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The Stories We've Told: A Look at the Tulsa Race Massacre From The Root Archives
The first time most (white) Americans likely heard about the Tulsa Race Massacre was when HBOâs Watchmen opened its first episodeâaired on October 20, 2019âwith the devastating reenactment of the death and destruction that took place on May 31-June 1 in Greenwood, the Black neighborhood known as âBlack Wall Street.â Or if they missed that,…
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We Stand in Solidarity With Nikole Hannah-Jones
We, the undersigned, believe this country stands at a crucial moment that will define the democratic expression and exchange of ideas for our own and future generations. State institutions across the country are attempting to ban frank and rigorous conversation about our history in the classroom. Few single works have been threatened with more restrictions…
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The Root 100: It's Nomination Time for Our Annual List of Black Excellence
If the current debate over teaching American history and who gets credit for building this country is any indication, the celebration of Black excellence remains a vital and necessary endeavor. The Root 100âour annual list of the best African-American innovators, thought leaders and trailblazers ages 25 to 45âserves as a reminder that we have always…
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Outspoken Comedian Paul Mooney Dies at 79
Paul Mooney was never afraid to speak his mind, no matter who was around. The self-proclaimed âGodfather of Comedyâ worked alongside some of the industryâs most heralded stars, from Richard Pryor to Eddie Murphy, inspiring the comics who came after him to do the same. As Robert Townsend once said: âPaul didnât care to be…
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Tampa Bay Lightning Makes NHL History by Starting an All-Black Forward Line
Toward the end of his legendary standup special Never Scared, Chris Rock goes into a bit about the history of slavery and how slave masters used breeding to try to create âsuper slavesâ and how that continues to affect America today. âThis is why Black people dominate every physical activity in the United States of…
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#FreeBlackMamas: This Motherâs Day, Letâs Build a System of Deep Care
In a just world, Motherâs Day would be a time when every person could freely choose how to express gratitude for the mothers, caregivers and the maternal figures in their lives. I imagine many people would choose to celebrate in different ways, from delicious meals, extra-long embraces and words that communicate how deeply they appreciate…
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Until Justice Is Real: Whatâs Next After Chauvin Was Found Guilty of Murdering George Floyd
Hearing the guilty verdict handed down to Derek Chauvin last week brought up a lot of emotions for all of us. One of those emotions was reliefâand nothing showed that relief more than the faces of the Floyd family. Despite the facts and video capturing all 9 minutes and 29 seconds of the murder of…
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Rick Santorum Said 'There Isn't Much Native American Culture in American Culture.' Twitter Drags Him While Offering a History Lesson
It never ceases to amaze me how white people love to whitewash American history. On the one hand, they love to remember how âtheyââ built this country while completely erasing the sacrifices and contributions of other communities, but when you point out the things it actually took to âbuildâ this countryâlike the genocide of Native…
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Our Black Maternal Health Crisis Is a Racial Justice Issue That Demands Bold Solutions
Black Mamas Matter. They are the backbone of our families and our communities. And in a political moment where many are giving Black women flowers for their social and political contributions, itâs long past time to speak plainly about the threats we face. This Black Maternal Health Week, we are reminded that Black women continue…
