Somalia
Can the Somali Speak?
The hashtag #CadaanStudies put the spotlight on the domination of Somali Studies by whites scholars.
Somalis on Ice
"Unlikely Sports Heroes" partially serves to reinforce the image of inferiority. They never actually win anything.
Somali first, Muslim second, gay third
The melodic world alive in the work of Somali author Diriye Osman.
Somali Justice
A rare and informative glimpse into a situation and part of the world that normally only receives minimal, lazy, and inaccurate coverage.
Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips and the “True Story” of Somali Piracy
The complexity surrounding the social and economic drivers of piracy off the Horn of Africa was lost in the media-friendly version of the story.
The Politics of Spectacular Violence
The reactions to the Westgate Mall attacks in Nairobi makes clear the differentiation between human lives that are worthy of grief, and those that are not.
The Other Afripolitans
Malitia Malimob, rap music and the less glamorous stories of African migration to the United States.
Pop Culture and Pirate Humanity
Barely any group has been as de-humanized as much in recent history as Somali pirates, treated almost like vermin to be rooted out.
Cape Town needs a visit from Anthony Bourdain
Foodyism and obscure ‘ethnic’ food are trendy these days. So, it is odd that South Africa hasn’t received more attention.
Gandhi in Somalia
A mild mannered historian and anthropologist takes over as President of an autonomous Somali republic.
Drones in Somalia
The US, which has misread the political situation in Somalia before, is again pursuing short-term military gains there at the risk of long-term blowback.
The Transformation of K’naan
How a political song about the aftermath of the Cold War, refugees and statelessness was defanged, first for FIFA and then for Coca Cola.
Too many films about the 2010 World Cup
Here's some things I did not have the time to blog about properly or link to this past week. It's Weekend Special.