Stories about Migration & Immigration from July, 2009
Armenia: Vardavar
Ianyan marks the much-loved Armenian holiday of Vardavar. The blog examines the roots of a tradition which usually revolves around children dousing complete strangers with buckets of water.
Dominican Republic: The Financial Cost of Undocumented Haitian Immigrants
Ever since the Dominican Republic declared independence from Haiti in 1844, the fates of the two have been intertwined. Since economic development in Haiti is low in comparison, approximately 1 million Haitian immigrants have made their way to the D.R. Many are worried about the increasing cost of providing services to undocumented immigrants.
Brazil: Amnesty for illegal immigrants sparks hope and controversy
A new amnesty for illegal immigrants has just become law in Brazil, benefiting between 50,000 and 200,000 people. The hope is that the amnesty will bring at least better working conditions for those currently being exploited in sweatshops that cash in on illegal immigrants, and eventually compassion for Brazilians living illegally abroad.
Cuba: Independent Journalists
Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense thinks that “whether by coincidence or coordination, a crackdown on Cuba's independent journalists seems to be underway, based on various recent reports.”
Puerto Rico, Cuba, U.S.A.: On Sotomayor
Cuban diaspora blogger 26th Parallel urges people to consider Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court based on merit, while The Voice of the Taino People Online reminds the media that “there is no more a Puerto Rican race than there is an American one.”
Bahrain: The Stereotype Of Expat Kids
Ashish Gorde, who grew up as an “expat kid” in Bahrain, is always amazed at the negative generalisations people make about such children – and prefers to think of the positive: “Not having a place we can call our own is a blessing in disguise because it has protected us...
Iran: Armenian bloggers on plane crash
When a regular flight en route from Tehran to Yerevan crashed after takeoff yesterday, killing all 168 on board, many in Armenia and its Diaspora were distressed, and not least since there were 40 ethnic Armenians among the dead.
Jamaica: Emmy Nomination
Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp reports that “LIVEHOPELOVE.COM, a website about living with AIDS in Jamaica, has been nominated in the United States for a prestigious Emmy award.”
Jamaica: Returning Home
Francis Wade agrees that “the country you leave is not the country you return to”, advocating instead that returning Jamaicans come home “with a flexible, open mind that is willing to enter into an entirely new experience.”
Ghana: Global discussion of Obama's visit to Ghana
The diversity of voices participating in the global discussion concerning President Obama’s visit to Ghana and the speech made on Saturday 11th of July in Accra almost universally share a common thread irrespective of the arguments, views and opinions otherwise expressed: sincere hope for Africa and Africans. And bloggers have been asking: Why Ghana? Why not Kenya, the President’s ancestral home, or Nigeria, the self-professed “super-power”? And why now? Is it about oil or democracy?
Barbados: Dark Day for Windies
Diaspora blogger Jdid is disheartened by the direction of West Indies cricket, saying: “Thank you WIPA and WICB for killing our cricket. You're both doing a bang up job!”, while compatriot Barbados Underground adds: “In light of the illogical decisions in recent years exhibited by the WIBC and WIPA, the...
Guyana: Blogging as Social Networking
Diaspora blogger Signifyin’ Guyana thinks that blogging just may be “a cut above the rest” when it comes to avenues of social networking.
Obama's Ghana Speech Underwhelms
Two Congolese readers react to Obama's first-ever visit to Africa as president, each unimpressed by the speech he gave Saturday before the Ghanaian parliament.
Bangladesh: Through The Eyes Of Expatriates
There is a vibrant expatriate community in Bangladesh and many of them work as volunteers or are employed in numerous non-government organizations. Some of them are also blogging and are sharing their experiences and these are generally true and more authentic than what is reported by the international media about Bangladesh.
Malawi: Malawi Who Is Who
Nyirenda writes about a plan by the Malawi Government to come up with a list of professionally qualified Malawians who are based abroad to comprise a Malawi Government Publication to be known as Malawi WHO IS WHO.
Trinidad & Tobago: Voting for a Delay
Trinidadian diaspora blogger Jumbie's Watch is unimpressed with an Independent Senator's vote in favour of postponing local government elections, saying: “It is most enlightening to hear her say that the role of the Independents is not to ‘thwart government policy’. Is it then the role of Independents to support government...
Jamaica: “Secret Caribbean”
On the heels of a less-than-flattering U.K. documentary on Jamaica, Abeng News Magazine publishes one reader's view “that the Government…consider a few simple precautions before granting foreign nationals the tools needed to damage our fair land”, while including this caveat: “We do not support encumberment of media workers.”
Azerbaijan: An Interview with Scary Azeri
Unashamedly acerbic, but alway humorous, Scary Azeri in Suburbs has fast become popular with many interested in the South Caucasus and posts have even been republished by the media in her native Azerbaijan. Today, Global Voices Online interviewed Scary Azeri about blogging, tweeting, cultural clashes, trolls and more.
El Salvador: Decline in Remittances from Abroad
The decline in remittances from Salvadorans living abroad which has been making up 1/6 of the country's economy is a big threat writes Tim Muth.
Jamaica: Who's “Bad”?
Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp writes about “bad” words and the art of storytelling.
Guyana: Ode to the Internet
Signifyin’ Guyana writes an I-poem.