Stories and News

Stories and News No. 1315 Once upon a time a proverb, all that glitters is not gold, which urges us to be wary of what at first glance may seem appreciable and of undisputed value, but if its actual qualities and characteristics are ascertained, it proves much less agreeable and meritorious. I cite as an emblematic example the coronation ceremony of the new sovereign of the isolated, rather than united, Kingdom, celebrated moreover with a concert that stood out  for the number of absent artists than for the few who performed. Yet, as per tradition, at every public event involving the royals of England there is an exorbitant amount of clamor and above all glare. I could say high beam, it would be very redundant, but it is the real gist of the speech. Because in the era of information that can be obtained anywhere, by any means, from any point of the world, both on the eve and after the advent of the renewed British monarchy, what is unworthy lurks in the dark corners - or better ...

Stories and News No. 1314 Dear ancestor, It could be you too, dad, but in your case I wrote a book, while here I would like to expand the discussion. Both in time and space. However, if in my personal story the unpunished crimes of colonialism begin and take place above all in the Horn of Africa, and concern the country where I was born and where I will end my journey, remaining in the same continent the group of suspects is significantly larger. It is with regard to the significant aspects of history and memory that unite and at the same time divide us, that I would like to send this letter to you, who are in a certain sense my ancestor and in some way close on my father's side, if not in the well-known sense more noble and universal called simply humanity. Dear African of the past, who saw those emissaries of three populations arriving from overseas, English, French and Italians. Watch them carefully with the eyes of the past and today. Especially the latter. Can you see those...

Stories and News No. 1301 There are various types of museums, you can say that for everything, the premise is easy but the consequences are not. Otherwise, everything would be different. Otherwise, I'd be living in a different country. However, for the sake of simplicity, we could say that museums are of only two types, for the use of this short story. First there are those indoors, trivially. And among them, in the colonial – or rather anti – branch, I like to mention the exhibition From Local to Global recently set up at the Scarborough Art Gallery, in the namesake English town in North Yorkshire. In the presentation of the event on the gallery's official website there is a fundamental note, which warns visitors to be aware that the exhibition presents a collection of objects that contain images and descriptions of racial exploitation. In the rest of the message, the organizers explain that they have taken this decision to help the public better understand British racist...

Stories and News No. 1290 What to do when in a country more or less distant from us the population is in serious condition for the different reasons, from a civil war to a natural catastrophe, as well as a foreign invasion or a climatic tragedy such as drought or a flood is a very topical topic nowadays. I invite you to reflect on it through a story, as usual inspired by true facts. Once upon a time Haiti. One of the many lands attacked and mortally wounded by that terrifying, cruel and sadistic monster named Colonialism. So once upon a time the Spaniards, it is clear, also the French and, of course, the United States of America. Once upon a time, during the years, a nation as vulnerable as it was fragile, made so even by those who strenuously defend their borders, that is to say, in a one or simply hypocritical way. Let’s jump to 1915, the year of the Occupation by the most powerful neighbors, namely the USA. To bring peace and democracy, order and stability, as in the Handbook of ...

Stories and News No. 1286 The Queen is gone. No controversy, really. After 96 years of life and 70 plus 214 days of reign, Elizabeth II died. No comparison, I assure you. For two weeks at least, but probably the fact will still occupy part of the media in the coming days, the news of the death of the elderly woman seated at the head of the British monarchy has got primal attention in much of the Western world. Until the climax, that is the sumptuous funeral with the many heads of state and television coverage from all over the planet. The Queen lived, the Queen reigned, the Queen will be forever in history. Nonetheless, as is tradition on these pages of mine, it is the stories with the initial neglected that take precedence. Without any controversy or confrontation, I repeat, I cannot help but ignore the more or less authoritative celebrations up there and concentrate my awareness, as well as my gaze, for example on the Horn of Africa, the area where my dad came from, where 15 milli...

Stories and News No. 1279 Once upon a time a shadow, right? The Chinese shadow, with no surprises, since the title says it all, or almost. And in this case the latter reveals much more than what is seen. Because we are talking about the shade of a complex and poorly understood nation, in terms of traditions and politics, lifestyles and variety of languages, habits and customs, which are most often mistakenly translated into a superficial mixture of clichés in a sweet and sour sauce. But the shadow exists, okay? I refer to the African continent, as stated. Because the eastern giant has stuck both of its greedy hands among the natural wealth of all but the natives, and if they dare to claim rights or reasons, they become terrorists, separatists, or worse. Bad people, in short, even where they are at home, let alone when they decide to seek fortune elsewhere. Thus, with the passage of time, the invaders change names, but you may also read as far-sighted investors, new friends, generous...

Stories and News No. 1276 Once upon a time a tooth. Here is what remains of Patrice Émery Lumumba . Apparently , underlining and highlighting the adverb with a vehement bold. The news inspiring this piece is precisely the delivery to the heirs of the surviving remains of the former premier of the Republic of Congo, the first democratically elected for forty years, as well as activist and political leader, assassinated on the seventeenth January of '61 with the demonstrated complicity of the usual foreign powers. In a word, a tooth . The hero's tooth. A gold tooth from the brave champion of Congolese independence. This is all that was placed by the Belgian Prime Minister in the hands of Patrice's son sixty-one years after his death, accompanying the symbolic gesture with words that admit the “moral responsibilities” of their country and at the same time recognize the “serious wounds inflicted” and the “remarkable Lumumba's value for the independence of the Congo”. Of...