Colourism is not peculiar to the African American community or other black communities in predominantly white spaces. It can also ironically be found firmly on the continent where the population is almost predominately black and brown. Oscar award winning actress Lupita Nyong’o weighed in on the issue and her experiences on colourism.
Cultural identity
African identities Kenya: Litigation as a tool for Rastafari female liberation
As an entry point for advocacy, litigation shapes public discourse. Importantly, it addresses violations and mitigates future violations. In Kenya, the High Court upheld the rights of a female Rastafari learner. She was expelled from school because of her dreadlocks. The court pronounced that “the rule that she cuts her hair is intrusive to her religion and not justifiable in a democratic country”.
Arts and Culture South Africans prefer their children to be taught in English
South African parents want their children be taught in English despite the fact that research shows that academic progress is hindered if a child is taught in a language they aren’t proficient in.
Arts and Culture The most influential American author of her generation, Toni Morrison’s writing was radically ambiguous
In her creative and critical work, Toni Morrison sought to remap the contours of American literature and culture.
Arts and Culture Beijing Foreign Studies University has set up a Zulu department
A Chinese University has set up a Zulu department officially promoting the language as a programme offered at undergraduate level thus strengthening ties between the two countries.
Arts and Culture Kenya is creating a database of plundered cultural artefacts and their current locations
While other African countries have been petitioning for decades and are actively moving towards the repatriation of cultural artefacts that were plundered during the colonial era, Kenya has only recently launched an investigation into which objects were removed from the East African nation, where in the West they are housed and who holds the agency to demand their repatriation.
Arts and Culture Dads too soon: The Central African Republic has highest prevalence of child grooms
A UNICEF report has found that an estimated 115 million boys and men worldwide were married as children. Of these, one in five (23 million) became child grooms before the age of 15. Of the 82 countries analysed, the Central African Republic was found to have the highest prevalence of this practice.
African identities Attitudes to gender and sexual diversity: changing global trends
Global attitudes to gender and sexual diversity are changing. Some embrace the diversity; others push back.
Arts and Culture Guinea gives first wives the legal right to approve a polygamous marriage
The Guinean parliament has enacted a civil code that, while in favour of monogamy, stipulates that at the time of marriage, a husband has to declare that he opts for polygamy and gain the explicit agreement of his first wife.