host since the departure of Meghan McCain in August after four tumultuous seasons. “Before taking off for the holidays, the four…Read more...

For some inexplicable reason, in case you thought Omarion Omicron—the Marvel Cinematic Universe variant that has been terrorizing man, woman, and petulant child all winter—was a joke, I’m here to present irrefutable evidence to the contrary.Read more...

One of the most pressing issues that the United States faces in 2022 is voting rights. Republicans have unveiled maps that squarely put elections in their favor in places like Ohio. If that’s not enough, an avalanche of anti-voting rights legislation have hit places like Lincoln County, Georgia. Many have been…Read more...

Warner Bros. gave Bat-fans a special gift with a surprise trailer for The Batman. This is the third trailer for the movie, scheduled to hit theaters March 4, but the first to feature an extended look at Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman.

Every Monday of the fifth and final season of HBO’s cultural flashpoint show, Insecure, Very Smart Brothas Senior Editor Panama Jackson and Contributing Freelance Writer Shanelle Genai have broken down the latest episode. But just like the fan-favorite show, all good things must come to an end. Since Panama recently…Read more...

Of course, the holiday season isn’t devoid of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s usual antics. While millions of Black people around the world began celebrating the weeklong holiday of Kwanzaa on Sunday, Greene used her twitter fingers to do what she does best: talk about things about which she has no clue.

Even with Insecure meeting its emotional end—oh, you really thought Team Lawrence was gonna take the L with a championship on the line?—it’s a pivotal time for Black television. FX’s Atlanta is plotting its comeback, Peacock’s Bel-Air is primed for world domination, and if you’re a sports head, HBO’s Winning Time: The…Read more...

In a year of high-profile exonerations of Black men, another one has occurred.Read more...

What a difference a year makes. Just a few days from now will be a year to the day where hundreds of people who didn’t like an election result went to Washington D.C. and proceeded to storm the Capitol. Investigations of what happened and who was involved in the Jan. 6th attempted insurrection are still ongoing, with…Read more...

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex received a Boxing Day present of vindication from The Mail on Sunday, as the British newspaper was forced to print a front page apology for publishing a private letter between Meghan and her father.

After a long, hard day at the office (or working from home), nothing beats meeting up with your crew for a few drinks at your favorite local wine bar. From the laid-back ambiance and chic décor with the perfect playlist always in rotation to the friendly bartender who knows exactly what to pour based on your energy, a…Read more...

Millennials, rejoice! Diddy, or shall we say, the brother newly known as Love, has bought back his famed Y2K brand, Sean John. That’s right, it’s time to relive the greatest fashion era there ever was, that of the velour tracksuit, duh!Read more...

It looks like funds to Flint, Michigan are ever so slowly making their way to the city’s residents. Last month, a federal judge approved a partial settlement of $626.25 million dollars, an amount some feel is entirely inadequate to make up for the everlasting impact of the water crisis.Read more...

A Google office search for Black women workers is starting to display some slim results. NBC News reports that in 2020, Black + female identifying employees left the company at the second highest rate of any other racial-gender group, following only that of Native + female identifying individuals. California’s civil…Read more...

We don’t know yet how good Herschel Walker is at politics, but candidacy for the U.S. Senate is revealing that he’s pretty good at getting a bag.

Even with all the extra time we’ve been spending at home, there’s no way you watched everything 2021 had to offer. The year was overflowing with quality television. Fortunately, the week between Christmas and New Year’s doesn’t give non-sports fans much to choose from, which means you have plenty of time to catch-up…Read more...

Warning: spoilers ahead for Spider-Man: No Way Home, What If…?, Loki and WandaVision! Seriously, if you’re not 100% caught up on the MCU, stop reading now!

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Let’s play a game of one of these things is not like the other. There were the Portland protests in the summer of 2020 where many people took to the streets in protest of the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so many others. Then earlier this year there was the January 6th insurrection where people advanced…Read more...