Tag: The Root

With Michigan Democrats dealing with a stunning political fallout and Alaska's Senate race caught up in a bizarre name-related controversy, the final stretch before the Nov. 3 midterms is delivering plenty of drama. But American politics has a long history of last-minute scandals, racial manipulation, secret deals and campaign tactics that leave consequences far beyond Election Day. And Black Americans have often paid a particularly high price.

Howard University's 2026 Homecoming proved that when the Bison come home, Washington, D.C., becomes the center of Black culture, fashion and celebration. Held October 11-18 under the theme "Wildest Dreams," this year's festivities brought students, alumni and visitors together for a week rooted in legacy, school pride and unforgettable experiences.

Homecoming season is here, and historically Black colleges and universities across the country are the place to be. We're talking football, marching bands, packed yards, sold-out concerts, step shows, tailgates and parties that bring the city to life. From Southern University's Nobody Does It Better theme to Alabama State's Evolution of a Hornet, Texas Southern's Mission 99, and Howard's I Am My Ancestor's Wildest Dreams, each school brings unique energy. Atlanta's SpelHouse and Clark Atlanta celebrate together, while FAMU honors The Hill, North Carolina A&T marks its Centennial Edition, and Hampton ignites the Blue and White. Whether it's tailgates at Reliant Stadium, the Marching 100 at Bragg, or Yardfest at the Mecca, homecoming brings generations of students, alumni and community together for unforgettable celebrations of legacy, pride and tradition.

Thirty years ago, 1996 proved to be a watershed moment for hip-hop narrative. In a single 12-month run, 2Pac laid down double-album street gospel on All Eyez on Me, The Fugees wove multi-layered neighborhood chronicles on The Score, and Eminem dropped raw character studies on his debut Infinite. Three decades after that legendary stretch blew open the boundaries of what a verse could paint, we looked back across the culture's full timeline to gather the greatest masterclasses in hip-hop storytelling.

Paris Fashion Week style is as much about what you see on the streets as what goes down the runway. Black editors, designers, models and fashion insiders have turned the sidewalks into a moving showcase of personal style, mixing sharp tailoring, statement accessories, unexpected layers and effortless Parisian attitude. While keeping an eye on the designers' collections, the street-style moments caught attention during Paris Fashion Week 2026.

Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier weren't always enemies. The two heavyweight champions first met in 1967 and developed a friendship and mutual respect that would later become complicated by their fierce rivalry. Ali refused induction into the U.S. Army in 1967, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. Frazier publicly supported his right to refuse the draft and advocated for his reinstatement. Despite this support, Ali returned to boxing declaring that Frazier's belt didn't mean anything. Ali began throwing insults, calling Frazier an Uncle Tom and comparing him to a gorilla, turning their once-friendly relationship into a bitter rivalry.