Image by Markus Spiske on Unsplash By Maya Zealey “Democracy is not something that you believe in, or something that you hang your hat on. It’s something that you do, you participate. Without participation, democracy crumbles and fails.” This is a quote from Abbie Hoffman, a controversial activist who rose to prominence protesting America’s involvementContinue reading “Polite protest: fundamental rights, the British way”
Tag Archives: democracy
Police brutality, expulsion and music – containing protest in Russia
Rally for the right to vote in Moscow on August 10th 2019. Source: Sergey Leschina, via Wikimedia Commons. The summer of 2019 in Russia stood in stark contrast with last year’s flourish and excitement surrounding the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It was a summer marked by marked by violence and widespread political discontent. In theContinue reading “Police brutality, expulsion and music – containing protest in Russia”
Crystal Mason: A Case Study in Electoral Fraud Sentencing, Voter Suppression and Racism
Crystal Mason. Source: Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram In 2011, Crystal Mason, an Afro-American woman from Fort Worth, Texas, was charged and plead guilty to tax fraud and was sentenced to three years in federal prison. On 8 November 2016, while still on probation, Mason went to her local polling station to vote in the ClintonContinue reading “Crystal Mason: A Case Study in Electoral Fraud Sentencing, Voter Suppression and Racism”
Legalized, Racialized Voter Supression
In the week following the United States midterm elections, there is still great uncertainty regarding some key elections in typically Republican stronghold states. In both Florida and Georgia, results are still hanging in the balance. Additionally, there is a growing concern that there has been voter suppression. We are often reminded that just because somethingContinue reading “Legalized, Racialized Voter Supression”
Crushed Spirit but Reinvigorated People: How One Man’s Death Reignited the Voice of a Nation
On October 28th, the small ocean-side city of Al-Hoceima was shaken by the death of Moroccan fish salesman Mouhcine Fikri. Although the fishing, possession, and dissemination of swordfish after autumn is illegal in Morocco, Fikri had managed to acquire 500 kg (1,000 lbs) worth, estimated to be valued at $11,000, and, following a desperate attemptContinue reading “Crushed Spirit but Reinvigorated People: How One Man’s Death Reignited the Voice of a Nation”
How White America Controlled the US Presidential Election
“Not My President.” These three words have been entering the daily conversations of the American public since November 9, when Republican nominee Donald J. Trump was declared the next President of the United States. Discontent with the ascension of an individual that has consistently exhibited racist, xenophobic, and overall bigoted behavior, thousands of Americans haveContinue reading “How White America Controlled the US Presidential Election”
Mixed Messages and Crossed Wires: Human Rights Promotion in Central Asia
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Central Asia have long been regarded as a vital part of the democratisation of the region. Central Asian governments have recently introduced a series of laws constricting the space in which local NGOs can operate, but how effective has international support really been? Since suddenly and unexpectedly coming to independence inContinue reading “Mixed Messages and Crossed Wires: Human Rights Promotion in Central Asia”
Boiling Point: Turkey’s Evaporating Democracy
There is an old saying about how to cook a frog. If you drop it into a pot of boiling water, it will leap out immediately. However, place it in cold water and proceed to gradually increase the temperature, and the frog will fail to realize, until it is far too late. The Turkish peopleContinue reading “Boiling Point: Turkey’s Evaporating Democracy”
Out of the Spotlight: Democracy and Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
With the media mostly focused upon Taliban aggression, less attention has been given to an important human rights topic: gender equality and democracy in Afghanistan. Despite a male population of which only 35% believe that women should have equal representation in government positions, and only 51% believe women should be allowed to work outside theContinue reading “Out of the Spotlight: Democracy and Women’s Rights in Afghanistan”
Burkina Faso’s Governmental Crisis: Understanding Change after Stagnation
Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in Western Africa, is currently going through a massive governmental upheaval. Widespread civilian protests over President Blaise Compaore’s bid to change the constitution to allow himself to run in the next election cycle after 27 years in power, led to his resignation on October 31st. Since then, however, the militaryContinue reading “Burkina Faso’s Governmental Crisis: Understanding Change after Stagnation”
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