Race

The group Obiní Batá has taught dozens on women how to play Afro-Cuban drums since it started in the early 1990s.

How a group of Cuban female musicians claimed a drum — and a tradition

The legendary group Obiní Batá is celebrating 30 years of music and women’s empowerment in Cuba. But the road to acceptance and success was not easy. 

How a group of Cuban female musicians claimed a drum — and a tradition
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis arrives at the Foreign Office to visit Britain's Foreign Secretary in London, Friday, April 28, 2023.

Will Gov. DeSantis win his battle to dismantle DEI programs at state universities?

Will Gov. DeSantis win his battle to dismantle DEI programs at state universities?
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa during welcome ceremonies outside the 16th century Jeronimos monastery in Lisbon, Saturday, April 22, 2023. 

Portugal’s president says country should apologize, 'assume responsibility' for slave trade

Portugal’s president says country should apologize, 'assume responsibility' for slave trade
Rescue workers clear the rubble from an apartment building that was destroyed in a Russian rocket attack at a residential neighbourhood in the southeastern city of Dnipro, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. 

'We lost everything': African students who fled war in Ukraine continue to struggle

'We lost everything': African students who fled war in Ukraine continue to struggle
View of the Earth as seen by the Apollo 17 crew.

NASA’s iconic image of Earth still inspires 50 years later. Fmr astronaut Mae Jemison reflects on it.

NASA’s iconic image of Earth still inspires 50 years later. Fmr astronaut Mae Jemison reflects on it.
The Supreme Court is deciding a case on whether, and how, universities may consider an applicant’s race when making admissions decisions.

What is affirmative action? Here are 4 essential reads.

Scholars explain what affirmative action is — and isn’t — as well as what its effects are, and why, among others, the military has supported it for decades.

What is affirmative action? Here are 4 essential reads.
From left to right: Yeleyeni Songsore and her Ghanaian husband; Mawiyah Kambon and Kamal Kambon; Kwaku Asantu Maroon Asare.

‘This is where I should be’: 1,500 Black Americans make Ghana their new home

At least 1,500 Black Americans have moved to Ghana since 2019, when the government declared its "Year of Return" initiative, calling on Africans in the diaspora to return to Africa. As the US continues to confront its history of racism and police brutality against Black people, many are heeding Ghana's call.  

‘This is where I should be’: 1,500 Black Americans make Ghana their new home
women in billowing dresses

This Brazilian city is home to a US Civil War colony. It banned racist symbols at its annual Confederate festival.

The Brazilian town of Santa Bárbara d’Oeste is known for one thing above all — its annual Confederate festival. Descendants of thousands of people who emigrated to Brazil from the US South after they lost the Civil War celebrate their American heritage. Typically, the Confederate flag stands out. But recently, the City Council voted to ban the flag because of its racist symbolism.

This Brazilian city is home to a US Civil War colony. It banned racist symbols at its annual Confederate festival.
Magdi Omar Ytreeide Abdelmaguid and Chirag Patel are the artists behind Karpe, a Norwegian rap duo whose latest hit "PAF.no," has gotten people across the country talking about Norwegianess and belonging. 

This Norwegian chart-topper speaks to Norway’s immigration story

The song “PAF.no,” one of the biggest hits in Norway this year, features a chorus in Arabic that has everyone singing along — and also discussing what it means to be Norwegian. 

This Norwegian chart-topper speaks to Norway’s immigration story
Filmmaker Crystal Kwok speaks to a customer at shop featured in the film,"Blurring the Color Line."

'I want people to have uncomfortable conversations': A new documentary explores Chinese and Black relations in the Jim Crow South

Crystal Kwok is the director of "Blurring the Color Line," a new documentary about her family’s experience in Augusta, Georgia, and the relationships between Chinese Americans and Black people during the Jim Crow era.

'I want people to have uncomfortable conversations': A new documentary explores Chinese and Black relations in the Jim Crow South
dancers in flouncy dresses

Samba schools at Carnival take a stand against the racism and violence that Black Brazilians face

Through glittering costumes, provocative floats and bold song lyrics, several samba schools at this year’s Carnival — the first since the pandemic hit — are paying tribute to the country’s Black history while also lambasting the racism and violence that Black Brazilians continue to face. 

Samba schools at Carnival take a stand against the racism and violence that Black Brazilians face
Prem Pariyar stands in front of Alexander Meiklejohn Hall on the campus of California State University, East Bay.

'Hidden discrimination': California university joins national trend to protect against caste bias on campus

Caste was outlawed decades ago across South Asia. But it still exists and has found its way to American campuses.

'Hidden discrimination': California university joins national trend to protect against caste bias on campus
An aerial view of Fairbourne village in Gwynedd in Wales, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021.

Climate change may be the leading driver of tomorrow's refugee crisis

If climate change continues on its current trajectory, over 200 million climate refugees could be displaced worldwide by the year 2050.

Climate change may be the leading driver of tomorrow's refugee crisis
Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner (42) elbows Chicago Sky's Stevanie Dolson (31) during the second half in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 

Race, sexual orientation play a big role in WNBA star Brittney Griner's arrest in Russia, scholar says

Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon, a historian and a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania, has been following Griner's case closely. She joined The World's Marco Werman to discuss the risks that Griner now faces in Russian detention.

Race, sexual orientation play a big role in WNBA star Brittney Griner's arrest in Russia, scholar says
A Pittsburgh police officer stands in a downtown Pittsburgh intersection Sunday, May 31, 2020.

If not police, what? Part II

This week in Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, Sam Ratner takes a deep dive into the history of Freedom House, a Pittsburgh-based Black-led nonprofit hired in 1968 to offer ambulance services in some of the predominantly Black neighborhoods around the city.

If not police, what? Part II