· August, 2012

Stories about Ethnicity & Race from August, 2012

Controversial Tibet Theme Park Project Launched

  30 August 2012

Tibetan dissidents have described the USD 4.7 billion Chinese project as the “Disneyfication of Tibet.“ The park will first be used to shoot 'Princess Wencheng', a film about the niece of a Tang-dynasty emperor who married a Tibetan king.

Russia: “The Sissy Conspiracy”

RuNet Echo  30 August 2012

On his Tumblr blog, Michael Idov, editor-in-chief of GQ Russia, writes that “pop conspirology, a favorite Russian pastime, is a projection of discomfort with slackened gender roles.” He explains: “It’s not just about the ‘Jews’ or the ‘world government’ any more. It’s about weird semiotic clusters organized around degrees of...

Pakistan: Long Road to Peace and Security

  29 August 2012

As Pakistan enters its 66th year of Independence, it is a good time to take stock of the security situation within the country - in order to understand what role the nation will continue to play in the overall security and stability of the region.

Russia: State-Owned TV Caught in Anti-Semitism?

RuNet Echo  25 August 2012

Writing on Openspace.Ru, Oleg Kashin discusses [ru] a short-lived but disconcerting report [ru] from state-owned Vesti.Ru about Patriarch Kirill's recent trip to Białystok, Poland, where he visited the Nikolsky Cathedral — home to the relics of Gavriil Belostoksky, the patron saint of children in the Russian Orthodox Church. Vesti.Ru temporarily featured language endorsing the...

Russia: Taxi Drivers Versus Dagestanis in Ryazan

RuNet Echo  23 August 2012

A possible fight between Russians and Dagestani migrants perhaps led to dozens, possibly hundreds, of taxi drivers organizing a pogrom-like attack. Events like this raise questions about Russia's capacity to effectively cope with its multiculturalism, especially now, when the situation on the ground in the North Caucasus is so troubling.

India: Social Media Blamed for Fueling Assam Unrest

  23 August 2012

'A temporary ban was put on bulk SMS and MMS. Local police swung into action and began arresting people forwarding ‘hate' SMS examples. Social media sites were warned to monitor and remove inflammatory content. About 310 webpages were blocked.'

Brazil: Land Dispute Between Slave Descendants and the Navy

  21 August 2012

An online petition [pt] demands the suspension of the order of eviction of Quilombo Rio dos Macacos, one of the oldest slave descendent communities in Brazil. A Technical Identification and Delimitation Report from the National Institute of Colonisation and Agrarian Reform (Incra) determined that the territory belongs to the quilombola...

Brazil: Company Continues Construction of Belo Monte Dam

  20 August 2012

Instituto Socioambiental informs [pt] that despite a judge order to halt [pt] construction work in Belo Monte, the company responsible for the construction of the dam, Norte Energia, continues its work, claiming that it hasn't been officially notified. Last Friday, August 17, 2012, netizen Simone Gomes had reported on Facebook...

Brazil: Belo Monte Halted, but for How Long?

  20 August 2012

When it seemed that all was already lost, the movements opposing the Belo Monte hydroelectric power plant were surprised by an order suspending the works, which were being carried out on the Xingu River in the state of Pará. News of the decision, which was made on the night of the 13th of August, spread like a wave of hope for the activists, who inundated social media with exuberant reactions.

India: Assam Riots – Truth Vs Hype

  19 August 2012

In July, clashes between indigenous Bodo tribes and Muslim settlers in the Indian State of Assam broke out which lead to riots, killings and mass displacement. After almost a month the situation is yet to calm down as politicians and organisations on both sides resorted to spread fear and exaggerated claims on the issue of illegal migration.

Guyana: Linden Protests Intensify

  17 August 2012

The protests in Linden, Guyana have intensified with the recent burning of buildings. Netizen commentary suggests that what began last month as a peaceful demonstration about increased electricity rates has broadened into political wrangling, while bringing to the fore serious questions about the power of the police and the military.

Russia: Ugly Side of Olympic Nationalism

RuNet Echo  15 August 2012

"As a pureblooded Russian, and Russian patriot, it is distasteful to look at this disgrace. It’s better to have no medals, than to have Champions like this, ones who hardly speak Russian .." - Gold medal wins by Russian ethnic minorities anger some Russian nationalists.

Popsong Stirs up Hong Kong-Mainland Chinese Conflict

  14 August 2012

A popular singer's latest album, “Not polite” has stirred up another round of Hong Kong-Mainland Chinese debate. The lyrics of one track, which states state: “not matter if you are ‘locusts’ (refers to mainland Chinese) or ‘mole crickets and ants’ (refers to Hong Kong people), should be polite to each...

Guyana: Linden Still in Crisis Following Shooting

  12 August 2012

In July, three people were killed and twenty injured in the mining town of Linden, Guyana after police fired upon a crowd protesting the increase in the electricity tariff. Nearly a month later, the area is still in a state of unrest, with bloggers suggesting that the government is not doing as much as it should.

Myanmar: Curfew in Kyaut Taw, Rakhine State

  9 August 2012

A curfew has been imposed [my] in Kyaut Taw, Rakhine State, where another riot has occurred between the Rohingya and Rakhine ethnic groups. Myanmar government army troops were sent in to maintain security.