Category: News

#BlackLivesMatter

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“There is only one race, the human race.” – Robert Sobukwe, Freedom Fighter

I am appalled at what has transpired in the United States this Summer. However, when looking at race relations and racism one has to explore the world and not just the United States. African people have had to fight the longest hurdle when it comes to racism. It is 2016 and they are still fighting the plight that Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela amongst others have struggled and sacrificed for.

The events that have occurred has troubled and disturbed me. It is time that the world does not just mourn for a week. There needs to be a bigger impact than a mere hashtag! World leaders and activists need to start a greater debate about racism. I believe that this discussion needs to begin at the school level. Children are not born to discriminate based on race, it is taught at home and rooted in an unjustness that needs to end.

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How is it acceptable that a black mother in the United States has to teach her black son to be fearful of the police and to be submissive to their orders for fear of being a victim of police brutality.

I grew up in a country that has had to overcome their own struggles with racism and 22 years after democracy is it still a daily battle. South Africa is situated at the southern most tip of Africa. It is a vibrant country with a rich past, however much of its history has been discolored, due to the volatility that existed during the apartheid era. Apartheid was a terrible time and was filled with discrimination and hate towards non-white people. We need to be stronger and not turn to divisive measures that hinder democracy.

Perhaps America needs to adopt a similar peace making process to achieve closure known as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. There have been countries in the world to use this process such as, South Africa and Canada. This may quell the feelings of discontent amongst many black American youth and encourage them to have a transparent and seamless discussion about racism, discrimination, and marginalization.  

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Nigerian Kidnappings

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276 Nigerian teenage girls were kidnapped on April 14th in the town of Chibok, by an Islamist extremist group called, the Boko Haram. The english translation for Boko Haram is, “Western education is sinful.” The Nigerian government is being criticized for failing to promptly take action to find the girls. They have been missing for two weeks now, and this week, hundreds of Nigerian women took to the Lagos streets to protest and call for action to find the missing girls. A Twitter campaign has also started, #BringBackOurGirls.

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Many fear that the girls will be sold for about $12 and forced into sex slave, or to marry their captors, after reports surfaced this week. The Nigerian government is seeking the cooperation of other countries, and the United Nations security council in the rescue effort.

So far 53 girls have managed to escape.

Worst Mass Murder In Calgary’s History

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The worst mass murder in Calgary’s history took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Police were called to the residential neighbourhood of Brentwood around 1:30am, where five people were found with stab wounds, three dead at the scene.

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[CBC News]

[CBC News]

 The 5 victims, all in their twenties (4 males, and one female) have not yet been identified, however they were University students, celebrating the University of Calgary’s annual end of the school year party, Bermuda Shorts Day (BSD).

The suspect has been identified as 23 year old Matthew de Grood, the son of an inspector with the Calgary Police Services, Doug de Grood. According to Calgary Chief of Police, Rick Hanson, “the suspect arrived at the party, obtained a large knife and targeted the victims one by one, stabbing them.”

 Matthew de Grood

Matthew de Grood

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de Grood is charged with five counts of first-degree murder, and is in custody.

After browsing de Grood ‘s Facebook page, it seems like this alleged killer had a bright future ahead of him. He graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a minor in Law and Society. de Grood was to start Law School at the University of Calgary this September.

This was the last post on de Grood’s Facebook page.

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The police have not released a motive for the stabbings.

 

Oscar Pistorius Trial: Day One and Day Two

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The trial of the year has commenced in Pretoria, South Africa, and has transfixed the world. South African Olympian, Oscar Pistorius is accused of murdering his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on 14 February, 2013.

On Day One of the trial, Pistorius pleaded not guilty to all of the charges that he faces. The state witness, Michelle Burger took her seat in the witness stand. Burger and her husband live in a gated community adjacent to Pistorius’ home. Burger recalls that “you could hear blood curdling screams” coming from Pistorius’ home at 3am on the night of February 14. Burger claims that she heard the screams before hearing four gunshots, “Bang, bang… bang bang,” described Burger in an anxious voice.

The state prosecutors allege that the murder of Steenkamp was premeditated, after the couple had an argument. However, a written statement from Pistorius says, “that there was no argument…. It could not be further from the truth.” Pistorius believed his life was in danger, and that he had to protect himself, and Reeva.

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On Day Two, Burger was cross-examined by the defense lawyers, until proceedings adjourned because Burger’s face was shown on a South African TV Station. When the questioning recommenced, Burger recalls that she heard a man scream for help before the gunshots. Defense Lawyer, Barry Roux then asked Burger why a man would shout for help if he was trying to kill his girlfriend. To which Burger responded that perhaps Pistorius was trying to cover his tracks. Burger finished her testimony in tears.

Two more neighbours, Estelle Van Der Merwe, and Charl Peter Johnson (Michelle Burger’s husband) also took the stand on Day 2. Both witness accounts mimicked that of Burger’s. All three witnesses heard a woman’s terrifying screams, and four sounds, that can best be described as bang…bang.

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On Tuesday, Reeva’s mother June Steenkamp gave an interview to NBC, in which she said that she has not passed judgement on Pistorius. “It’s actually important to forgive him, for me, because I don’t want to live with bitterness in my life.” 

Oscar Pistorius faces a life sentence, if convicted of premeditated murder.