Stories about Migration & Immigration from January, 2009
Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti: War Zone
“I imagine the people of Gaza must feel reassured that so many thousands of people around the world have taken to their streets demanding an end to the madness”: Attillah Springer joins a London demonstration, even as she laments that is it “too ridiculous to imagine that Trinidadians will ever...
Trinidad & Tobago: Tragedy at Sea
Trinidadian diaspora blogger Further Thoughts is a relative of the two researchers whose bodies were recovered at sea after an incident this past weekend: “I am so thankful for the outpouring of support. I always felt that those simple words – ‘I’m sorry’, or ‘my condolences’ meant so little, were...
Cuba: Spain, Cuba & the Embargo
Cuban bloggers weigh in on Spain's suggestion to the international community that “Cuba will change its ways if the world would only talk to them”. Uncommon Sense: “The Spanish government has a lot at stake with its soft-shoe approach — starting with billions of Euros invested in Cuban tourism and...
Zimbabwe: Interview with urban groove artist Sanii Makhilama
Pamela Stitch interviews urban groove artist Sanii Makhilama at African Loft. She defines urban groove as “a blend of Pop, RnB, Hip Hop and Soul, infused with the notes from local indigenous musical instruments”.
Cameroon: Little Bright Fuh passes away
The Bright Fuh Supporters blog reports that Bright Fuh, a four year old Cameroonian boy suffering from a rare orbital tumor passed away on January 8th. George Esunge Fominyen reposted in his blog a comment left at the Friends of Bright Fuh online forum pointing at the defficiencies of Cameroonian...
From Kivu to Gaza: How the Media Choose the Conflicts They Cover
The debate on why the war in east Congo receives such little media attention compared to conflicts in the Middle East continues. A Rue89 journalist asks, "If an Israeli death is worth the death of several Palestinians, how many dead Congolese bodies for a Gazan funeral shroud?" Bloggers on both sides deplore the question.
Cuba: Dissidents Arrested
Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense reports on the arrest of dissidents who were allegedly marching “towards the cemetery in the town of Placetas to commemorate the victims of the Castro dictatorship.”
Jamaica: For Bloggers
Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp adapts Psalm 23 to suit the needs of bloggers.
Kazakhstan: Kazakh Student Killed in Moscow
Adam informs the readers that an 18-year-old student from Kazakhstan had been stabbed to death in south-west Moscow.
Peru: Blogger Wishes for the New Year
“What are your hopes for the Peruvian blogosphere in 2009?” That question was openly posed to the community of Peruvian blogosphere on Juan Arellano's blog Globalizado. As a result, 28 bloggers from Peru and the diaspora responded with a wide variety of thoughts and opinions on their personal blogs and others in the comments section. Many were optimistic, yet some were bothered by the commercialization of the blogs.
Syria: Gaza On Our Minds
Syrian bloggers are in a frenzy since the bombing in Gaza started almost two weeks ago. To many Syrians this comes from a deep long rooted identification with the cause of the Palestinian people. But for some, there's also a very personal side to it. Yazan Badran reports.
Guyana: Dreaming
“At a time when some are calling for Caribbean countries to reject race-based politics, and for the removal of uncaring, destructive governments, it might be just the read that inspires, or helps galvanize action”: Signifyin’ Guyana is re-reading Derek Walcott's Dream on Monkey Mountain.
Dominica: Thinking Environmentally
“It is time for the environmentalist movement and its backers to understand that the battle for hearts and minds begins with the pocket and the stomach”: Dominica's Caribbean Man examines some of the challenges for environmentalists in the region.
Estonia: Acquittal of Bronze Soldier Activists
Itching for Eestimaa comments on the acquittal of four activists charged for organizing the spring 2007 protests against removal of the soviet Bronze Soldier momument from central Tallinn.
Guyana: The Politics of Dual Citizenship
“How come no media house has raised the issue of dual citizenship…?” Guyana 360 says that “it's a debate taking place throughout the Caribbean” and thinks that the discussion should be at the forefront of Guyanese politics.
U.K: London Gaza Protest
Photo This & That, the blog of British photographer Edmond Terakopian, posts photographs of yesterday's protest against Israeli military action in Gaza. In a second post, the established and award-winning news photographer of ethnic Armenian descent takes exception to police handling of the demo.
Turkey: Relations with Armenia
As the first post for 2009, The Eastern Middle offers its opinion on recent moves to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey. Now studying in the U.S., the blogger says that she did not realize the magnitude of problems between the two estranged neighbors until she left the country of...
Cuba: The Revolution, 50 Years After
January 1st 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Bloggers from across the region took note of the occasion, with the voices of the Cuban diaspora being some of the most outspoken.
Haiti: 205th Anniversary of Haitian Independence
After the disasters they went through in 2008, Haitian people celebrated the start of 2009 more or less happily - in Haiti, January 1st marks not only New Year, but also the date when in 1804, the island got independence from France, becoming the first black democracy in the world. Some French-speaking Haitian bloggers pay homage to the anniversary, while preparing themselves for the difficulties their country will have to face in the future...
Guadeloupe, Martinique, Gaza: Overseas Solidarity
The recent news coming from Gaza and the Middle East has had an impact on one Guadeloupe-based blogger, who recalls the historical and steady immigration of Syrians and Lebanese people in the West Indies...
Sri Lanka: Mission Accomplished?
The president of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakshe officially announced that the government troops have captured LTTE rebel's de facto headquarters Kilinochchi after suffering heavy loss in the battle. The government has so far been able to be on top the situation but heavy battles are likely still to lie ahead...