Topic: The Root

Mayor Pete Buttigieg faced intense criticism from The Root over 2011 comments regarding role models in minority education. Analysts suggest this "hit job" is intended to marginalize Buttigieg to make room for a black vice-presidential candidate like Cory Booker or Stacey Abrams.

The Root published a controversial article by Michael Harriot defining "Five Types of Becky," a slang term for white women who allegedly use their privilege as a weapon. The piece categorizes various public figures, including Taylor Swift and Hillary Clinton, into sub-types based on their perceived social behaviors.

The hosts analyze a segment from MSNBC's "AM Joy" where Jason Johnson, political editor of The Root, labels Kanye West a "loser" of 2016. The critique centers on West's meeting with Donald Trump and his comments regarding Black Lives Matter and racism. The discussion highlights the media's expectation that hip-hop artists must align with progressive political movements.

"The Root," an online publication partially owned by the Washington Post, was founded by Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. Gates is famously known for having a "beer summit" with President Obama following a controversial arrest. Some suggest the publication's close relationship with the White House is a form of political "quid pro quo" for Gates' support.

The Root, an online magazine owned by the Washington Post, recently hosted a White House event featuring Valerie Jarrett. In Arizona, Representative Gabrielle Giffords' increased campaign spending has fueled rumors of a 2012 run, despite the Democratic Party's search for other candidates. The hosts clarify that The Root is part of the Slate Group, describing it as a "black Slate."