Breaking News! History in the Making

Kiera Wilmot, 16 years old, has been an exemplary student, so why was she expelled from high school after a science experiment exploded, fortunately hurting no one?

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.

Chicago voters waiting in line on Nov. 6, 2012 (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

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

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…

Sheryl Sandberg

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…

Carlos Arredondo was waiting at the Boston Marathon finish line for runners who were racing on behalf of fallen soldiers -- one of those fallen soldiers being Arredondo's son -- and handing out American flags when the blast went off across the street.

He ran to help injured spectators, including Jeff Bauman, whose legs were blown off. Arredondo can be seen, wearing a cowboy hat, in an iconic photo, apparently holding the Bauman's severed artery, NBC News reports.

Terrorism and Privilege: Understanding the Power of Whiteness

by Tim Wise Tim Wise is a renown anti-racism essayist, author, and educator. This essay was posted on his site on April 16, 2013, the day after the bombing of the Boston Marathon. At that time there was not yet any information about who might have perpetrated the attack. As the nation weeps for the…

Democratic Senate candidate Charles Booker and Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.  (Timothy D. Easley and Greg Nash/AP)

Rand Paul: GOP faces ‘daunting task’ with black voters

Rand Paul visited Howard University this past week. Howard, a historically Black University, was an challenging venue for Paul to speak at. Facing an uphill battle Paul will look to gain minority support if he is to run for President in 2016.

Dr. King in front of a crowd

45th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Assassination

45 Years ago today Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. His dream endures today as we struggle to make the dream that so many others share into a reality.

black-unemployment

Black Unemployment Driven By White America’s Favors For Friends

A new book busts myths about Black people in the workplace, finding that racism and stereotypes prevent employment success.

Bob Teague

Bob Teague, WNBC Reporter Who Helped Integrate TV News, Is Dead at 84

Bob Teague, a trailblazer for integrating television, died at the age of 84.

Trent Mays, 17, left, and co-defendant Malik Richmond, 16, sit in court before the start of the third day of their trial on rape charges at the Jefferson County Justice Center in Steubenville, Ohio, on Friday. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Why the Steubenville rape case should be a wake-up call for young black men

The recent convictions of two young men of sexual assault are more surprising than the fact the assault happened.

Rick Snyder  48th Governor of Michigan

Detroit Now Has a White, Republican Mayor and City Council: State Take Over Coming to a Black City Near You

In Michigan the Democratic process is being suspended in certain cities. Governor Rick Snyder with the help of the State House and Senate is able to appoint Emergency Financial Offers to run cities answering directly to the Governor and bypassing City Council and Mayor authority. With the cities in question be predominantly African American what does this mean for Civil Rights in Michigan? Will this be forgiven if it helps fix Michigan’s economic crisis?

Photo of Kimani Gray and his younger sister is illuminated by candles at memorial, March 13, 2013. (Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Kimani Gray: Another NYPD Usual Suspect?

16 year old Kimani Gray was shot and killed by 2 NYPD Police Officers this past week. Unfortunately this is not an isolated event and while protests have been raging for the death of an African American Teen the larger theme of Police Violence against African Americans and other ethnic groups is discussed.

Peggy Wallace

George Wallace’s Daughter, Peggy Wallace Kennedy Aims To Fight Her Father’s Legacy

Forty Eight years ago in Selma, Alabama an event that became known as “Bloody Sunday” took place. During that time the governor of Alabama was George Wallace ordered that the civil rights march be stopped and it resulted in the now infamous event. His daughter Kennedy Wallace has now become a fixture at the anniversary ceremonies and continues to fight for civil rights and help educate everyone on the mistakes her father made.

Bayard Rustin

Frank Ocean, and Why Blacks Need to Finally Get Over Homophobia

When will it just be accepted and not a novelty for a Black Entertainer to come out openly Gay? Frank Ocean made headlines last year with his announcement but was it really a step forward for the Black LGBT community? While we can all agree that what he did took courage it is about time that it shouldn’t have to.

Harriet Washington's book examines the legacy of medical mistreatment against Black people

Medical Apartheid

Harriet Washington’s book examines the legacy of medical mistreatment against Black people in America, including kidnapped slaves.

42 movie

Coming in April 2013: Jackie Robinson Biopic ’42’

Chadwick Boseman will step into the baseball cleats of Jackie Robinson as he takes on the role of the baseball great in a new biopic.

Morrison's newest novel "Home"

Toni Morrison Talks To Google About Creativity

Author Toni Morrison talked to Google staff about creativity and how she uses technology for her work.

DNA

Exactly How ‘Black’ Is Black America?

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. examines DNA databases to learn how Black the country’s Black residents really are… to surprising results.

It's time to end the myth that more black men end up graduating from prison than college.

More Black Men in Jail Than in College? Wrong

Ivory A. Toldson dispels a persistent myth about Black men that both perpetuates and is spread by racism.