Black Looks

• Zimbabwe: Black America must not be silent

  Posted: April 29, 2008, 6:04 am by Kameelah

  Zimbabwe: Black America must not be silent Bill Fletcher (2008-04-17) Much of Black America stopped discussing Zimbabwe after its liberation in 1980; at least, we stopped discussing it for a while. After years of regular coverage of the liberation war, details regarding Zimbabwe became harder to obtain as attention shifted to struggles in Mozambique, Namibia, Angola and [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Zimbabwe: Black America must not be silent", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/zimbabwe_black_america_must_not_be_silent.html" });

• Solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe

  Posted: April 23, 2008, 2:25 pm by Sokari

  PRESS STATEMENT: SA LESBIAN AND GAY COMMUNITY CONCERNED ABOUT DEMOCRACY CRISIS IN ZIMBABWE The South African Lesbian and Gay Equality Project (LGEP), formerly known as the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality (NCGLE), is concerned about the deepening political, economic and social crises in Zimbabwe. We express our full solidarity with the lesbians, gay men, [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/solidarity_with_the_people_of_zimbabwe.html" });

• We Write What We Like

  Posted: April 23, 2008, 2:18 pm by Andile Mngxitama

  Black Perspectives on the South African Human Rights Ruling Against the Forum for Black Journalists The details surrounding the Forum for Black Journalists (FBJ) and Radio 702’s Katy Katapodis showdown have been rehashed in the media ad nauseam and while these may soon be blurry bits of yet another tantalising ‘racism’ story, what is likely [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "We Write What We Like", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/we_write_what_we_like.html" });

• Happy birthday, Bram Fischer!

  Posted: April 23, 2008, 9:07 am by Rethabile

  Bram Fischer was born on 23 April 1908. Happy Birthday to him. Lawyer, born into a prominent Afrikaans family. He studied law in South Africa and as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. He became an active member of the Communist Party, while also reaching the heights of the legal profession. He defended those charged in the [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Happy birthday, Bram Fischer!", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/happy-birthday-bram-fischer.html" });

• SHOULD WE EVEN ASK WHY?

  Posted: April 21, 2008, 12:08 am by Doreen

  It is a question that bothers me–WHY? WHY do we ask WHY? Especially when we are dealing with issues of women and abuse? While this thought has occurred to me for a long time, two recent discussions on “BBC Africa Have Your Say” - “Is Mob Justice Justified?” and another on “Pambazuka News Podcast” -”Interview with [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "SHOULD WE EVEN ASK WHY?", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/should_we_even_ask_why.html" });

• death threats from mob violence & state sponsored homophobia in the name religion

  Posted: April 20, 2008, 1:55 pm by Sokari

  Mostly in the name of Christianity and Islam………. Even in Africa–a continent not known for its gay-friendly cultures or governments—Nigeria stands out for the virulence and violence against gay men in particular as well as lesbians. Continued…………. Tags: Nigeria LGBTI Religion + Christianity + Islam SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "death threats from mob violence & state sponsored homophobia in the name of religion", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/death_threats_from_mob_violence_state_sponsored_homophobia_in_the_name_religion.html" });

• R.I.P. Aimé Césaire

  Posted: April 17, 2008, 1:33 am by Rethabile

  Prophecy There, where adventure keeps a clean eye there where women shimmer with language there where death is beautiful in the hand like a milk season bird there where on bended knee the underground gathers a wealth of sloes more violent than caterpillars there where for nimble wonder anything goes there where vigorous night bleeds the speed of true vegetables there where bees [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "R.I.P. Aimé Césaire", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/rip_aim_csaire.html" });

• Aime Cesaire: 1913 - 2008

  Posted: April 17, 2008, 10:50 pm by Sokari

  The Martiniquan poet, novelist, playwright and activist, Aime Cesaire died today aged 94. I feel sad that the last of our literary and ideological [negritude] warriors is now gone. Sad that we people of African descent remain at odds with each other. Where the people who stayed behind have forgotten [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Aime Cesaire: 1913 - 2008", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/aime_cesaire_1913_-_2008.html" });

• 136 Nigerians forced to leave BA flight to Lagos

  Posted: April 16, 2008, 1:00 pm by Sokari

  British Airways Must Apologise I have done my fair share of flying over the years but ever since I can remember, flying to and from Lagos has always been THE most stressful and unpleasant travel experience. From the days of BCal through British Airways and Virgin Nigeria, Nigerians have had to put up [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "136 Nigerians forced to leave BA flight to Lagos", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/136_nigerians_forced_to_leave_ba_flight_to_lagos.html" });

• Nao Somos Racistas

  Posted: April 14, 2008, 5:07 pm by Sokari

  The cover of a Portuguese translation of Black Skins White Masks published in Brazil. Black Brazilians are incensed whilst whites are pretending not to get the racism expressed in these images. There isn’t really much to say on this except it emphasises Brazil is a racist country and racist society and [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Nao Somos Racistas", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/nao_somos_racistas.html" });

• half hour for haiti

  Posted: April 13, 2008, 12:18 am by Sokari

  The “food riots” in Haiti are easy fodder for the media especially when no explanation is seen to be necessary. Try and find a single report with any historical background to the food crisis other than relating it to the overall food crisis across the global south and the rise in the West’s demand for [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "half hour for haiti: 2", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/half_hour_for_haiti-2.html" });

• Woman of Color Silenced

  Posted: April 12, 2008, 1:34 pm by Sokari

  I just read this morning that a true sista, supporter and inspiration to all her friends and readers, BrownFemiPower has shut down her blog. Devious Diva, another sista blogger explains why My good friend and inspiration, brownfemipower, has taken down her blog. The reasons are complicated if you haven’t been following. They are simple [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Woman of Color Silenced", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/woman_of_color_silenced.html" });

• Nigerian gay activist threatend with death by church leaders

  Posted: April 12, 2008, 12:08 pm by Sokari

  Nigerian gay activist and Anglican leader of Changing Attitudes Nigeria, Davis Mac-Iyalla, has received death threats from some Anglican leaders in Nigeria. Changing Attitude Nigeria has recently raised it’s profile in Nigeria and elsewhere and this has been the response from the Anglican church. A couple of weeks ago [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Nigerian gay activist threatend with death by church leaders", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/nigerian_gay_activist_threatend_with_death_by_church_leaders.html" });

• Action Alert from Sokwanele

  Posted: April 11, 2008, 1:03 am by Sokari

  Sokwanele These photographs were taken the day before yesterday. The two men are MDC MT supporters based on Mashonaland East. They, and others, were viciously assaulted by Zanu PF militia on Tuesday night. Three houses were burned down in the same area in ongoing attacks. This must be stopped! The Zimbabwean people have spoken in the elections. [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Action Alert from Sokwanele: What you can do to help", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/action_alert_from_sokwanele.html" });

• Refugee Camps Mapped on Google Earth

  Posted: April 11, 2008, 1:31 pm by Sokari

  Google Earth and the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) have added a new layer of refugee camps around the world - Chad, Darfur, Palestine, Western Sahara to name a few. Google Earth’s new mapping programme takes you on a virtual reality tour with the UN refugee agency of some of the world’s [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Refugee Camps Mapped on Google Earth", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/refugee_camps_mapped_on_google_earth.html" });

• Quick Links

  Posted: April 9, 2008, 12:03 pm by Sokari

  ***Two new blogs from South Africa’s shackdweller movement. The Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign is an umbrella body for 15 community organisations. The body was formed in 2000 with the aim of of fighting evictions, water cut-offs and poor health services, obtaining free electricity, securing decent housing, and opposing police brutality. ***Shackdwellers: Housing Struggles Worldwide [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Quick Links", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/quick_links-9.html" });

• A nation of police

  Posted: April 8, 2008, 1:02 pm by Sokari

  Although the Nigerian Same Sex Marriage Bill of 2006 appears to be at least temporarily shelved, no one knows if and when it will reappear. For the moment the focus is on another proposed “morality” legislation, the Dress Code Bill sponsored by Senator Eme Ekatte, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women and Youth [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "A nation of police", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/a_nation_of_police.html" });

• Global map of LGBT rights

  Posted: April 8, 2008, 1:00 pm by Sokari

  The map by ILGA is available in English, Spanish, French and Portugese, has been created to “raise awareness of state sponsored homophobia across the world. Tags: LGBTI State Sponsored Homophobia ILGA Maps SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Global map of LGBT rights", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/global_map_of_lgbt_rights.html" });

• Human rights groups use technology to map and monitor Zimbabwe elections

  Posted: April 7, 2008, 6:54 pm by Sokari

  Kubatana.net is the second Zimbabwean human rights group to use Web 2.0 technology to monitor and report on the elections and the third in Africa following the Ushahidi project on the Kenyan elections started in January. Sokwanele [Enough is Enough] created a google map for mapping election breaches using data they collected from their Zimbabwean [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Human rights groups use technology to map and monitor Zimbabwe elections", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/human_rights_groups_use_technology_to_map_and_monitor_zimbabwe_elections.html" });

• Dear Mandela

  Posted: April 6, 2008, 11:49 pm by Sokari

  S’bu Zikode elected chairperson of Abahlali [February 2008] Breyani and the Councillor part 1 Tags: Durban + South Africa Abahlali baseMjondolo; SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Dear Mandela", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/dear_mandela.html" });

• Slow Dance

  Posted: April 6, 2008, 11:48 pm by Sokari

  This poem was written by a terminally young girl in Kennedy road informal settlement. It was sent by Umhlali waseMjondolo SLOW DANCE Have you ever watched kids At the Jondolo? Or listened to the poor people Struggling for their rights? Ever followed those people Who came to let Movement down Or gazed at the sun into the fading Night? You better slow down. Don’t dance so fast. Time [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Slow Dance", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/slow_dance.html" });

• Martin Luther King Jr

  Posted: April 4, 2008, 11:48 am by Sokari

  Today marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. I hear that Hilary Clinton and John McCain will be in Memphis to mark the day. I am sure Barack Obama will seize the time add his $2 worth. I hear that Democratic and Republican leaders met yesterday on Capitol [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Martin Luther King Jr", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/martin_luther_king_jr.html" });

• 10 wk internship for HELP in Haiti

  Posted: April 3, 2008, 8:53 pm by Sokari

  The Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELP – www.haitianeducation..org), a 501(c)(3) corporation registered in New York State, is looking for a student to perform a 10 week summer internship at our young, dynamic NGO. HELP has developed a unique and successful model of merit-based university scholarships for highly disadvantaged Haitian students and is looking [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "10 wk internship for HELP in Haiti", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/10_wk_internship_for_help_in_haiti.html" });

• Reply to Tim’s comment

  Posted: April 3, 2008, 12:25 pm by Rethabile

  Here is a comment to one of my posts. I decided to turn it into a full-blown post because of its length. So here it is. Khotso to all. Reply: ‘Dear Tim, “We” can’t freely move anywhere, to Darfur or elsewhere, if any survival attempt on the African’s part is clouded with taunts and suspicions of incompetence and [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Reply to Tim's comment", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/reply_to_tims_comment.html" });

• Happy birthday, Marvin!

  Posted: April 2, 2008, 8:37 am by Rethabile

  Marvin Gaye was born on 2 April 1939. Happy Birthday to him. © and photo credit: http://photo.sing365.com Stephen calls him a silky soul singer, which I think is a darn good description. He was born Marvin Pentz Gay, but stuck an “E” to his surname to avoid misunderstandings. Remember I heard it through the grapevine? He followed [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Happy birthday, Marvin!", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/04/happy_birthday_marvin.html" });

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes