Race

NY Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The complicated history and identity of Latinos in the United States

“Latino” describes nearly a fifth of the US population — and yet, the term only caught on in the 1980s.

The complicated history and identity of Latinos in the United States
Three women on stage gesticulating, one with blackface pounding her chest

A Miami theater group has a change of heart over blackface

A Miami theater group has a change of heart over blackface
A woman looks at photographs on the wall.

It was once easier to go unnoticed, but some DACA recipients from Europe and Canada say they are ready to join the immigration fight

It was once easier to go unnoticed, but some DACA recipients from Europe and Canada say they are ready to join the immigration fight
Supporters cheer at a Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore campaign rally in Midland City, Alabama.

Alabama's deep racial divisions increasingly plague the rest of America

Alabama's deep racial divisions increasingly plague the rest of America
White nationalists carry torches on the grounds of the University of Virginia, on the eve of a planned Unite The Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, US August 11, 2017. Picture taken August 11, 2017.

How often have you dealt with racism? Her friends' answers surprised her.

How often have you dealt with racism? Her friends' answers surprised her.
Oyeyemi book Boy, Snow, Bird

This is not a Disney story: Helen Oyeyemi takes on Snow White

Helen Oyeyemi was born in Nigeria; the tale comes from medieval Germany.

This is not a Disney story: Helen Oyeyemi takes on Snow White
Young man at podium in press conference with signs behind him

This college freshman is worried about affirmative action — but not that it will keep him out of Harvard

Harvard University is being sued for allegedly discriminating against Asian and white applicants. But most Asian Americans agree with admissions policies that take race into account.

This college freshman is worried about affirmative action — but not that it will keep him out of Harvard
Boxes on tables with labels: "Safety pin box," "More than a safety pin," "Effective measurable allyship"

Before taking action against hate, white people should look inward

Whatever you do, though, don’t ask a person of color to help you do it for free, says the co-founder of Safety Pin Box.

Before taking action against hate, white people should look inward
Woman seated in club with people walking around her

What to say when you’re Asian American and someone calls you ‘exotic’

Paula Williams Madison wasn’t on a panel, but she brought a different take on race to the audience at Asian American ComicCon.

What to say when you’re Asian American and someone calls you ‘exotic’

Angie Thomas and TLC

Bestselling Young Adult author Angie Thomas on how the late TLC performer Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes spoke to her at a very troubling point in her life.

Angie Thomas and TLC
YouTube "Bawse" Lilly Singh.

Look out Hollywood. YouTube 'bawse' Lilly Singh is going mainstream.

YouTube has given a generation of diverse superstars a place to start their careers. But can they find a place in the far less diverse Hollywood scene?

Look out Hollywood. YouTube 'bawse' Lilly Singh is going mainstream.
Author Scaachi Koul was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and is a culture writer at BuzzFeed.

White privilege in brown Canada

BuzzFeed writer Scaachi Koul discusses how white privilege affects her family and how racism is institutionalized in Canada.

White privilege in brown Canada
Freedom University

How some immigrant student activists are tapping the civil rights playbook

In Georgia, some undocumented students are turning to civil rights-era leaders to fight for education rights. They say restrictions they face now still smack of Jim Crow. Not everyone agrees.

How some immigrant student activists are tapping the civil rights playbook

American Icons: Shaft

The movie that changed the face of American action by creating a new kind of black male lead, and kickstarting Blaxploitation.

American Icons: Shaft
Iranian American census

Arab Americans lobbied for their own US census box. Will it backfire?

The Census Bureau has recommended that a new Middle East and North Africa (MENA) racial category be added to the next census, coming in 2020. This could be interpreted as an alarming development — but advocacy groups have been pushing for it for a while.

Arab Americans lobbied for their own US census box. Will it backfire?