I thought about that recently while listening to speeches celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary, watching politicians wrap themselves in flags and founders, and hearing Michelle Obama stand before thousands at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center and describe it as "a living testament to the power of choice" and "an urgent call to go out there and do it again."

A viral toy marketed as a stress-relief doll has drawn condemnation from Black advocates, mental health professionals, and historians after videos circulating on Chinese social media showed users stomping, stretching, slapping, and even boiling a Black baby doll for entertainment.

“What I hate about situations like this is people will tell Black folks, 'Don't overreact.' "That's not what he meant,” Charlamagne said. “But how come the mistakes always got to do with something that removes our rights?” He added, “Nobody ever accidentally says, you know what? I hope everybody gets free health care. I hope everybody gets free reparations.”

The resolution, introduced by Ghana and backed by African and Caribbean nations, calls for acknowledgment of slavery’s lasting damage and identifies reparatory justice as a step toward addressing centuries of forced labor, displacement, and exploitation.

Organizers called for passage of Living Wage for All legislation newly introduced in New York City and New York State and for similar legislation to be introduced in Congress.