independence – ZERO ANTHROPOLOGY

In Memory of Manuel Noriega, Looking Back after 27 Years

With the passing of Manuel Noriega, I looked back 27 years to something I wrote for Excalibur, the York University newspaper. I was surprised to see how much I still agree with that article, but disappointed that I no longer share with my younger self the optimistic sentiments expressed at the end of the piece. […]

by Donnchadh Mac an Ghoill

Scotland Needs a Cultural Revolution

The Queen of England has welcomed the Scottish referendum results from her castle in Balmoral, and Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, has resigned. Violent clashes have already occured on the streets between Unionists and Nationalists. London media organs, such as the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail and the Daily Express have been refused entry to […]

by Maximilian C. Forte

Stay Up, Zimbabwe: Pan-Africanism, Caribbean Solidarity, and Dignity

The Independence of What? In early August, Jamaica commemorated its 50th anniversary of Independence. At the very end of this month, Trinidad & Tobago will also mark its 50th anniversary of independence. Both “celebrations” were first made possible by Jamaica disrupting the West Indies Federation by dropping out in 1962 and choosing to take its […]

by Maximilian C. Forte

Still Standing: Zimbabwe

“Mr. Mugabe, at the age of 88, is rumored to be in poor health. In April, rumors spread in Harare that he was on his deathbed in Singapore, but he appeared at the country’s independence day celebration a few days later, looking fit as he walked around a soccer stadium under a blazing sun for […]

by Maximilian C. Forte

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr: Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence, 04 April 1967

By Rev. Martin Luther King 4 April 1967 Speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 4, 1967, at a meeting of Clergy and Laity Concerned at Riverside Church in New York City I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I join with […]

by Maximilian C. Forte

Italy Compensates Italy for Colonialism? Externalizing Injustice, Importing Rewards

Arising from the post on Italy’s decision to pay compensation to Libya for Italian colonial domination, a number of questions and issues come to mind: Injustices were suffered by non-state nations, by ethnic groups, by “tribes” and by individuals. How is payment by the colonizing state to the “independent” state supposed to remedy those injustices? […]

by Maximilian C. Forte

The enigma that is Mugabe, internationally and in the Caribbean (1.2)

So filled with anti-imperialist scorn on this blog, but when it comes to Mugabe, and the possible cooptation of anti-imperial discourse as justification for oppressive rule, then this blog suddenly goes silent. And why is that? No apologies here, I cannot comment on everything and everyone in the world, but having said that I will […]

by Maximilian C. Forte

KOBO•TOWN: The Promise of Independence

SING OUT, SHOUT OUT forty years ago today independence came our way welcomed by our struggling songs it came but would not stay and we, wanting to believe, let ourselves be deceived by the well-groomed speech of ambitious men who time proved to be thieves but the years went by and nothing came new flag, […]

by Maximilian C. Forte

Anthropology is Dead, Long Live Anthropology! (Who Wants to Leave those Golden Rule Days in the Jungle?) – 1.3

I just love being in Anthropology. I think it is a great privilege to be in institutional Anthropology in this time…it’s like being among old colonials, secluded in a beautiful jungle estate house, as we ponder the demise of our empire, the disrespect and sometimes fury of the restless natives who sense that independence is […]

by Maximilian C. Forte

Republic of Lakotah

Lakotah Unilateral Withdrawal from All Agreements and Treaties with the United States of America We as the freedom loving Lakotah People are the predecessor sovereign of Dakota Territory as evidenced by the Treaties with the United States Government, including, but not limited to, the Treaty of 1851 and the Treaty of 1868 at Fort Laramie. […]