Stories about U.S.A. from February, 2010
Rare Disease Day: “Alone we are rare. Together we are strong.”
February 28 is "Rare Disease Day". Patient and family support groups make avid use of online media to raise awareness and share information about proper care and prevention of uncommon diseases that affect millions of people.
Cuba: On the Front Line
Cuban diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense says that “Orlando Zapata Tamayo's fight for liberty is not over, as reports…are that other Cuban freedom fighters are taking his place on the front lines of the struggle.”
Egypt: DC Rally for Kareem Amer
Supporters in Washington DC held a rally in support of jailed Egyptian blogger Kareem Amer. Kareem has been in prison for three years as part of a four year sentence for insulting Islam and Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.
Palestine/West Bank: Peace Protesters use Avatar Movie Visuals
Recent protest against land appropriation of the West Bank village of Bil'in included Palestinian and Israeli activists masked as Na'vi characters from the controversial Avatar movie, which they consider anti-imperialist. Video clips posted by NGO “Friends of Freedom and Justice – Bilin” show Israeli Defense Forces using tear gas and...
Haiti: Reading the Reports
Repeating Islands republishes segments of a report on HIV infections in Haiti, while Haiti Vox links to a story on “who's getting the first Haiti contracts”, saying: “It's important for us to widely circulate this information, and to HELP Haitian groups who may want to apply…it's also important for Haiti...
Jamaica, U.S.A.: R.I.P. Rex
Both Labrish and Repeating Islands republish The New York Times’ obituary on the late Jamaican educator and choreographer, Rex Nettleford.
US Bloggers On The Case Of Kidnapping Haitian Orphans
As Haiti slowly treads on the path to recovery and rebuilding, there is a sense of renewed concern for the countries children - especially the orphans. US bloggers react on the news of the missionaries charged with kidnapping Haitian orphans.
USA: Native Cherokees Fight for Sacred Mound
Cherokee Native Americans in North Carolina are currently fighting the construction of an electrical station they say would impede the spiritual experience at Kituwah, a sacred mound that is cherished as "Mothertown".
Darfur: Youth Keep Crisis in the Spotlight
Though the major conflict has ceased in Darfur, in western Sudan, the continuing instability and ongoing attacks have been particularly harmful for the region's young people. But youth both within and outside of Sudan have been vital in raising awareness and funds and trying to bring change to Darfur.
U.S.A., Cuba: Cuban-American Congressman Announces Resignation
Bloggers in Miami and Cuba are buzzing over the news that US Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart will not run for reelection in the fall. Diaz-Balart, a Republican, is a staunch supporter of the trade embargo against Cuba, and he took his resignation speech as an opportunity to highlight his role in codifying the embargo.
Haiti: On Orphans
“There are a small handful of beautiful programs working in Haiti to raise orphans to adulthood and teaching them to give back to their country. It takes a lot to pull that off. It takes strong and committed Haitian leadership”: The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog calls for a balanced perspective on...
Mexico: Monarch Butterfly Migration in the Americas
Between Mexico, Northern United States, and Canada the migration of the monarch butterfly has astonished residents and tourists dating back to ancient times, and have played an important part in local traditions.
USA: Undocumented Students Begin Week of Action on February 22
During the week of February 22, supporters of the DREAM Act -- a proposed federal bill that could assist more than 65,000 undocumented students to obtain a pathway to legal residency -- are planning a week of action.
Open Video: Worldwide Wireside chat with Lawrence Lessig
What is fair use, how does copyright fit into the digital age and how can commentary, teaching, remixing and research with video be freely developed? Tune in on February 25th 6:00pm US Eastern time (GMT -5) to watch and listen to Lawrence Lessig as he discusses these topics at the Open Video Alliance website or check out for screenings in your city.
Syria: Facebook Group to Protest Sanctions on Syrian Air
On Facebook, around 1,300 members to date have joined a group calling for the suspension of US sanctions on Syrian Air saying: “there is no reason to apply any type of sanctions against [a] civil carrier.”
Haiti: Heroes
Bagay Dwol Journal is convinced that “Heroes are everywhere in Haiti, including the USNS.”
Syria: Youth Rally in Support of Syrian Air
The US is imposing a series of trade and financial sanctions which are affecting the daily lives of Syrian citizens in several areas. Syrian youth use the Internet to protest the grounding of Syrian Air's fleet, thanks to the ban on buying new commercial jets or even spare parts.
Jamaica: R.I.P. Huie
Repeating Islands acknowledges the passing of Jamaican painter Albert Huie.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Wisdom of Children
“I learned that children are naturally giving and spontaneous and if we are not willing to accept some of the ‘wild energy’ of our children and if we continue to treat our schools as warehouses, then we should be prepared to accept the death of their imagination”: Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey...
A ‘climate of fear’ at the Thai-Burma border
Between 1.5-2 million Burmese refugees live in Thailand. For many reasons, this young, traumatized population knows little about reproductive health, which underscores the need for peer health educators and improvements in access to health care.
Cuba: Identifying with Mandela
Cuban diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense reports that “3 Cuban political prisoners this week delivered their congratulations to South African patriarch Nelson Mandela on this month's 20th anniversary of his release from prison”, and notes that they “identify with Mandela's own 27 years in prison, his lifelong struggle against an illegitimate...
