The Grio

On Frederick Douglass: No progress without...: On Frederick Douglass: No progress without struggle
ESSAY - The unveiling of the Frederick Douglass statue in Emancipation Hall commemorates how far we have come as a nation...
Juneteenth celebrations commemorate the end of...: Juneteenth celebrations commemorate the end of slavery
ESSAY - Today marks Juneteenth, a holiday that celebrates the emancipation of African-Americans from slavery, a day that is widely celebrated in broad pockets of the American south. It is a time of community gatherings...
Kenyatta Jones defends ‘House of Curves’ TV...: Kenyatta Jones defends ‘House of Curves’ TV show: ‘I’m not promoting obesity’
theGRIO VIDEO - 'House of Curves' star Kenyatta Jones defends her plus size fashion line during an interview with theGrio...
Zimmerman jurors asked about neighborhood watch: Zimmerman jurors asked about neighborhood watch
SANFORD, Fla. (AP) - Attorneys quizzed a whittled-down group of prospective jurors Wednesday in the Trayvon Martin case, asking if any were neighborhood watch volunteers like the teen's shooter and reminding them the trial would be different from what they've seen on shows like 'CSI'...
Blogging While Brown conference, in NYC for the...: Blogging While Brown conference, in NYC for the first time, bridges the color barrier for blacks in tech
Developed by Gina McCauley, the firebrand mind behind the blog What About Our Daughters, Blogging While Brown is now the premiere annual event for bloggers of color to connect, promote their brands, and get top-tier advice from thought leaders in the technology sector.
Rap Genius: The top 5 rap lyrics of the week —...: Rap Genius: The top 5 rap lyrics of the week — hip-hop history is made
RAP GENIUS - This past Tuesday, June 18th, was the most important day of the year in hip-hop...

Black Enterprise

Paula Deen Admits to Using ‘N-Word’, Wanted...: Paula Deen Admits to Using ‘N-Word’, Wanted Blacks to Dress as Slaves at Wedding
Paula Deen is known for her southern cooking and big personality. A personality that may…
George Zimmerman Jury Selection Enters Next Phase: George Zimmerman Jury Selection Enters Next Phase
Twenty-seven of the 40 potential jurors are white, seven are black, three are mixed race…
Dating Sites Are in ‘Singles’ Game Night...: Dating Sites Are in ‘Singles’ Game Night Business
About half of singles who attended website's events said they met someone they would like…
NY Teacher Raises $14K to Take Underprivileged...: NY Teacher Raises $14K to Take Underprivileged Kids to ‘American Girl’
Brooklyn teacher gives his young black girls a lesson about their worth
Rapper J.Cole Blackmailed by Fan on Twitter: Rapper J.Cole Blackmailed by Fan on Twitter
J. Cole retweeted a fan's message who had a gun to a little girl's head
G.O.P. Goes After Women’s Abortion Access, Again: G.O.P. Goes After Women’s Abortion Access, Again
House Republicans will vote on the most restrictive abortion bill to come to the floor…

The Root

NYPD Finally Cops to Profiling?

(The Root) -- Though the New York Police Department has steadfastly denied that its controversial stop-and-frisk program constitutes racial profiling, today it appears that New York's finest are singing a new tune. The NYPD Captains Endowment Association is running an ad against a new City Council measure that would expand the language defining those protected from profiling.

Council members sponsoring the bill, among them Brad Lander and Jumaane Williams of Flatbush, insist that the bill will help prevent profiling of groups such as the homeless and members of the LGBT community. The proposed bill reads in part:

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Serena's Apology: The Net Isn't Impressed

Serena's Apology: The Net Isn't Impressed

(The Root) -- Tennis star Serena Williams has released an official statement attempting an apology for her victim-blaming statements in a Rolling Stone interview released this week.

As they were watching the news, interviewer Stephen Rodrick asked Serena her thoughts on the Steubenville, Ohio, case, in which two high school football players were convicted of raping an incapacitated 16-year-old girl.

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Serena on What She 'Supposedly Said' About Rape

Serena on What She 'Supposedly Said' About Rape

Hmm ... normally a person would apologize for or clarify wrong, misguided or insensitive things she did say, and deny things that she didn't actually say. Right?

That's why Serena Williams' recent statement about her controversial Rolling Stone interview on the Steubenville, Ohio, rape case (in which a 16-year-old girl was raped by two high school football players) has plenty of people scratching their heads. Slate explains:

Here's her full statement from today (emphasis added):

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'Paula's Best Dishes': Delicious Satire

'Paula's Best Dishes': Delicious Satire

(The Root) -- Today wasn't the best of days for Southern-cuisine connoisseur and butter enthusiast Paula Deen. Radar Online reported that she has "admitted to using the n-word and telling insensitive racial jokes" during a videotaped deposition. According to the website, she also admitted to wanting black waiters to dress and act as slaves at a wedding party.

The deposition occurred thanks to a 2012 lawsuit from a former employee accusing Deen of verbal abuse and racism. Paula's brother, Bubba Hiers, is also named in the lawsuit and is accused of sexual harassment, infliction of distress and assault.

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Serena Williams: Built Like a Monster Truck?

Serena Williams: Built Like a Monster Truck?

According to an article in the Huffington Post, a Rolling Stone magazine cover story on Serena Williams compares her figure to that of a monster truck. "Sharapova is tall, white and blond, and, because of that, makes more money in endorsements than Serena, who is black, beautiful and built like one of those monster trucks that crushes Volkswagens at sports arenas ... "

A little objectifying, no? Writer Julee Wilson didn't seem too pleased.

We're sure the magazine was trying to be complimentary to the 31-year-old's superior athleticism but it borders on rude, dehumanizing and insensitive.

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Frederick Douglass Statue Unveiled in US Capitol

Frederick Douglass Statue Unveiled in US Capitol

Frederick Douglass will be officially remembered on Capitol Hill, the Associated Press reports.

On Wednesday, House Speaker John Boehner led the unveiling ceremony of a 7-foot bronze statue of the former slave in the U.S. Capitol's Emancipation Hall. Steve Weitzman, a Maryland artist, created the statue, which portrays Douglass in his 50s.

The statue joins sculpted tributes to fellow black Americans Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and Sojourner Truth on permanent display in the Capitol's Emancipation Hall.

Douglass was born a slave in 1818 in Talbot County, Md. He advised President Abraham Lincoln and was a voice for women's rights as well as those of black Americans.

Boehner is calling the statue "a fitting tribute to one of the greatest Americans and voices for freedom who ever lived."

Read full article...

Black Voices (Huffington Post)

Ryan Mack: Remembering Medgar Evers: A Lesson of...: Ryan Mack: Remembering Medgar Evers: A Lesson of Civic Engagement
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of his death, when I think about the lessons of Medgar Evers the one word that comes to mind is "action." This man didn't live his life complaining about how bad things were as much as he spent his life taking tangible actions to fix the oppressive conditions of his community.
HIV Awareness Billboard Criticized For Accepting...: HIV Awareness Billboard Criticized For Accepting Gay Men
A billboard advocating awareness of AIDS and encouraging HIV testing is drawing criticism in Texas by some people who complain the ad promotes and accepts...
Metabolic Syndrome Has Declined, Some Risks...: Metabolic Syndrome Has Declined, Some Risks Persist
Compared to a decade ago, fewer Americans have a cluster of risk factors that together can signal heart troubles and diabetes down the line,...
The Truth Behind Hov's Million-Album Samsung Deal: The Truth Behind Hov's Million-Album Samsung Deal
By Eric Kelsey LOS ANGELES, June 17 (Reuters) - Rapper Jay Z's upcoming studio album will go to a million users of Samsung smartphones three...
#PaulasBestDishes Pokes Fun At Paula Deen's...: #PaulasBestDishes Pokes Fun At Paula Deen's Unsavory (And Racist?) Side
As accusations of racism by Paula Deen make their way around the web, Black Twitter made its indictment of the Southern chef clear with responses...
Drake Slows It Down In New Track: Drake Slows It Down In New Track
A new song from Drake has hit the web. The rapper slows it down in "On My Way," a collaboration with producer and singer James...

BET

NFL: Don't Blame Beyoncé for Blackout: NFL: Don't Blame Beyoncé for Blackout

The league searches for cause of Super Bowl power outage.
Lawyers in Trayvon Case Spar Over Trial Date: Lawyers in Trayvon Case Spar Over Trial Date

Zimmerman's lawyers are seeking a delay in the trial.
Justin Timberlake Debuts New Music and Brings Out...: Justin Timberlake Debuts New Music and Brings Out Jay-Z

JT performs live for the first time in five years.
Obama Pushes Gun Control Message: Obama Pushes Gun Control Message

The president wants to prevent another Newtown.
Wiz Khalifa Releases “Started From the...: Wiz Khalifa Releases “Started From the Bottom” Remix

Wiz adds a verse to Drake’s latest anthem.
Blacks on the Brink of Greatness: Blacks on the Brink of Greatness

BET.com recognizes young, talented African-Americans.