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Why I Speak Up for Black and Missing
As the new national spokeswoman for the Black & Missing Foundation, Jacque Reid wants to highlight the missing-persons cases not covered in the media.
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Remembering Bob Marley, 30 Years Later
On May 11, 1981, the reggae superstar died at age 36. Here's why his musical legacy and personal legend are still holding strong around the world.
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GALLERY: Images of Marley's Living Legacy
Bob Marley died 30 years ago, but the reggae icon left quite a legacy of children and grandchildren. See what his descendants (including his high-fashion granddaughter) are up to.
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Ann Curry Rises to 'Today' Co-Host
From Journal-isms: Ann Curry will replace Meredith Vieira as co-host of the Today show. In other news: Editors sorry for removing women from White House photo.
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Bring Back Fats Waller's Lost Musical!
The jazz great's Early to Bed was a Broadway hit in 1943 but was written out of history. The gorgeous music deserves a revival.
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Passing the Buck on Immigration?
From Blogging the Beltway: In his latest policy speech, President Obama said that Congress must act on immigration reform. But advocates say he should just use his executive power. Would that be political suicide?
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GALLERY: Maid in Hollywood: From 'Corrina, Corrina' to 'The Help'
Playing a maid seems to be a rite of passage for black actresses, from Hattie McDaniel to Whoopi to Oprah -- even today. Now Sanaa Lathan plays one off-Broadway in a new comedy by Lynn Nottage.
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GALLERY: Daytime's African-American Characters
The recent cancellation of All My Children and One Life to Live might signal the end of soap operas' decades-long reign. The Root looks back at some of the memorable characters -- and tangled plotlines -- that made them fun to watch.
After Foster Care: What Happens Next?
Each year, thousands of foster-care children exit the system at age 18 without a net. The Obama administration told us what it is doing to catch them.
No Bush-Obama 'Continuity' in bin Laden Killing
Despite what conservatives say, it isn't "the most visible proof" so far that Obama only followed his predecessor's lead.
Meet Vera Stark: Domestic Ambiguity in Hollywood
Lynn Nottage's latest play tackles the hypocrisy and stereotyping that engulfs the black actress playing a maid in American film.
Malcolm X Bio: Are We Missing the Point?
There's been a great hue and cry over Manning Marable's biography of the slain leader and its assertions about his sexuality. But focusing only on that part of this important book is a mistake.
Motherhood Is Not for the Faint of Heart
In a Mother's Day tribute, one grateful daughter describes the lengths to which her lesbian mom went to love and nurture her despite rejection, heartbreak and poverty.
Black Expats 2.0
For years, when it came to taking advantage of international travel, young black college grads lagged behind their peers. No more. International living is booming among millennials.
When Presidents Win
RightWatch: Osama bin Laden is dead. Hear that noise? It's the sound of anguished wailing from the radical right.
Cain Was Able at the GOP's First Debate
Herman Cain scored, Tim Pawlenty held, Mitt Romney was AWOL and Ron Paul was Ron Paul.
The World's Real-Life Fairy Tale
Single-Minded: Just as the prince and princess married in a fantasy wedding, Barack Obama rode in to slay the dragon.
Sweeping Through the Rom-Com Clichés
Jumping the Broom plays it by the numbers in this "rich girl meets working-class guy" romance. But lots of sins can be forgiven in a movie that includes Angela Bassett and Mike Epps. Cue the laughs.
Silks, Saddles and Discrimination
The disappearance of black jockeys from the Kentucky Derby and other races was no accident. A report from 1900 details a conspiracy to shut them out.
On the Set With 'Jumping the Broom'
In an exclusive with The Root on location in New York City, Paula Patton, Laz Alonso and director Salim Akil share how they bonded with other cast and crew members of the new rom-com.
Black Civil War Re-Enactors Reclaim History
White Southern men aren't the only ones who like to dress up and re-enact the great conflict that began 150 years ago between North and South. Here's what motivates some blacks to join in.
Barbara Lee: End the War Now
Congress's lone dissenting voter against the war in Afghanistan talks about the killing of bin Laden, and why she's a peace advocate but not a pacifist.
I'm Not the French Obama!
Alain Dolium, one of France's few visible black politicians, rejects a label he sees as a trap. He'd rather deal with improving opportunities for all.
Stop Public Celebrations of Osama's Death
The visceral reaction to bin Laden's killing is understandable, but do we want to be compared to those who cheered our tragedy on 9/11?
Donna Brazile: Voter Photo ID Not the Answer
The interim Democratic National Committee chair says that the GOP push for new voter-identification laws is a war on voting.
An Insider's Guide to the New Orleans Jazz Festival
From seeing headliners such as Lauryn Hill and John Legend to checking out the best the city has to offer, here's an insider's view of what to do at Jazz Fest.
Young Africans Who Want to Be Porn Stars
Hundreds of youths try to escape poverty by going into Africa's porn industry. Few realize how difficult and unsafe it can be.
Your Take: Threat to Blacks in the Public Sector
Radical conservative politicians want to slash city, county and state jobs -- and undercut the economic security of African-American families, says this union official.
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Study: 48 Women Raped Every Hour in Congo
The astounding rate is 26 times more than the previous estimate.
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Black Preacher: Why I Forgave George Wallace
He explains his decision about the famously racist governor, and how it relates to recovery from Alabama’s recent tornadoes.
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Oprah on Broadway? She Says Yes
She thinks an ensemble show would be the best fit, but isn’t offering many more details.
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Khalfani-Cox: Government Should Make Employers Stop Discriminating Against Unemployed
The financial columnist believes that federal legislation is needed to help reduce the jobless rate for African-Americans.
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Battle Over Preservation of Historic Civil Rights Site in Baltimore Decided
A plan to save two walls of the former Read's drugstore building, the site of a 1955 lunch counter sit-in by Morgan State Students, was accepted.
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Bulging Mississippi River Heads South Threatening Mississippi and Louisiana
Louisiana Gov. Jindal says 3 million acres could be affected by the flooding.
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Security Heightened for Obama's Grandmother After Bin Laden Death
Reports of plans to attack the home of Sarah Obama called for heightened security measures.
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Indiana Gov. Daniels Eliminates Funding for Planned Parenthood
Indiana becomes the first state to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood.
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Racist Mexican Skit Goes Viral, Oprah Admits Challenges With OWN and More
In today's link roundup: A racist skit underscores anti-black racism in Latin America, Oprah says OWN isn't where she wants it to be, Gary Coleman's body still isn't buried and more.
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Jermaine Dupri Sued for Child-Support Payments
The producer is facing major financial problems.
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Missing Brooklyn Jazz Musician Found Dead
The body of Stanley Wright, 62, was discovered inside a storage chest.
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Transcript: Obama's Immigration-Reform Speech
He said that the basic American idea that "You make it here if you try" is at stake.
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Common's White House Invitation Sparks Conservative Outrage
He’s scheduled to participate in a poetry reading, but right-leaning critics are scouring his lyrics for scandal.
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Tea Party Rips Boehner and Ryan on Debt Ceiling
House Speaker John Boehner's anger over debt ceiling is falling on deaf ears in the Tea Party.
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Haiti Cholera Strain and U.N. Peacekeepers May Be Linked
U.N. peacekeepers may have introduced a lethal strain of the disease into the Haitian population in the fall.
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Eric Deggans: Donald Trump Has a Problem With Black Women
Deggan offers Trump's quick elimination of Star Jones on the heels of the Nene Leakes meltdown as proof.
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Memphis on Flood Alert as Mississippi River Threatens Blues District
Police evacuate residents as Mississippi River spreads to six times its usual span.
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The Hoffman Sisters Win Season 14 of 'The Amazing Race'
They edged out former Harlem Globetrotters teammates Nathaniel "Big Easy" Lofton and Herbert "Flight Time" Lang to win the final leg.
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Jonathan Capehart: Bobby Jindal Plays With Birthers
The Louisiana governor releases his long-form birth certificate in support of a Louisiana Birther bill.