The Root DC Live - A forum for local news about African Americans.

Posted at 10:50 AM ET, 03/04/2013

‘Strip Club Queens Atlanta’ to debut March 5

By Delece Smith-Barrow

What happened to the District-based ‘Strip Club Queens’? Turns out it’s still in the works because another city with a strong African American population stole the production company’s attention: Atlanta.

By Delece Smith-Barrow | 10:50 AM ET, 03/04/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:47 AM ET, 02/28/2013

Things to do in the District, Maryland and Virginia Feb. 28-March 6, 2013

By

Naughty by Nature performs at Howard Theatre and the DC Independent Film Festival kicks off.

By | 10:47 AM ET, 02/28/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:28 PM ET, 02/27/2013

Civil rights leaders rally at Supreme Court as Rosa Parks’ statue is unveiled

By Hamil Harris

Leaders connect arguments over Voting Right’s Act to Parks’ legacy.

By Hamil Harris | 06:28 PM ET, 02/27/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:51 PM ET, 02/27/2013

School reform: Is it really about escaping blackness?

By Natalie Hopkinson

OPINION| Racial and class currents undergird every element of the “choice” movement.

By Natalie Hopkinson | 02:51 PM ET, 02/27/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:47 PM ET, 02/27/2013

With loss of local gym, Anacostia residents lose more than just a chance to exercise

By Michael Shank

Facility served as a community center, a family of familiar faces and, of course, a place to work out.

By Michael Shank | 02:47 PM ET, 02/27/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:05 PM ET, 02/27/2013

Ben Carson for president? Not yet.

By Clinton Yates

The gifted doctor isn’t ready to lead this country until he changes his beliefs on free speech.

By Clinton Yates | 12:05 PM ET, 02/27/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:51 AM ET, 02/27/2013

Rosa Parks statue would have embarrassed rather than flattered her, says Parks biographer

By Douglas Brinkley

OPINION | The extremely self-depreciating woman would have pushed for a Harriet Tubman monument instead.

By Douglas Brinkley | 11:51 AM ET, 02/27/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:19 PM ET, 02/26/2013

School superintendents speak up

By Allison Brown

Retired superintendents of large school districts divulge secrets to keeping their heads under pressure.

By Allison Brown | 05:19 PM ET, 02/26/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:06 PM ET, 02/26/2013

Reflecting on Trayvon Martin’s death in a post-Newtown America

By Rahiel Tesfamariam

We can’t begin to address gun violence prevention until we acknowledge that the criminalization of Trayvon was a mere extension of the racial profiling that millions of black men face every day.

By Rahiel Tesfamariam | 03:06 PM ET, 02/26/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:19 AM ET, 02/26/2013

Trayvon Martin, one year later: Charting a new course

By Alfonzo Porter

Teaching our boys how to resolve a dispute might be the perfect starting point to help our sons survive.

By Alfonzo Porter | 11:19 AM ET, 02/26/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:17 AM ET, 02/26/2013

Trayvon Martin, one year later: When will black-on-black slayings get the attention they deserve?

By Barbara Reynolds

Just as Trayvon Martin is remembered, we must remember the thousands of other slaying victims.

By Barbara Reynolds | 07:17 AM ET, 02/26/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:06 PM ET, 02/25/2013

BrotherSpeak - Fear: The conversation continues

By The RootDC Staff

The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, Urban Cusp and The Root DC hosted a Twitter chat exploring black men and the word "Fear."

By The RootDC Staff | 05:06 PM ET, 02/25/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:42 PM ET, 02/25/2013

D.C.’s throwback weekend of go-go and graffiti delivers

By Clinton Yates

The three-day extravaganza started with a gallery opening and ended with a movie screening. In between, it was an incredible reunion.

By Clinton Yates | 01:42 PM ET, 02/25/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:02 PM ET, 02/25/2013

Bayard Rustin: A civil rights hero before his time

By Benjamin Todd Jealous and Chad Griffin

Long before it was easy or safe, Rustin lived as an openly gay man because he was an exceptional man.

By Benjamin Todd Jealous and Chad Griffin | 01:02 PM ET, 02/25/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 02/25/2013

Seth MacFarlane and The Oscars: What’s all the fuss?

By Eisa Nefertari Ulen

A lot of Oscar viewers whined about the host’s performance Sunday night. Me? I got exactly what I wanted.

By Eisa Nefertari Ulen | 12:16 PM ET, 02/25/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:52 AM ET, 02/22/2013

Anacostia totem pole belies Washington’s devotion to Redskins

By Michael Shank

OPINION | A totem pole is going up in Anacostia to commemorate the neighborhood’s Native American past. But the city’s team is still called the Redskins.

By Michael Shank | 10:52 AM ET, 02/22/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:00 PM ET, 02/21/2013

Go-go and graffiti galore: a throwback weekend in Washington

By John Murph

From the tale of its most infamous graffiti artist, to a throwback concert commemorating the city’s rich cultural past, the coming days are sure to remind many about how far the city has come.

By John Murph | 04:00 PM ET, 02/21/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:41 PM ET, 02/21/2013

Forest Whitaker falsely accused of shoplifting: How do I explain racism to my son?

By Etan Thomas

ESSAY| After Trayvon Martin’s death, I decided not to have “The Talk” with my 7-year-old. One year later, I’m wondering if I should.

By Etan Thomas | 03:41 PM ET, 02/21/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:05 AM ET, 02/21/2013

Things to do in the District, Maryland and Virginia Feb. 21-27, 2013

By Jillian S. Sowah

American Idol finalist Elliot Yamin comes to The Hamilton, and Lupe Fiasco performs at the Fillmore.

By Jillian S. Sowah | 10:05 AM ET, 02/21/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/21/2013

‘Scandal’: The real ‘Scandal’ is the blackout on black actresses on network TV

By Barbara Reynolds

If there were as many black women starring in dramatic roles as there are whites, one sexualized image would hardly matter.

By Barbara Reynolds | 07:00 AM ET, 02/21/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:21 PM ET, 02/20/2013

How many teens must die before Prince George’s County leaders get loud and take action?

By Sonsyrea Tate Montgomery

High-profile elected officials and leaders in Prince George’s County have been too quiet about the string of teen murders.

By Sonsyrea Tate Montgomery | 12:21 PM ET, 02/20/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:15 AM ET, 02/20/2013

How will the Common Core State Standards affect black colleges, teachers and students?

By Marybeth Gasman and Michael T. Nettles

OP-ED | What seems to be least developed in the new era of standards and assessments is a plan for raising performance of disadvantaged children.

By Marybeth Gasman and Michael T. Nettles | 10:15 AM ET, 02/20/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:33 AM ET, 02/19/2013

Black gun clubs and the right to bear arms

By Sonsyrea Tate Montgomery

Members of two groups discuss why politicians should focus on those who misuse guns and not the weapons.

By Sonsyrea Tate Montgomery | 10:33 AM ET, 02/19/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:59 AM ET, 02/15/2013

The State of Equality and Justice in America:‘Let Us Not Lose Focus on the Justice Issues That Still Loom’

By Elsie Scott

The U.S. incarcerates more of its citizens than any other industrialized country. The fact that a disproportionate number of the persons arrested, convicted and imprisoned are African-Americans is troubling.

By Elsie Scott | 08:59 AM ET, 02/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:48 AM ET, 02/15/2013

President Obama and Jay-Z: strange bedfellows during gun ban debate

By Keith Harriston

OPINION| I thought it odd that the president was joined by Jay-Z at the Inauguration as the country debates gun violence.

By Keith Harriston | 08:48 AM ET, 02/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:27 AM ET, 02/15/2013

Why Cool “Disco” Dan matters

By Clinton Yates

For many, the graffiti artist represents a unique part of DC history and culture that many others will never understand.

By Clinton Yates | 08:27 AM ET, 02/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:52 PM ET, 02/14/2013

Lil Wayne: Is anything sacred to him?

By Rahiel Tesfamariam

The rapper has set social media ablaze once again. But this time, he’s done more than insult the morality police who often take him to task for his controversial rhymes.

By Rahiel Tesfamariam | 01:52 PM ET, 02/14/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:41 AM ET, 02/14/2013

Obama’s focus on immigration: ignoring black issues once again?

By Crystal Wright

OPINION| Obama’s focus on immigration shows, again, that black issues are being ignored by the president.

By Crystal Wright | 10:41 AM ET, 02/14/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:59 AM ET, 02/13/2013

‘Star Wars,’ the next generation: Who can play a young Lando?

By Clinton Yates

COLUMN | The burden of playing a young Lando is a large one. For kids of my generation, he was the first, and to an extent only, black science-fiction “hero.”

By Clinton Yates | 11:59 AM ET, 02/13/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:59 AM ET, 02/13/2013

Things to do in the District, Maryland and Virginia Feb. 14-20, 2013

By Jillian S. Sowah

Celebrate Washington’s 281st birthday with a parade featuring bands, historic reenactment units, youth groups and more.

By Jillian S. Sowah | 08:59 AM ET, 02/13/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:07 PM ET, 02/12/2013

My Haley, wife of Alex haley, releases her first novel

By Lauren McEwen

“The Treason of Mary Louvestre” is loosely based on the true story of Mary Louvestre, a black woman who became a spy for the Union Army.

By Lauren McEwen | 12:07 PM ET, 02/12/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:04 PM ET, 02/12/2013

President Obama: He must address causes of inner city gun violence in Chicago speech

By Eisa Nefertari Ulen

ESSAY| We sat down and talked with The Black Youth Project, which launched a Change.org petition asking President Obama to speak out against gun violence

By Eisa Nefertari Ulen | 12:04 PM ET, 02/12/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:13 AM ET, 02/11/2013

Jay-Z’s takedown at the Grammys: Did he go too far?

By Clinton Yates

COLUMN | I don’t think anyone in the rap industry owes anyone else anything by default, but Jay-Z’s quip just felt unnecessarily nasty.

By Clinton Yates | 11:13 AM ET, 02/11/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:48 AM ET, 02/11/2013

Instead of Gray’s Raise D.C., Michelle Rhee’s book: Let’s take a truly radical approach to school reform

By Michael Shank

OPINION | To address student achievement, the mayor needs to look far beyond the classroom.

By Michael Shank | 10:48 AM ET, 02/11/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:52 AM ET, 02/08/2013

Why won’t Obama stand up for Chicago’s slain youth?

By Rahiel Tesfamariam

Obama has not demonstrated leadership regarding gun violence in Chicago, and many are challenging him to begin to do so.

By Rahiel Tesfamariam | 10:52 AM ET, 02/08/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:05 PM ET, 02/07/2013

What parents can do in the wake of a child’s murder

By Sonsyrea Tate Montgomery

Grieving with the community is one way parents and grandparents of slain youths learn to cope.

By Sonsyrea Tate Montgomery | 01:05 PM ET, 02/07/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:54 AM ET, 02/06/2013

Gray’s State of the City address: Swing and a miss

By Clinton Yates

Mayor’s speech was chock full of sports metaphors but lacked anything to really rally citizens about.

By Clinton Yates | 10:54 AM ET, 02/06/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:19 AM ET, 02/06/2013

Things to do in the District, Maryland and Virginia Feb. 7-13, 2013

By Jillian S. Sowah

Watch Avant perfrom at Howard Theatre, and get funky with George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic at the 9:30 Club.

By Jillian S. Sowah | 08:19 AM ET, 02/06/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/06/2013

Searching for affordable housing in Anacostia: For some, that’s asking too much

By Michael Shank

OPINION | It’s amazing that in the world’s richest country, people can live in a rundown home with no water. It’s also unacceptable.

By Michael Shank | 07:00 AM ET, 02/06/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/05/2013

Renee Robinson, of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, begins farewell performances

By Lonnae O’Neal Parker

After more than three decades with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Robinson begins her farewell performances in D.C. Ailey’s 21-city U.S. tour runs through May 19.

By Lonnae O’Neal Parker | 07:00 AM ET, 02/05/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:49 AM ET, 02/04/2013

Blacks disproportionately disciplined in the nation’s schools: Students respond

By Alfonzo Porter

In June I called out black students for being disrespectful and disengaged at school. Now, they’ve asked me to defend my beliefs.

By Alfonzo Porter | 10:49 AM ET, 02/04/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:46 AM ET, 02/04/2013

The state of equality and justice in America: ‘America stands at a crossroads’

By Jesse Jackson Sr.

OP-ED| America stands at a crossroads, says Jesse Jackson Sr., but “our union has been in the process of perfecting itself throughout its entire existence.”

By Jesse Jackson Sr. | 09:46 AM ET, 02/04/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:03 AM ET, 02/04/2013

Missing the mark on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy at MLK Avenue

By Michael Shank

OPINION | The civil rights leader would not approve of the changes coming along his street in Anacostia.

By Michael Shank | 09:03 AM ET, 02/04/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:50 AM ET, 02/01/2013

Hadiya Pendleton and gun violence: When “black problems become white”

By Eisa Nefertari Ulen

ESSAY| The nation did not respond to gun violence until to problem reached the suburbs and the kids who lived there.

By Eisa Nefertari Ulen | 11:50 AM ET, 02/01/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:41 AM ET, 02/01/2013

Betty and Coretta: Debunking the drama in Lifetime’s TV movie about the two widowed legends

By Barbara Reynolds

For those who believe biopics of famous people should adhere to a truthful story line, there are problems with the movie that tells a story of the two widowed, civil rights legends.

By Barbara Reynolds | 11:41 AM ET, 02/01/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:17 AM ET, 02/01/2013

Whither Black History Month? The problem isn’t the month, it’s the history

By Clinton Yates

The problem with Black History Month is not the month — it’s the history.

By Clinton Yates | 11:17 AM ET, 02/01/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:22 PM ET, 12/17/2012

Welcome to BrotherSpeak

By The Root DC Staff

The Post, in cooperation with the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, explores the experiences of black men in America in a the three-part video series titled “BrotherSpeak”. For the series, we asked a range of black men to discuss three words: Fear, love and dream. Watch the videos below.

By The Root DC Staff | 04:22 PM ET, 12/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

UniverSoul Circus| Security Square Mall, MD

Big Nate| Adventure Theatre MTC, MD

The Submission| Olney Theatre Center, MD

The Root DC Live: March, 2013