You know what is pissing me off?  The difference in media coverage of these two tragedies: The 2007-2008 post-election violence in Kenya vs the more recent mall shootings in Kenya. The 2007-2008 violence was more horrific in nature (mass rapes were perpetrated in addition to killings), affected far more people, was longer in duration and had more ( Read more... )

Great article by Phenderson Djèlí Clark : Fantasy's "Othering" Fetish

Excerpts:

...True to their Orientalist nature, [a fantasy race based on Japanese/Chinese/Ottoman influences] practice harsh codes of honor and status that overemphasize their exotic “difference.”...

... Edward Said’s groundbreaking work, Orientalism ... noted that Western art ( Read more... )

Nepal's kungfu nuns  (article also mentions Vietnam's combat nuns)

Maham Anga, foster mother of Emperor Akbar, ruled the Mughal Empire in the 16th century prior to the Emperor's majority, after she ousted the previous regent Bairam Khan.  She appears as a supporting character in the Indian epic movie Jodhaa Akbar, where she is introduced as "a minister of the Mughal Court".

In the 16th century Mughal painting on ( Read more... )

This guy sets out to invent something he believes would benefit the women of his country. You'd think society would be more supportive but...

His wife left him
Then his village banished him
He moved in with his mother, then she too abandoned him
He was in debt and broke.
And still he somehow had the faith and confidence to continue his work...

Listen ( Read more... )

"Are you wondering how to best support a friend who has recently experienced a difficult loss (death of a loved one, job loss...)" :

http://www.takethemameal.com/

Watched the gorgeously-filmed 'Earth' a while back.   Very rarely has a movie made me feel compelled to rush out immediately and read the novel on which it is based.

Set during the partition of India/Pakistan in 1947,  the film and book  provide an intimately personal view of historical events through its ordinary - but luminously beautiful - ( Read more... )

Was intrigued by the brief mention of Ma Nthatisi, a 19th century South African warrior queen in the book "African Arms and Armor".  Shaka Zulu's expansionist wars with other ethnic groups created many refugees who in turn attacked and displaced other peoples.  The Tlokoa, Wild Cat people, were attacked and displaced by Nguni refugees from Shaka,  ( Read more... )

I'm afraid The Shadow Speaker
( Read more... )

Heard this cool interview with environmental activist John Francis and some parts made me LOL.  Francis  literally walked across the US, having made a personal commitment not to ride in motorized vehicles. He also decided to stop talking (after he found himself spending too much time arguing with people) and he kept quiet for 17 years. He managed ( Read more... )