Category Archives: Culture
Rally Against Corporal Punishment
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Paula Flowe doesn’t know exactly how many people will show up Friday afternoon for a rally at the Texas State Capitol. And she doesn’t know exactly how many people will join her in sleeping out there until proposed legislation in … Continue reading
Hair Today, ‘Gone’ Tomorrow
When I took a buyout from Gannett in July 2009 – after nearly a quarter-century as a fulltime journalist with the company – I also decided to cut off my shoulder-length dreadlocks that took eight years to grow. In the … Continue reading
The Re-Invention of Tiger Woods
We can only imagine what Thanksgiving was like last year in the Tiger Woods household, which since then has shrunk from a family of four to a bachelor pad. A National Enquirer story on Woods and New York cocktail hostess … Continue reading
Schools No Place For Spankings
Did you see the video of a high school basketball coach whipping a player that went viral recently and spawned a mass of outraged viewers? Murrah High School’s Marlon Dorsey admitted to “paddling” his students — even though corporal punishment … Continue reading
The Root’s Confab
This week on the Confab: Join Washington reporter Cord Jefferson as he talks with contributors Deron Snyder and Bassey Ipki about Kanye West’s mental health and whether same-sex education for black boys will help close the achievement gap. Listen here…
More All-Boys Schools, Please
Here are the latest depressing reports on the plight of African Americans: Only 12 percent of our fourth-grade boys are proficient readers, compared to 38 percent of white fourth-grade boys. By eighth grade, reading proficiency falls to just 9 percent … Continue reading
Haircuts, Hangouts and Health Screenings
Like many establishments of its kind, Lee’s Barbershop offers customers more than a cut and a shave. They can get news on the NFL, happenings in the community, advice on women, rumors about the mayor and updates on local artists. … Continue reading
Spanking Isn’t Always Wrong
My grandmother “Nana” was the dearest, sweetest, kindest and most loving woman I’ve ever known, a woman who raised her six children alone after being widowed at an early age. A fierce prayer warrior and strong woman of God, she … Continue reading
Talking Menthol on “Tell Me More”
Yours truly was a guest Wednesday on NPR’s “Tell Me More with Michele Martin.” The topic was my “Menthol Madness” article on The Root, regarding the FDA’s proposed ban on mentholated cigarettes. The proposal has caused a rift among forces … Continue reading
Run, Sarah, Run! … Please!
Sarah Palin has indicated that she’s open to a presidential bid in 2012. Therefore, President Obama and every one of his supporters should pray nightly that she enters the race and wins the Republican nomination. Although there’s a “be careful … Continue reading
