Michael Brown

Plate tectonics illustration.

Before plate tectonics, the Earth may have been covered by one giant shell

New research confronts the idea that plate tectonics started when the Earth was formed.

Before plate tectonics, the Earth may have been covered by one giant shell
Michael Brown 2

Michael Brown, one year later: The tragic civil rights moment that ignited a movement

Michael Brown, one year later: The tragic civil rights moment that ignited a movement
The World

For this hip-hop artist, black lives do matter — and it's time to take a stand

For this hip-hop artist, black lives do matter — and it's time to take a stand
Ferguson_Protest

What Ferguson has shown us about race relations in America

What Ferguson has shown us about race relations in America
People protest against the killing of a homeless man by police outside LAPD headquarters on March 3, 2015.

The Justice Department wades into the fight against police discrimination

The Justice Department wades into the fight against police discrimination
People are silhouetted as they pose with mobile devices in front of a screen projected with a Facebook logo

This is why you should leave racists in your Facebook feed

Almost everyone has had that moment when a shocking Facebook post appears in your news feed. But should you unfriend people who post stuff you hate — even if it's extremely offensive? Here's an argument for why you shouldn't.

This is why you should leave racists in your Facebook feed
Riot police block demonstrators during a protest against the 2014 World Cup, in Sao Paulo June 12, 2014.

How police violence in the US could help spark racial justice in Brazil

The cases of Michael Brown and Eric Garner in the US have their own analogues in Brazil, where relations between black citizens and police are also tense. But one Brazilian activist hopes the news from the US could push Brazilians to talk more openly about racial issues.

How police violence in the US could help spark racial justice in Brazil
Protesters demonstrate in Lower Manhattan on December 4, 2014, demanding justice for the death of Eric Garner.

The Eric Garner case created anger and frustration, but also has protesters 'really energized'

Demonstrators have marched in cities across the US to protest a grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer for the killing of Eric Garner. But while protesters say they're angry and fearful, there are also encouraging signs in how black communities have rallied to each other.

The Eric Garner case created anger and frustration, but also has protesters 'really energized'
A protester in Oakland, California, on  December 3, 2014, wears a sign during a demonstration against the decision by a New York City grand jury not to indict a police officer in the death of Eric Garner.

England abolished grand juries decades ago because they didn't work

Grand juries decided not indict the police officers who killed Michael Brown and Eric Garner. The decision enraged many Americans, who questioned why the incidents didn't deserve an open trial — exactly the reason why the UK, the originator of grand juries, abolished its own system long ago.

England abolished grand juries decades ago because they didn't work
A demonstrator sits in front of a street fire during a demonstration following the grand jury decision in the Ferguson, Missouri shooting of Michael Brown, in Oakland, California on November 25, 2014.

Just like in Ferguson, police shootings in South Africa prove nothing is 'post-racial' just yet

American cops rarely go to jail for the killings of civilians, and the same goes for police officers in South Africa. And in both countries, the anger at such perceived biases is at odds with the perception that they've become post-racial societies after electing black leaders.

Just like in Ferguson, police shootings in South Africa prove nothing is 'post-racial' just yet
A protester shouts with both his hands in the air while marching through a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, on November 23, 2014.

Black communities in England know what Ferguson is going through

In 1981, uprisings broke out in communities all throughout England, with poverty and heavy-handed policing to blame. If that sounds familiar to you, black Britons who remember the riots also see similarities in how the US and UK treat minority communities.

Black communities in England know what Ferguson is going through
 A man walks past a burning building during rioting after a grand jury returned no indictment in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

A Middle East correspondent sees familiar clashes unfold in Ferguson

Correspondent Daniel Estrin often files stories for us on the violent outbreaks in Jerusalem and the West Bank. But when he returned home to visit his family in St. Louis, he found himself watching all-too-familiar scenes play out just minutes from his home.

A Middle East correspondent sees familiar clashes unfold in Ferguson
Anthony Quintano complete the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, a fundraising campaign that's gone viral around the world and prompted supporters of other causes to create their own versions of the challenge.

These eight ice bucket challenge spin-offs are boosting causes worldwide

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raised awareness of the disease — and record contributions of more than $100 million dollars for research. That success is sending supporters of other causes behind the camera to create their own viral campaigns. Here's a sample of other challenges, and causes, from around the world.

These eight ice bucket challenge spin-offs are boosting causes worldwide
Demonstrators protest against the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., on August 18, 2014.

Here's why you should care if you don't have any black friends

The conversation about events in Ferguson involves race, but maybe not in the way you think. While a new study showed that most white Americans don't have non-white friends, many people say it shouldn't be taken as an indicator of personal racism but rather large-scale issues that deserve the real attention.

Here's why you should care if you don't have any black friends
Parishioners hold hands during church services at the Greater St. Mark Family Church as the community discusses reactions to the shooting of teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., on August 17, 2014.

After Ferguson, one woman urges her fellow African immigrants to see themselves simply as black

The unrest this month in Ferguson, Mo., has many Americans thinking about where we are as a country when it comes to race. One Ethiopian-American writer is urging her fellow African immigrants to be "Ferguson strong" and identify closely with African Americans.

After Ferguson, one woman urges her fellow African immigrants to see themselves simply as black