The North Star

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Uganda in the News

Uganda has received a lot of attention from the international community surrounding two very controversial topics: female circumcision and homosexuality. I hate to clump such important issues under one post, but I just wanted to post these two links and ignite some discussion.

Uganda Bans Female Circumcision (Source: CNN News)
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/12/12/uganda.genital.mutilation/

Uganda Bill Proposes Death Penalty for Gay Sex (Source: NPR)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121216492

Without question, most of the international community agrees with the passing of Anti-circumcision legislation. However, we must question the timing of this bill's passage. This topic has been debated for quite some time in Parliament- and its been stagnant for years. After working in Parliament this past summer, I am very shocked (happy, but shocked) because mot female MPs thought this battle would be fought longer. Without question, it is a tremendous victory--- but will it overshadow this issue of homosexuality in Uganda? Regardless of this recent "victory," we must continue to make noise and bring awareness about the anti-homosexuality bill that is up for debate. We must ask if this bill will be funded and executed properly. It is one thing to pass a bill, but its another thing to actually fund it. The Womens' Representatives rightfully capitalized off of this sensitive time in Uganda politics by pushing for women's rights. But will this measure be enforced? Is it going to be used to overshadow and ease anti-homosexuality legislation into passage?

Hmmm...

Friday, July 3, 2009

Hispanic Firerfighter in New Haven Suit

Check out the following article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/nyregion/03firefighter.html?_r=1&hp

It is fascinating how complex race and affirmative action can be. Mr. Vargas, the lone man of color involved in the lawsuit, should be applauded for his conviction, regardless of the fact that many of us would deem his position naive and misguided. Nonetheless, it is unfortunate that our court systems are regressing by ignoring the fact that inherent institutional racism and racial disparities still exist.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Troy Davis! Sign the Petition!

I am sure you have heard about Troy Davis, the innocent black man who is on death row for a crime that he did not commit.

Please sign the petition:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/2446/t/4676/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=369

You can get involved in many ways. The NAACP and Amnesty International are doing a lot of great work on this issue. Get in touch with your local NAACP or Amnesty International Chapter and see how you can help. There have been rallies, marches, and campaigns organized all around the country about this. Don't sit back and allow such an injustice to happen!

I am sure that there are some skeptics who would say that this is an isolated event, but it is not! Such injustices occur everyday within our judicial system. This case represents so much of what it wrong with the system as is. By standing up and making your voice heard, you are enabling change to occur.

You can also see what others are doing to raise awareness here at:
www.troyanthonydavis.org

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Diners Club and Mail Order Brides

Diners Club Offers Payment Plan for Vietnamese Brides (http://humantrafficking.change.org/blog/view/diners_club_offers_payment_plan_for_vietnamese_brides)

Diners Club Ends Relationship with Mail Order Brides Service (http://humantrafficking.change.org/blog/view/diners_club_ends_relationship_with_mail_order_brides_service)

I saw this original link on Racialicious and it was updated with the second one. Basically a Diners Club affiliate partnered with Vietnamese Brides International to provide a payment plan option to purchase a mail-order bride with your credit card. It cost $167 monthly (interest-free ?!?) and you don't even need to make your first payment before you receive your new wife! And if you fail to pay for your wife, you didn't need to return her! There are other ways for the creditors to recoup their losses. (WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!?)

This sickened me. I'm glad the concerned people of change.org were able to alert Diners Club so that they terminated the relationship, but it's a scary world when you can purchase a human on credit.