The Afghan Women’s Writing Project

Post by Kristen Hewitt, Intern for the Afghan Women’s Writing Project and student at The Salt Institute for Documentary Studies

Credit: Kathleen Rafiq

Art can be a powerful activist tool. As a poet and aspiring documentarian, I‘ve come to see that a single voice telling the story of a life changing, emotional experience can be enough to spark of compassion—to move people to act.

The Afghan Women’s Writing Project was created to give women in Afghanistan a direct voice in the world, unfiltered by male relatives or the media. Volunteer writing teachers from the US hold classes online, and help the women to develop their voices by writing stories and poetry in English. The women then upload their work, parts of which are published on a blog.  These women document their hopes, fears, struggles, and victories, opening a window for readers on what women’s lives were like growing up under the Taliban, and what they feel about conditions in their country now.

The project is about fostering good will and understanding between the Afghan women and their readers. It is both an opportunity to empower these women, and for readers to gain perspective on Afghanistan, thus forging a link between America and Afghanistan.

Honduran and International Labor Movement Fights Back Against Military Coup – Lend a Hand!

Original post by Carol Hansen, Intern, USLEAP

Honduran unions are helping lead popular resistance to the June 28, 2009 coup when democratically- elected Honduran President Zelaya was dragged out of bed, abducted, and forced to fly to Costa Rica. The union movement immediately called a national strike, joined by, among others, Chiquita banana worker union members who gave up a day’s pay and more to participate. Teachers unions, the largest in the country, continue on strike, shutting down the education system while thousands of workers have joined peaceful protests that have been met with teargas. Also, members of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have refused to load or unload Honduran cargo ships in resistance to the coup.

While mediation by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has so far yielded little progress, the situation in Honduras continues to worsen with reports of hundreds of human rights violations and four political assassinations, including one trade unionist.  The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF) stated in a July 14 press release: “since the coup there has been growing concern at the threat to trade union and popular leaders, and it appears there is a list of leaders who are threatened with detention and whose personal safety is at risk.”

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“Africa’s future is up to Africans”

Somewhat unexpectedly for many Africans, America’s first African American president offered the continent rather tough love in his first official visit. Amidst the usual political fluff, President Obama’s recent speech, delivered in Ghana this Saturday, contained some very pointed comments, including a controversial assertion that the time to blame colonization and Western exploitation for Africa’s problems has ended.

While the development crisis in Africa can be difficult to talk about in the United States, no matter how well-informed, traveled, or racially-sensitive one might be, President Obama leveraged his African background to tell Africans point-blank that their problems stem from weak government structures, traditions of corruption and nepotism, and the people’s failure to insist upon accountability. Though I personally feel that colonial policies and institutions have plenty to do with modern African instability, corruption, and ethnic conflict, I’m pleased to hear Obama demanding more of Africans—especially young Africans. Such demands from John McCain or Hillary Clinton could not have held the same weight.

Obama’s controversial statements have, somewhat predictably, inspired bickering and finger-pointing on countless internet forums. I can’t help but feel that something has been lost amid these arguments. In all likelihood, Obama is more acutely aware of the historical injustices Africa has suffered than any of his predecessors. His speech in Accra was not meant to deny these, but to signal that the time has come for Africa to move forward. Unending arguments about historical responsibility aside, Africa and the West should be able to agree on one point: African development solutions must come from Africans from here on out.

As I learned while living in Kenya last year, African artists, entrepreneurs, and civil society organizations are ready for that responsibility. The question then becomes, “How do we empower these solutions?”

U.S. has great potential in new Muslim community envoy

              The United States has taken a big step in U.S.-Muslim relations… we hope.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed the very first State Department envoy to Muslim communities—Farah Pandith. [1]   This follows President Obama’s promising speech in Cairo, Egypt which was lauded by Muslims, Europeans, and many Americans. People continue to have high hopes in this administration’s dedication to reach out to the naitonal and worldwide Muslim communities. 

For what it’s worth, the following is my wish list for Ms. Pandith; I hope she does not let this awesome opportunity slip away.  She could do an outstanding job by doing this and more:

To meddle or not to meddle…

Americans are having trouble believing it—their president is not making regrettable statements about the Iranian election.  Millions of facebook networkers, twitter users, and bloggers responded to what was immediately called an unfair election and its brutal aftermath.  Politicians and political junkies on both sides of the aisle chastised the great Obama for not taking a stand on the contested outcome and sequential outcome.  President Obama responded appropriately and thoughtfully.

As a huge Obama fan, I’m unapt to begin criticizing our President without all the facts.  He has responsibilities to his own people, to those who came before him, to the Iranian people, to the world’s people.  Completely isolating and insulting either Mahmud Ahmadinejad or his challengers could prove disastrous later in international affairs.  Illegitimating the unfavorable outcome of the election in Iran, a nation that had so hoped for a fair election, did not really feel right, especially while we were all still a little high on HOPE.  The appalled president condemned the actions of the Iranian government in a timely manner, but did not take the stand that so many Americans still thought was necessary

He still walks a “tightrope,” as CNN called it.[1] Jon Stewart joked that America can’t win and that seems to be true… or at least, Obama can’t win.  He was criticized by almost everyone when he didn’t say much and then was called a meddler and compared to President George W. Bush when he called for the violence to stop.  America got in trouble for meddling in 1953 and again in 1979, and now that we’re not meddling, suddenly we’re not doing enough.

I thought I was crazy or ignorant for being proud that Obama was taking the time to mull things over and react wisely.  My qualms were soothed after attending the June 22 New America Foundation forum on the Iran Election.  Most of the expert panel agreed that Obama was for the most part, doing the right thing:

So you think young people don’t care about politics?

From Leah Williams, the New Internationalist Blog:

I went on the Put People First protest with my Dad, the oldest rocker in town, last month. He turned to me at one point, with genuine surprise in his voice, and said: ‘There are loads of young people here!’ I wasn’t surprised: I’m young and I was there, but I was quite inspired, as I jumped in behind the anti-war coalition banner and saw four teenagers leading the procession and organizing their protesters with the rallying cry of ‘what do we want? Jobs not bombs! When do we want it? Now!’

It is hardly surprising that the perception of young people is that they are not interested in politics. Sadly, some young people have been stupefied by Reality TV and a barrage of magazines about Britney Spears’ cellulite and Cheryl Cole’s fake eyelashes. Politicians occasionally take it down a notch or two and talk to us ‘yoof’ about The X Factor and Jade Goody (may she rest in peace). I wonder if the political classes had a peek at the protesters during the G20 protests and realized that among the ageing communists, concerned about the drop in the value of their houses, and the usual eccentrics, there were swathes of young people, for whom the G20 and the current economic mess is not just about money. For young people this is about a political system that doesn’t represent their views, where the issues they really care about are not even part of the political agenda. Are the political classes finally getting the message? It is not that we don’t care about politics, it’s you who don’t care about our politics.

Youth politics, through music, cartoons and other young people’s media, concentrates on the irony and hypocrisy of a world system that has created inequality, subjugated the developing world and reinforced racism, classism and poverty on a national and international level.

Trinidad Dispatch # 5: Obama Publishes Op-Ed re Summit of the Americas

While many the world over continue to celebrate the election of an African American to the highest post in U.S. government, participants in the IV People’s Summit  are waiting for more than rhetoric and token reformist changes.

While President Obama may be saying the right things, in the eyes of many, he has yet to confront the systemic oppression that U.S. foreign policy has afflicted on Latin America and the Caribbean for decades, if not centuries.

Easing the travel ban on Cuban Americans is not enough, they want an end to the blockade against Cuba and the state’s readmission to the OAS.  They want a foreign policy for the 21st century, not tired ideological battles of the Cold War.

Half a million in increased foreign aid and increased lines of credit will do little if economic and governmental structures are not changed to incorporate more active participation of the grassroots.  They demand a shift in objective from capital gains to human well-being and self-actualization.

New Energy and Climate Partnerships must be grounded in the lives and needs of everyday working people.  They demand sovereignty and systems that end poverty (not hand outs) over any form of corporate or state-led initiative at security.

Read for yourself. Is President Obama’s foreign policy grounded in structural changes that will prevent further crises, or is he working merely to advance an image of the United States and a failed form of capitalism for fear of exploration of true alternatives?  Or is he merely getting started, working within bureaucratic confines and the real change is yet to come?

Trinidad Dispatch #4: What is a People’s Summit?

10 a.m. I arrived at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus, to collect my registration pass and program and join several hundred others for the 4th People’s Summit of the Americas.  The official title, “Cultural & Ideological Renewal for Social Justice & People’s Development in a Time of Global Crisis.”

The 4th People’s Summit coincides with the Fifth Summit of the Americas, with the premise that the outcome of the later engagement critically depends on the agenda set and actions taken by the region’s social movements.  Facing the most severe crisis since the Great Depression, we are presented with a real opportunity to advance the vision of another world–one not grounded merely in capital gains, but in human rights, communal prosperity and environmental sustainability.  The People’s Summit provides a space for working people, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, agricultural groups, human rights activists, cultural activists, students and their allies to analyze the nature of the crisis and identify the way forward.

Members of the Hemispheric Social Alliance, Assembly of Caribbean People, Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs, Via Campesina, Grassroots Global Justice, Marcha Mundial de Mujeres, Center for the Study of World Economy, Food First and others kicked off the discussion, contextualizing the crisis within the struggles of their communities.

12 p.m. Standing on the steps during a quick break, 17 year old Safiya Reid approached me, “hablas español?”

Obama’s victory sparks cheers around the globe

Shortly after CNN declared Obama winner of the 44th US Presidential election, (just before 7am Kenya time on Wednesday), President Kibaki announced Thursday a national holiday to mark the historic ascension of “one of its own” to the most powerful office on Earth.  President Kibaki remarked that Obama’s unassailable victory (364 electoral votes) is clear testimony to the confidence of the American people not only in his leadership and vision for the United States, but for the world.  While there has been contention regarding Kenya’s claim to Obama’s ancestral identity (his father was predominantly absent from his life) and even criticism launched against the Kenyan government for the hypocrisy of such a celebration (erecting electronic billboards with the candidate’s image while children go hungry and its own democratic processes leave much to be desired), I think such reactions (regardless of their relevance) miss the much more important point.

Obama’s election has created a tide of renewed hope in the US, both as a democracy and as a global leader (See Reactions Around the World).  Raised in a multi-racial, non-traditional family.  Schooled in Indonesia, Hawaii, and Harvard Law.  Rooted in community organizing.  Now President-elect.  Obama defies most accusations against the US as a greedy, racist, isolationist country.  Yet, as Marceline stated in her post, our work it not over.  In fact, congratulating our progressive selves without a continued analysis of colonial history and its lingering impacts on development, peace, and the environment will not move us any closer to our ultimate goals of peace and prosperity for all (or at least for more than the select few that currently enjoy it).

Experts like Howard Wolpe, former House Representative and chair of the House subcommittee on Africa, state that Obama (due to his upbringing?) has a “general sensitivity about the nature of the economic, social and political challenges that are facing the so-called Third World” and that his administration will certainly adopt a different approach towards economic integration, peace building, and democracy (Source: Corey, America.gov).  Many of us have rallied behind this possibility.  But, we must continue to push ourselves to work together and think outside of the box if we are to make good on any of Obama’s campaign promises.  And don’t think that simply because you don’t hold public office you are exempt or powerless in this process.  If anything, this campaign has sparked a revival in the strength of ordinary people (remember Joe the Plumber?)

Senator Barack Obama’s election is indeed a victory, for the US and the world.  Now, let it be the beginning of a true paradigm shift.

Bad days for liberal democracy

The advancement of democracy throughout the world has always been uneven, and fraught with setbacks and false miracles. The last few years have demonstrated this powerfully.

Latin America is becoming, overall, more democratic. This is good news, but lamentable anti-democratic tendencies in Venezuela and elsewhere warrant close watching.

Democracy in Africa is a mixed bag, with failed states and entrenched poverty proving to be as much, if not more, of an obstacle to democratisation as authoritarian regimes. In countries such as the Democratic republic of Congo, free elections have not increased security. What Africa needs most at this time is not a rapid proliferation of free elections (which could actually do far more harm than good), but rapid stabilisation, regional cooperation, and pro-poor economic development.

In Asia, the minority of democracies seem stable for now, but so do the majority of non-democratic regimes. The Saffron Revolution in Burma failed to cause the collapse of that country’s brutal junta, despite the unfathomably brave actions of its long-suffering citizens. Pakistan has just been put under martial law, with opposition activists and lawyers being rounded up en masse and independent media severely curtailed. China, the region’s fastest rising power, continues to be a powerful refutation of the oft-espoused idea that market liberalisation naturally brings greater freedom for ordinary people.

The same can be said for Russia, where civil society has been marginalized in the public sphere and repeatedly bludgeoned by the ever more anti-democratic policies of the Government of President Vladimir Putin. 

Democracy is ailing in Russia’s "Near Abroad" as well, with Central Asia dominated by authoritarian regimes of varying degrees of brutality, and the Caucasus region remaining volatile, and largely un-democratic. Just the other day, it became clear that the OSCE will not be able to effectively monitor Russia’s upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, and may have it’s election monitoring activities restricted or curtailed altogether in countries such as Armenia, increasingly swayed more by Russia’s anti-Western line than the European Union’s promises of closer ties.

If liberal democracy is entrenched anywhere, it is in Western Europe. But, even there, the forecast is not uniformly blue skies and sunshine. The rise of right wing parties is posing unprecedented social and political challenges in relatively tolerant countries (such as Switzerland and Belgium) and even the most tolerant, such as the Netherlands.

And now we come to the United States and Canada, to the majority Anglophone democracies North America. Canada, democracy-wise, falls more in line with Western European states than it’s nearest southern neighbor. With strong and independent institutions and a dynamic multi-party legislature, Canada isn’t perfect by any means, but its system is open, self correcting, and self-improving.

Tragically, this is no longer so in the United States. Eight years of unrelenting, unpunished corruption and law-breaking have badly damaged the United States’ democracy in reputation and in practice. Public faith in the legislative and executive branches are at historic laws. The Department of Justice, with its long string of corruption scandals and reputation for politically-tainted policy, can lamentably be now seen as neither as a pillar of the rule of law nor an independent branch of government. But the problem is even more severe than that: with more and more evidence surfacing of Justice Department officials –from the Attorney General on down– collaborating in criminal actions by the Bush Administration, the Justice Department itself is becoming the country’s most destructive underminer of the rule of law. To these alarming realities, American civil society has been slow to react, but rule of law organisations, most prominently the Center for Constitutional Rights and ACLU, are now, at this very late stage, working to together to strike back hard at the administration that has turned what was a flawed liberal democracy into something unrecognizable to its own citizens and the people of the world.