African Americans

Students Protest BLM

What a Band of 20th-Century Alabama Communists Can Teach Black Lives Matter and the Offspring of Occupy What a Band of 20th-Century Alabama Communists Can Teach Black Lives Matter and the Offspring of Occupy

On the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking history, Hammer and Hoe, author Robin D.G. Kelley discusses the lessons Alabama’s forgotten black communists can offer today’s activis...

Aug 31, 2015 / Sarah Jaffe

Julian Bond

What Julian Bond Taught Me What Julian Bond Taught Me

Freedom movements don’t just happen, they are made—and not by charismatic leaders, but by everyday people possessing great courage.

Aug 17, 2015 / Lived History / Jeanne Theoharis

Julian Bond

Julian Bond Built Coalitions, Practiced Solidarity, and Showed Us the Future Julian Bond Built Coalitions, Practiced Solidarity, and Showed Us the Future

When the civil-rights leader was nominated for vice president in 1968, we got a glimpse of the new politics.

Aug 17, 2015 / John Nichols

Kanye West in 2005.

The Rebirth of Black Rage The Rebirth of Black Rage

From Kanye to Obama, and back again.

Aug 13, 2015 / Feature / Mychal Denzel Smith

Protest in New Orleans

From New Orleans to Ferguson, a Decade of Asserting Black Lives Matter From New Orleans to Ferguson, a Decade of Asserting Black Lives Matter

We’ve learned that the moment black people stop saying our lives matter, our lives will cease to matter.

Aug 13, 2015 / Editorial / Melissa Harris-Perry and James Perry

Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter Is a Demand, Not a Plea Black Lives Matter Is a Demand, Not a Plea

The movement’s protests targeting Bernie Sanders have provoked heated debate among progressive politicos—and that’s just fine.

Aug 12, 2015 / Editorial / Kai Wright

Debate stage

Pimps, Prostitutes, Drug Dealers and the GOP’s Colorblind America Pimps, Prostitutes, Drug Dealers and the GOP’s Colorblind America

The first Republican debates were a startling reminder that the party is still dominated by white men who won’t talk honestly about race.

Aug 7, 2015 / Mark Winston Griffith

For Many Americans, the Great Recession Never Ended. Is the Fed About to Make It Worse?

For Many Americans, the Great Recession Never Ended. Is the Fed About to Make It Worse? For Many Americans, the Great Recession Never Ended. Is the Fed About to Make It Worse?

Why it’s a mistake for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates this year.

Jul 28, 2015 / Connie M. Razza

Memorial for Sandra Bland

How Did ‘Driving While Black’ Turn Deadly for Sandra Bland? How Did ‘Driving While Black’ Turn Deadly for Sandra Bland?

Bland didn’t bow or scrape to an aggressive police officer.

Jul 23, 2015 / Dani McClain

Netroots #BlackLivesMatter protest

Why the Black Lives Matter Protest at Netroots Nation Was Long Overdue Why the Black Lives Matter Protest at Netroots Nation Was Long Overdue

It's time Democratic candidates offer voters a meaningful plan for tackling systemic racism.

Jul 21, 2015 / Dani McClain

x