The Root: A daily magazine of black perspectives

Thanks to reader Nellie D. for sending along a pointer to an online site devoted to news and views from many different black perspectives.

Called 'The Root', it is a partnership between Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and the Washington Post/Newsweek. Though the considerable resources these heavyweight partners bring to the table make it something more than a blog, its policy of an open invitation to have contributions considered makes it a resource to point people to. And besides, it's a visually striking site -- a real plus considering all the dreck that's out there.

So, I have put it in the BLOGS OF NOTE blogroll in the right hand column of Plainfield Today (scroll down, it's alphabetical after a few of my top picks) so it will always be close at hand.

Here is the statement from its 'About' page --

The Root is a daily online magazine that provides thought-provoking commentary on today's news from a variety of black perspectives. The site also hosts an interactive genealogical section to trace one's ancestry through AfricanDNA.com, a DNA testing site co-founded by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who is also The Root's Editor-In-Chief. The Root aims to be an unprecedented departure from traditional American journalism, raising the profile of black voices in mainstream media and engaging anyone interested in black culture around the world.

Submission Guidelines

The Root commentaries aim to to spark lively discussions on our site, as well as dialogue with other conversations taking place on the Web through embedded links to videos and other news and commentaries on blogs, newspapers, webzines, organization sites and video. Essays should be 500-800 words in length. Please copy and paste the essay within the body of the email, as well attach it as a Word document. (Hyperlinks can be inserted from the tool bar.) Please send submissions, along with a one paragraph author bio, and phone and email contact information, to TheRooteditor@theroot.com.

The Root is published by Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive.

If you have something to say from a black perspective to a broad readership and don't feel like putting together a blog that needs constant maintenance and promotion, consider writing an occasional essay for The Root.

It could change your life. And someone else's.

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-- Dan Damon

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