The Root

As protests erupted around the country Thursday night in response to multiple, widespread, and longstanding allegations of police brutality, community activists in Tallahassee, Fla., have tried to press for more accountability from police officers after three officer-involved killings in just over two months.Read more...

The news about the state of the nation’s mental health was alarming even before the traumatic events of this past week—when news cycles and social media timelines were flooded with news about racists, deadly, and un-redressed assaults on black people.Read more...

This is the sobering half-wish offered on page 57 of Black Imagination, an amalgamation of black thought, poetry, rituals, inspiration, hope, and yes, imaginings of what healing might look like amid an inequitable existence. The project and resulting book—more aptly described by acclaimed author Kiese Laymon (Heavy)…Read more...

The roof! The roof! The roof is on fire! We don’t need no water; let that mother fucker burn!Read more...

The country has been reeling this week after graphic footage of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minnesota police officers was released. After nationwide protests on Thursday night, one of the men responsible for Floyd’s death has finally been taken into custody.Read more...

To understand Amy Klobuchar, all you need to know is how she treats her staff. An aide once carried her bags and a salad onto a plane for a short flight. Once onboard, the aide realized the horrible mistake he made: somewhere between fumbling with the Minnesota senator’s luggage and her lunch, he’d somehow lost her…Read more...

I knew what I was getting into.

We live in a world where sports figures and professional athletes are more vocal about social issues than ever before, and in light of protests that have erupted throughout the country in response to George Floyd’s death at the hands of the Minneapolis police, many have channeled their outrage onto social media.

This week, month, and year have been exhausting for Black America. There’s always a battle raging somewhere against power structures that prey and pray for our downfall. Gathered here are a collection of staff-curated songs that embody the spirit of protest. #RIPGeorgeFloydRead more...

Thursday night, protests against police violence took place nationwide. Louisville, Ky., was the site of one such protest as people gathered in honor of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old EMT who was shot and killed after police entered her home. New information about the case was released during the evening shortly…Read more...

When audiences finished the Oscar-winning film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, there was one particular scene that stuck in everyone’s minds: the moment Miles Morales officially became Spider-Man. After many minutes of self-doubt, Miles finally took a leap of faith and we all realized he wasn’t falling, but…Read more...

3 Months Free | Amazon Music UnlimitedRead more...

This is not a riot.Read more...

A CNN crew covering the ongoing protests in Minneapolis was arrested on Friday while they were providing a live report on television.Read more...

It was just over 18 months ago that we were marveling at the fact that legendary beauty Naomi Campbell, then 48, had just scored the first beauty campaign of her decades-long career for good friend François Nars’ eponymous line. On May 22, the still-stunning supermodel celebrated her 50th birthday, accompanied by…Read more...

Today, May 29, would have marked the 30th birthday of Erica Garner, who passed away over two years ago. Some speculated that her death was because of inadequate healthcare, while others attributed her death to the stress and burden of being a black woman trying to survive in America. The daughter of Eric Garner, the…Read more...

Tell your praying Grandma to lay out your Sanctified Self-Isolation outfit on the bed this weekend because now’s the time to bring your Sunday Best!Read more...

The president of white Minneapolis protesters who are only there hoping that someone breaks into a tobacco shop has done it again—and it only took a few days of protesting for it to happen.

Across America on Thursday night, thousands of people marched to their state capitols, their public squares, their police precincts. Across America, they shouted “I can’t breathe”—a dying plea turned rallying cry. Police took arms against demonstrators—dressing in riot gear, shooting at the citizens who employ them…Read more...

So you’ve experienced injustice and you want to change the system, bring awareness or just express your frustration about an unfair system you’re black and it’s Friday.Read more...

40% off Select Items | Nike

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology just crossed a major diversity milestone by electing its first black woman student body president in the school’s 159-year history.Read more...

As if the coronavirus hasn’t already ruined enough of our lives, now comes the news that another sports-related event has been postponed until 2021.Read more...

As cases of COVID-19 continue to increase around the world, there has been much discussion surrounding a potential vaccine. While a vaccine would help prevent the spread of the disease, it wouldn’t do much for a person who has already caught it. Scientists at a historically black college in Tennessee have been working…Read more...

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia has had to drastically alter the way they carry out their elections. These changes have been poorly implemented in the lead-up to its June 9 primary election, an election that has already been postponed twice.Read more...

I don’t know exactly when I decided to stop writing about whiteness and focus purely on blackness. What I do know is that for the past few years I specifically made a decision to write about the celebration of blackness and black culture and whatever comes with it. No more writing about black trauma and pain, the…Read more...

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr. is an entire moron.Read more...

Democrats in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives are fighting mad after learning that a Republican lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus and hid the results from other state House members to avoid political embarrassment.

Look, this isn’t Trump’s fault. In truth, he saw white men in cowboy hats and how was he supposed to know that they were promoting killing Democrats? I mean, sure, he could’ve played the video and listened to it but why would he do that? I mean, sure, he wouldn’t let a yokel in a cowboy hat within ten feet of his…Read more...

In August 2016, a small riot broke out following the death of Sylville K. Smith, a black man shot and killed by Milwaukee police. An auto parts store was aflame while a CBS reporter interviewed the victim’s brother. “We losing loved ones every day to the people that’s sworn in to protect us,” he said. “It’s not us,…Read more...

I like funerals.Read more...

By now, if you’re a fan of John David Washington, you know the story of how a severe football injury (it was his Achilles) ended his sports career, leading to his foray into acting. It was a dream he previously had playing in the background of his mind, but as we look at performances such as BlacKkKlansman, it seems…Read more...

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos continues to be the world’s most ruthless criminal disguised as a caravan mom. DeVos, a member of the notorious South Central rap group P.T.A., is now calling for public institutions to share funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, with private…Read more...

“I’m still in shock. It was just there yesterday.” said 31-year-old Minneapolis resident Josh Hanks as he battled tears while standing in front of the Lake Street Target store’s remains. “I have so many memories of the Home and Patio section. So many laughs. So many smiles. And now it’s gone forever.”Read more...

Cash Money Records is paying the June rent of hundreds of subsidized tenants and families who live in the New Orleans area formerly known as Magnolia, Calliope, and Melpomene housing projects, now named as Scattered Sites Harmony Oaks, Marrero Commons and Guste.

Much like the night she debuted her first-ever single to promote her upcoming movie The High Note, Tracee Ellis Ross was pretty nervous to play our ever-popular Black Ass Game.Read more...

Parts of Minneapolis were still smoldering Thursday morning as the city awakened from a second night of violent clashes between police and thousands of protesters, enraged by the death of 46-year-old George Floyd at the hands of four officers Monday.Read more...

Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is a consistent presence in our news cycle, currently due to being considered a frontrunner among Joe Biden’s potential running mates for the White House. Of course, Harris also made headlines before and during her own 2020 presidential run for her incisive and seemingly fearless…Read more...

At this point, white people just really need to learn how to read the room.Read more...

Since the senseless death of George Floyd, protests have erupted throughout the country and many have taken to social media to demand justice. And as tensions continue to escalate, Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. offered a...suggestion on how to channel that righteous rage.Read more...

Let’s get one thing straight: John Boyega is not here for racists. If that wasn’t clear enough, the Star Wars actor—who has become increasingly more vocal about political and social issues since the trilogy ended—doubled down about his specific disdain for “WHITE on BLACK racism…the kind that has ruined the world” on…Read more...

Nubia—say her name and make sure you never forget it.Read more...

This weekend is just like the last and the ones before it, unfortunately, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Social media is chock full of entertainment at your fingertips, and The Root is here with options. Not only do these events cover the entertainment aspect we need, but many of them are philanthropic, as…Read more...

Electric S’mores Maker | $20 | Amazon Gold BoxRead more...

40% off Select Women’s Apparel | Saks Off 5th | Use Code HERDEAL

Many conservatives—including y’all’s president—have had a lot to say about mail-in voting and the potential it has to cause voter fraud. Of course, there’s not much evidence supporting the idea that absentee ballots will result in fraud on the part of voters, but in West Virginia, one case of election tampering…Read more...

No one knows how to lay down the law via facial expression quite like Delroy Lindo and in the Season 4 finale of The Good Fight, he continues to be about that action.Read more...

The ladies of Red Table Talk, Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris and Willow Smith, had an important conversation on their popular Facebook Watch show about colorism in the black community on May 27. The trio was joined by Jada’s lifelong friend Mia Pitts and her daughter Madison Miles to discuss their…Read more...

2020 is really shaping up to be a banner year for white folks being absolutely trash. It seems as though every week throughout this hell year we are provided with yet another example of the violence, entitlement and sheer hatefulness the Brads, Chads and Karens of this country are capable of.Read more...

Well, what do we have here? Looks like White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany aka McEnanyofTheState has voted by mail…(Rewind!)....Voted by mail….(I said!!!!) Voted by mail….(Can everyone hear me? Turn my mic up! I saiddddddddd...) Voted by mail...The same McEnanyOfTheState “who has vehemently defended President…Read more...