People of African descent worldwide have suffered under the tyranny of racism, oppression, and discrimination for centuries. We fought courageously to end slavery, colonialism, and segregation. Yet, even as we continue the battle against the myriad forms of inequality and abuse that still plague our communities, some among us seem perfectly willing to mete out the same horrific treatment to the gay community. read more »
Carina Ray's blog
Thoughts on the Practice of Pan-Africanism
In August I had the opportunity to participate in a special plenary session on the practice of Pan-Africanism sponsored by the Accra-based W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan-African Culture and the Association for the Study of the Worldwide African Diaspora (ASWAD) during the latter's biennial conference, which was held in Accra. Having just ten minutes to address the audience forced me to identify and tersely articulate the most pressing issues facing the Pan-African movement/s today. I take the liberty of more fully fleshing my thoughts out here. read more »
Remembering Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem: Pan-Africanism and the African Union
As we mourn the devastating loss of Pan-African giant Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, let us continue to seek guidance in his wisdom. As Nathan Byamukama so aptly puts it, let us also rejoice in knowing that "Tajudeen will turn the angels into Pan-Africanists."
Why Do You Call Yourself Black And African?
A little over a year ago I received an email with the subject line "Ok I wonder why you call yourself ‘black' and ‘African'" from a self-described longtime New African reader. Even if subsequent emails have been less direct in their articulation of the same underlying sentiment, they all point in a similar direction: some people are confused about my racial background and about the way I racially identify myself. Their need to seek clarification suggests that being able to label me is important to the way in which they understand the conten read more »
Cuba and the Myth of the 'Race-less' Nation
By the time the first phase of the Cuban war for independence began in 1868, Cuba and Puerto Rico were the only two colonial Latin American possessions Spain retained control over. In the aftermath of losing its mainland empire in the early 19th century, Spain held a tight grip on both islands. read more »
