http://www.theroot.com/siterss/feed TheRoot.com Main RSS Feed en http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheRootRssFeed?format=skin http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/q4XWc3DKvrY/black-history-month-murder-black-folks Fri, 10 February 2012 12:56:00 EST <p>Once a year, Black History Month rolls around and debate ensues about <a href="http://www.theroot.com/views/end-black-history-month">whether we still need to observe it</a>. In my mind, this debate is frivolous because the reasons that historian Carter G. Woodson, a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Chicago, worked diligently to establish Negro History Month in 1926 still exist today.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/black-history-month-murder-black-folks">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/q4XWc3DKvrY" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/black-history-month-murder-black-folks http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/wsG8oOUQa7Y/safe-house-review Fri, 10 February 2012 12:35:00 EST <p class="FreeForm">On the heels of the 10th anniversary of his historic Oscar win for best actor in Training Day, in which he played a criminal cop, Denzel Washington reminds us with his newest film, Safe House, why he's such a brilliant bad guy.</p> <p class="FreeForm">"Sometimes when you're the good guy, you're sort of trapped," Washington said at a press conference. "Bad guys do have more fun."</p> <p class="FreeForm">Washington, who also executive-produced the film, plays the flagrant Tobin Frost, a mastermind former CIA operative who traded in loyalty for cash, selling U.S. intelligence to the highest-bidding nations. Frost is on the run for some time before he's forced to turn himself in to the U.S. Embassy in Cape Town, South Africa. He's then taken to the local agency safe house, where the eager CIA rookie Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) is charged with not letting Frost out of his sight. Of course the drama, action and suspense ensue from there.</p> <p><a href="/views/safe-house-review">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/wsG8oOUQa7Y" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/views/safe-house-review http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/rh5lkMFjs0w/documentary-takes-new-look-detroit Fri, 10 February 2012 12:07:00 EST <p>Director Daniel Falconer unravels the complex story of Detroit's downfall in the new documentary <a href="http://www.deforcemovie.com/">Deforce</a>. Falconer delves into the Motor City's corrupt political system and its impact on the city's fall from grace. Of the many struggles the once-glamorous Motown faces, Falconer examines how race and racism have left a seemingly indelible mark on Michigan's largest city. Detroit's most recent history is rife with struggle, and Deforce attempts to make sense of it all.</p> <p>Deforce is scheduled to play at select theaters nationwide. The documentary can also be <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00642KYQS/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=root04c-20&amp;camp=0&amp;creative=0&amp;linkCode=as4&amp;creativeASIN=B00642KYQS&amp;adid=1PP8GCZYZKKAMVDCMN5Z">purchased online</a>.</p> <p><a href="/views/documentary-takes-new-look-detroit">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/rh5lkMFjs0w" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/views/documentary-takes-new-look-detroit http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/yQcfI4ETrUs/how-be-black-friend Fri, 10 February 2012 12:44:00 EST <p>In this excerpt from his memoir <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062003216/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=root04c-20&amp;camp=0&amp;creative=0&amp;linkCode=as4&amp;creativeASIN=0062003216&amp;adid=039QG45AS34XHW1REHX0&amp;">How to Be Black</a>, comedian and <a href="http://www.theroot.com/root-100/2011/baratunde-thurston">The Root</a><a href="http://www.theroot.com/root-100/2011/baratunde-thurston"> 100 </a><a href="http://www.theroot.com/root-100/2011/baratunde-thurston">honoree</a> Baratunde Thurston offers rules for those who find themselves being the only black friend in a group. Read and learn. </p> <p>Cultural Authenticity</p> <p><a href="/views/how-be-black-friend">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/yQcfI4ETrUs" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/views/how-be-black-friend http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/fOM0VSo3QhI/school-basketball-game-banana-suit Thu, 9 February 2012 10:21:00 EST <p>A Pittsburgh-area high school basketball game on Feb. 3 turned ugly when fans wearing banana outfits made monkey sounds toward black players, according to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/pittsburgh-basketball-game-marred-horrible-racist-banana-suited-131740578.html">Yahoo Sports</a>.</p> <p>The annual game between the rivals -- primarily white Pittsburgh Brentwood High and predominantly black Monessen High -- turned ugly when the players were heading to the locker rooms at halftime. Three fans dressed in banana suits ran onto the court, surrounded the Monessen players and began making monkey noises and hurling racial epithets.</p> <p>"I was appalled and shocked," Monessen parent Terri Payne told <a href="http://www.wpxi.com/ap/ap/education/parents-pa-high-school-team-taunted-with-slurs/nHXdr/">WPXI</a>. "I was like, 'I can't believe they're doing that, and they didn't do anything about it.' "</p> <p><a href="/school-basketball-game-banana-suit">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/fOM0VSo3QhI" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/school-basketball-game-banana-suit http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/H20bWbrI2lY/high-school-students-violent-obama-art-murder Thu, 9 February 2012 9:46:00 EST <p>A parent's discovery of a class project involving malicious, violent images of President Obama is causing controversy in a Louisiana town, according to <a href="http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/02/investigation_launched_at_boye.html">the Times-Picayune</a>. The images, which included one of President Obama with a bullet hole in his head, were posted on the school's walls.</p> <p>The superintendent at Boyet Junior High School in Slidell refused to speak publicly about the controversy but released a statement. "The St. Tammany Parish public school system takes matters such as this very seriously," Trey Folse told the Times-Picayune. "The school system became aware of this situation Friday afternoon and immediately started an investigation into this matter. The investigation will include interviews with students, parents, teachers and administrators.</p> <p><a href="/high-school-students-violent-obama-art-murder">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/H20bWbrI2lY" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/high-school-students-violent-obama-art-murder http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/2lMcuw6GnS0/loose-ball-self-pity-won-t-work-lebron Thu, 9 February 2012 9:13:00 EST <p>LeBron James has much to be thankful for. He's being paid $110 million over six years (not including endorsements) to play a game he loves. He <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-day-lebron-james-new-9-million-mansion-2010-12">lives in a palatial mansion</a> in Miami's Biscayne Bay, one of the world's most beautiful areas. He has two healthy, beautiful children and he's engaged to their mother, his high school sweetheart.</p> <p>The last thing we want to hear from someone who is so blessed is a complaint. Not in January, December or any other month. But especially not in February, which is set aside to remember and honor <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/black-pioneers-in-sports-history-1.3500135?qr=1">predecessors who faced real hardships</a>, not perceived injustices.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/loose-ball-self-pity-won-t-work-lebron">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/2lMcuw6GnS0" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/loose-ball-self-pity-won-t-work-lebron http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/qwZboY4biW4/rep-luis-gutierrez-food-stamp-president-bush Thu, 9 February 2012 9:08:00 EST <p>Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/theroot" target="_blank">The Root </a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/theroot" target="_blank">on Facebook</a>. Follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/theroot247" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</p> <p><a href="/rep-luis-gutierrez-food-stamp-president-bush">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/qwZboY4biW4" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/rep-luis-gutierrez-food-stamp-president-bush http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/O-WqFG_bmAo/chicago-teachers-allege-discrimination Thu, 9 February 2012 8:30:00 EST <p><a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-02-08/news/ct-met-black-teachers-eeoc-0209-20120209_1_cps-teachers-chicago-teachers-union-african-american">Chicago teachers allege discrimination:</a> The Chicago Teachers Union has filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Wednesday alleging that layoffs last summer targeted tenured African-American teachers, who represent a third of Chicago Public Schools teachers.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/chicago-teachers-allege-discrimination">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/O-WqFG_bmAo" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/chicago-teachers-allege-discrimination http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/JiaSNDfBBvM/planned-parenthood-focuses-black-women Thu, 9 February 2012 7:30:00 EST <p>Read more at <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/08/planned-parenthood-komen_n_1264122.html?ref=black-voices">the Huffington Post.</a></p> <p>Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/theRoot">The Root on Facebook</a>. Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/theroot247">Twitter</a>.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/planned-parenthood-focuses-black-women">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/JiaSNDfBBvM" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/planned-parenthood-focuses-black-women http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/ajLTB7Aq_sw/roland-martins-twitter-fail-can-become-win Thu, 9 February 2012 7:24:00 EST <p>Blogging at <a href="http://www.ebony.com/news-views/roland-martins-big-twitter-fail-can-become-a-win">Ebony.com</a>, contributing writer and author Dream Hampton weighs in on the Roland Martin Twitter scandal and suggests ways that it could be turned into a win.</p> <p class="first-paragraph">Superbowl Sunday should've just been another big ish talking day for Roland Martin. The CNN commentator and Tom Joyner Morning Show regular spends about 20 percent of his Twitter time talking smack about sports. Yet it was a commercial featuring soccer superstar David Beckham in his underwear that put Martin on the field next to M.I.A., vying for most offensive sideline foul.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/roland-martins-twitter-fail-can-become-win">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/ajLTB7Aq_sw" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/roland-martins-twitter-fail-can-become-win http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/fMzFjvKdd_s/gop-gave-obama-choice-on-super-pacs Thu, 9 February 2012 6:51:00 EST <p>In a blog entry at <a href="http://www.eurweb.com/2012/02/gop-obama-fat-cats/">EURweb</a>, Earl Ofari Hutchinson writes that President Barack Obama had no choice but to reverse his decision to back a super PAC run by a former aide. He was facing the threat of being wildly outspent by the GOP nominee had he stood on principle.</p> <p>President Obama’s reversal on his decision to keep hands off the fundraising efforts of his campaign aligned super PACS raised a few eyebrows among campaign finance reform advocates. This seemed like a betrayal of Obama’s oft stated position that the relentless chase and dependence on fat cat donors to bankroll campaigns has gone way off the deep-end. In 2008, Obama’s said that he’d raise the bulk of his campaign funds from almost literally the nickels and dimes of small donors. That he would not take a penny from lobbyist groups and that he would back an overhaul of the campaign financing rules.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/gop-gave-obama-choice-on-super-pacs">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/fMzFjvKdd_s" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/gop-gave-obama-choice-on-super-pacs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/IlS_mqYkZY0/how-roland-martin-and-cnn-got-it-wrong Thu, 9 February 2012 6:22:00 EST <p>In a blog entry at <a href="http://www.racialicious.com/2012/02/09/the-boxers-uprising-how-roland-s-martin-and-cnn-both-got-it-wrong/">Racialicious</a>, Managing Editor Arturo R. García evaluates the Roland Martin Super Bowl Twitter debacle. He takes Martin to task for making the comments in the first place but raises the specter of a double standard at CNN. He says the cable news network apparently failed to judge some of Martin's co-workers as harshly for displaying similar bad judgment.</p> <p>The only surprise was how long it took CNN to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/08/roland-martin-suspended-cnn-super-bowl_n_1263276.html">suspend contributor Roland S. Martin</a> after the uproar he instigated during the Super Bowl this past Sunday. What’s not surprising is who hasn’t gotten the same punishment for similar offenses.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/how-roland-martin-and-cnn-got-it-wrong">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/IlS_mqYkZY0" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/how-roland-martin-and-cnn-got-it-wrong http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/ahG0U6PneL8/fema-new-orleans-debts-katrina Thu, 9 February 2012 5:56:00 EST <p>The Federal Emergency Management Agency will waive some payments mistakenly given to victims of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters, according to <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/fema-rolls-out-plan-to-waive-some-debts-by-victims-of-hurricane-katrina-other-disasters/2012/02/08/gIQAI1n1yQ_story.html">the Washington Post</a>. Some of the overpayments to aid recipients were caused by FEMA employees' own mistakes, according to congressional testimony.</p> <p>The debts, which average out to $4,622 per recipient, totaled less than 5 percent of the total $8 billion the agency distributed to victims of Katrina and other storms in 2005.</p> <p><a href="/fema-new-orleans-debts-katrina">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/ahG0U6PneL8" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/fema-new-orleans-debts-katrina http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/szh1K-_5io8/crazy-talk-michelle-os-big-black-ass Thu, 9 February 2012 5:30:00 EST <p>It's one thing when conservative critics with bad taste want to make their own inappropriate commentary about the first lady's body. We're used to that. But this week, a famous fashion designer has misquoted Michelle Obama with a "favorite line" about her figure that no one can even imagine coming out of her mouth.</p> <p>BlackAmericaWeb <a href="http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/moving_america_news/36982">reports</a>:</p> <p>Contrary to what a renowned fashion designer claims -- and just to set the record straight -- First Lady Michelle Obama did not refer to herself as having a "big black ass."</p> <p>The media -- and blogosphere -- is buzzing this week after legendary Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, 78, misquoted the first lady in a bone-headed, insulting and racially-insensitive interview with a Paris newspaper. </p> <p><a href="/buzz/crazy-talk-michelle-os-big-black-ass">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/szh1K-_5io8" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/crazy-talk-michelle-os-big-black-ass http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/ZYTO92g4K7k/watch-jeremy-lin-star-despite-bigotry Thu, 9 February 2012 4:19:00 EST <p>Read more at <a href="http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/02/jeremy_lin.html">ColorLines.</a></p> <p>Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/theRoot">The Root on Facebook</a>. Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/theroot247">Twitter</a>.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/watch-jeremy-lin-star-despite-bigotry">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/ZYTO92g4K7k" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/watch-jeremy-lin-star-despite-bigotry http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/9j1NAD_1UhI/feds-announce-25-billion-foreclosure-abuse-deal Thu, 9 February 2012 2:33:00 EST <p>The federal government today announced a record $25 billion settlement with the five biggest banks that were related to widespread foreclosure abuse that nearly annihilated the nation's housing market, ABC News <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Business/feds-announce-26b-foreclosure-deal/story?id=15545458">reports</a>.</p> <p>The deal is the largest multi-state settlement since the Tobacco Settlement in 1998, the Department of Justice said. Among the money allocated will be $1.5 billion distributed nationwide to about 750,000 borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosure. </p> <p>Attorney General Eric Holder said the deal by 49 state attorneys general, who worked late into the hours of last night, does not preclude states from pursuing their own suits against the banks. The state attorney general of Oklahoma did not sign the settlement.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/feds-announce-25-billion-foreclosure-abuse-deal">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/9j1NAD_1UhI" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/feds-announce-25-billion-foreclosure-abuse-deal http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/x7aNyYBnWPs/obamas-birth-control-rule-was-law-during-bush-years Thu, 9 February 2012 1:37:00 EST <p>The central mandate of President Barack Obama's decision to require most employers to cover birth control and insurers to offer it at not cost has been law for more than a decade, Nick Baumann reports at <a href="http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/02/controversial-obama-birth-control-rule-already-law">Mother Jones</a>.</p> <p>Despite the longstanding precedent, "no one screamed" until now, said Sara Rosenbaum, a health law expert at George Washington University.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/obamas-birth-control-rule-was-law-during-bush-years">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/x7aNyYBnWPs" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/obamas-birth-control-rule-was-law-during-bush-years http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/dqLcsDDCRBc/cpac-wont-renounce-white-nationalist Thu, 9 February 2012 12:05:00 EST <p>Buzzfeed is <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/cpac-wont-renounce-white-nationalist">reporting</a> that the American Conservative Union is standing by its decision to allow Peter Brimelow, a leading white nationalist figure, to appear on a speaker's panel at its Conservative Political Action Conference today.</p> <p>"CPAC is proud to have more than 150 sponsors and exhibitors this year," said spokeswoman Kristy Campbell in an email. "This panel was not organized by the ACU, and specific questions on the event, content or speakers should be directed to the sponsoring organization. Cosponsors and affiliated events do not necessarily represent the opinions of the American Conservative Union."</p> <p><a href="/buzz/cpac-wont-renounce-white-nationalist">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/dqLcsDDCRBc" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/cpac-wont-renounce-white-nationalist http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/I9GO-18bu7Y/latest-roland-martin-tweet-fallout Thu, 9 February 2012 11:52:00 EST <p>In what could be a major step toward resolving the controversy surrounding complaints that remarks made by CNN political analyst Roland Martin via his Twitter feed during the Super Bowl were homophobic, he has agreed to meet with the LGBT-rights group that called for his firing. Martin and GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) confirmed plans to meet last night via Twitter.</p> <p>Martin<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/rolandsmartin/status/167442513404231680"> tweeted</a>: I look forward to meeting with GLAAD in the near future and having a productive dialogue.</p> <p>GLAAD <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/glaad/status/167468507905261569">replied</a>: <a href="https://webmail.wpni.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=https://twitter.com/rolandsmartin">@rolandsmartin</a> We look forward to a productive dialogue and to working together as well.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/latest-roland-martin-tweet-fallout">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/I9GO-18bu7Y" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/latest-roland-martin-tweet-fallout http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/540Z30juWJk/obamas-day-feb-9-hosting-prime-minister-mario-monti Thu, 9 February 2012 9:37:00 EST <p>Office of the Press SecretaryDAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR</p> <p>THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012</p> <p>In the morning, the President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/obamas-day-feb-9-hosting-prime-minister-mario-monti">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/540Z30juWJk" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/obamas-day-feb-9-hosting-prime-minister-mario-monti http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/ul4WEG1YFMs/nabj-reacts-cnn-s-action-roland-martin Thu, 9 February 2012 1:01:00 EST <p>The National Association of Black Journalists reacted in a measured way late Wednesday night to <a href="http://www.theroot.com/blogs/nfl/cnn-weighs-call-fire-roland-martin">CNN's decision to suspend Roland Martin's presence on its news broadcasts</a> following complaints that remarks he made via his Twitter feed on Super Bowl Sunday were homophobic. "This is a teachable moment for all journalists," said the statement, released in the name of NABJ President Gregory H. Lee Jr. "We are reminded that what we communicate in print and broadcast -- and now through social media -- has considerable power. NABJ does not support any commentary in any medium that is insensitive or offensive.</p> <p>"Mr. Martin is one of our most committed members. In lieu of his presence on CNN, until this matter is resolved, we encourage the network to continue to present a diverse offering of voices in its programming," the statement concluded.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/nabj-reacts-cnn-s-action-roland-martin">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/ul4WEG1YFMs" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/nabj-reacts-cnn-s-action-roland-martin http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/Bbf4y6e4z-c/ask-demetria-valentines-day Thu, 9 February 2012 12:22:00 EST <p>I made plans for Valentine's Day with a guy I've been dating for more than two months. I agreed to drive up to see him since we live an hour and a half apart and he can't take off work to visit me because of his new job. Yesterday he tells me that he's decided to take his mother and little brother out for Valentine's Day instead. I said, "So, no Valentine's Day, then? Um ... OK." We agreed to see each other the weekend after instead. Still, my feelings are hurt that I'll have to spend the day alone. Am I making too big a deal out of this? --L.D.C.</p> <p>Your feelings are understandably hurt, and no, you're not making too big a deal out of his change of plans. His decision to do something different after he previously agreed to another idea would never really go over well, but to do so on Valentine's Day raises the stakes a bit.</p> <p><a href="/views/ask-demetria-valentines-day">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/Bbf4y6e4z-c" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/views/ask-demetria-valentines-day http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/UnlsMdAXKho/daily-job-lead-administrative-assistant-0 Thu, 9 February 2012 12:12:00 EST <p>Have you always wanted to pursue a career in medicine? Are you passionate about children's health? The Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, Calif., is looking for a full-time <a href="http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/job.asp?id=43368746&amp;aff=AC44BA2E-E3EB-4DBC-8BDB-9FCE01C58B09">administrative assistant</a>. The position entails providing administrative support to the institutional-quality department, medical staff and hospital committees.</p> <p>Responsibilities involve assisting with departmental functions, initiatives, projects and regulatory visits, working on data projects and compiling reports. Other duties include handling the day-to-day fiscal matters, ordering supplies and providing general clerical support.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/daily-job-lead-administrative-assistant-0">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/UnlsMdAXKho" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/daily-job-lead-administrative-assistant-0 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~3/dro-lNQ8PEk/blacks-should-stand-gays-marriage-equality Wed, 8 February 2012 8:07:00 EST <p>In a <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-marriage-20120112,0,6035118.story">Baltimore Sun</a> op-ed, Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, argues that while the stories of oppression and injustice against gays are different from those of black people, they are just as valid. He says that is why both groups should fight together for civil rights, including marriage equality.</p> <p>... Terms like "gay is the new black" are inherently disrespectful to the black experience in America. These types of misleading slogans obscure the uniqueness of both groups' struggles in an attempt to make a neat and tidy analogy. After all, gays and lesbians were never enslaved or subject to the harsh Jim Crow tactics of oppression, lynching, and intimidation in the way that blacks were.</p> <p><a href="/buzz/blacks-should-stand-gays-marriage-equality">Read full article...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheRootRssFeed/~4/dro-lNQ8PEk" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.theroot.com/buzz/blacks-should-stand-gays-marriage-equality