The Root Captures African-American Experience Around U.S. Presidential Race

The Root, an online magazine featuring perspectives from prominent and emerging black thought leaders, today announced comprehensive election coverage intended to represent a multi-faceted, multi-generational view of the African-American experience around election day.

The Root will draw upon its own base of writers but also feature up-and-coming talent to provide a wide-ranging scope of expert analysis on the campaign including issues of race and politics and voter reactions.

The site will also let users submit personal stories and photos to share how this historic election has affected them.

"This particular election has ignited some of the most passionate, intense discussion and debate among African-Americans. At The Root, our goal is to capture those thoughts and feelings with our diverse, opinionated group of writers, providing African-American voices to the mainstream,” said Lynette Clemetson. "Regardless of who wins the presidential race, we look forward to providing those original perspectives on Election Day, and letting our audience join the conversation.”

Leading up to and on November 4, 2008, some of The Root’s analysis will include:

• Editor-in-Chief Henry Louis Gates Jr. on how the election tells us where Americans stand on race
• Deputy Editor Terence Samuel providing the latest commentary on candidates’ campaigns
• The Root’s Product Strategist and technology expert Omar Wasow exploring the Internet’s unique impact on this election
• Senior political writer Kai Wright on how grassroots organizing drove and decided this election
• The historical significance of this election from former Time columnist Jack White
• Rebecca Walker writing about the evolution of American identity
• Director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture Lonnie Bunch on how we define, collect and curate the new President in our institutions, our families and homes and in our imagination
• Andre Willis, professor of religious philosophy at Yale, explaining the role of religion and faith in this year’s politics
• Kim McLarin on the First Lady, and more.

For more information, visit www.TheRoot.com.

About TheRoot.com

The Root is a daily online magazine that targets the post-Civil Rights Generation with original, provocative commentary and analysis on politics, social issues and culture from a variety of perspectives. Dedicated to increasing the breadth and depth of black voices engaged in debate about the most important issues of the day, The Root is built on the strength of a robust and diverse group of contributors, and has an editorial sensibility that reflects the confidence and divergent world views of its audience.

TheRoot.com is owned by The Slate Group, an online publishing subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO) and can be found on the Web at www.theroot.com.