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Race

National

Is Kwanzaa Still A Thing?

Wednesday marked the start of Kwanzaa, the seven day festival celebrating African-American culture. In the 1980s and '90s, many considered Kwanzaa a mainstream holiday like Christmas and Hanukkah. But now there seems to be less fanfare. Host Michel Martin speaks with Duke University's Mark Anthony Neal about whether Kwanzaa is still a thing.

Is Kwanzaa Still A Thing?

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Technology

The Year In Tweets

President Obama might have had the top tweet this year, but a lot of other notable things were said and discussed on Twitter in 2012. Host Michel Martin gets a breakdown of the year's top tweets from Keli Goff of The Root and blogger Viviana Hurtado of The Wise Latina Club.

The Year In Tweets

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Barbershop

Is 'Django Unchained' The 'Blackest Film Ever'?

Quentin Tarantino's new film Django Unchained has sparked controversy about his portrayal of slavery. Also, a dispute continues over whether gun owners' names and addresses should be made public. And, what are the most under-reported stories of 2012? The Barbershop guys weigh in with host Michel Martin for the last time this year.

Is 'Django Unchained' The 'Blackest Film Ever'?

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Author Interviews

Talking About What It Means 'To Be Black'

In his 2012 book, How To Be Black, comedian Baratunde Thurston offers a humorous and poignant commentary on race in America. As part of our annual series on books we missed, Thurston shares his take on the conversations Americans have about race — as well as the ones we should have, but avoid altogether.

Talking About What It Means 'To Be Black'

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Minorities May Spurn The GOP, But The Party Welcomes Them

Incoming Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who spoke during the Republican National Convention this summer in Tampa, Fla., is among a number of minority politicians seen as rising stars in the GOP. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Minorities May Spurn The GOP, But The Party Welcomes Them

The House Democratic caucus will include a record number of women and minorities next year. But when it comes to top statewide offices, minorities do better running as Republicans.

Movies

Will Hollywood Catch Up To A Changing Audience?

Some films are generating Oscar buzz, including Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty. In 2010, she became the first woman to receive an Oscar for Best Director, and that got a lot of people asking why it took so long. Guest host Celeste Headlee speaks with filmmaker Reginald Hudlin about why so few women and minorities have gotten the golden statue.

Will Hollywood Catch Up To A Changing Audience?

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Descendants Of Slaves, Slave Traders Come Together

Sharon Morgan is a black descendant of American slaves. Thomas Norman DeWolf is a white descendant of a famous slave-trading family. The two travelled together for three years to track the roots of racism. They talk with guest host Celeste Headlee about their journey, chronicled in the book, Gather at the Table.

Descendants Of Slaves, Slave Traders Come Together

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History

'Mad Science' Looks At Groundbreaking Inventors

You may not know that the traffic signal, the firehouse pole, and instant coffee were all invented by people of color. The stories behind those inventions and many more are included in the new book, Mad Science. Editor Randy Alfred speaks with guest host Celeste Headlee.

'Mad Science' Looks At Groundbreaking Inventors

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'Watch Nights,' A New Year's Celebration Of Emancipation

Pocket versions of the Proclamation of Emancipation were distributed through Union troops to be read to slaves. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture hide caption

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Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

History

'Watch Nights,' A New Year's Celebration Of Emancipation

On Dec. 31, 1862, African-Americans and abolitionists waited for word — via telegraph, newspaper or word of mouth — that the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. A New Year's Eve tradition marks the anniversary of President Lincoln's actions to end slavery.

'Watch Nights,' A New Year's Celebration Of Emancipation

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Barbershop

So What If Quarterback RGIII Is 'Not Really' Black?

The Barbershop guys talk about preventing tragedies like last week's shooting in Newtown, Conn. Also, a sports commentator said Washington Redskins' Robert Griffin isn't black enough. Host Michel Martin talks with culture critic Jimi Izrael, civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar, journalist Michael Skolnik and policy analyst Timothy Johnson.

So What If Quarterback RGIII Is 'Not Really' Black?

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Arts & Life

Adding Some Shine To Your Holiday Manners

America's increasingly diverse society is rewriting many of the traditional rules of etiquette. Host Michel Martin gets tips from etiquette experts Harriette Cole, Phillip Galanes, and social commentator Firoozeh Dumas.

Adding Some Shine To Your Holiday Manners

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'Miss Subways': A Trip Back In Time To New York's Melting Pot

Selsey was Miss Subways January-March 1964 Courtesy of Fiona Gardner hide caption

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Courtesy of Fiona Gardner

The Picture Show

'Miss Subways': A Trip Back In Time To New York's Melting Pot

Between 1941 and 1976, New York commuters were charmed by posters of regular New York women while riding the city's trains and buses. "Miss Subways" was selected each month by New Yorkers, in a pageant that reflected America's diversity long before the nation's other beauty contests.

'Miss Subways': A Trip Back In Time To New York's Melting Pot

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