Stories about History from May, 2020
Quarantine debates in Zanzibar conjure memories of colonial racial segregation
In light of Zanzibar’s complex history of racial segregation in the name of public health, social distancing and quarantine measures have been controversial in the fight against COVID-19.
Desecration of three religious sites in Iran signal the Islamic Republic's continued oppression of minorities
"Pressure on religious minorities has also taken the form of persecution of individuals by accusing them of promoting 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic or 'belonging to hostile groups.
Is China's ‘House of Cards’ in the Czech Republic beginning to wobble?
Public scepticism over Chinese influence campaigns and aggressive diplomacy is empowering anti-Beijing politicians.
Netflix blockbuster ‘Extraction’ draws criticism for portrayal of Bangladesh's capital
The Netflix blockbuster “Extraction” attracted a lot of criticism and debate for its poor, inaccurate and stereotypical portrayal of Bangladesh and Bangladeshis.
Art series sheds light on the marginalization of indigenous Tharus in Nepal
‘Masinya Dastoor’, an art series of young artist Lavkant Chaudhary, delves into the history of chronological marginalization of the indigenous Tharu community in Nepal over the past decades.
Burundi voted — but will the political situation change?
Burundians voted on May 20 for a new president, with official results expected next week. The new president will face pressing questions on international relations, media repression, inclusive economic policies and impunity.
In Tunisia, women stand on the frontlines of targeted hate speech online
In Tunisia, an uprising toppled leadership and lead to revolution in 2011. Since then, digital space has witnessed heated debates about politics and society — including attacks against women activists and journalists.
Fighting and writing for Moldova's place in the pantheon of world literature
"Foreign publishers doubt the literati of this small and little known place. Can they really write something remarkable? Of course they can!" exclaims Moldovan novelist Iulian Ciocan.
Addressing ‘gaps in history’ through bush tea: A conversation with Barbadian visual artist Annalee Davis
"Returning to the land today can feed us, contributing to food sovereignty and the wellness sector by expanding our knowledge and use of wild botanicals and their healing properties..."
In Algeria, online repression targets Amazigh protesters active in Hirak movement
In Algeria, the Amazigh people are often associated with France, Algeria's former colonial power. Racial slurs online accuse this group of being separatists who threaten "national unity."
The healing effects of bush tea: A conversation with Barbadian visual artist Annalee Davis
"I have been concerned with how shared historical suffering reveals itself communally and how individuals and nations manage trauma and the desire for self-fulfilment in small places like Barbados..."
Where’s the Pacific voice in the viral ‘real Lord of the Flies’ story?
The story of a group of Tongan castaways goes global thanks to an article published in The Guardian, but Pacific Islanders take issue with its point of view.
Cameroon’s 3-year separatist crisis: Online threats, attacks on identity and freedom of expression
Journalists in Cameroon have to be very careful about reporting on atrocities related to the separatist conflict. Appearing to side with separatists or the government can lead to online attacks.
Russia's World War Two diplomacy scores a win in North Macedonia
"Eternal glory to the heroes, the fighters of the anti-Hitler coalition who vanquished Nazism and freed the peoples of Europe!"
Banned for 30 years, Singapore’s only martial arts film is now on YouTube
"It's almost as if the film is a time capsule into Singapore’s past."
Monumental differences: Prague, Moscow trade barbs over World War Two
"Did in fact all Czechs then realize what kind of Russians saved their city?"
History, landscape, body: A conversation with Pakistani artist Ali Kazim
Kazim’s works have been exhibited in major international fairs and exhibitions around the world, including New York’s Frieze art fair in 2019.
Russians in lockdown celebrate a subdued Victory Day online
There were no parades this year. But the RuNet's resourcefulness prepared Russia well to commemorate Victory Day in lockdown — seamlessly converting the largest public holiday into a mass online event.
The first recorded two-headed banded kukri snake discovered in Nepal
The banded kukri snakes, pale brown in color with black crossbands, are named after their sharp, flattened, curved teeth which they use for slicing reptile eggs.
