By Aaron Jamal and Sian OFaolain
James Baldwin aptly noted that “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.” That proclamation is universal and time-tested, reflecting the protracted nature of antiblack racism in America, and a failure of this country to confront one of i
By Emeka-Rollas Ejezie
Although the history of Nigeria’s film industry dates back to 1903, featuring mainly distribution of imported films by Indians and Lebanese, the first Nigerian filmmakers, such as Ola Balogunand Hubert Ogunde appeared in the 1960s. But they were frustrated by the high cost of production. But in 1992, Nigeria's home video industry, popularly known as Nollywood, made a dynamic debut with the release of Living in Bondage, an Igbo movie, produced by Ken Nnebue.
By Lasana O. Hotep
Third-generation South Central gang bangers
That live long enough to see a change
Think it’s time we make arrangements
Finally wiggle out that maze
Find me out in different places
And a Spook Who Sat by the Door that’s the infiltration
- Nipsey Hussle, Blue Laces 2
Contextualizing 1990s Los Angeles
By Agripina Hurtado
Ways of being together, thinking together, moving along a particular path emerge in ways that are discernible to locale. And where specific locations matter, so do the foundational traditions that travel beyond, and are larger than those locations. Music exists at the nexus of place and tradition. When we listen to the genre misnamed “jazz,” we hear echoes of deep African traditions, signifying on the meaning of the human condition. We hear what that life is and what we would like it to be. It is not always easy listening.
Editor’s note: The Western Sahara is a territory making up a large part of the northwest coast of Africa, spanning from Mauritania to Morocco. The territory stretches east inland forming a small border with Algeria. The Western Sahara has been a disputed territory since being freed from Spanish rule in the 1970’s, after which it was quickly re-occupied by a Moroccan invasion in 1975. The Saharawi people have been fighting for independence and self-governance since. Ambassador Malainin Lakhal is Saharawi, a writer and a diplomat.
