Stories about History from August, 2014
In Defense of the National Gallery of Jamaica's Director
Over the last month, the National Gallery of Jamaica's executive director's leadership was the target of criticism, first via an anonymous letter written to the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, and then in a blog post written by blogger Annie Paul, which she prefaced by saying: I’ve been closely involved with the...
Ferguson Evocative of Civil Rights Movement, Says Trinidadian Diaspora Blogger
What’s happened – and what is HAPPENING in Ferguson makes my heart hurt. The ache won’t go away. The anger won’t go away. We’re witnessing history in the making, and history repeating itself. What will be the lessons we learn this time? What scars will we bear? Trinidadian diaspora blogger...
Digital Reconstruction of Cambodia's Angkor Wat
The Smithsonian Channel has uploaded a video showing a digital reconstruction of Cambodia's Angkor Wat using 3D image technology. Angkor Wat (Temple City) is a popular tourism destination in Cambodia which used to be the capital of the Khmer Empire in the 12th century. It is also a massive religious...
Beatriz’s War: East Timor's First Feature Film
A Guerra da Beatriz (Beatriz’s War) is the first feature film from East Timor. It is about Indonesia's occupation of East Timor from 1975 to 1999 and its impact on the Timorese society. According to the producers of the film, it was “made guerrilla style by the men and women...
Bahamian Women Battling for Equal Rights
You would think that a nation which spent so much of the 20th century doggedly pursing equality would be united today over equal rights for women to pass on citizenship to their children and spouses. You would think that a constitutional provision to prevent discrimination against more than half the...
Do You Have to Be Christian to Be Jamaican?
A Jamaican politician has sparked debate over his comments that "the country has moved too far from God, and has ceased pleasing God."
Lessons from Marcus Garvey, Jamaica's First National Hero
Marcus Garvey, who was born 127 years ago, was a fervent supporter of Pan-Africanism. On the anniversary of his birthday, two bloggers commemorated the leader.
Yasmine: Brunei's First Feature Film
The film Yasmine is notable because it is Brunei's first feature film. It is about a young woman who wanted to be a champion of silat, an indigenous martial arts from Brunei. The film has been well-received in various international film festivals.
Activists Are Connecting Peruvians With Their Country's Impressive Archaeological Heritage
Lima is famous for its cuisine and Republican, colonial-style historic center, but not so much for its archeological history. A group of activists are working to change that.
Simón Bolívar, Esteemed Liberator or Infamous Dictator?
"It is harder to maintain the balance of freedom than it is to endure the weight of tyranny," said Simón Bolívar, known as the "Liberator" of many South American countries.
PHOTO: Five Jewish Graves in WWI Gaza Cemetery
Foreign Policy magazine Middle East editor David Kenner visiting the British WW1 cemetery in Gaza and shares this photograph on Twitter. Visited the British WWI cemetery in Gaza today. Thousands of graves – including five Jews. Love this inscription. pic.twitter.com/cuWUchbitP — DavidKenner (@DavidKenner) August 10, 2014 The inscription reads: “In...
More Than a Half Century Later, How Should Jamaica View Its Independence Day?
The learning curve for a people who historically never had a say continues to be a steep one, especially in a climate where corruption was already entrenched.
A Weibo Spat Hints at the Battle Brewing Over Journalism's Future in China
Lin Zhibo's appointment as dean of journalism school at Lanzhou University pitted the country's leftist nationalists against liberals pressing for more media freedom.
5 Things One Blogger Thinks You Should Know About People of African Descent in Trinidad & Tobago
We have evidence in our culture, historical facts, which show how the African experience in the Caribbean has helped define our landscape and spirit. In honour of emancipation, Amilcar Sanatan shares five things about Afro-Trinbagonians you never knew: they are not a monolith, they don't all vote along ethnic lines,...
Emancipation Day Sees New Triumph as Haitian-Born Dominican is Declared a National
Emancipation Day, the anniversary of which is marked in several Caribbean territories on August 1, inspired two Jamaican bloggers to consider the occasion more closely. Nadine Tomlinson quoted Marcus Garvey on the importance of emancipating the mind, while her compatriot, Jean Lowrie-Chin, thought it significant that August 1 also marked...
