Stories about Ethnicity & Race from February, 2014
Chechen Dictator and Russian Nationalist NOT Taking Over Ukraine
As conflict in Ukraine's province of Crimea escalates, Internet hoaxes muddy the waters.
Brazil's Racism Problem Front and Center After Black Teen's Brutal Beating
A 15-year-old was found beaten and chained to a lamp post, the shocking work of a vigilante gang. Even more shocking? When a TV anchor said the crime was "understandable".
Ukrainian Revolution Rattles Russian Nationalists
Russian nationalists worry Russian-speaking Ukrainians will be "derussified."
Could Questions on Ethnicity Stir Trouble in Myanmar?
Myanmar’s nationwide census next month threatens to inflame more ethnic and religious conflicts after 'divisive' questions on ethnicity and religion were included in the questionnaire.
Ethnic North Korean Schools in Japan Face Ever-Hostile Situation
‘Koreans living in Japan‘ is a vague word glueing very different groups together under the same umbrella term. Based on their affiliation to North/South Korea and the timing of diaspora (whether it happened before/after the Japanese imperial rule during the World War 2 ear), each sub-group goes by a different name,...
Russians Eye Ukrainian Turmoil with Hope, Fear
"Seriously, 13 wounded armed cops equals urban warfare"
Jamaica: Breakespeare & Bob Marley
Inspired by Cindy Breakspeare's recent lecture on Bob Marley, Annie Paul republishes a 2007 interview she did with her, in which Breakspeare discusses her youth, her Jamaican-ness and of course, meeting Bob.
“Now is the Time for Men of Goodwill to Stand Up” in the Central African Republic
Andrew Harding on Africa Review reports on the courageous acts of a congregation in the shabby town of Boali, Central African Republic and notably one Father Xavier Fagba. The St Peter's Parish church has sheltered Muslims seeking sanctuary from ethnic cleansing perpetrated by anti balaka gangs: “Now is the time for men of...
“Bring All the Culprits of Ethnic Cleansing to Justice” Says a CAR Citizen of Muslim and Christian Descent
Here is Moussa Tanko–Tchaibou's take on the ethnic cleansing that is underway in his country, the Central African Republic and what should be done to stop it [fr]: Je suis centrafricain de confession musulmane avec cette particularité illustrative de la cohésion sociale, celle d’avoir un père de confession musulmane et une...
Race as a Political Weapon in the Caribbean
Of all the offensive – and unintelligent – statements made in the politics of the post-independence Caribbean, an assertion, that Dr Keith Rowley, the leader of the Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago, is ‘too black’ to be Prime Minister, has to rate as the worst. Bajan Reporter explains why such...
Zambia Ditches English in Primary School for Government-Approved Local Languages
Although there are 73 recognised languages in Zambia, only seven are to replace English as the language of instruction in primary school. Leaders of various ethnics groups oppose the change.
Ex-South Korean Skater Viktor Ahn Wins Two Medals at Sochi for Russia
Star speed-skater Viktor Ahn, formerly a South Korean, runs as a Russian player and won two medals in Sochi Olympics so far. Koreans seem happy for this under-appreciated star's success.
Protests Erupt Against a TV Show in Iran
Demonstrators say the show was insulting to Bakhtiari people and the role its leaders played in Iran's Constitutional Revolution.
“They Didn't Drown. They Were Murdered!” Immigrant Deaths in Ceuta, Spain
The Civil Guard has been condemned by immigrants and civil society organisations alike that argue that the security forces failed to assist the immigrants at sea or alert the coastguard so they could be rescued.
The Iconic Trinidadian Film You've Never Seen
In 1974, Bim—widely regarded as the iconic Trinidadian film—was released, then faded into obscurity. 40 years later, one film enthusiast gives it new life via Facebook.
An “Increasingly Uncertain” Future for Central Asia's Fergana Valley
On the Caravanistan blog, Cycloscope writes about radioactive landfill sites in the Fergana Valley, a region “absurdly divided between Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan”: Unaware of the dangers of radioactivity, the locals take the equipment in the old abandoned mines and sell them as scrap, risking not only their own lives...
A Personal Tribute to Jamaican “Interventionist” Stuart Hall
Jamaica-based blogger Annie Paul posts a personal and stirring tribute to the late Jamaican cultural theorist Stuart Hall - a must-read for anyone who admired his work.
When Algeria's Police Fail to Act, Citizen Journalists Step in
After 21-year-old Babaousmail Azzedine was murdered in public and Algerian police failed to investigate, citizen journalists took matters into their own hands. Abdou Semmar reports.
Trinidad & Tobago: A Deeper Carnival
Mas is beauty and horror. Mas as a whole can’t and shouldn’t be a version of reality that edits out the blood and pain. Tillah Willah explains why she is so excited about the character she is portraying in this year's Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
Remembering the Jamaican Cultural Theorist Stuart Hall
Jamaican-born cultural theorist Stuart Hall died today; netizens and academics all over the Caribbean - indeed, the world - were shocked by the news, expressing their grief on social media.
Caribbean: Discrimination is Discrimination
Groundation Grenada has partnered with Trinidad-based artist Joshua Lu “to create a visual campaign to draw analogies between sexual orientation/gender identity discrimination and other forms of discrimination.” Check out the first few installations in the campaign, here.
