Negarra Akili is a US based writer, researcher, editor and translation whose interests lie squarely at the intersection of social policy and culture. To be more specific her primary intellectual and professional endeavors are located in the fields of cultural production and social and economic development; specifically education and labor. Her regional interests are situated in Africa (Francophone & Lusophone), the Americas and Europe (Spain, Portugal, Belgium & France)
Her work with GlobalVoices is an extension of the aforementioned activities and her personal belief that there is no sustainable progress without transformation and liberation.
Latest posts by Negarra Akili
The Postcolonialist Calls for Submissions on ‘Sites of Home’
A recently launched online magazine and journal, The Postcolonialist, is calling for submissions for the upcoming edition of its academic journal. The Postcolonialist is an inter-disciplinary, multi-lingual publication featuring research, commentary, and creative production from and...
Racism, the United Nations, and the Dutch Saint Nicholas Tradition
While the children of Belgium, The Netherlands and other European countries prepare for the arrival of Saint Nicholas on December 6, the shadow of racism hangs over this tradition.
‘Red Wednesday’ Protests to Benin President: ‘Don't Touch My Constitution!’
The Red Wednesday movement is growing in Benin. Sinatou Saka explains why.
Brazil's Vinegar Revolt Renews Police Demilitarization Debate
Some argue it is impossible for Brazil's military police, a leftover from from the country's dictatorship, to view the people as anything but the enemy.
On the Challenges of Discussing Precarity in Africa
Despite robust signs of growth in Africa in 2012, precarity remains an ever-present problem right now for the majority of people living there. Inequalities are undoubtedly broadening but the very concept of precarity in Africa is also rapidly evolving.
Cuba: Blackout Leaves 5 Million People in the Dark
An interruption of an electrical transmission line left five million people from Pinar del Río to Camagüey, including the Cuban capital, Havana, in the dark. Various Twitter users residing in Cuba used the battery life they still had on their laptops and dial-up connections to report what was happening.
Ecuador Reacts to Assange Asylum
"they talk so much about freedom of expression when in our own country IT DOESN'T EXIST!" - An Ecuadorian netizen criticizes the government's decision to grant asylum to the founder of Wikileaks. Some are celebrating the bold move as well.
Mexico: Ranchera Singer Chavela Vargas Dies
Ranchera singer Chavela Vargas, born in Costa Rica but of Mexican nationality, died on the afternoon of August 5 after respiratory arrest at the age of 93. After learning the news, various netizens from Mexico and other countries published their condolences under the hashtag 'Murió Chavela Vargas' ("Chavela Vargas has died").
France: Reactions to Presidential Election Results in Photos
The 2012 French presidential election delivered its verdict on May 6, 2012. Francois Hollande collected 51.90% of the votes against 48.10% for incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy. Both happiness and sorrow is on display in online photos.
Panama: New Law Establishes Ministry of Culture
On April 24, 2012, the National Assembly of Panama approved yesterday the "Law of Culture", which among other things elevates the National Institute of Culture to the Ministry of Culture. The main sponsor of the law, Deputy Jose Blandon announced it yesterday on Twitter, which became a reflection of the Panamanians that approved the bill.
Senegal: A Week of Living Dangerously
On January 31 in Senegal, the opposition came out in the streets to protest against a third term for incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade and other decisions taken by the country's Constitutional Council, resulting in violence and vitriol both offline and online.
Blog Carnival: Mexico – Is There a Solution to This Violence?
Our final summary of the 'Blog Carnival: Mexico - Citizenry, Violence and Blogs', focuses on what bloggers think about the solutions the government and citizens are presenting to try to put an end to this violence.
Argentina: 17 Years After AMIA Attack, Case Remains Unsolved
July 18, 2011, commemorates one more year of the attack against the Israelite Argentinean Mutual Aid Association (AMIA) in 1994. Currently the case is open without resolution, yet the families of the victims and the Argentine community are still calling for justice for the 85 people killed.
Peru: Transportation Strike in Lima: A Campaign Against the Mayor?
The mayor of Lima, Susana Villarán, has experienced an outpour of all kinds criticism at the six month mark of her term. A strike by transportation carriers on July 13 is the Mayor's most recent challenge. Bloggers and Twitter users shared reactions, reports, images and analysis throughout the day of the strike.
Cuba: Exciting First Meeting of Twitter Users in Havana
The first meeting of users of the social network Twitter was celebrated in Havana on July 1 at 4:00 pm at 23rd and 12th of the Vedado district and in the Pabellón Cuba. The event hosted almost 100 people, mostly young journalism students, administrators, professors, journalists and bloggers. Netizens reflect and comment on the exciting and controversial event.
Spain: Police Violence Against Peaceful Demonstrators in Barcelona
Friday, May 27, 7 pm had not yet arrived when the police raided Catalunya Square in the center of Barcelona where the camp of “outraged” of 15 May were located. The hundreds of protesters in attendance refused to leave and the situation escalated. Many calls were made through social networks and access to the Square was quickly blocked by a...
Argentina: River Plate Football Club Relegated to Second Division
River Plate, one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in Argentina and in the world suffered one of its worse defeats recently: on June 26 it tied with Belgrano Athletic Club in a match where its membership of the first division of Argentine football was decided.
Peru: Ollanta Humala Wins Elections According to Early Results
In Lima, Peru, the initial results of the presidential election vote count confirmed the tendency expressed in the exit polls: 52.6% for Ollanta Humala and 47.4% for Keiko Fujimori. Reactions on online social networks were immediate.
Peru: 2011 Elections: Reactions to Presidential Debate
The televised debate between the two candidates for the Peruvian presidency, Keiko Fujimori and Ollanta Humala, was closely followed on social networks. Some days after the debate, netizens are still discussing the debate, but they are now more focused on the second round of elections, which will be held on Sunday June 5.
Peru: 2011 Elections: Candidates Tied, Peruvians Divided
The second round of presidential elections in Peru reaches its final leg in the midst of unresolved social conflict and polarization of the electorate that has not only generated public pronouncements but also citizens mobilization, the collection of signatures and public marches against each candidate, the conservative Keiko Fujimori conservative and the nationalist Ollanta Humala.
Argentina: Croatian Community Reacts to Sentence of General Ante Gotovina
On April 15, 2011, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) handed down sentences to the Croatian generals Ante Gotovina, Mladen Markač and Ivan Cermak. Gotovina and Markac were charged with "crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war" committed in 1995 by the forces of their country during "Operation Storm." In Argentina, where it is estimated that the Croatian community is the country's third largest, there have been various reactions.
