Stories about Ethnicity & Race from July, 2008
Russia: Bashkiria
Dmitri Minaev of De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis describes a recent trip to Bashkiria and posts pictures.
Serbia: Frontline Club's Live Discussion on Karadžić
From the Frontline announces: “Live discussion about Karadžić tonight Thu 31st July, 7.30pm UK time from the Frontline Club chaired by Ben Brown (BBC). Joining us will be Ed Vulliamy (Guardian and Observer), Kemal Pervanić (survivor of the Omarska concentration camp), Sir Geoffrey Nice (QC) and Gordana Igrić by skype...
Ukraine: “No Place in the EU”?
A Fistful of Euros critiques a “wince-inducingly stupid article” on Ukraine written by “Richard Wagner, a Transylvanian German writer. (Well, former Transylvanian. Like most T-Germans, he emigrated from Romania as soon as he could get out.)”
Bangladesh: Sensitivity Training
a bengali in TO on sensitivity training for border staff in Canada to deal with Arab and Muslim travelers.
Armenia: Agra Hadig
Martuni or Bust reports on the tradition of agra hadig which celebrates the appearance of a baby's first tooth. A large collection of objects is also placed in front of the child, and whichever one he or she chooses is said to determine their later profession.
Italy: A National Registry for Roma People?
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's new right wing Cabinet recently launched plans to carry out a national registration of all Roma people in Italy, including fingerprints of all children. Italy is home to an estimated 150,000 Roma and Sinti people (often referred to as Gypsies). The ensuing, heated public debate over whether this measure amounts to racial discrimination is overflowing in the online space of Italy and beyond.
Barbados: What happened to I'Akobi Tacuma Maloney?
After a young Rastafari man died during a suspicious encounter with Barbados police, Rastafari activists and other Barbadian bloggers used online resources to ask hard questions and campaign for justice.
Arabeyes: Any Legal Foundations for Al Bashir's Indictment?
Since July 14, when the possibility of Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir's indictment by the International Criminal Court was raised, bloggers around the world have reacted to the matter. Today, we visit blogs from the Middle East and North Africa to learn how they feel.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: 7 Serbs Convicted
Srebrenica Genocide Blog reports on the sentencing of “Milenko Trifunović, Brano Džinić, and Aleksandar Radovanović to forty-two (42) years long-term imprisonment, the Accused Miloš Stupar, Slobodan Jakovljević, and Branislav Medan to forty (40) years long-term imprisonment, and the Accused Petar Mitrović to thirty-eight (38) years long-term imprisonment”: “All 7 Accused...
Russia: Reaction to Captive Nations Speech
Former Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar comments on the negative Russian reactions to US president's George Bush parallel between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in a recent speech celebrating the Captive Nations’ week. Idel-Ural Kray presents an alternative view (RUS) of the matter.
Soviet History: Russian-Korean Migration in Central Asia
Otto's Random Thoughts addresses the migration of Russian-Koreans from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan 1937-1959.
Arabeyes: Palestinians to Sudan
Blogger Ms Levantine discusses Sudan's offer to accept Palestinian refugees.
Armenia: Iranian Students
Armenia: Higher Education & Sciences comments on a recent article published by the BBC on Iranian students studying in the country.
Armenia: Musical Tourism
Unfashionably Late recently visited Armenia and posts an extended entry on the local music scene. The post is accompanied by music videos and analysis.
Haiti: Quest for Freedom
The Haitian Blogger publishes an article from the Haiti Action Committee Website that “expresses…the aspirations of many Haitian activists who are endeavoring to see Haiti regain its sovereignty and ability to be a self-sustaining, viable and thriving democracy.”
Syria: Why plastic surgery?
Maysaloon expresses frustration at the desire amongst some Arabs to have plastic surgery, saying, “Not only do they wish to live like people in the West but they are desperate to look like them as well.”
Barbados, Guyana: Guyanese Immigrants Shot
Following the shooting of two immigrants in Barbados, Living Guyana believes that Guyanese are being targeted, while Barbados Underground posts a statement from the Guyana Consul, which dismisses the notion that the “apparent bungled robbery…was a premeditated anti-Guyanese attack.”
Afghanistan: Violence in the Hazarajat, Protests in Kabul
Afghanistan is one of those countries where minority issues drive nearly everything. They form the basis for why President Hamid Karzai is “the best game in town,” but also why he should resign. They form the fundamental structure of the national government, with ethnic set-asides (Kuchis get 10 seats in...
Sudan: Who's Next After Al Bashir on the US Hit List?
The International Criminal Court Prosecutor has requested an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir for his ”criminal responsibility in relation to 10 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.” A Sudanese blogger writing in Arabic wonders who will be next on the United States' hit list which targets Arab leaders.
Ukraine: Music, Language, History
A discussion of Ukrainian music, language and history – at Vasyl's uaMuzik.
Lebanon: Mental Laziness and Stereotyping
“That common American/Israeli refrain that Arabs have a cult of death, whereas Israelis/the West love life is older than, e.g., suicide bombings. It is, I think, a thought well-embeded in imperialist thinking, along with the idea that Arabs are irrational,” writes Burghol on going to war to restore honor.
