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'HOPE YOUR BEEPER DOESN'T GOES OFF' - CNN GUEST
CNN guest Ryan Girdusky, a political consultant and writer, was escorted off the set following a racist remark in a heated exchange with fellow panellist Mehdi Hasan. When Hasan claimed he’s used to harassment because he supports Palestine, Ryan wished Hasan’s beeper wouldn't go off, which others on the set took to refer to Israel allegedly detonating pagers across Lebanon and Syria a few weeks ago.
For Girdusky to comfortably make the remark required years of normalising the dehumanisation of Palestinians. CNN, like many major media outlets, is complicit with its coverage depicting Israel as the innocent actor merely allowing Jews to return to a Biblical home while showing Palestinians as savage barbarians.
CNN guest Ryan Girdusky, a political consultant and writer, was escorted off the set following a racist remark in a heated exchange with fellow panellist Mehdi Hasan. When Hasan claimed he’s used to harassment because he supports Palestine, Ryan wished Hasan’s beeper wouldn't go off, which others on the set took to refer to Israel allegedly detonating pagers across Lebanon and Syria a few weeks ago.
For Girdusky to comfortably make the remark required years of normalising the dehumanisation of Palestinians. CNN, like many major media outlets, is complicit with its coverage depicting Israel as the innocent actor merely allowing Jews to return to a Biblical home while showing Palestinians as savage barbarians.
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Continued……Plus, Islamophobia amplified following the September 11, 2001 attacks, with Muslims and anyone who appeared to be Muslim (a racialisation of the religion’s adherents) depicted in racist Oriental stereotypes of savagery. This then justified increasing policing of Muslim communities around the world and Western interventions and occupations, such as in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Somalia and other places.
Video credit: @CNN @abbydphillip
Sources
Mainstream media dehumanization of Palestinians
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/war-gaza-how-media-language-manipulated-justify-killing-palestinians-and-used-dehumanise-them
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/editorial/2023/10/23/media-coverage-israel-and-gaza-double-standards
Islamophobia following 9/11
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/09/10019797/islamophobia-after-911-september-11-hate-crimes
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/09/politics/islamophobia-september-11-race-deconstructed-newsletter/index.html
Orientalism and empire building
https://theconversation.com/orientalism-edward-saids-groundbreaking-book-explained-197429
Video credit: @CNN @abbydphillip
Sources
Mainstream media dehumanization of Palestinians
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/war-gaza-how-media-language-manipulated-justify-killing-palestinians-and-used-dehumanise-them
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/editorial/2023/10/23/media-coverage-israel-and-gaza-double-standards
Islamophobia following 9/11
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/09/10019797/islamophobia-after-911-september-11-hate-crimes
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/09/politics/islamophobia-september-11-race-deconstructed-newsletter/index.html
Orientalism and empire building
https://theconversation.com/orientalism-edward-saids-groundbreaking-book-explained-197429
Middle East Eye
War on Gaza: How language used by media outlets downplays Palestinian suffering
Linguists say that media's use of the passive voice and choice of terminology is being weaponised by Israel while downplaying crimes in Gaza
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THIERRY HENRY IN SOLIDARITY WITH MARTINIQUE & GUADELOUPE
Former Arsenal and France national team striker Thierry Henry recently expressed his heartfelt support for the people of the French Caribbean colony of Martinique following protests against the high cost of living.
‘Life is expensive in Martinique and Guadeloupe,’ he said during the CBS Sports Golazo Network, where he analyses football. ‘Enough is enough... Lower the prices because people can’t live and they earn less also.’
Henry, whose mother is from Martinique and whose father is from the nearby archipelago of Guadeloupe, called on the French government to take immediate action to address the high cost of living. The median income on both islands is less than half of mainland France’s. Meanwhile, Martinique residents pay more than 40 per cent more for food than the imperial core, according to 2022 French statistics.
Protests also broke out over food prices in September in the French Pacific-Ocean colony of New Caledonia.
Former Arsenal and France national team striker Thierry Henry recently expressed his heartfelt support for the people of the French Caribbean colony of Martinique following protests against the high cost of living.
‘Life is expensive in Martinique and Guadeloupe,’ he said during the CBS Sports Golazo Network, where he analyses football. ‘Enough is enough... Lower the prices because people can’t live and they earn less also.’
Henry, whose mother is from Martinique and whose father is from the nearby archipelago of Guadeloupe, called on the French government to take immediate action to address the high cost of living. The median income on both islands is less than half of mainland France’s. Meanwhile, Martinique residents pay more than 40 per cent more for food than the imperial core, according to 2022 French statistics.
Protests also broke out over food prices in September in the French Pacific-Ocean colony of New Caledonia.
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Continued……. News reports say Martinique’s government officials, importers and distributors have signed a protocol to reduce essential goods' prices by an average of 20 per cent and boost local production.
France colonised Martinique and Guadeloupe in 1635, making both island countries French ‘overseas departments’ in 1946. This designation is not only an extension of France's colonial legacy but also imposes an ambiguous status with a locally elected government that reports to the national government in Paris. However, few enjoy a quality of life comparable to that of mainland France.
Video credit: @CBSSportsGolazo (X)
SOURCES:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thierry-Henry
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/police-clash-with-protesters-french-island-martinique-2024-10-25/
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/03/newsstory.sport1
https://apnews.com/article/martinique-violent-protests-a877760da839735fa92030e1435bdfb4
https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/7649202#:~:text=n%C2%B0%2063-,En%20Martinique%2C%20les%20produits%20alimentaires%20sont%2040%20%25%20plus,chers%20qu%27en%20France%20m%C3%A9tropolitaine&text=En%202022%2C%20l%27%C3%A9cart%20de,France%20m%C3%A9tropolitaine%20atteint%20%2B14%20%25
https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/7649202#:~:text=n%C2%B0%2063-,En%20Martinique%2C%20les%20produits%20alimentaires%20sont%2040%20%25%20plus,chers%20qu%27en%20France%20m%C3%A9tropolitaine&text=En%202022%2C%20l%27%C3%A9cart%20de,France%20m%C3%A9tropolitaine%20atteint%20%2B14%20%25
https://www.insee.fr/en/statistiques/7758862?geo=REG-01
https://www.insee.fr/en/statistiques/7758862?geo=REG-02
https://timeular.com/average-salary/france
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/armed-activists-launch-new-protests-martinique-high-living-115070810
https://www.britannica.com/place/Martinique/History
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-20259685
https://www.britannica.com/place/Guadeloupe/History
France colonised Martinique and Guadeloupe in 1635, making both island countries French ‘overseas departments’ in 1946. This designation is not only an extension of France's colonial legacy but also imposes an ambiguous status with a locally elected government that reports to the national government in Paris. However, few enjoy a quality of life comparable to that of mainland France.
Video credit: @CBSSportsGolazo (X)
SOURCES:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thierry-Henry
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/police-clash-with-protesters-french-island-martinique-2024-10-25/
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/03/newsstory.sport1
https://apnews.com/article/martinique-violent-protests-a877760da839735fa92030e1435bdfb4
https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/7649202#:~:text=n%C2%B0%2063-,En%20Martinique%2C%20les%20produits%20alimentaires%20sont%2040%20%25%20plus,chers%20qu%27en%20France%20m%C3%A9tropolitaine&text=En%202022%2C%20l%27%C3%A9cart%20de,France%20m%C3%A9tropolitaine%20atteint%20%2B14%20%25
https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/7649202#:~:text=n%C2%B0%2063-,En%20Martinique%2C%20les%20produits%20alimentaires%20sont%2040%20%25%20plus,chers%20qu%27en%20France%20m%C3%A9tropolitaine&text=En%202022%2C%20l%27%C3%A9cart%20de,France%20m%C3%A9tropolitaine%20atteint%20%2B14%20%25
https://www.insee.fr/en/statistiques/7758862?geo=REG-01
https://www.insee.fr/en/statistiques/7758862?geo=REG-02
https://timeular.com/average-salary/france
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/armed-activists-launch-new-protests-martinique-high-living-115070810
https://www.britannica.com/place/Martinique/History
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-20259685
https://www.britannica.com/place/Guadeloupe/History
Encyclopedia Britannica
Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry is a French football (soccer) player and manager who scored more international goals (51) than any other player in France’s history and who is considered one of the most prolific goal scorers of his time.
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Today Diego Armando Maradona would have turned 64. The football icon was not only a magician on the pitch but a revolutionary of it.
His bond with Fidel Castro was rooted in a shared defiance of imperialism and a mutual respect for social justice.
Their relationship grew closer when Maradona sought treatment in Cuba in the early 2000s, with Castro personally offering support during his recovery. Maradona admired Castro’s leadership, praising Cuba’s resistance to US imperialism and commitment to healthcare and equality.
Coming from the working-class neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, Maradona's own roots shaped his empathy for the struggles of marginalised people.
His political activism made him an icon off the pitch, as he vocally supported Latin American leaders like Hugo Chávez and Evo Morales, condemning US interventionism and neoliberal policies.
Maradona’s legacy as a champion of the oppressed resonated across the Global South, positioning him as a symbol of resistance and solidarity.
His bond with Fidel Castro was rooted in a shared defiance of imperialism and a mutual respect for social justice.
Their relationship grew closer when Maradona sought treatment in Cuba in the early 2000s, with Castro personally offering support during his recovery. Maradona admired Castro’s leadership, praising Cuba’s resistance to US imperialism and commitment to healthcare and equality.
Coming from the working-class neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, Maradona's own roots shaped his empathy for the struggles of marginalised people.
His political activism made him an icon off the pitch, as he vocally supported Latin American leaders like Hugo Chávez and Evo Morales, condemning US interventionism and neoliberal policies.
Maradona’s legacy as a champion of the oppressed resonated across the Global South, positioning him as a symbol of resistance and solidarity.
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Continued.......SOURCES:1. https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN19251706/
2. https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/maradona-football-legend-was-a-champion-of-latin-americas-left-idUSKBN2853C0/#:~:text=Maradona%2C%20football%20legend%2C%20was%20a%20champion%20of%20Latin%20America's%20left,-By%20Sarah%20Marsh&text=HAVANA%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Argentina%20football,him%20to%20go%20into%20politics.
3. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/26/in-my-heart-i-am-palestinian-maradona-backed-palestine-cause
4. https://www.businessinsider.com/here-are-the-major-political-causes-diego-maradona-supported-2020-11#:~:text=Throughout%20his%20life%2C%20Maradona%20was,Castro%2C%20two%20of%20his%20idols.
5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-55085947
6. https://www.getfootballnewsitaly.com/2021/feature-the-working-class-hero-how-diego-maradonas-politics-shaped-his-career/#google_vignette
2. https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/maradona-football-legend-was-a-champion-of-latin-americas-left-idUSKBN2853C0/#:~:text=Maradona%2C%20football%20legend%2C%20was%20a%20champion%20of%20Latin%20America's%20left,-By%20Sarah%20Marsh&text=HAVANA%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Argentina%20football,him%20to%20go%20into%20politics.
3. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/26/in-my-heart-i-am-palestinian-maradona-backed-palestine-cause
4. https://www.businessinsider.com/here-are-the-major-political-causes-diego-maradona-supported-2020-11#:~:text=Throughout%20his%20life%2C%20Maradona%20was,Castro%2C%20two%20of%20his%20idols.
5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-55085947
6. https://www.getfootballnewsitaly.com/2021/feature-the-working-class-hero-how-diego-maradonas-politics-shaped-his-career/#google_vignette
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Today's Wednesday Wisdom feature the poignant words of Robert Sobukwe (1924-78), anti-apartheid freedom fighter and founder of Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), reiterating that being pro-Africa or Pan-African, is not in opposition to any ethnic group or country as Africa is the cradle of humanity. Therefore, to be pro-Africa is to be pro-humanity.
As some of you know, on 13 September, the US State Department accused African Stream of showcasing 'Kremlin propagandists' because we are 'secretly run' by Russian-state TV network RT. Shortly afterwards, YouTube, Meta, TikTok, Stripe, and Google banned or suspended us. The imperial state's black-or-white perspective surmises Africans on the continent have no good reason to speak about oppression at the hands of Western powers or about the oppression our kin face in the diaspora unless we are aligned with Western foe Russia.
As some of you know, on 13 September, the US State Department accused African Stream of showcasing 'Kremlin propagandists' because we are 'secretly run' by Russian-state TV network RT. Shortly afterwards, YouTube, Meta, TikTok, Stripe, and Google banned or suspended us. The imperial state's black-or-white perspective surmises Africans on the continent have no good reason to speak about oppression at the hands of Western powers or about the oppression our kin face in the diaspora unless we are aligned with Western foe Russia.
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Continued.......Indeed, since the early 20th century, the West has lodged an anti-communist, anti-Soviet and anti-Russia narrative against freedom-seeking Africans.
As Pan-Africanists, we draw inspiration from our predecessors, who taught us through their experiences that the oppressors have never handed out freedom and human dignity. Yet, we march on, aware that human freedom worldwide is tied to African liberation because, in Sobukwe's words, 'Africa and humanity are inseparable.'
Sobukwe was initially part of South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) before founding the PAC. However, he began to criticise the ANC for allowing itself to be dominated by what he termed 'liberal-left-multi-racialist' policies. It is hard to argue with his assessment today as the ANC is in a coalition with the white-dominated neo-liberal, pro-Israel Democratic Alliance.
Rest in power, Robert Sobukwe, a true visionary and revolutionary for the African struggle for self-determination.
SOURCES:
https://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/robert-sobukwe-speech-university-fort-hare-president-students-representative-council-21
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1836781485191217614
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1836083984863813703" to "https://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/robert-sobukwe-speech-university-fort-hare-president-students-representative-council-21
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1836781485191217614
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1836083984863813703
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1841191588757676107
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1838668637902696687
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1837257171903692857
https://southafrica-info.com/history/robert-sobukwe-one-race-human-race/
https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/robert-sobukwe
As Pan-Africanists, we draw inspiration from our predecessors, who taught us through their experiences that the oppressors have never handed out freedom and human dignity. Yet, we march on, aware that human freedom worldwide is tied to African liberation because, in Sobukwe's words, 'Africa and humanity are inseparable.'
Sobukwe was initially part of South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) before founding the PAC. However, he began to criticise the ANC for allowing itself to be dominated by what he termed 'liberal-left-multi-racialist' policies. It is hard to argue with his assessment today as the ANC is in a coalition with the white-dominated neo-liberal, pro-Israel Democratic Alliance.
Rest in power, Robert Sobukwe, a true visionary and revolutionary for the African struggle for self-determination.
SOURCES:
https://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/robert-sobukwe-speech-university-fort-hare-president-students-representative-council-21
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1836781485191217614
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1836083984863813703" to "https://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/robert-sobukwe-speech-university-fort-hare-president-students-representative-council-21
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1836781485191217614
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1836083984863813703
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1841191588757676107
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1838668637902696687
https://x.com/african_stream/status/1837257171903692857
https://southafrica-info.com/history/robert-sobukwe-one-race-human-race/
https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/robert-sobukwe
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'WESTERN LOANS WE CAN NEVER PAY'
For decades, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programmes have forced Global South countries to impose austerity policies that have led governments to lay off workers, impose wage freezes and reduce public spending to repay IMF loans. Countries find themselves in a so-called ‘debt trap,’ where they must borrow more to service existing debt instead of providing for their populations.
In this clip, former African Union Ambassador to the US Arikana Chihombori-Quao highlighted the stark disparity in lending terms for African and Western countries. While the IMF and other Western lending institutions offer favourable low-interest rates on dollar loans to their Western ‘friends,’ African nations endure harsh conditions. Some have referred to this situation as ‘financial apartheid,’ with Chihombori-Quao saying the truth about these inequalities is coming to light.
For decades, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programmes have forced Global South countries to impose austerity policies that have led governments to lay off workers, impose wage freezes and reduce public spending to repay IMF loans. Countries find themselves in a so-called ‘debt trap,’ where they must borrow more to service existing debt instead of providing for their populations.
In this clip, former African Union Ambassador to the US Arikana Chihombori-Quao highlighted the stark disparity in lending terms for African and Western countries. While the IMF and other Western lending institutions offer favourable low-interest rates on dollar loans to their Western ‘friends,’ African nations endure harsh conditions. Some have referred to this situation as ‘financial apartheid,’ with Chihombori-Quao saying the truth about these inequalities is coming to light.
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Continued........Last year, ActionAid released a report noscriptd, ‘Fifty Years of Failure: The IMF, Debt, and Austerity in Africa,’ based on testimonies from 10 African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The report outlined how instead of pursuing systemic solutions to address the growing debt crisis in Africa, the IMF continues to insist on cuts and freezes to public spending, undermining health, education, and overall development across the continent and driving up the cost-of-living crisis in many African countries.
Chihombori-Quao does not shy away from addressing these issues on the African continent. As always, we encourage you to listen and share your thoughts.
Credit: @VOAafrica
SOURCES:
https://actionaid.org/publications/2023/fifty-years-failure-imf-debt-and-austerity-africa
https://energychamber.org/africas-energy-sector-to-litigate-banks-and-financiers-for-financial-apartheid-in-oil-and-gas-sector
Chihombori-Quao does not shy away from addressing these issues on the African continent. As always, we encourage you to listen and share your thoughts.
Credit: @VOAafrica
SOURCES:
https://actionaid.org/publications/2023/fifty-years-failure-imf-debt-and-austerity-africa
https://energychamber.org/africas-energy-sector-to-litigate-banks-and-financiers-for-financial-apartheid-in-oil-and-gas-sector
ActionAid International
Fifty Years of Failure: The IMF, Debt and Austerity in Africa
ActionAid’s report ‘Fifty Years of Failure: the IMF, Debt and Austerity in Africa’ is based on new research and powerful personal testimonies from across 10 African countries. It is timed to coincide with the first IMF / World Bank Annual meeting to be held…
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Hundreds of thousands of people in Botswana headed to the polls today, 30 October, to vote in the southern African country's general elections.
According to Botswana's electoral body, more than 1 million people are eligible to vote.
Incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi, 63, seeks a second five-year term to extend the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) 's 58-year rule.
He is squaring off with three challengers, including longtime opposition leader Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Party and Mephato Reatile from the Botswana Patriotic Front.
Masisi and his party are widely expected to carry the day, mainly due to a divided opposition and BDP's legacy of turning around Botswana's economic fortunes from an impoverished country at independence in 1966 to an upper-middle income country by 2005.
According to Botswana's electoral body, more than 1 million people are eligible to vote.
Incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi, 63, seeks a second five-year term to extend the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) 's 58-year rule.
He is squaring off with three challengers, including longtime opposition leader Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Party and Mephato Reatile from the Botswana Patriotic Front.
Masisi and his party are widely expected to carry the day, mainly due to a divided opposition and BDP's legacy of turning around Botswana's economic fortunes from an impoverished country at independence in 1966 to an upper-middle income country by 2005.
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