Stories about Ethnicity & Race from May, 2015
Reclaiming The Weeping Time
Those enslaved in the American South weren't merely victims, but people who succeeded against the odds, say descendants of slaves sold at an historic auction campaigning to reclaim that dignity.
The Forgotten Massacre of Chinese People in Torreón, Mexico
In May 1911, during the Mexican Revolution, half the population of the Chinese community in the town of Torreón were killed by an enraged mob.
Bangladesh Wants ‘Third Gender’ Hijras to Serve as Traffic Police
Hijras often face widespread discrimination and are shut out of employment opportunities. Bangladesh wants to recruit them as traffic police to help change that.
Southeast Asia Migration Routes and Statistics
The International Organization for Migration has released a map showing the routes taken by boat refugees from Bangladesh and Myanmar when they sought shelter in several Southeast Asian countries. As of May 19, 2015, the IOM estimated that 4,000 refugees are still stranded in the sea while 3,200 have already...
Arab-American Journalist Detained by Israeli Security for ‘Flying While Muslim’
Palestinian-American journalist Noor Wazwaz shares her experience of "Flying While Muslim" into Tel Aviv, saying the humiliation will not deter her from returning again.
Despite Protests, Malaysia Still Plans to Build a Mega Dam That Could Displace 20,000 Indigenous People
"It is built for the benefit of others rather than those who live in Baram and for the long term good of the Baram."
The Stateless of the Dominican Republic: The Story of Juliana Deguis
In September 2013, the Dominican Republic’s Supreme Court passed a ruling that rendered stateless some 200,000 Dominicans with Haitian roots.
Rohingya Boat Refugees Rejected by Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia
"Action on #Rohingya is a real test of character for #ASEAN. Are we compassionate or heartless nations?"
‘I'm Not a Swindler': A Campaign Against Romani Discrimination Takes Aim at the Dictionary
On April 8, on the occasion of the International Romani People Day, the organizations that form the Romani People Council started a campaign using social networks to request the Royal Spanish Academy to change the definition of the word gitano (Spanish word for gypsy) in the dictionary. The purpose of...
An Egyptian Official Resigns After Saying Garbage Collectors’ Sons Cannot Become Judges
In Egypt, a janitor's son cannot become a judge, says the country's Minister of Justice Mahfoodh Saber, whose comments spurned a social media storm, forcing him to resign.
What We Know and What Is Still Up in the Air After the Alleged Coup in Burundi
Celebration and jubilation near Presidential offices in Bujumbura after the overthrow of Nkurunziza. #BurundiCoup pic.twitter.com/WhJzXKfS69 — Robert ALAI (@RobertAlai) May 13, 2015 Following incumbent Burundi President Nkurunziza's candidacy for a third term, General Godefroid Niyombare announced that he has dismissed the current administration and that he is taking over until...
Can This US Presidential Hopeful Capture Republican and Latino Hearts?
Marco Rubio is one of the most-watched Republican candidates because of what he represents to a new generation of Latinos, but he has a number of hurdles to overcome.
A Brazilian Girl Who Endured Racism at School Was Forced to Apologize to Her Aggressors
After weeks of suffering bullying and racism at school, Lorena decided to tell the school director what was happening. The school decided she was the one that needed to apologize.
Amaal Said’s Portraits of Belonging: An Interview
Zachary Rosen interviews photographer/poet Amaal Said. Amaal was born in Denmark to Somali parents and is currently based in London: AIAC: Your photographs are remarkable in how they challenge and evolve notions of beauty in mainstream Western media by featuring intimate portraits of melanin-rich young people – with piercings, in...
This Is What Happened When a Musician Allegedly Said Ugandan Women Are Inferior to White Women
"I would date Ugandan girls for casual sex and not serious relationship," says Ugandan musician Coco Finger in an interview with Uganda's New Vision newspaper.
The Humanitarian Crisis You Haven't Heard of in Burundi
Following Burundi President Nkurunziza's announcement of his candidacy for a third term (unconstitutional by Burundi's existing law), a massive humanitarian crisis has hit the country as at least 50,000 refugees have fled the country after scenes of violence were reported in several cities. The occurrence of violence were often posted...
A Han Musician’s Song Slams Stereotypes of China’s Xinjiang Region
A new song written by an ethnic Han encourages people to abandon their prejudices towards Xinjiang, a western region in China where ethnic tensions still simmer.
The Wayúu Indigenous Community in Colombia and Venezuela Is Dying of Thirst
The main river running through the community's region was dammed with its water privatized for the world's largest coal mine and commercial agriculture.
Baltimore Riots Remind Caribbean Diaspora That #Black Lives Matter
The riots in Baltimore is the latest chapter of a seemingly endless story of police aggression towards young black men in the US.
