Stories about Ethnicity & Race from January, 2012
Mexico: Netizens Mobilize for the Tarahumara Indigenous People
Netizens organized food drives for the Tarahumara indigenous people of Chihuahua after a video, reporting the alleged suicide of 50 natives to avoid starvation, spread online. Although there is insufficient evidence to prove the suicides, the alarming state of malnutrition and poverty among the Tarahumara indigenous is a reality.
Black Women in European Politics: from Struggle to Success
Nowadays, it is a common to witness African-born women with successful careers in Europe. Despite the evident challenges, many have also distiguished themselves in politics. Still, it was not so long ago that such success would have seemed impossible.
Cuba: Tackling Racism
Iván's File Cabinet profiles “two of the most lucid and coherent voices on the map of Cuban opposition”, who are fighting for democracy and “racial integration for the those of African origin in all social strata in Cuba.”
Caribbean: Thank You, Dr. King
Today, the United States marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day - a floating holiday which celebrates the birthday of the late civil right leader. The occasion resonates with Caribbean bloggers, both at home and throughout the diaspora and a few of them share their thoughts…
Video Highlights: Activism, Freedom of Speech, Identity and Culture
A selection of Global Voices' recent and interesting stories including video from Middle East and North Africa, Sub Saharan Africa, Western, Eastern and Central Europe, East Asia and Latin America, selected by Juliana Rincón Parra.
The Balkans: Potential Reactions to Angelina Jolie's Film
Back in Dec. 2011, Belgraded wrote on how Angelina Jolie’s In the Land of Blood and Honey is likely to be received in Serbia.
Ukraine: Gasprinsky Crimean Tatar Library
Back in Nov. 2011, Peace Corps volunteer Barb Wieser guest-blogged about her work at the Ismail Gasprinsky Crimean Tatar Library in Simferopol, Crimea, at Uncataloged Museum blog.
Puerto Rico: Controversial “Joke” about Puerto Ricans
Ed Morales analyzes the recent outrage after the character played by Puerto Rican actor Amaury Nolasco in the ABC program “Work It” said: “I’m Puerto Rican. I’ll be great at selling drugs.”
CEE: A Roundup on the Roma Issues
An anti-discrimination Roma flash mob/dance duel in Bucharest (video – here), and a report by Bulgarian Roma students on media coverage of Roma-related issues – at TOL's Roma Transitions blog. Education for the Roma children in the UK, the Czech Republic and Slovakia – at the Economist's Eastern Approaches blog....
Brazil: Blogger Criticizes Report on the Murder of Indigenous Child
Blogger Rogério Tomaz Jr publishes [pt] the report made by the FUNAI (National Indian Foundation) on the alleged death of an 8 year old Awá-Gwajá child in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, which states that all was just the result of “unfounded rumors and a lie” . He repudiates the...
Bahamas: Majority Rule
Blogworld is celebrating Majority Rule Day, “a day that made it possible for [her] father, mother…uncles and aunts to hold the positions they held in the late twentieth century, and for which basic freedoms our forefathers fought.”
Brazil: Murder of Indigenous Child Provokes Reactions
The murder of an indigenous Awá-Gwajá child, allegedly burnt alive by loggers in the state of Maranhao, Brazil, has caused outrage throughout the Internet, as well as disbelief by many in the face of such cruelty. Raphael Tsavkko Garcia reports.
Philippines: Davao Tagalog
RM Bulesco blogs about what he calls “Davao Tagalog,” a mongrel language combing Cebuano, Tagalog, and other Filipino languages that is spoken in the southern Philippine city of Davao.
Slovakia: The “Work vs Money” Dilemma
In East Slovakia, unemployed people were asked to get involved in a public flood protection project. Only four young men agreed. The rest refused, claiming that they'd be poorer if they took this job. Tibor Blazko writes about unemployment in Slovakia and translates the netizens' comments.
U.S.A : Pizza Chain Employee Uses Racial Slur Against Asian Woman
A Papa John’s employee in New York city identified a Korean woman named Minhee Cho as “lady chinky eyes”. This racial slur against Asians caught the attention of local and international media as Cho tweeted a photo of the receipt.
South Sudan: Humanitarian Crisis in the World's Newest Country
Less than a year since declaring its independence in July 2011 to become the world's newest country, South Sudan continues to face a humanitarian crisis especially in the wake of recent tribal clashes.
Israel, Ethiopia: Ethiopian Jews and Other Black Immigrants in Israel
Sibo Kanobana wrote in the blog Afro-Europe: “I visited Israel en Palestine during the Christmas holidays and saw many things I didn’t expect to see. One of these things is the striking presence of black people in urban Israel. They represent a diverse people of whom most are Ethiopian Jews...
Hong Kong: Protest Against Luxury Brand to Defend Local Identity
A recent video showing a Dolce & Gabbana security guard telling a local Hong Kong resident that photographs of the store cannot be taken from the outside sidewalk, while wealthy mainland Chinese shoppers are free to shoot away, led to a large protest this weekend.
Russia: Yakutian Rock Band “103”
Bolot of eYakutia writes about and posts a selection of photos and video of the Yakutian ethno-rock band “103” (their Facebook page [ru] is here).
Cuba: The Justice System
Laritza Diversent reports on the trial of the former policemen who killed a black teen for stealing fruit from a tree.
Hungary: Memories of Barvalipe Roma Pride Summer Camp
Twenty-eight young Roma people came together in the first ever Roma Pride Summer Camp where they learned about their language, history, role models and achievements, in an effort to build their sense of civic duty and social responsibility.
