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Currently viewing entries by Chris Webb.
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No I Don’t Support the War, No I Don’t Support the Troops
There I said it. Well, we know that many Canadians agree with the former, but many would be hesitant to say the latter, particularly in our current political climate. I drove through Brandon, Manitoba last month and saw a town bedecked in yellow ribbons and war-time patriotism. In store windows, at city hall, around trees, and on almost every bumper, yellow ribbons stared judgingly at me. Given the proximity to CFB Shilo, it makes sense why there are so many. But…
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This Week in Zimbabwe: Mugabe Monopoly
President Robert Mugabe solidified his role as all powerful patriarch of Zimbabwe today, when his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai announced he would be withdrawing from the run-off elections that have spawned unseen levels of police brutality and political violence. Understandably, he declared the elections would not be fair and too many of his supporters’ lives had already been lost. Zimbabwean Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said Friday’s runoff would go ahead in accordance with the constitution — and to prove Zimbabweans’ support for…
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The Coup, Keeping Hip Hop Radical
The Coup are a hip hop duo from Oakland, California who are influenced by a range of radical political thought, from Marx and Mao to the black power movement of the 60s and 70s. Along with a dozen other hip hop groups and MCs they reprsent what is commonly called “conscious rap.” Other artists include Talib Kweli, the Welfare Poets, and Public Enemy. Lead rapper Boots Riley’s lyrics often deal with capitalism, pimping as a form of patriarchy, police brutality and…
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What’s up Mao?
Morning all, So three weeks after Nepal declared itself a republic and abolished the monarchy (god that’s still weird to say) political parties are still stuggling to resolve political differences and form a coalition government. All of this amid pockets of fanatical support for the recently disposed Hindu monarchy—the last in the world. The three major political parties—the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (UML)—failed to reach an agreement last Wednesday and form a united…
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More Bloggers Arrested
If I lived in China, the fuzz would soon be knocking at my door. The University of Washington says an increasing number of people are being arrested for using websites to expose human rights abuses or to criticise governments. Since 2003, 64 people have been arrested for publishing their views on a blog - more than half of those were in China, Egypt and Iran. The average prison sentence was 15 months. Researchers say the true figure could be much higher.…
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Food Crisis Hits North Korea
We’ve been hearing a lot about food riots in the Carribean and parts of Africa, but we’ve heard little about the impact of this food shortage on parts of Asia. Many will remember the mass famine that hit North Korea a decade ago, and the little news that leaks from that nation seems to point to a current crisis of similar proportions. The story first popped up in the Economist (I know, I’ll try not use this as a source again),…
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Harper’s Apology to Be Officially Rejected by Some Residential School Survivors
Morning all, I just recieved this release from filmmaker and author Kevin Annett, who runs the website hiddenfromhistory.org Disgusted by the attempt by Canada and its churches to exonerate themselves with an “apology” for crimes against humanity in their Indian Residential Schools, grassroots survivors and their elders will rally in Vancouver next Monday, June 23, to publicly reject the apology. Led by The Friends and Relatives of the Disappeared (FRD) and hereditary elders, residential school survivors will say no to the…
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Poverty and Xenophobia in Southern Africa
by Chris Webb Being South African, I’ve followed the unfolding political situation in Zimbabwe with dismay and outrage. Most recently, I’ve been making the seemingly obvious connections between the situation in Zimbabwe, the xenophobic violence that ignited South Africa last month, and the ANC’s political/economic policies that keep millions in poverty. The tragedy of last month was the culmination of years of neo-liberal economic reforms (see economic apartheid) and increasing migrant labour from countries with despotic regimes (see Zimbabwe). Now President…
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Shoes, Men and Stereotypes
Below is an excellent article by socialist author and activist Jen Roesch. She examines the recent Sex and the City movie from a class and feminist perspective, and provides valuable insight into women’s increasingly gendered roles in Hollywood blockbusters. First appeared in Socialist Worker THE FACT that a female-driven movie topped the box office charts this weekend—at a time when female leads are fast disappearing from Hollywood—should be cause for celebration. Until you see the movie. The Sex and the City…
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