Code Switch
In the 1940s, Rosanell Eaton became one of the first African Americans in North Carolina to successfully register to vote sicne Reconstruction. In her 90s, she became a vocal opponent of the state's voter ID laws, which disproportionately affected black voters. The Washington Post/Getty Images hide caption
Ahhh, the joys of reading. Gulfiya Mukhamatdinova/Getty Images hide caption
Members of the Ku Klux Klan ceremonially initiate a new recruit at a meeting in 1922. Topical Press Agency/Getty Images hide caption
Author Glory Edim uses her literary society to signal boost emerging black women writers. Jai Lennard/Courtesy of Penguin Random House hide caption
Cry me a river, because I cried a river over you. Martin Leigh/Getty Images hide caption
Contemporary reprints of original Green Books from 1940 (front) and 1954. Karen Grigsby Bates hide caption
Asian-American students applying to college are closely watching a lawsuit alleging that Harvard University discriminates against Asian-American students in admissions. Scott Eisen/Getty Images hide caption
Comic book writer Stan Lee and actor Chadwick Boseman attend the world premiere of Marvel Studios Black Panther. Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Civil rights activists are blocked by National Guardsmen brandishing bayonets while trying to stage a protest on Beale Street in Memphis, Tenn. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images hide caption
Engraving from a series of images titled "The Great Yellow Fever Scourge — Incidents Of Its Horrors In The Most Fatal District Of The Southern States." Bettmann Archive/Getty Images hide caption
Jonny Sun emerges from behind his social character and navigates his space within the illustration world. Christopher Sun /Courtesy of Kovert Creative hide caption
In a video produced by ACRONYM, woman calls 911 and informs the police Todd doesn't plan to vote. ACRONYM/Screenshot by NPR hide caption
Extending gloved hands skyward in racial protest, U.S. athletes Smith and Carlos stare downward during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City on Oct. 16, 1968. AP hide caption
Chris Rock's 1996 HBO special helped him become a major star. Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic hide caption
Imani Perry, author of Looking for Lorraine: The Radiant and Radical Life of Lorraine Hansberry Sameer A. Khan hide caption
Barry Jenkins' adaption of James Baldwin's novel "If Beale Street Could Talk" premiered at this year's edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. Courtesy of TIFF hide caption
Photographer Bill Cunningham outside Skylight Clarkson Sq during New York Fashion Week on July 15, 2015 in New York City. Noam Galai/Getty Images hide caption
Arthur Ashe holds his trophy for the U.S. Open singles tennis championship as he stands arm-in-arm with his father, Arthur Ashe Sr., who fights back tears following his son's victory at Forest Hills, N.Y., Sept. 9, 1968. The younger Ashe defeated Holland's Tom Okker in five sets. Marty Lederhandler/AP hide caption