Breaking News! History in the Making
Frederick Douglass Statue to Be Unveiled in Capitol on Juneteenth Day
A statue of a notable abolitionist was scheduled for unveiling on a day celebrating the end of slavery in the USA.
Race vs. Class: The False Dichotomy
By Sherrilyn A. Ifill, New York Times The decision is in. All consideration of race in college admissions is over. No, the Supreme Court has not yet announced its decision in the landmark case of Fisher v. University of Texas; that ruling is expected any day now. But an alarming number of scholars, pundits and columnists…
Reception to be Held for ABHM’s International Advisory Committee in Milwaukee on June 14, 2013
Members of ABHM’s International Advisory Committee are coming to town to meet the people who helped renew the museum. The museum’s board and staff is holding a reception open to our supporters. We have several exciting developments at the museum to present, too, so… Please come meet and mingle with our International Advisors, Volunteers, Donors, and…
Trayvon Martin: The Latest
By Jenée Desmond-Harris, theRoot.com Thursday, June 6, 11 a.m. EDT: At a hearing today, Judge Debra Nelson of Seminole County Circuit Court in Florida rejected a request from a lawyer for George Zimmerman to shield the identities of as many as seven witnesses at Zimmerman’s upcoming trial, NBC reports. Attorney O’Mara said that the concerns of the potential…
African-American Genealogy Conference: Looking for a Home
Experience a two-day adventure into African-American genealogy, featuring internationally known genealogist, author and lecturer, Tony Burroughs. African-American Genealogy Conference: Looking for a Home will be held June 21-22 at the Pyle Center in Madison. View or download a flier describing the African-American genealogical resources available at the Wisconsin Historical Society (PDF 141 KB). The featured…
On This Date in History, May 31, 1921: The Tulsa Race Massacre
From Wikipedia On May 31 and June 1, 1921, the white citizens of Tulsa, Oklahoma, attacked the city’s black citizens, following the publication of a sensationalized story of a black man assaulting a white woman in an elevator. The Greenwood District, also known as the “Black Wall Street,” the wealthiest black community in the United States, was…
Cheerios Commercial Featuring Mixed Race Family Gets Racist Backlash
By Braden Goyette, the Huffington Post An adorable Cheerios commercial featuring an interracial couple and their daughter generated such a strong racist backlash on YouTube that the comments section had to be closed. The ad had received more than 1,600 likes and more than 500 dislikes as of Thursday evening. Prior to the closure, the comment section had…
It’s Not Your Grandmother’s NAACP
The 104-year-old organization is working to dispel myths that it’s black-only and mired in the past. By Jenée Desmond-Harris, theRoot.com In 2005 the NAACP took a look at its membership and, more important, the people who were not members. There was the robust Youth & College Division, but then, as National Board Chairman Roslyn Brock puts it, “After you’re…
Obama at Morehouse: Try Another Listen
You might find that attacks on his commencement speech — a hit among graduates — missed the mark. By Jack White, theRoot.com It’s been evident since Obama’s first election that America was dividing into two different worlds, broadly defined by demographics. He was swept into office by a relatively youthful, ethnically diverse coalition in which huge…
Job Post: The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) seeks experienced Curator
African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI), IA 55 12th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 www.blackiowa.org, 319-862-2101 Curator Position: The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) seeks a dynamic and experienced museum professional to serve as full time Curator. Supervisory Responsibilities: The curator will be expected to supervise a variety of interns, and temporary staff as available.…
Why there’s no ‘excuse’ for simplifying Obama’s message to Morehouse men
by James Braxton Peterson, theGrio.com Interestingly enough, both the president’s detractors and his supporters will seize on the same soundbite from his address to the 2013 graduating class at Morehouse College. In the speech, he basically makes two requests of the Morehouse graduating seniors – 1) In the Morehouse tradition, continue to expect more of yourself and…
Cleveland’s WEWS-TV Issues Apology For Report On Charles Ramsey’s Criminal Record
Soon after his TV debut, reports surfaced about Ramsey’s record, one that reportedly included convictions for domestic violence. Multiple outlets, including WEWS, reported on Ramsey’s criminal past.
Which Slave Wrote His Way Out of Slavery?
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. tells the amazing story of one man whos, against all odds, was able to escape slavery and return home.
Black Journalist Asks Why TV Shows Stereotyping Whites Aren’t Protested Like Black Shows
Tambay A. Obenson responses to a Black journalist’s questions about racial stereotypes on television shows.
Lil Wayne Puts Mountain Dew in Crisis Mode
PepsiCo has responded to calls to sever its relationship with rapper Lil Wayne because of song lyrics referencing Emmett Till.
Would a White Girl Be Prosecuted for a Botched Science Experiment?
We wonder about the role played by race after the arrest of a Black student for a science experiment gone wrong.
It’s a First: Black Voting Rate in 2012 Higher Than White Rate
The 2012 presidential election drew a larger proportion of Black voters than it did white, making American history.
Jason Collins Says ‘I’m Gay’ in the NBA: Why This Is Huge
The magnitude of NBA player Jason Collins’ coming out today cannot be overestimated. He breaks a barrier that we’ve been waiting for someone to plunge through: a major league sports player saying “I’m gay” while still playing and at the height of his career. “I’m a 34-year-old center. I’m black. And I’m gay.” said Collins.
Yes, They’re White and Muslim
The Boston-bombing suspects show that it’s time the media and the public redefined their view of Islam. By Edward Wyckoff Williams, theRoot.com The American story has too long been told through a racial lens and always vis-à-vis “whiteness.” This is a dangerous premise — fortifying the principles of white supremacy, entirely incongruent with the nation’s democratic…
Leaning In While Black
Can Black women succeed, in work and at home, by following Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s advice to women to lean in?
CNN’s Lack of Diversity Shows in the “Dark-Skinned Males” Comment
by Dr. Boyce Watkins When you use a loosely-defined term such as “dark-skinned male” to describe the suspect of one of the most notorious crimes in American history, you should fully expect that people are going to become angry with you. So, when CNN’s John King went there, all Hades broke loose in the…