Race

Arts

Does Fox's 'Empire' Break Or Bolster Black Stereotypes?

7:51pm March 18, 2015

by Eric Deggans

The hip-hop drama ends its first season Wednesday as a huge hit, thanks to black viewers. But NPR TV critic Eric Deggans says it also has sparked a complex debate over TV stereotypes.

"It's also interesting because I'm actually black, but you assumed otherwise," Jay Smooth told Nancy Giles.

National

Starbucks Campaign Already Inspiring Awkward Conversations About Race

5:12pm March 18, 2015

by Kat Chow

Video blogger and DJ Jay Smooth was on MSNBC Tuesday night to talk about Starbucks' "Race Together" campaign, which has already birthed a very public, cringeworthy conversation about race.

Hundreds of adult wood storks gather on the tops of trees at the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge.

Old Land Battle Resurfaces In Georgia Between The Gullah And The Government

4:19pm March 18, 2015

by Gabrielle Ware

The Gullah people, who are descendants of West African slaves, want to return to land the U.S. government took away during World War II. But the land has been a wildlife refuge for 40 years.

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Reginald Britt first moved into the Taft Houses, a public housing complex in East Harlem, in 1976

National

Can New York Police Build Trust Among Public Housing Residents?

3:42pm March 18, 2015

by Alexandra Starr

Many New York public housing residents once trusted the police who patrolled their communities. Since an officer killed an unarmed man in public housing, some are pressing to change police tactics.

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Hawaii's Honouliuli Internment Camp held thousands of prisoners of war and hundreds of Japanese-American citizens during World War II

National

Once Lost, Internment Camp In Hawaii Now A National Monument

2:39pm March 18, 2015

by Molly Solomon

The camp, created in 1943, held as many as 4,000 prisoners — including hundreds of Japanese-Americans — and became known as "Hell's Valley."

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National

Here's What People Are Saying About Starbucks' 'Race Together' Campaign

8:49am March 18, 2015

by Rigoberto Hernandez

The company's attempt to talk about race relations has met some blunt opposition — and snark.

More San Francisco Police Officers Accused Of Sending Racist Texts

8:02pm March 17, 2015

by Richard Gonzales

The investigation started with a sergeant accused of wire fraud and other federal charges. It has expanded to involve offensive messages and more than a dozen officers.

Mai Tai Sing dances with her husband, Wilbur Tai Sing, in 1942.

Books
Arts

These Nightclub Entertainers Paved The Way For Asian-Americans In Showbiz

2:27pm March 17, 2015

by Heidi Chang

Forbidden City was part of a Chinese-American nightclub scene that flourished in 1940s and '50s San Francisco. But between racial taunts and scandalized parents, its performers didn't have it easy.

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Univision Incident Reignites Questions About Diversity In Latino Media

12:40pm March 16, 2015

by Jasmine Garsd

Fashion critic and host Rodner Figueroa has been let go for offensive comments about first lady Michelle Obama. Critics see the incident as an example of racism in Spanish-language broadcasts.

National

Univision Race Gaffe Shows Culture Gap

8:33am March 16, 2015

by Maria Murriel

A Univision commentator's ugly remarks about Michelle Obama are more than just an idle misstep. Essayist Maria Murriel says they reveal an ugly truth about Latin American culture: It's really racist.