Feb 21 WATCH: Police say Smollett ‘took advantage’ of anger over racism to promote career By Associated Press Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said at a news conference Thursday that Smollett sent a racist and homophobic threatening letter to himself at the Fox studio lot before the attack. He says Smollett was dissatisfied with his salary. Continue reading
Feb 20 Police official: Actor Jussie Smollett suspected of lying about attack By Don Babwin, Associated Press Chicago detectives suspect that "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett filed a false police report when he said he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack in downtown Chicago late last month, a police official said Wednesday. Continue reading
Feb 20 Chicago prosecutor recuses herself from Jussie Smollett case By Don Babwin, Associated Press Chicago's top prosecutor recused herself from the investigation into the attack reported by "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett shortly after police requested another interview with the actor. Continue reading
Feb 18 Chicago police seek follow-up interview with Jussie Smollett By Sara Burnett, Greg McCune, Associated Press Chicago police said Sunday they're still seeking a follow-up interview with Jussie Smollett after receiving new information that "shifted" their investigation of a reported attack on the "Empire" actor. Continue reading
Feb 11 Gov. Northam’s ‘indentured servant’ remark challenged By Associated Press Historians say Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam wrongly used the term "indentured servants" when referring to the first Africans to arrive in what is now Virginia. Scholars say they were enslaved. Continue reading
Feb 08 Virginia Gov. Northam survives scandal by staying out of sight By Alan Suderman, Associated Press He promised to start an honest conversation about race and how to heal the lingering wounds of Virginia's painful past. Then he disappeared. Continue reading
Feb 04 Watch 11:23 The racist role of blackface in American society Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam now says he is not pictured in a 1984 yearbook photo of people in blackface and Ku Klux Klan costumes, although he admits he wore blackface on a separate occasion. Regardless, he is facing calls to… Continue watching
Feb 04 Blackface photo spotlights deeply embedded racism in U.S. By Errin Haines Whack, Associated Press Blackface incidents are not only hurtful; they can be harmful when they happen at institutions of higher learning and are perpetrated by people who go on to impact the lives of people of color as decision-makers — from politicians to… Continue reading
Jan 24 Florida secretary of state resigns after photos of him in blackface emerge By Associated Press Florida's top elections official abruptly resigned Thursday after a newspaper obtained pictures of him in blackface dressed as a Hurricane Katrina victim at a 2005 party. Continue reading
Jan 23 Catholic student says he didn’t disrespect Native American activist By Associated Press A Catholic high school student whose close encounter with a Native American activist and a black religious sect was captured on video in Washington, D.C. says he has nothing to apologize for. Continue reading