China has a social credit system that tracks peoples’ activities and allocates scores. The government uses this score to measure the level of trustworthiness, which then determines what you’re allowed to do. Purchases like diapers and food increase the score, while items like alcohol and video games reduce the score. Those with low social credit are publicly shamed. There’s even an app that shows who around you has low social credit. In China, being monitored is not new. However, the social credit system uses algorithmic surveillance for social control. In a world where there is much concern over data privacy, this is somehow scary. What do you think of this system?
Jholie Moussa, a 16-year-old African American girl, went missing in 2018. For two weeks, the police insisted that she left of her own free will, a run away. No further action was taken. Her body was later found in the woods. This is one example of hundreds of cases of black kids going missing and not much being done to address the case. Additionally, the press is more likely to highlight cases of white children going missing than black kids. Even though African-Americans making up significantly less of the US population than white people, black kids are much more likely to go missing than their white counterparts. What do you think?
Prophet Mboro is a charismatic yet controversial church leader from South Africa. He is adored by his thousands of followers and renowned as much for his dancing as he is for the `miracles' he performs. Boasting a collection of expensive cars and wearing an array of jewelry, Mboro has emerged as a millionaire from the boom in Pentecostal `mega-churches'. The question that lingers is if Mboro can possibly be a messenger from God. In such a case, his followers seem to praise him more than they praise God. What do you think?
China's presence is visible all over Africa. Zambia stands out as the country where China invested the most money in 2020. Currently, China possesses one-third of Zambia's national debt. It has invested in the mining and industrial sectors, but also in agriculture. Though some say this is a mutually beneficial relationship, the impact of Chinese presence in Zambia and the rest of Africa is quite controversial. Some Zambians denounce this Chinese presence as a form of neo-colonialism. What do you think about China's investment and presence in Africa?
Yvan Sagnet from Cameroon is battling modern slavery in Italy's agricultural sector. Yvan once worked as a low-wage farmhand. He represents the hundreds of thousands of seasonal farm workers from Africa and eastern Europe on Italy's fields. Without their labor, the country would have no tomato, orange or olive harvest. But the workers are exploited and often forced to live under inhumane conditions in ruins or shantytowns called ghettos and treated like animals. Now Yvan is fighting for the rights of seasonal farmworkers, taking criminal recruiters, or gangmasters, to court. This is an example of modern forms of slavery that black people still experience worldwide. In Yvan's words, "slavery does not require chains." What do you think?
After being kicked in the head during a soccer game, Rueben Nsemoh stopped breathing several times. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was in a coma for days. When he woke, his parents said he spoke exclusively Spanish, which he never spoke fluently before. He did not speak any English for a couple of days. Ruben's story is one among many football players who have suffered from severe concussions. His story proves we know little about the impacts of concussions on the brain, and we should take the necessary precautions to prevent it. What do you think?
Keon Wiggins was raised by his step-father, Donzell Powell. In an emotional speech, Keon asked Donzell to adopt him as a Father's Day gift. The video was recorded by his little sister in his home on Father's Day while his mother, Keona Powell, was present along with some other family members. As both get quite emotional, Donzell says yes! These are the kind of stories that we need to see more often on media of strong, loving black families. This is what the black community needs, positivity, and parental figures who step up. What do you think?
Fathima Shaikh is a stylist who works in Bengaluru, India. She belongs to the sizeable Siddi tribe of Karnataka, a tribe of East African origin who has settled in India for centuries. While older Siddis have completely adapted to Indian ways, the younger generation is embracing their roots and giving new meaning to their identity as African Indians. They want to know more about their origins. Fathima explains how her generation is embracing their roots through dressing and eating African cultural food. This is a popular trend that has seen people of African descent embrace their roots. What do you think?
The Haitian Revolution was a successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection that took place in the former French colony of Saint-Domingue that lasted from 1791 until 1804. It was the only slave uprising that led to the founding of a state free from slavery and ruled by non-whites and former captives. The event was a defining moment in the racial histories of the Atlantic World. The legacy of the Revolution was that it challenged long-held beliefs about black inferiority and of the enslaved person's capacity to achieve and maintain freedom. The rebels organizational capacity and tenacity under pressure became the source of stories that shocked and frightened slave owners. What do you think?
African has long been considered a poor continent with no notable history. But many people don't know the whole reason why Africa is so poor. African countries were once as rich and powerful as their counterparts. However the centuries, Africa lost its wealth due to the rise of the Ottoman and European civilizations. This increased the demand for slaves in Eastern and Western Africa. Colonizers further extracted the natural resources in the continent. This explains why Africa hasn't been able to crawl out of its poverty while so many other countries and former colonies have. Do you believe Africa is really poor?
Nicole had been in prison for four years, where she has been in a relationship with Daonte. Despite warnings from his family, 33-year-old Daonte spent more than $30,000 on Nicole while incarcerated. He was ready to take their relationship to the next level. However, when Nicole is released, she claims not to be ready to have an intimate relationship with Deonte; she is interested in someone else. Doente, who is not aware of this, is willing to give Nicole some space The dynamics of their relationship represent most that develop with inmates. What do you think?
At California's Institution for Men in Chino, 78 female transgender prisoners live among more than 3,500 men. The prisoners live in shared spaces and bunk beds. Many live in fear of sexual assault and would prefer to be transferred to female prisons per their rights. According to the justice department, 35% of transgender people individuals report cases of sexual assault by other prisoners or prison staff. LGBTQ advocates note these numbers could be higher. At Chino, most trans women have requested transfers but have been denied or asked about their security concerns. What do you think about the safety of transgender persons and the changes that need to be made?