Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now
Jenée Desmond-Harris

Jenée Desmond-Harris

Former Race, Law, and Politics Reporter

    Latest articles by Jenée Desmond-Harris

    Politics
    This made researchers call a paper on race and the death penalty “#BlackLivesDon’tMatter”This made researchers call a paper on race and the death penalty “#BlackLivesDon’tMatter”
    Politics

    People who kill black men are rarely executed.

    By Jenée Desmond-Harris
    Criminal Justice
    Finally, an explanation of systemic racism that won’t put you to sleepFinally, an explanation of systemic racism that won’t put you to sleep
    Criminal Justice

    It’s impossible to watch these videos and not get it.

    By Jenée Desmond-Harris
    Criminal Justice
    You don’t hear much about Latino victims of police violence. That could change soon.You don’t hear much about Latino victims of police violence. That could change soon.
    Criminal Justice

    But there’s very limited data on this issue.

    By Jenée Desmond-Harris
    archives
    Watch Michelle Obama’s reaction to a kid who told her she was “too young for 51”Watch Michelle Obama’s reaction to a kid who told her she was “too young for 51”
    archives

    Huge hugs, obviously.

    By Jenée Desmond-Harris
    Culture
    Gwen Ifill to reporter who quoted Taylor Swift: “Never do that again.”Gwen Ifill to reporter who quoted Taylor Swift: “Never do that again.”
    Culture

    Watch the PBS NewsHour host react to the use of “haters gonna hate” in a conversation about Clinton.

    By Jenée Desmond-Harris
    Life
    This black artist dressed up like her white ancestors to prove a pointThis black artist dressed up like her white ancestors to prove a point
    Life

    Her elaborate costumes remind us that racial identity is more complicated than meets the eye.

    By Jenée Desmond-Harris
    Celebrity Culture
    Ben Affleck on wanting to keep slave-owning ancestor a secret: “I was embarrassed”Ben Affleck on wanting to keep slave-owning ancestor a secret: “I was embarrassed”
    Celebrity Culture

    In the case of Finding Your Roots, the effort to rewrite history was pretty harmless. In the real world, it’s not.

    By Jenée Desmond-Harris
    Criminal Justice
    Tampa’s police’ racially biased “bicycle blitzkrieg” shows there are Fergusons everywhereTampa’s police’ racially biased “bicycle blitzkrieg” shows there are Fergusons everywhere
    Criminal Justice

    Officers actually admitted they saw residents of some neighborhoods as “potential criminals.”

    By Jenée Desmond-Harris
    Life
    Think diversity creates a racism-free utopia? Check out this California poll.Think diversity creates a racism-free utopia? Check out this California poll.
    Life

    The results have a lesson for a soon-to-be “majority-minority” America.

    By Jenée Desmond-Harris
    Life
    There was a huge slave market on Wall Street, and a new marker will remind everyoneThere was a huge slave market on Wall Street, and a new marker will remind everyone
    Life

    It’s not a feel-good story, but it’s true.

    By Jenée Desmond-Harris