Marcus Books in Oakland, California, has served the black community in the Bay Area with books by and about African Americans for the past 60 years. Its doors have been open during notable events in U.S. race relations ranging from the civil rights and black power movements and the assassinations of Malcolm X and Dr Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s to the 1991 Rodney King beating in Los Angeles and the Black Lives Matter movement of the past decade. 
 
It is now seeing a surge in sales for books on the history of racial discrimination in the United States after the deaths at police hands this spring of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, and George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/no-time-to-die-daniel-craig-to-play-father-in-james-bond-film-304183" hreflang="en">No Time To Die: Daniel Craig to play father in James Bond film</a> 
 
Blanche Richardson, who runs Marcus Books and whose parents founded the independent black bookstore in 1960, said: "People are just begging for something that will explain what`s going on and how they can make a difference and change that." 
 
The May 25 death of Floyd, who was pinned under the knee of a white police officer in Minneapolis, has led to protests across the United States and around the world. Non-fiction books about the black experience top the Amazon.com best-seller list, including children`s books, such as "We're Different, We`re the Same." 
At Marcus Books, "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo, "How To Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi, and "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates are sold out and on backorder.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jk-rowlings-tweet-about-people-who-menstruate-slammed-by-followers-called-transphobic-304137" hreflang="en">JK Rowling's tweet about 'people who menstruate' slammed by followers, called transphobic</a> 
 
Richardson sees the surge as positive for the national conversation. "It's very encouraging to see the number of sincere white people looking for answers and looking to make a change. And that`s different than what we've seen before in an overwhelming sense. It makes you ... cautiously hopeful but hopeful," Richardson said. 
 
Also encouraged was customer Isaiah Henry, a 20-year-old Oakland native, who said that what was traditionally taught in schools often neglected to tell the whole story about U.S. race relations.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/california-says-film-tv-production-can-resume-june-12-304123" hreflang="en">California says film, TV production can resume June 12</a> 
 
"It's only telling one perspective of white people in America ... so by them (buyers of anti-discrimination books) educating themselves on the truth, they can understand their place in the global picture," said Henry, an African American. 
 
Another customer, Jillian Barricelli, a 31-year-old court videographer and reporter who was wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt, agreed. "I personally felt compelled to read and to learn the things that I was never taught and I lived 31 years without ever knowing," said Barricelli, who is white.

Marcus Books in Oakland, California, has served the black community in the Bay Area with books by and about African Americans for the past 60 years. Its doors have been open during notable events in U.

Marcus Books in Oakland, California, has served the black community in the Bay Area with books by and about African Americans for the past 60 years. Its doors have been open during notable events in U.S. race relations ranging from the civil rights and black power movements and the assassinations of Malcolm X and Dr Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s to the 1991 Rodney King beating in Los Angeles and the Black Lives Matter movement of the past decade. It is now seeing a surge in sales for books on the history of racial discrimination in the United States after the deaths at police hands this spring of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, and George Floyd in Minneapolis. Also read: No Time To Die: Daniel Craig to play father in James Bond film Blanche Richardson, who runs Marcus Books and whose parents founded the independent black bookstore in 1960, said: "People are just begging for something that will explain what`s going on and how they can make a difference and change that." The May 25 death of Floyd, who was pinned under the knee of a white police officer in Minneapolis, has led to protests across the United States and around the world. Non-fiction books about the black experience top the Amazon.com best-seller list, including children`s books, such as "We're Different, We`re the Same." At Marcus Books, "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo, "How To Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi, and "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates are sold out and on backorder. Also read: JK Rowling's tweet about 'people who menstruate' slammed by followers, called transphobic Richardson sees the surge as positive for the national conversation. "It's very encouraging to see the number of sincere white people looking for answers and looking to make a change. And that`s different than what we've seen before in an overwhelming sense. It makes you ... cautiously hopeful but hopeful," Richardson said. Also encouraged was customer Isaiah Henry, a 20-year-old Oakland native, who said that what was traditionally taught in schools often neglected to tell the whole story about U.S. race relations. Also read: California says film, TV production can resume June 12 "It's only telling one perspective of white people in America ... so by them (buyers of anti-discrimination books) educating themselves on the truth, they can understand their place in the global picture," said Henry, an African American. Another customer, Jillian Barricelli, a 31-year-old court videographer and reporter who was wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt, agreed. "I personally felt compelled to read and to learn the things that I was never taught and I lived 31 years without ever knowing," said Barricelli, who is white.

Historic Oakland black book store sells out of books on racial discrimination

Former 'America's Got Talent' judge, Gabriella Union has filed a complaint on Thursday against the show and NBC. 
Union has alleged that she had objected to an on-set environment that allegedly tolerated racism and general toxic work culture. 
 
The complaint filed with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing says Union was harassed and discriminated against because of her race, and experienced retaliation for reporting these problems. 
 
The document mentions previously reported issues that Union, who is black, had with the show's acceptance of racist jokes and remarks from judges, and cites criticism she received about her hair during tapings.

“Union, a black woman, was singled out due to her physical appearance and discriminated against by NBC due to the fact that her hair did not fit within the white image that NBC apparently sought to convey to the audience of AGT,” the complaint states, adding that a network executive and a show producer allegedly “informed Union’s manager that her hair was ‘too wild’ and that it needed to be 'toned down.'” 
 
The complaint also has fresh allegations made by Union which states that NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy called Union's agents to issue unspecified threats, shared confidential information on the controversy with celebrities that the show was looking to hire, and sought to undermine an investigation of Union's issues. 
 
Interestingly, in a statement issued to Fox News, NBC and the 'AGT' producers said that they took Union's concerns "extremely seriously" and "conducted more than 30 interviews to review the issues raised by Ms. Union" via an external investigator. 
 
"Through the investigation process, it has been revealed that no one associated with the show made any insensitive or derogatory remarks about Ms. Union’s appearance and that neither race nor gender was a contributing factor in the advancement or elimination of contestants at any time," the statement added. "The investigation has shown that the concerns raised by Ms. Union had no bearing on the decision not to exercise the option on her contract." 
 
Union's attorney Bryan Freedman said the “racial bullying” Union received stands in contrast to the network's recent statements about being outraged by racism and standing with Black Lives Matter.

Former 'America's Got Talent' judge, Gabriella Union has filed a complaint on Thursday against the show and NBC. Union has alleged that she had objected to an on-set environment that allegedly tolerated racism and general toxic work culture.

Former 'America's Got Talent' judge, Gabriella Union has filed a complaint on Thursday against the show and NBC. Union has alleged that she had objected to an on-set environment that allegedly tolerated racism and general toxic work culture. The complaint filed with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing says Union was harassed and discriminated against because of her race, and experienced retaliation for reporting these problems. The document mentions previously reported issues that Union, who is black, had with the show's acceptance of racist jokes and remarks from judges, and cites criticism she received about her hair during tapings. “Union, a black woman, was singled out due to her physical appearance and discriminated against by NBC due to the fact that her hair did not fit within the white image that NBC apparently sought to convey to the audience of AGT,” the complaint states, adding that a network executive and a show producer allegedly “informed Union’s manager that her hair was ‘too wild’ and that it needed to be 'toned down.'” The complaint also has fresh allegations made by Union which states that NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy called Union's agents to issue unspecified threats, shared confidential information on the controversy with celebrities that the show was looking to hire, and sought to undermine an investigation of Union's issues. Interestingly, in a statement issued to Fox News, NBC and the 'AGT' producers said that they took Union's concerns "extremely seriously" and "conducted more than 30 interviews to review the issues raised by Ms. Union" via an external investigator. "Through the investigation process, it has been revealed that no one associated with the show made any insensitive or derogatory remarks about Ms. Union’s appearance and that neither race nor gender was a contributing factor in the advancement or elimination of contestants at any time," the statement added. "The investigation has shown that the concerns raised by Ms. Union had no bearing on the decision not to exercise the option on her contract." Union's attorney Bryan Freedman said the “racial bullying” Union received stands in contrast to the network's recent statements about being outraged by racism and standing with Black Lives Matter.

Former 'America's Got Talent' judge Gabriella Union files complaint against the show's producers, alleges racial discrimination

African&nbsp;ambassadors in China have written to the country's foreign minister over what they call discrimination against&nbsp;Africans as the country seeks to prevent a resurgence of the coronavirus.

Several&nbsp;African&nbsp;countries have separately also demanded that China address their concerns that&nbsp;Africans, in particular in the southern city of Guangzhou, are being mistreated and harassed.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-africans-become-victims-of-racism-in-chinese-mainland-jinping-turns-a-blind-eye-292085">As Africans become victims of racism in Chinese mainland, Jinping turns a blind-eye</a>

Having brought under control the original outbreak centred on the city of Wuhan, China is now concerned about imported cases and is stepping up scrutiny of foreigners coming into the country and tightening border controls. It has denied any discrimination.

In recent days&nbsp;Africans in Guangzhou have reported being ejected from their apartments by their landlords, being tested for coronavirus several times without being given results and being shunned and discriminated against in public. Such complaints have been made in local media, and on social media.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-global-cases-cross-1800000-death-toll-rises-to-114247-292159" hreflang="en">Coronavirus outbreak: Global cases cross 1,800,000; death toll rises to 114,247</a>

The ambassadors' note said such "stigmatisation and discrimination" created the false impression that the virus was being spread by&nbsp;Africans.

"The Group of&nbsp;African&nbsp;Ambassadors in Beijing immediately demands the cessation of forceful testing, quarantine and other inhuman treatments meted out to&nbsp;Africans," it said.

The note was sent to State Councilor Wang Yi, the Chinese government's top diplomat, copying the chair of the&nbsp;African&nbsp;Union, South&nbsp;African&nbsp;President Cyril Ramaphosa and all&nbsp;African&nbsp;foreign ministers.

"The Guangdong authorities attach great importance to some&nbsp;African&nbsp;countries’ concerns and are working promptly to improve their working method," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a statement published Sunday, referring to the province in which Guangzhou is located.

"African&nbsp;friends can count on getting fair, just, cordial and friendly reception in China," he said, adding the foreign ministry will stay in close communication with Guangdong authorities and address the "African&nbsp;side’s reasonable concerns and legitimate appeals".

Zhao's statement did not reference the ambassadors' note to Wang and did not mention the allegations of discrimination against&nbsp;Africans in the city.

Foreign affairs official Liu Baochun told a news conference separately on Sunday that Guangzhou is enforcing anti-virus measures on anyone who enters the city from across the national border, regardless of nationality, race or gender.

The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe on Saturday dismissed the accusation that&nbsp;Africans were being deliberately targeted.

"It is harmful to sensationalize isolated incidents," it said in a tweeted statement. "China treats all individuals in the country, Chinese and foreign alike, as equals."

The ambassadors' note highlighted a number of reported incidents, including that&nbsp;Africans were being ejected from hotels in the middle of the night, the seizure of passports, and threats of visa revocation, arrest or deportation.

On Saturday, Ghana's foreign minister of affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said she had summoned the Chinese ambassador to express her disappointment and demand action.

Kenya's foreign ministry has also "officially expressed concern", adding the government is working with Chinese authorities to address the matter.

On Friday, Nigerian legislator Akinola Alabi tweeted a video of a meeting between the leader of Nigeria's lower house of parliament, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Pingjian. In it, Gbajabiamila demanded an explanation from the diplomat after showing Zhou a video of a Nigerian complaining about mistreatment in China.

The ambassador said in response to the questions from the house leader that he took the complaints "very seriously" and promised to convey them to the authorities back home.

African ambassadors in China have written to the country's foreign minister over what they call discrimination against Africans as the country seeks to prevent a resurgence of the coronavirus.

African ambassadors in China have written to the country's foreign minister over what they call discrimination against Africans as the country seeks to prevent a resurgence of the coronavirus. Several African countries have separately also demanded that China address their concerns that Africans, in particular in the southern city of Guangzhou, are being mistreated and harassed. Also read: As Africans become victims of racism in Chinese mainland, Jinping turns a blind-eye Having brought under control the original outbreak centred on the city of Wuhan, China is now concerned about imported cases and is stepping up scrutiny of foreigners coming into the country and tightening border controls. It has denied any discrimination. In recent days Africans in Guangzhou have reported being ejected from their apartments by their landlords, being tested for coronavirus several times without being given results and being shunned and discriminated against in public. Such complaints have been made in local media, and on social media. Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: Global cases cross 1,800,000; death toll rises to 114,247 The ambassadors' note said such "stigmatisation and discrimination" created the false impression that the virus was being spread by Africans. "The Group of African Ambassadors in Beijing immediately demands the cessation of forceful testing, quarantine and other inhuman treatments meted out to Africans," it said. The note was sent to State Councilor Wang Yi, the Chinese government's top diplomat, copying the chair of the African Union, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and all African foreign ministers. "The Guangdong authorities attach great importance to some African countries’ concerns and are working promptly to improve their working method," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a statement published Sunday, referring to the province in which Guangzhou is located. "African friends can count on getting fair, just, cordial and friendly reception in China," he said, adding the foreign ministry will stay in close communication with Guangdong authorities and address the "African side’s reasonable concerns and legitimate appeals". Zhao's statement did not reference the ambassadors' note to Wang and did not mention the allegations of discrimination against Africans in the city. Foreign affairs official Liu Baochun told a news conference separately on Sunday that Guangzhou is enforcing anti-virus measures on anyone who enters the city from across the national border, regardless of nationality, race or gender. The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe on Saturday dismissed the accusation that Africans were being deliberately targeted. "It is harmful to sensationalize isolated incidents," it said in a tweeted statement. "China treats all individuals in the country, Chinese and foreign alike, as equals." The ambassadors' note highlighted a number of reported incidents, including that Africans were being ejected from hotels in the middle of the night, the seizure of passports, and threats of visa revocation, arrest or deportation. On Saturday, Ghana's foreign minister of affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said she had summoned the Chinese ambassador to express her disappointment and demand action. Kenya's foreign ministry has also "officially expressed concern", adding the government is working with Chinese authorities to address the matter. On Friday, Nigerian legislator Akinola Alabi tweeted a video of a meeting between the leader of Nigeria's lower house of parliament, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Pingjian. In it, Gbajabiamila demanded an explanation from the diplomat after showing Zhou a video of a Nigerian complaining about mistreatment in China. The ambassador said in response to the questions from the house leader that he took the complaints "very seriously" and promised to convey them to the authorities back home.

African ambassadors complain to China over 'discrimination' in Guangzhou

May 10 is not an ordinary date for South Africa, it holds immense historical significance and represents the country's victory over apartheid and racial discrimination.

It was the year 1994 when, on this very day, Nelson Mandela became the first president of South Africa. It was a glorious moment for the majority of the oppressed people of colour.&nbsp;

After years of colonial subjugation and apartheid rule, the black people were finally free. As South Africa slowly inches toward its election result, with parties looking to bolster the country's sluggish economy, Pule Monama, founding member of Azapo (South African political party) and Sello Lediga, political columnist in South Africa speak to WION and share their takes on this historical day. Azapo is a political organization that fought racial discrimination in the country when all other political organizations were banned.

"For some people, it was unbelievable that a black man (Mandela), would be in charge of the services, the army,&nbsp;the air force, the navy, the police and all state entities in this country. It was a proud moment that heralded a new era of democracy. South Africa had changed forever after a protracted and heroic struggle. A new South Africa was born on May 10 1994. A South Africa that offer the community of nations (UN) as a proud and democratic state,"&nbsp;Sello Lediga told WION.

When asked about his hopes on the upcoming elections, he believed that that the citizens of South Africa are pinning their hopes on Cyril Ramaphosa, hoping to see a better picture of South Africa in terms of economy, development and growth.&nbsp;

"After ten years of a corrupt and ruinous rule by ousted president Jacob Zuma, South Africans are pinning their hopes on Cyril Ramaphosa to lead them to a brighter and prosperous future after 25 years of democracy since Mandela became the president. Most South Africans are disappointed with high unemployment, poverty and inequality. They are looking forward to a change from the ruling African National Congress led by Ramaphosa - the same man that Mandela wanted to succeed him in 1999," Sello said.

"South Africa's economy is not growing and most economic plans don't seem to be working. The economy has, for quite some time, been growing at one per cent which is inadequate to deal with the economic and social problems that have developed here," Lediga added.&nbsp;

Despite winning over racial discrimination and oppression, there still lies a belief that white is more superior, hence self-hate persists in many parts of the country.&nbsp;

"For oppressed people that survived more than 300 years of colonialism and apartheid, self-hate is inevitable. Some still believe that white is superior and beautiful. However, the majority is mentally and psychologically liberated. They now seek economic freedom to augment political power. Apartheid officially died in 1994 after the first democratic elections here. However, there are white people who still show racist tendencies but are too few to worry the nation," said Lediga.

He said that Xenophobia and Afrophobia do raise their ugly heads occasionally as South Africa is flooded by refugees seeking opportunities because of their collapsed economies.&nbsp;

While the majority in South Africa sees the day as historical, there are also those who cannot get along the fact that much change has been made with Mandela's ideologies.&nbsp;

"Not all of us are in the Liberation Movement, particularly those who come from the Black Consciousness Movement do not agree with everything Nelson Mandela stood for. They did not agree with the overall negotiation framework and believed he was giving more than he got for the majority of our people. Hence, 25 years after the liberation, we have little to show for it. Our people still lack quality education, the health system is collapsing, industrial and economic development is slow. However, we do recognize his contribution to the broader liberation of our country,"&nbsp;Pule Monama stated.

May 10 is not an ordinary date for South Africa, it holds immense historical significance and represents the country's victory over apartheid and racial discrimination.

May 10 is not an ordinary date for South Africa, it holds immense historical significance and represents the country's victory over apartheid and racial discrimination. It was the year 1994 when, on this very day, Nelson Mandela became the first president of South Africa. It was a glorious moment for the majority of the oppressed people of colour. After years of colonial subjugation and apartheid rule, the black people were finally free. As South Africa slowly inches toward its election result, with parties looking to bolster the country's sluggish economy, Pule Monama, founding member of Azapo (South African political party) and Sello Lediga, political columnist in South Africa speak to WION and share their takes on this historical day. Azapo is a political organization that fought racial discrimination in the country when all other political organizations were banned. "For some people, it was unbelievable that a black man (Mandela), would be in charge of the services, the army, the air force, the navy, the police and all state entities in this country. It was a proud moment that heralded a new era of democracy. South Africa had changed forever after a protracted and heroic struggle. A new South Africa was born on May 10 1994. A South Africa that offer the community of nations (UN) as a proud and democratic state," Sello Lediga told WION. When asked about his hopes on the upcoming elections, he believed that that the citizens of South Africa are pinning their hopes on Cyril Ramaphosa, hoping to see a better picture of South Africa in terms of economy, development and growth. "After ten years of a corrupt and ruinous rule by ousted president Jacob Zuma, South Africans are pinning their hopes on Cyril Ramaphosa to lead them to a brighter and prosperous future after 25 years of democracy since Mandela became the president. Most South Africans are disappointed with high unemployment, poverty and inequality. They are looking forward to a change from the ruling African National Congress led by Ramaphosa - the same man that Mandela wanted to succeed him in 1999," Sello said. "South Africa's economy is not growing and most economic plans don't seem to be working. The economy has, for quite some time, been growing at one per cent which is inadequate to deal with the economic and social problems that have developed here," Lediga added. Despite winning over racial discrimination and oppression, there still lies a belief that white is more superior, hence self-hate persists in many parts of the country. "For oppressed people that survived more than 300 years of colonialism and apartheid, self-hate is inevitable. Some still believe that white is superior and beautiful. However, the majority is mentally and psychologically liberated. They now seek economic freedom to augment political power. Apartheid officially died in 1994 after the first democratic elections here. However, there are white people who still show racist tendencies but are too few to worry the nation," said Lediga. He said that Xenophobia and Afrophobia do raise their ugly heads occasionally as South Africa is flooded by refugees seeking opportunities because of their collapsed economies. While the majority in South Africa sees the day as historical, there are also those who cannot get along the fact that much change has been made with Mandela's ideologies. "Not all of us are in the Liberation Movement, particularly those who come from the Black Consciousness Movement do not agree with everything Nelson Mandela stood for. They did not agree with the overall negotiation framework and believed he was giving more than he got for the majority of our people. Hence, 25 years after the liberation, we have little to show for it. Our people still lack quality education, the health system is collapsing, industrial and economic development is slow. However, we do recognize his contribution to the broader liberation of our country," Pule Monama stated.

Significance of May 10 in South Africa: When democracy trumped racial discrimination 

Thousands of banner-waving Muslims dressed in white rallied in the Malaysian capital Saturday demanding protection of their rights, at a time of growing racial tensions in the multi-ethnic country.

Big crowds gathered in downtown Kuala Lumpur, chanting "God is great" and waving banners that read "Long live the Malays", an AFP reporter said. Large numbers of police were on the streets and major roads were closed.

Race and religion are sensitive in Malaysia, which is home to sizeable ethnic Chinese and Indian communities, and the Muslim Malay majority appears to be feeling increasingly insecure under a new government that is more representative of minorities.

The rally was originally intended as a protest against a plan by the government, which took power in May after defeating the scandal-mired old regime, to ratify a UN convention which aims to eliminate racial discrimination.&nbsp;

Authorities abandoned the plan after opposition from conservative politicians and Malays, who feared the treaty could erode privileges they have long enjoyed.

But Muslim groups pushed ahead with Saturday's demonstration, which alongside the convention has become about the bigger issue of defending Malays' position in society and Islam.

"I hope the other races don't challenge the rights of the Malays. As a Muslim, I want Islam to be the first (priority) in Malaysia," protester Arif Hashim, 26, told AFP.

Authorities did not immediately have an estimate for the size of the rally, which is due to end at 6:00 pm (1000 GMT).

Malays who make up some 60 per cent of the country's 32 million people have been given substantial help, such as financial handouts, for decades but critics argue the system needs reform.

The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)&nbsp;a party that ruled Malaysia at the head of a coalition until its election defeat has backed the rally.

Analysts say it is using the event to divert attention from its troubles.

The party, long a champion of the Malays, has been engulfed in scandal and infighting since being ousted.

Senior party figures, including disgraced ex-premier Najib Razak, have been slapped with corruption charges. Najib, accused over the plundering of state fund 1MDB, denies wrongdoing.

Policies favouring Malays were introduced after riots between members of the Malay and Chinese communities in 1969 that left nearly 200 people dead.

Thousands of banner-waving Muslims dressed in white rallied in the Malaysian capital Saturday demanding protection of their rights, at a time of growing racial tensions in the multi-ethnic country.

Thousands of banner-waving Muslims dressed in white rallied in the Malaysian capital Saturday demanding protection of their rights, at a time of growing racial tensions in the multi-ethnic country. Big crowds gathered in downtown Kuala Lumpur, chanting "God is great" and waving banners that read "Long live the Malays", an AFP reporter said. Large numbers of police were on the streets and major roads were closed. Race and religion are sensitive in Malaysia, which is home to sizeable ethnic Chinese and Indian communities, and the Muslim Malay majority appears to be feeling increasingly insecure under a new government that is more representative of minorities. The rally was originally intended as a protest against a plan by the government, which took power in May after defeating the scandal-mired old regime, to ratify a UN convention which aims to eliminate racial discrimination. Authorities abandoned the plan after opposition from conservative politicians and Malays, who feared the treaty could erode privileges they have long enjoyed. But Muslim groups pushed ahead with Saturday's demonstration, which alongside the convention has become about the bigger issue of defending Malays' position in society and Islam. "I hope the other races don't challenge the rights of the Malays. As a Muslim, I want Islam to be the first (priority) in Malaysia," protester Arif Hashim, 26, told AFP. Authorities did not immediately have an estimate for the size of the rally, which is due to end at 6:00 pm (1000 GMT). Malays who make up some 60 per cent of the country's 32 million people have been given substantial help, such as financial handouts, for decades but critics argue the system needs reform. The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) a party that ruled Malaysia at the head of a coalition until its election defeat has backed the rally. Analysts say it is using the event to divert attention from its troubles. The party, long a champion of the Malays, has been engulfed in scandal and infighting since being ousted. Senior party figures, including disgraced ex-premier Najib Razak, have been slapped with corruption charges. Najib, accused over the plundering of state fund 1MDB, denies wrongdoing. Policies favouring Malays were introduced after riots between members of the Malay and Chinese communities in 1969 that left nearly 200 people dead.

Muslims rally to defend rights in multi-ethnic Malaysia

By&nbsp;Alease A. Brown*

Black Panther director/co-writer Ryan Coogler has given black people throughout the world an imagined Africa that has been wholeheartedly embraced, earning over USD$1 billion dollars globally so far. This embrace is due, primarily, to the presentation of so many beautiful, black bodies onscreen, including an extravagant representation of fierce, and fashionable, black women.

Also appealing is the portrayal of an Africa of independent authority, spiritual alertness, respect and veneration of ancestors and relationship with animals and plants. This is a portrayal of Africa that is hungered for, especially by ancestrally orphaned African Americans. It is deeply satisfying to view.

But at the same time, it raises questions alert black viewers would be doing themselves a disservice to avoid posing.

Black Panther appears within a broad Hollywood tradition, with over 100 years of history, that portrays Africa as wild, weirdly exotic, and mysterious, and Africans as tribal savages, backwards and subordinate. The framing of Africa and Africans in this way has served to provide the world, including Africans themselves, with a perception of Africa and African people that justified the “saving” and “civilising” mission of Westerners who desired to maintain a colonising influence over the continent.

Hollywood’s history of racism triggers the question, why was the first black superhero identified as an African and a quasi-animal? When the original Black Panther comic appeared in the sixties, featuring a black person who was not inferiorised was groundbreaking.

However, creating an African black panther was unusual. Unusual because it was the Black Panther alone who was not American, and who was instead assigned an African identity. And also unusual because the sixties Marvel universe of superheroes consisted of human-modified characters – Hulk, Iron Man, Thor – and insect characters – Ant Man, Wasp and Spider Man – but not animal characters, other than Black Panther.

Almost 20 years ago philosopher Achille Mbembe astutely commented on this troubling and recurring phenomenon. He wrote, in On the Postcolony,

discourse on Africa is almost always deployed in the framework (or on the fringes) of a meta-text about the animal — to be exact, about the beast: its experience, its world, and its spectacle.

Whether well-intentioned or malicious, the imagination that intertwines the African and the beast has become so commonplace in our minds that it’s hardly questioned. However, when white supremacy is again being boldly asserted in the world, people of African descent who have historically been dehumanised and relegated to the status of animal, must question this association. Especially instances, as in Black Panther, when the association of the African and the howling gorilla is made so explicitly.&nbsp;

The not so super superhero

It’s also noteworthy that the first black man superhero was curiously un-superhero like. The character T'Challa did not possess the scientific brilliance of Tony Stark, who is Ironman‘s genius creator and alter ego. T'Challa’s essence was not transformed at the genetic level such that his body, his selfness, became superhuman and superpowerful, like Bruce Banner’s does when he is transformed into the Hulk. T'Challa was not born a god, like blue-eyed, blonde-haired Thor, the Asgardian god of thunder who wields an enchanted hammer that enables him to fly.

Despite T'Challa’s imbibing of the purple flower potion, viewers never witnessed his transformation from human to superhero. He only dons a powerful suit. Why was Black Panther not written in such a way as to imbue a black man with true superhero dynamism?

Then there are the villains. In Hollywood, there are certain villains that must always be villains, such as Nazis. Then there are heroes, such as white men, who must always be depicted as, in some way, heroic.

The story of Western neo-imperialist resource extraction from Africa is well known. However, in Black Panther, the CIA, who is often the true enemy of Africa, has been transformed into the imaginary state of Wakanda’s friend. It is Africans themselves who are depicted as those who hoard mineral wealth to the detriment of the world.

Why in a film about the Black Panther, who is a black African man, must an actual enemy of African life, go unnamed and an alternate enemy, Killmonger, be manufactured?

Does T'Challa not encounter disrespect on European streets, or suspicion on entering high-end shops, or threats from police on US soil like his black brethren? If he does, then why must there be the creation of hostilities between Pan Africans, when their real-life interests against regime changing global capital and white supremacy are aligned?

Trojan Horse

In other words, Hollywood will allow the world of the Black Panther to be black, only if that world defers to white fragility and does not hurt white people’s feelings. Blackness is allowed only if that blackness likes and supports the values that white people like and support. And only to the extent that black people, though they look good, also exhibit deep cultural flaws.

Why are global audiences led to associate the power and strength of black men with black-on-black hostility and violence? Why must there be the implicit suggestion to audiences that African governance inexorably leads to African tribal warfare?

Philosopher Frantz Fanon wrote a generation ago that black people must not only be black, but that they “must be black in relation to the white man”. This necessity of avoiding global black reality, in deference to white sensibilities, is the film’s super problem.

Hollywood has historically adhered to a racist narrative that portrays black people as inferior. Black people dare not believe that they are being presented with a film that proves that Hollywood now, suddenly, holds them in high esteem. Though the Black Panther film is sumptuous, it is a Trojan Horse. Black people must be careful lest black joy at the gift of the film, blinds to the destructive ideologies embedded within it.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

*Alease A. Brown is a Ph.D Candidate at Stellenbosch University, Southern Africa.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

People of African descent who have historically been dehumanised and relegated to the status of animal, must question the instance as in Black Panther, when the association of the African and the howling gorilla is made so explicitly

By Alease A. Brown* Black Panther director/co-writer Ryan Coogler has given black people throughout the world an imagined Africa that has been wholeheartedly embraced, earning over USD$1 billion dollars globally so far. This embrace is due, primarily, to the presentation of so many beautiful, black bodies onscreen, including an extravagant representation of fierce, and fashionable, black women. Also appealing is the portrayal of an Africa of independent authority, spiritual alertness, respect and veneration of ancestors and relationship with animals and plants. This is a portrayal of Africa that is hungered for, especially by ancestrally orphaned African Americans. It is deeply satisfying to view. But at the same time, it raises questions alert black viewers would be doing themselves a disservice to avoid posing. Black Panther appears within a broad Hollywood tradition, with over 100 years of history, that portrays Africa as wild, weirdly exotic, and mysterious, and Africans as tribal savages, backwards and subordinate. The framing of Africa and Africans in this way has served to provide the world, including Africans themselves, with a perception of Africa and African people that justified the “saving” and “civilising” mission of Westerners who desired to maintain a colonising influence over the continent. Hollywood’s history of racism triggers the question, why was the first black superhero identified as an African and a quasi-animal? When the original Black Panther comic appeared in the sixties, featuring a black person who was not inferiorised was groundbreaking. However, creating an African black panther was unusual. Unusual because it was the Black Panther alone who was not American, and who was instead assigned an African identity. And also unusual because the sixties Marvel universe of superheroes consisted of human-modified characters – Hulk, Iron Man, Thor – and insect characters – Ant Man, Wasp and Spider Man – but not animal characters, other than Black Panther. Almost 20 years ago philosopher Achille Mbembe astutely commented on this troubling and recurring phenomenon. He wrote, in On the Postcolony, discourse on Africa is almost always deployed in the framework (or on the fringes) of a meta-text about the animal — to be exact, about the beast: its experience, its world, and its spectacle. Whether well-intentioned or malicious, the imagination that intertwines the African and the beast has become so commonplace in our minds that it’s hardly questioned. However, when white supremacy is again being boldly asserted in the world, people of African descent who have historically been dehumanised and relegated to the status of animal, must question this association. Especially instances, as in Black Panther, when the association of the African and the howling gorilla is made so explicitly. The not so super superhero It’s also noteworthy that the first black man superhero was curiously un-superhero like. The character T'Challa did not possess the scientific brilliance of Tony Stark, who is Ironman‘s genius creator and alter ego. T'Challa’s essence was not transformed at the genetic level such that his body, his selfness, became superhuman and superpowerful, like Bruce Banner’s does when he is transformed into the Hulk. T'Challa was not born a god, like blue-eyed, blonde-haired Thor, the Asgardian god of thunder who wields an enchanted hammer that enables him to fly. Despite T'Challa’s imbibing of the purple flower potion, viewers never witnessed his transformation from human to superhero. He only dons a powerful suit. Why was Black Panther not written in such a way as to imbue a black man with true superhero dynamism? Then there are the villains. In Hollywood, there are certain villains that must always be villains, such as Nazis. Then there are heroes, such as white men, who must always be depicted as, in some way, heroic. The story of Western neo-imperialist resource extraction from Africa is well known. However, in Black Panther, the CIA, who is often the true enemy of Africa, has been transformed into the imaginary state of Wakanda’s friend. It is Africans themselves who are depicted as those who hoard mineral wealth to the detriment of the world. Why in a film about the Black Panther, who is a black African man, must an actual enemy of African life, go unnamed and an alternate enemy, Killmonger, be manufactured? Does T'Challa not encounter disrespect on European streets, or suspicion on entering high-end shops, or threats from police on US soil like his black brethren? If he does, then why must there be the creation of hostilities between Pan Africans, when their real-life interests against regime changing global capital and white supremacy are aligned? Trojan Horse In other words, Hollywood will allow the world of the Black Panther to be black, only if that world defers to white fragility and does not hurt white people’s feelings. Blackness is allowed only if that blackness likes and supports the values that white people like and support. And only to the extent that black people, though they look good, also exhibit deep cultural flaws. Why are global audiences led to associate the power and strength of black men with black-on-black hostility and violence? Why must there be the implicit suggestion to audiences that African governance inexorably leads to African tribal warfare? Philosopher Frantz Fanon wrote a generation ago that black people must not only be black, but that they “must be black in relation to the white man”. This necessity of avoiding global black reality, in deference to white sensibilities, is the film’s super problem. Hollywood has historically adhered to a racist narrative that portrays black people as inferior. Black people dare not believe that they are being presented with a film that proves that Hollywood now, suddenly, holds them in high esteem. Though the Black Panther film is sumptuous, it is a Trojan Horse. Black people must be careful lest black joy at the gift of the film, blinds to the destructive ideologies embedded within it. *Alease A. Brown is a Ph.D Candidate at Stellenbosch University, Southern Africa. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Don't let Black Panther joy mask Hollywood's racism

By&nbsp;Alease A. Brown*

Black Panther director/co-writer Ryan Coogler has given black people throughout the world an imagined Africa that has been wholeheartedly embraced, earning over USD$1 billion dollars globally so far. This embrace is due, primarily, to the presentation of so many beautiful, black bodies onscreen, including an extravagant representation of fierce, and fashionable, black women.

Also appealing is the portrayal of an Africa of independent authority, spiritual alertness, respect and veneration of ancestors and relationship with animals and plants. This is a portrayal of Africa that is hungered for, especially by ancestrally orphaned African Americans. It is deeply satisfying to view.

But at the same time, it raises questions alert black viewers would be doing themselves a disservice to avoid posing.

Black Panther appears within a broad Hollywood tradition, with over 100 years of history, that portrays Africa as wild, weirdly exotic, and mysterious, and Africans as tribal savages, backwards and subordinate. The framing of Africa and Africans in this way has served to provide the world, including Africans themselves, with a perception of Africa and African people that justified the &ldquo;saving&rdquo; and &ldquo;civilising&rdquo; mission of Westerners who desired to maintain a colonising influence over the continent.

Hollywood&rsquo;s history of racism triggers the question, why was the first black superhero identified as an African and a quasi-animal? When the original Black Panther comic appeared in the sixties, featuring a black person who was not inferiorised was groundbreaking.

However, creating an African black panther was unusual. Unusual because it was the Black Panther alone who was not American, and who was instead assigned an African identity. And also unusual because the sixties Marvel universe of superheroes consisted of human-modified characters &ndash; Hulk, Iron Man, Thor &ndash; and insect characters &ndash; Ant Man, Wasp and Spider Man &ndash; but not animal characters, other than Black Panther.

Almost 20 years ago philosopher Achille Mbembe astutely commented on this troubling and recurring phenomenon. He wrote, in On the Postcolony,

discourse on Africa is almost always deployed in the framework (or on the fringes) of a meta-text about the animal &mdash; to be exact, about the beast: its experience, its world, and its spectacle.

Whether well-intentioned or malicious, the imagination that intertwines the African and the beast has become so commonplace in our minds that it&rsquo;s hardly questioned. However, when white supremacy is again being boldly asserted in the world, people of African descent who have historically been dehumanised and relegated to the status of animal, must question this association. Especially instances, as in Black Panther, when the association of the African and the howling gorilla is made so explicitly.&nbsp;

The not so super superhero

It&rsquo;s also noteworthy that the first black man superhero was curiously un-superhero like. The character T&#39;Challa did not possess the scientific brilliance of Tony Stark, who is Ironman&lsquo;s genius creator and alter ego. T&#39;Challa&rsquo;s essence was not transformed at the genetic level such that his body, his selfness, became superhuman and superpowerful, like Bruce Banner&rsquo;s does when he is transformed into the Hulk. T&#39;Challa was not born a god, like blue-eyed, blonde-haired Thor, the Asgardian god of thunder who wields an enchanted hammer that enables him to fly.

Despite T&#39;Challa&rsquo;s imbibing of the purple flower potion, viewers never witnessed his transformation from human to superhero. He only dons a powerful suit. Why was Black Panther not written in such a way as to imbue a black man with true superhero dynamism?

Then there are the villains. In Hollywood, there are certain villains that must always be villains, such as Nazis. Then there are heroes, such as white men, who must always be depicted as, in some way, heroic.

The story of Western neo-imperialist resource extraction from Africa is well known. However, in Black Panther, the CIA, who is often the true enemy of Africa, has been transformed into the imaginary state of Wakanda&rsquo;s friend. It is Africans themselves who are depicted as those who hoard mineral wealth to the detriment of the world.

Why in a film about the Black Panther, who is a black African man, must an actual enemy of African life, go unnamed and an alternate enemy, Killmonger, be manufactured?

Does T&#39;Challa not encounter disrespect on European streets, or suspicion on entering high-end shops, or threats from police on US soil like his black brethren? If he does, then why must there be the creation of hostilities between Pan Africans, when their real-life interests against regime changing global capital and white supremacy are aligned?

Trojan Horse

In other words, Hollywood will allow the world of the Black Panther to be black, only if that world defers to white fragility and does not hurt white people&rsquo;s feelings. Blackness is allowed only if that blackness likes and supports the values that white people like and support. And only to the extent that black people, though they look good, also exhibit deep cultural flaws.

Why are global audiences led to associate the power and strength of black men with black-on-black hostility and violence? Why must there be the implicit suggestion to audiences that African governance inexorably leads to African tribal warfare?

Philosopher Frantz Fanon wrote a generation ago that black people must not only be black, but that they &ldquo;must be black in relation to the white man&rdquo;. This necessity of avoiding global black reality, in deference to white sensibilities, is the film&rsquo;s super problem.

Hollywood has historically adhered to a racist narrative that portrays black people as inferior. Black people dare not believe that they are being presented with a film that proves that Hollywood now, suddenly, holds them in high esteem. Though the Black Panther film is sumptuous, it is a Trojan Horse. Black people must be careful lest black joy at the gift of the film, blinds to the destructive ideologies embedded within it.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

*Alease A. Brown is a Ph.D Candidate at Stellenbosch University, Southern Africa.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

People of African descent who have historically been dehumanised and relegated to the status of animal, must question the instance as in Black Panther, when the association of the African and the howling gorilla is made so explicitly.

A UN committee tasked with combatting racism has issued a formal &quot;early warning&quot; over conditions in the United States, a rare move often used to signal the potential of a looming civil conflict.&nbsp;

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said it had invoked its &quot;early warning and urgent action procedure&quot; because of the proliferation of racist demonstrations in the US.

It specifically noted the unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a woman was killed after an avowed white supremacist ploughed his car into a group of anti-racism counterprotestors.

The racism committee, part of the UN human rights office, can issue a formal early warning to help prevent &quot;existing problems from escalating into conflict&quot; or to &quot;prevent a resumption of conflict where it has previously occurred&quot;, according to the rights office website.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump has been widely criticised for his response to the Charlottesville clashes, after he said &quot;both sides&quot; were to blame for the violence.

The UN committee urged Washington, &quot;as well as high-level politicians and public officials, to unequivocally and unconditionally reject and condemn racist hate speech&quot;, without mentioning Trump by name.&nbsp;

&quot;We are alarmed by the racist demonstrations, with overtly racist slogans, chants and salutes by white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and the Ku Klux Klan, promoting white supremacy and inciting racial discrimination and hatred,&quot; committee head Anastasia Crickley said in a statement.&nbsp;

The committee monitors compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which the US ratified in 1994.&nbsp;

The US warning marks the seventh such alert issued in the past decade.

They mainly concern countries gripped by ethnic and religious strife, including Burundi, Nigeria, Iraq and Ivory Coast.&nbsp;

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said it had invoked its 'early warning and urgent action procedure' because of the proliferation of racist demonstrations in the US

A UN committee tasked with combatting racism has issued a formal "early warning" over conditions in the United States, a rare move often used to signal the potential of a looming civil conflict. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said it had invoked its "early warning and urgent action procedure" because of the proliferation of racist demonstrations in the US. It specifically noted the unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a woman was killed after an avowed white supremacist ploughed his car into a group of anti-racism counterprotestors. The racism committee, part of the UN human rights office, can issue a formal early warning to help prevent "existing problems from escalating into conflict" or to "prevent a resumption of conflict where it has previously occurred", according to the rights office website. President Donald Trump has been widely criticised for his response to the Charlottesville clashes, after he said "both sides" were to blame for the violence. The UN committee urged Washington, "as well as high-level politicians and public officials, to unequivocally and unconditionally reject and condemn racist hate speech", without mentioning Trump by name. "We are alarmed by the racist demonstrations, with overtly racist slogans, chants and salutes by white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and the Ku Klux Klan, promoting white supremacy and inciting racial discrimination and hatred," committee head Anastasia Crickley said in a statement. The committee monitors compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which the US ratified in 1994. The US warning marks the seventh such alert issued in the past decade. They mainly concern countries gripped by ethnic and religious strife, including Burundi, Nigeria, Iraq and Ivory Coast.

UN racism committee issues 'warning' over US tensions

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