Michael Brown

Plate tectonics illustration.

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

Science

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

Brit Bennett

Brit Bennett on church, racism and her novel, ‘The Mothers’

Arts
Michael Brown 2

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

Justice
The World

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

Music
Ferguson_Protest

What Ferguson has shown us about race relations in America

Justice
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

Justice

The killing of a homeless man by Los Angeles police added yet another incident to the list of high-profile police killings that have rocked the US over the last year. Now the Justice Department is issuing reports and recommendations on police bias, hoping to help repair relations between officers and citizens.

A New York City police officer reacts next to people protesting against the death of Eric Garner during an arrest in July.

Even the creator of ‘broken windows’ policing thought it could lead to racial problems

Justice

George Kelling was one of the two men who developed “broken windows” policing, which minority communities say unfairly targets them. But Kelling says the theory is misunderstood and even easily misapplied in potentially racist ways, even as it may have helped drive down crime rates nationwide.

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

Culture

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.

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’

Justice

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.

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

Justice

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.