Race

University of Hawaii students sit together to show the ethnic differences of Hawaii's population in 1948.

National

Hawaii As 'Racial Paradise'? Bid For Obama Library Invokes A Complex Past

3:36pm January 17, 2015

by Ellen Wu

Professor Ellen Wu writes about how the mythology — and the history — of Hawaii as a multicultural melting pot may affect its chances of hosting the Obama Presidential Library.

At age 16, Maajid Nawaz joined the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir. But after four years in prison, he decided to leave the group. He co-founded the think tank Quilliam, which is dedicated to countering extremist beliefs, and he's now running for Parliament

How Orwell's 'Animal Farm' Led A Radical Muslim To Moderation

7:00pm January 15, 2015

When Maajid Nawaz was 16 he joined a radical Islamist group. After four years in prison in Egypt, he decided to leave it. "I'm very, very lucky to have been able to get through it," he says.

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At this Yennayer celebration in Portland, Ore., several groups take to the stage, playing traditional songs, as well as the songs of more recent artists like Idir and Moh Alileche.

National

Far From North Africa, Berbers In The U.S. Ring In A New Year

3:29pm January 14, 2015

by Deena Prichep

For the indigenous people of Northern Africa, Jan. 14 is a day to celebrate their culture and religion. It reminds Berbers living in the U.S. of the struggle to preserve their identity far from home.

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New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton speaks during an NYPD swearing-in ceremony in New York on Jan. 7. He confirmed to NPR today that there had been a work slowdown by officers in the weeks since two police officers were shot dead. He said the

National

New York Police Commissioner Confirms Work Slowdown By Officers

7:52pm January 12, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

But William Bratton tells NPR the issue was being corrected. The death of Eric Garner in police custody and the subsequent slaying of two New York City police officers has created a tense atmosphere.

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Historian Peniel Joseph says criticism of the film Selma as historically inaccurate is misguided, and that the movie correctly portrays African-Americans as the drivers of the civil rights movement.

'Selma' Backlash Misses The Point

1:42pm January 12, 2015

by Peniel Joseph

Historian Peniel Joseph says Selma is the first major film about civil rights history that properly honors the contributions of the movement's African-American foot soldiers.

Selma residents, many with firsthand connections to the city's civil rights movement, file into the Walton Theater for a free screening of Selma.

National

'Selma' Stirs Powerful Memories In Its Namesake Town

12:32pm January 11, 2015

by Andrew Yeager

At a free screening of the film in Selma, Ala., many in the audience — both black and white — had firsthand connections to the history portrayed on the screen.

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World News

Editor Fears Paris Attack Will Fuel Extremism On The Far Right

10:01pm January 10, 2015

France is reeling from attacks by Islamist extremists this week. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Natalie Nougayrède, former executive editor of Le Monde, about the future of French media and culture.

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David G., who lives in Toronto, came out in the summer of 2014, announcing the news on Facebook. He has the support of his parents and many friends, but hasn't found complete acceptance at school.

After Leelah Alcorn's Suicide, Trans Youth Fight Broader Bias

9:43am January 09, 2015

by Nicole Pasulka

The media response to Leelah Alcorn's suicide has prompted young transgender people — especially people of color — to demand greater awareness about the discrimination they face every day.

Actors Jermaine Crawford, Maestro Harrell, Tristan Wilds and Julito McCullum portray Baltimore students in the show's fourth season.

Rewatching 'The Wire': Classic Crime Drama Seems Written For Today

3:36pm January 06, 2015

by Eric Deggans

As HBO releases the high-definition version of The Wire, NPR's Eric Deggans says that binge-watching the show feels more like reading today's headlines — especially on issues of race and class.

Ellie Kemper, right, stars with Tituss Burgess in the Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Arts

TV In 2015: Late-Night Shuffles, Big Goodbyes And More

8:31am January 05, 2015

by Eric Deggans

The most important TV events coming in 2015 include new voices in late-night, big goodbyes, online platforms picking up old shows and, NPR TV critic Eric Deggans says, more of everything.

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