Race

PBS spotlights Black diplomats abroad during a time of social upheaval at home

5:08am February 16, 2022

by Michele Kelemen

A new documentary on PBS — The America Diplomat — tells the stories of three black diplomats representing America at the height of the Cold War, as they fought racism within the State Department.

A positive drug test denied U.S. sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson a chance to compete in the Tokyo Games; Russian skater Kamila Valieva had a different experience.

Sha'Carri Richardson sees a double standard in allowing Kamila Valieva to compete

11:02am February 15, 2022

by Bill Chappell

"The only difference I see is I'm a black young lady," U.S. sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson said, after the Russian figure skater is allowed to compete at the Olympics despite a failed drug test.

The history of Black cowboys and cowgirls are kept alive in riding clubs and rodeos

5:20am February 15, 2022

by Nick de la Canal

Black saddle clubs are found across the country, from rodeos to street protests, including protests for George Floyd. Black cowboys and cowgirls have a rich history in helping to settle the West.

Federal prosecutors are arguing that, from left, Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. are guilty of a hate crime in the death of Ahmaud Arbery, whose murder they were convicted of in state court.

National

Hate crime prosecutor details Ahmaud Arbery killers' racist history

10:25pm February 14, 2022

The defense attorneys insisted the three men's pursuit of the 25-year-old was prompted by "honest, though erroneous, suspicion that he committed crimes" and not because of his race.

West Elm Caleb went from a local Hinge player to dating supervillain, the target of a massive, righteous internet investigation. An audience of millions helped uncover and blow up his personal information.

Arts

What internet outrage reveals about race and TikTok's algorithm

12:59pm February 14, 2022

by Jess Kung

While it's good that many called out the overstep in reaction, it also made us think about the ways that these outrage cycles happen, and often get ignored, when people of color are involved.

Tariq Trotter portrays a scientist who has invented a machine that can turn Black people white in the off-Broadway musical Black No More.

Arts

A machine turns Black people white in the musical 'Black No More'

10:25am February 14, 2022

by Jeff Lunden

An off-Broadway show, based on a 1931 novel, explores the results when a scientist charges Black people $50 each to change their race with his new invention.

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Banners and signs are hung on a fence at Lafayette Square near the White House, during ongoing protests against police brutality and racism in June 2020. The Library of Congress has digitized some of the pieces of artwork, signs and photographs once displ

Arts

Artwork from the Black Lives Matter memorial has a new home: the Library of Congress

7:18am February 12, 2022

by Jonathan Franklin

The artwork that once served as a memorial to the movement is being displayed in a new online exhibit at the Library of Congress. So far, 33 pieces are posted.

Autherine Lucy Foster (center), the first black student to attend the University of Alabama, waves as the university awarded her an honorary doctorate during a commencement ceremony, on May 3, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

University of Alabama will remove Klan leader's name from a campus building after all

2:25pm February 11, 2022

by The Associated Press

The university's trustees voted to strip the name of a one-time governor who led the Ku Klux Klan from a campus building and rename it solely for the school's first Black student.

National

Examining why hate crimes are at historic highs — especially in Los Angeles

6:57am February 11, 2022

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Robin Toma, executive director of the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, about a 71% increase in reported hate crimes in Los Angeles last year.

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The Bronx apartment building stands a day after a fire swept through the complex where 8 of the 17 people who died were children.

National

Amid a housing crisis, renters challenge firms they say are being exploitative

3:21pm February 10, 2022

by Marisa Peñaloza

Low-income housing is in crisis - corporate landlords are squeezing renters with higher rents in often unsafe housing units. Renters are fighting back