Stories about History from March, 2011
Cuba: Last of the “Black Spring” Prisoners
Uncommon Sense has just learned that the two remaining prisoners of conscience from the “Black Spring” crackdown are scheduled to be released “and presumably allowed to remain in Cuba.”
Cuba: No Affiliation
“I say am an independent citizen, a free electron, and that my political platform is limited to demanding the decriminalization of differences of opinion”: Still, Generation Y is acutely aware “that we are far from achieving these goals.”
Haiti: Winds of Change?
“It is not contentment that changes a nation, or a culture, or the history of the world; it is dissatisfaction with the status quo”: Throwing Down the Water thinks that change just might be possible.
Haiti: Aristide's Return
“Many believe that he still has the power to control the masses and disturb the current electoral process”: From New York City to Haiti thinks that “things just got a bit interesting.”
Bahamas: Energy Reform
“So here we are, two years after the last oil shock, and prices are over $100 per barrel again, with some forecasters saying they could pass the 2008 high of $147 a barrel that sent everyone scrambling to cut energy costs”: Bahama Pundit‘s Larry Smith looks at alternatives for the...
East Timor: Konis Santana, a Humble Guerrilla Hero
Like any country born out of a protracted armed resistance, stories in East Timor of division from within the resistance are various, and quite potent. But one guerrilla figure who appears to have a powerful and unifying appeal is Konis Santana, who never lived to see his people gain independence.
Brazil: International Women's Day and Amnesty
As part of the celebrations of the International Women's Day, on March 8, six former political prisioners received the offical amnesty by the Brazilian Government, says [pt] Rogério Tomaz Jr, from the blog Conexão Brasília-Maranhão. These six women were honoured for the persecution they suffered during the Military Dictatorship (1964-1985)
China and Japan: Complicated Relationship
Jottings from the Granite Studio has two posts looking into the the Sino-Japanese relation. The first post depicts a mixture of envy and empathy; the second post looks into the historical base for this complicated structure of feelings.
Ukraine: Comparing Fukushima to Chernobyl?
The media are increasingly present the situation at Fukushima as the world’s worst nuclear accident since the Soviet-era Chernobyl disaster. This news has hit home in Ukraine, where Chernobyl is located and where memories of the terrible events of 25 years ago are still very much alive.
Cuba: A Call to Action
Diaspora bloggers note that newly-released political prisoner, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, is calling on Cubans to act.
Haiti: “Literary Foremother” Dies
Writer Paulette Poujol Oriol recently died of a heart attack at her home in Port-au-Prince; Tande pays her tribute.
Bermuda: Dr. Ball Passes On
“She was one of the greatest Bermudians of our modern era, and her achievements and work are truly inspiring”: Catch a fire blogs about “[his] own memories and reflections” of “Bermuda's Lady of Labour”.
Argentina: After 35 years, long live carnival!
After 35 years, Argentine carnival holidays are back, and so is the fun and joy. On March 7 and 8 Argentines of all ages enjoyed a carnival holiday, something many had never experienced.
China: Controversial Speeches from Party Members
The Fourth Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) closed yesterday (March 14 2011) in Beijing. One-Party leadership was not a subject up for debate, so people have turned their attention to the speeches and proposals made by the so-called "people's representatives".
Macedonia: Holocaust Memorial Center Opens in Skopje
Balkanalysis.com writes about the Holocaust Memorial Center opening ceremony, held in the capital of Macedonia on March 11: “Even though things will never be as they once were in a country where little more than 200 Jews survive, at least for a moment one could feel something of what the...
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Heroes Day
Today is National Heroes Day; Abeni explains why “the challenge…is to play our part in educating others on [Carib Chief] Chatoyer and why he is important to our sense of self.”
Cuba: Letter to Dr. Biscet
“Your release is rightfully considered a victory for all who fight for a free Cuba and most of all, for you and your family”: Uncommon Sense writes an open letter to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet.
Brazil: Reactions to Egyptian and Middle Eastern Crises
From January 25, 2011, the world followed the course of the Egyptian revolutionary conflict, awaiting the fall of Hosni Mubarak, which finally arrived on 11 February after weeks of protest. In the wake of Egypt's crisis, the Brazilian blogosphere was filled with analysis, celebrations and prognoses for the future.
Old Feud Lost During Disaster, Korean Responses to Japan Quake
Korean's old feud against Japanese colonization rule has momentarily lost, as more reports came out revealing the aftermath of Japan's disastrous earthquake, @pebmedia tweeted the link [en] that aggregated Korean responses to Japan's earthquake.
Peru: The Peruvian Amazon
What does the Amazon mean to Peru and, in turn, Peru to it? Juan Arellano answers these questions with a brief historical summary of the Peruvian Amazon and a compilation of what some bloggers have written about the Amazon region in Peru.
Ukraine, Japan: Fukushima Discussion at Pripyat.com
Forum users of Pripyat.com (RUS), a portal devoted to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, are examining news reports and discussing the technical aspects of the situation at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant and the response to it on the ground, pointing out some of the differences between the current disaster and...
