The hijab, niqab, chador, and burka, are all types of clothing that Muslim women use to cover their hair, and sometimes entire face and body. It is to allow women to be modest, though there is a lot of controversy both in countries with large and small Muslim populations. To some the Hijab represents and allows freedom from pressure and unwanted attention, to others the hijab is a way to subjugate Women. World Hijab Day's aims are to bring better awareness, have greater understanding, and have a more peaceful world. I think it's fair to say that the organisation has high hopes, but why not, eh. Women wearing the hijab are more likely than Muslim men to be attacked by racists and bigots. There are also higher rates of verbal abuse and discrimination. Interestingly, there seems ... read more

Today is another sombre affair, we remember the holocaust. Beyond remembering what happened, how it happened and why, International Holocaust Rememberance Day is remembered in the hope that it will never be repeated. Over the course of the day I have been exploring how people in the age of technology have been rmembering the tragedy. Some campaigns were simple; show solidarity. Everybody shares the same phrase on social media and share personal stories, interviews with survivors and facts. One campaign that I found particularly touching was @stl_manifest on twitter. it is a simple thread of almost identical tweets About the refugees on the St Loui, a ship that took a thousand Jewish people across the Atlantic who hoped to settle in America. They were turned back, and almost all that returned to mainland Europe were murdered ... read more

There are a couple of celebrations today. Possibly the most famous is Australia Day. It's currently summer down under, and residents of Australia celebrate with fireworks, food, and all the usual trapping that you would associate with celebrating your country's day. But I am not celebrating Australia Day today. In fact, today I am not celebrating. Today I'm learning actual history. What with what's going on in America right regarding 'alternative facts', it should come as no surprise that the past is full of hidden history. There are things that shouldn't be done now that that resonate throughout history. Hidding history, covering up facts and removing knowledge of what happened before, should be a crime because it is definitely a sin. In history class, I was taught only a small fraction of history, and I accept ... read more

Today I'm celebrating the Bolivian Fiera de la Alasitas! (Alasitas fair). For the next month, people from all over Bolivia will travel to La Paz to buy and offer miniature versions of their desires to Ekeko, the Aymara god of abundance. The Alasitas, miniatures of everyday items, money, etc. are blessed by an Andean priest with bells and smoke given to statues of the god along with a lit cigarette, in a festival that predates the Incas (12th - 16th century). Nowadays it is a mix of spiritual and consumerist practices in which people will spend hundreds of dollars in the hope that Ekeko will grant their wish. According to lapazlife.com Typical miniatures include 'houses, cars, electrical goods, clothing, food, computers, airline tickets and even university degrees'*. The fair was originally celebrated in September to ensure ... read more

At the moment in Utah, the Sundance festival is taking place – an annual film festival that takes place in Park City, Utah, celebrating cinema from around the world. It is a showcase for new work from American and International independent filmmakers. There are awards for some sections (American drama, International drama, documentaries, feature films and short films). It began in 1978 and originally featured only American-made films, with a focus on independent films, and regional films. I spent the afternoon listening to the live stream of a panel called 'Post-Truth and Consequences part 2'. A group of journalists discussing questioning society and challenging political orthodxies, discussing what 'post-truth' is, fake news, hate speech, trolling, and open hostility to free press and free speech. I will also be listening to 'Cinema Cafe' live stream which is ... read more