PoC News in America

This weekend I did not watch the MTV VMAs but I did watch most of these unforgettable hip-hop performances from the VMAs. Kanye West received the Video Vanguard Award and host Miley Cyrus defined white feminism.

It’s been 10 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and black news media revisited the effects on leaders, nearby cities, and the citizens who were left behind. The impact of Hurricane Katrina is still felt in the school reform movement in the city, as race continues to shape recovery. In a statement, President Obama pointed to how a “natural disaster became a man-made disaster.”

A WDBJ news reporter and cameraman were killed on air after an attack by a former colleague, and the news creates a confusing story that ultimately does a disservice to larger conversations about gun control and about race in America.

#BlackLivesMatter activists DeRay Mckesson, Johnetta Elzie and others outlined Campaign Zero, their platform to end police brutality.

A group of 11 mostly black women were kicked off of a Napa Valley wine train for being “too loud,” which inspired the hashtag #LaughingWhileBlack.

Just in time for back to school, Zendaya gave a shout out to educators everywhere as she called out haters who have called her parents ugly.

You can listen to Medium’s radio show on applying to college as an undocumented teen.

Related to schools, check out this New York Times article on reForm, an art project that grapples with the impact of school closings on communities.

Remember the nail salon expose from the New York Times? Well, a piece over on Fusion complicates the discourse and speaks to the power of community organizing.

Ricky Martin wrote an op-ed calling for Latinos to unite against Trump. This is on the heels of Trump ejecting Univision journalist Jorge Ramos from a press conference.

Other Republican candidate Jeb Bush is getting into the racism game by throwing around the phrase “anchor babies” but it’s okay, because he means Asians, not Latinos. #MyAsianAmericanStory trended on twitter to point out the diverse history of Asian immigration.

Another week, another study proving that women and minority directors are struggling to find projects.

Sesame Street‘s Sonia Manzano sits down with author Daniel José Older to talk about being Maria.

The team behind Stonewall released a more diverse poster in attempt to placate everyone challenging the film. As a reminder, most of the people who were involved with the riot, were gay men and women of color.

Spike Lee is getting an honorary Oscar this upcoming awards season.

Uproxx revisits Michael Jackson‘s musical and sometimes troubled personal legacy on his birthday.

Tracee Ellis Ross made this tribute to her mother Diana Ross because Tracee is amazing.

Flavorwire revisits the Straight Outta Compton and asks who the movie was made for. The young stars of the movie are doing great, as both Jason Mitchell and Corey Hawkins joined the cast of Kong: Skull Island.

Other major movie castings are also in the news as Eddie Murphy, Mike Epps, Oprah and Kate Hudson are all joining Lee Daniels’ Richard Pryor biopic.  A&E’s Roots remake cast British actor Malachi Kirby as the lead. Michael B. Jordan is joining the horror comic film Blood Brothers.

Whoopi Goldberg is producing an Emmett Till project.

Hawaii 5-0‘s Daniel Dae Kim is developing Mike Kim’s Escaping North Korea: Defiance And Hope In The World’s Most Repressive Country for film. We all remember what happens when Asians don’t tell their own stories.

Fresh off the Boat‘s Constance Wu does an interview with Audrey magazine where she talks everything from Serial to her casting in the show.

Comedian Hari Kondabolu gives an interview on Hinduism, New York and Twitter.

Star ballet dancer, Misty Copeland had a great week, launching her YouTube channel, starring on On the Town on Broadway, and getting engaged.

Forest Whitaker is making his Broadway debut in Hughie.

Diane Guerrero discusses her new book and the visibility of latinos in the media.

Is anyone watching The Carmichael Show? The new family sitcom is already making big statements about police brutality and racism, in just its second episode.

In TV projects: Margaret Cho is joining the cast of Dr. Ken with Ken Jeong and Heems from Das Racist is developing a Fox TV show about his life.

Here’s a trailer for Naz & Maalik, a movie about two closeted black Muslim gay teens as they navigate life in Brooklyn and potential FBI surveillance.

Congrats to new mom, Lucy Liu!

Speaking of moms, look at this adorable trailer for Raising Dion, a comic about raising a superhero. You can download the first issue at the link.

Toro y Moi releases a new album via Instagram.

Nas is contributing scholarship money to black and hispanic career changers to learn how to code through General Assembly.

Not over AfroPunk? You don’t have to be with Feministing revisiting the best acts.

Let’s end it with Salma Hayek and puppies.