Continuing with his discussion on exile, writer Israel Centeno offers an examination of the word “hiraeth” – “that unattainable yearning felt for a person, figure, or even nation that probably never existed” – and a reading of Black Sand, a novel by Venezuelan author Juan Carlos Méndez Guedéz.
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In China, according to Tienchi Martin-Liao, journalists face two major problems: censorship from officials who issue instructions on how and whether or not to report a story, and corruption in the form of “red envelopes” (bribes), which have become many journalists’ main source of income.
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A recent PEN America survey of over 520 American writers finds that writers are not only overwhelmingly worried about government surveillance, but are engaging in self-censorship as a result. Read the full report
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“Mohamed Morsi, who served as president for a year, was not capable of leading a country like Egypt—especially after a revolution that effectively toppled a dictator who had ruled for 30 years.” Writer and Egypt columnist Hamdy El-Gazzar on the ousted Egyptian president.
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Impunity is a global problem. On November 23, 80 organizations in more than 60 countries and advocated around the world will join their voices to raise awareness about how a culture of impunity stifles freedom of expression, and to inspire people to take action to weaken its power.
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A discussion on craft with acclaimed Native American poet and musician Joy Harjo widens to include stories about her family and ancestors, writers’ block, the forced exile of Native Americans in the US, and what it takes to balance her “two lovers,” music and poetry.
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Nearly two years after dismantling its Mexican American Studies program and banning over fifty books, the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) has voted to allow seven books back into the curriculum.
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