Toni Morrison on Racism

Toni Morrison (1931-2019)  explains in a Charlie Rose interview about the psychology of racism. The desire to feel superior to another group is a behavior that has been a part of the American societal landscape. The melting pot only applied to white immigrants such as Germans, Italians, and Irish. African Americans, Asians, and Latinos were excluded from the wider American society. African Americans had a more harsh experience being kidnapped and enslaved to perform forced labor. The Native American experience was one of  genocide and cultural destruction. Toni Morrison however, states "I refuse to be a victim." Morrison delineates that racism can harm both the oppressor and the persecuted. To extent this is true,but the one with the power is only harmed in the sense that it distorts their reality. It does not result in death or discrimination. Toni Morrison then articulates that racism is a problem of white America and one that they do not acknowledge or attempt to understand. Morrison then discusses the delayed justice in the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The assault by Rodney King by police officers sparked a revolt by the African American community frustrated by constant abuse. The restraint shown by the community all those years was incredible considering the acts of violence directed at African Americans both past and present. Morrison's novels explored human faults and hatreds which became an inspiration to a generation of writers.  

Global Public Discord

Every where on Earth there is  either protests, uprisings, or armed rebellion. The world's population has grown more frustrated with the conditions of political, economic, and social affairs. Upheaval is not just present in unstable nations. Both liberal democratic and authoritarian systems are experiencing a new phenomenon. Global public discord has spread to all various countries and continents. While revolt, protests, and civil unrest has been a part of human history, global public discord differs in certain attributes. It is a reaction to ineffective government, the negative consequences of globalization, and the desire to see meaningful change. The populations of the world are no longer willing to tolerate abuse. The challenge remains of what a new future would look like after such changes in society are made. The new global society has reached a point of crisis, with limited solutions coming from the supranational organizations or diplomatic alliances.  There is no way to predict what all these events will lead to. There can be only speculation about such results. A more optimistic view is that a world revolution could occur finally ending the global network of oppressive power structures. A more realistic possibility is that the world could fall into a deeper state of chaos. Failed states, war, or economic turmoil could be so common that civilization may not be able to function. This may not be a collapse of civilization entirely, rather a dramatic nadir in global society. Solutions are required to address such issues, before nothing can be done. Global public discord may be a new force none which has been seen since the enlightenment, the  revolutions of 1848,  or decolonization in the 20th century. Global public discord has been enabled by technology, the rapid spread of  ideas, and the declining living standards or abuse or people around the world by a ruling elite.
     No matter what type of government most are unable to meet the needs of their citizens. Even in countries with high income fail large portions of their people. Ineffective government can be seen in both liberal democracies and authoritarian systems. For so long liberal democracy has been presented as the best form of government. This bias has deluded many to how representative government has multiple limitations. The mechanisms that are designed to give citizens power still favor a ruling elite. Special interest groups and corporations maintain dominance in democratic governments being at the top of the pyramid structure. Voting, working on political campaigns, running for office, or other forms of civic participation are unable to break this influence. The illusion of rule by the people is really a plutocracy in a majority of the western democracies. These countries of the US and EU nations are unable to solve problems of poverty, racism, or threats of violence. The chance of social mobility are limited and equality only preached as a value. Discrimination and extremist violence are still a part of these liberal democratic systems. Oppression exists in these societies, yet the model is presented as superior or the only alternative. Authoritarian systems also engage in oppression in a more blatant manner compared to liberal democratic systems. The liberal democracies are more covert in their human rights abuse. The authoritarian system of government centers around a charismatic leader , strongman, or single party state apparatus. The government has only one purpose in mind : to either expand power or maintain strict control. The reason authoritarian systems appear in mostly African, Asian, and Latin American nations was due to the legacy of colonization. Colonies were not given full freedom when under the control of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, US, Spain, or Portugal. Colonies were not democratic systems rather they were ruled directly, indirectly, or fell under a sphere of influence. The end of World War II and the Cold War, many of the global south nations adopted liberal democratic systems, but the authoritarian political structures remained intact. Through a century of political change people living in countries around the globe saw their standard of living fluctuate. Stable employment was not a guarantee nor was educational opportunities or adequate healthcare .  Gradually, this generated a reaction form the new global society.
        Ineffective government cannot protect the rights or welfare of its citizens. Its concerns are not about improving the nation, rather being involved in global power competition. Countries that are not major world powers still spend large amount on their military, not solely for the sake of defense, but prestige. The harm comes with the reduction of social services to the public. Corruption and mismanagement become catalysts for  revolt. Around the world global discord is taking shape in the forms of protests which could remain peaceful or become dramatically violent. The rule of Omar Al-Bashir over the last years of the 2010s was coming under challenge from protests. When the coup occurred in 2019 ending a the 30 years of his regime, the military assumed that protests would subside. They continued with the Sudanese population demanding change to their political system.The military's refusal to hand over power to a civilian government resulted in suspension from the African Union. This is only a beginning to want appears to be changing into a larger national movement. Algeria's longtime president Abdelaziz Bouteflika decided not to run for another term in 2019, when protests grew bigger. The announcement did not placate Algerians wanting a transition in leadership . He was not allowed to finish his term and forced to resign. Elections are planned to be held to elect a new president, yet there is little satisfaction from the opposition and Algerians protesting. Hong Kong's protests over a bill which would extradite residents to mainland China for criminal offenses, sparked outrage. Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam eventually stated that the bill will be terminated. However, the protests have not stopped and it appears there is an intention to have the movement go beyond the boundaries of Hong Kong. The fear is that the one party system in China will be challenged. These are examples of how global public  discord can spread fast and remain persistent. Liberal democracies are not immune for it.
       France, the US, and the UK are experiencing fall out from global discord. The yellow vest protests in France were a reaction to the government's reform in the tax codes. Rising fuel prices and the cost of living become more of a burden for the working and middle class French citizen. They have even called for the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron. The United States has multiple movements which include Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street, and a new wave of women's rights activism in response to the Donald Trump administration.The Occupy Wall Street movement has lost momentum, even though economic inequality has become more pronounced. Black Lives Matter continues to confront police brutality and a corrupt criminal justice system, yet still faces challenges from courts. Reforms in policing, prisons, and drug policy have been halted under a more conservative administration. Scandals and acts of racism have encouraged people normally not active to use means of  unconventional participation in the United States. The UK since 2010 has had a anti-austerity movement. This currently has been overshadowed by Brexit, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants done by October of 2019. The United Kingdom since the European debt crisis has struggled with unemployment and harsher terms related to fiscal austerity measures. People are becoming more disgruntled with the state of the economy, politics, and social conditions of their nations. Liberal democracies used to pride themselves on the notion their societies were stable with limited political turbulence. Europe has to struggle with supranationalism and fiscal austerity policy that many citizens reject. The limited desire or inability of governments in both democratic and authoritarian systems to create functional societies  has created a backlash.  This has materialized into movements that could go on until a consensus is reached or fade away. Their success depends on whether or not the people who are active have developed a political consciousness or substantive ideas. There has to be an objective beyond just removing officials or reforms; there may need to be a major revolutionary change.
         Globalization has caused some of the discontent seen around the world. While there have been positive benefits such as cultural exchange and wider access to mass communication the economic repercussions have been more devastating.  Transnational corporations have generated global public discord in ways people do not realize. Outsourcing labor, which many companies in both Europe and North America have done has allowed for an international exploitation of labor. Simultaneously, employment and economic opportunities have left the developed nations. The developing nations are working harder with no increase in wages. Even in the developed nations wages remain stagnant under conditions of economic growth. This means that the average person does not have enough disposable income to keep the global economy stimulated. Decline in material conditions can be the start of global discord. The high cost of living, higher education, and healthcare force  people to become more more active. Globalization by definition is the international influence of corporations over world affairs. It has caused disturbances both in relation to politics and the hopes of social mobility. The middle class may shrink or be phased out under the strains of globalization. People who were is stable financial standing could fall into poverty. The more that living standards decline the higher amount of global public  discord. The counter argument is that globalization provides goods and services that allow the world population to live comfortably. The flaw of this reasoning is that inflation and  combined with low wages prevent a portion of people from achieving this. Moderate regulation of the free market has not made it fair for all of its participants. Neoliberal capitalism and supply side economics has become the dominant model, which puts transnational corporations above other institutions in society. International trade favors the richest nations, with the developing nations attempting to gain a level of economic independence.  The idea for nations in such a situation was to accept structural adjustment programs  to attract investment. Policies by the World Bank and IMF have not resulted in economic prosperity or growth for the global south. This is the most visible failure of  the economic element of globalization. The global financial crisis pushed the world population to the brink and subsequently global public discord expanded rapidly.
         The problems of society have become more visible with mass media exposure and wider internet access. Citizens of the world have a strong desire for change rather than the status quo. The authoritarian systems are in a fragile position with populations demanding more rights and freedoms. The  liberal democracies suffer a crisis of  political centrism and moderate levels of consensus building. The negotiations between political parties in North American and European states normally produces an agreement that most of the population regardless of political affiliation rejects. The election cycle brings a shift between liberal and conservative  governments, which over a series of decades has become erratic. Leaders in the liberal democratic states no longer have visions for the future, rather empty promises of change or reform. The citizens desire effective solutions to societal problems. Multiparty systems are no better at doing this compared to the authoritarian systems. The voters then may seek a maverick or be confused into electing a person who labels themselves as one. Other either take another alternative. The extreme is the embrace of xenophobic nativist nationalism with right-wing populist overtones. The less dangerous choice is voting for political parties that do not have a huge following or chance  of gaining office. The image that is presented is one of modern day Polybius sequence. The Latin American nations are trapped in this condition with many countries in the region resembling oligarchies. Only a few socialist states such a Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Bolivia are attempting to form a political alternative in a wave of more conservative governments in the region. Minor alterations in laws or new legislation will not be enough to end the malaise that world populations have for multiparty politics. The authoritarian systems have adjusted to world changes by making excuses that their actions are in the name of national security. The advantage this political  system has is that policies can be enacted faster, because there is no debate or discussion about them. Political or social change is not immediate, but people grow more vexed if they perceive that nothing is being done. The desire for longstanding solutions to economic, political, and social problems is what the world population wants. Empty promises or minor reforms have caused people to lose faith not only in political parties, but the institution of government itself.
         Global public discord can culminate in particular courses of events. The current spread of ant-government protests could morph into armed rebellion if conditions deteriorate further. Armed resistance has already occurred in some countries. Syria's civil war occurred when a section of the population protested and were met with force by the army. The people armed themselves and terrorist groups entered the country with another agenda in mind. Myanmar has been in a state of ethnic conflict through most of the 20th and 21st century. Even as the country attempts to move closer to a civilian and democratic government multiple ethnic groups still engage in combat with one another. Although European countries and North America are not in such dire situations, polarization will hinder any chances of efficient government. The citizens of these nations will either disengage completely or be willing to follow a person who is more extreme in relation to the political spectrum. The effect could be the corruption of systems of government designed to protect civil liberties, civil rights, and monitor political power. The least possible alternative is the one that would be the most revolutionary. The rise of global public discord may see a rise in anarchism. This political philosophy is often misunderstood or feared. Confused with the political condition of a failed state or civil disturbance, anarchism advocates limited or no government with the emphasis on voluntary association. Society would be cooperative, without the force of government power structure. Achieving such a revolution would not be possible under current circumstances. Consciousness must be raised to a certain level, rather than just organizing people around a set of objectives. If this is not done, movements can either vanish or descend into extremism. Discontent, feelings of hopelessness, and rage are becoming too common among members of different political systems. Global political discord is growing, yet many world leaders do not recognize or comprehend this phenomenon. The biggest challenge is creating a sustainable future and managing global public discord. Rapid transformation of society and the growth of  inequality has made global public discord more prevalent.                         

The Tunisian Elections (2014)

It was 2014 when Tunisia declared its first truly free and fair election. President Zine El Abidine  Ben Ali had been removed from office due what would be know as the Arab Spring uprisings that swept across North Africa and the Middle East. This video from five years ago reports on the polls by Euronews. Beji Caid Essebsi became Tunisia's next president, but his association with the former administration drew criticism. He served as parliament speaker under the Ben Ali administration and some feared that the authoritarian tendencies would reemerge. Like most North African countries the new political transitions did not bring about more freedoms or improved living standards. Moncef Marzouk of the Congress of the Republic party ran against him claiming human rights would be under threat. Beji Caid Essebsi 's rule was not long when he passed  away at the age of 92 in 2019. The concern about electing older leaders is that their health may effect their capacity to govern. Sudden deaths could put the country in turmoil and peaceful transitions may not be possible. The Nidaa Tounes party has to figure out its political vision without their leader. Tunisia faces a bigger challenge of being next to two countries Libya and Algeria which are also dealing with political crisis and insurrection. Essebi's legacy is already being mythologized for the sake of make it seem as if the 2011 revolution promoted progress. It is too early to make such a proclamation, however the next administration will have to confront security and economic problems. 

The World Health Organization Declares Ebola outbreak in the DRC an International Emergency

The World Health Organization has declared that ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached crisis levels. There were cases  of ebola in 2018, yet these matters were ignored. The DRC has struggled with armed rebellion and civil wars through its history, but now it faces a public health challenge. The ebola outbreaks in 2014 caused global concern and this new outbreak should not be considered any less of a threat. There comes a horrible realization with global pandemics. The developing nations are more at risk compared to developed countries. Healthcare  and proper medical facilities are a requirement to combat pandemics in the present and future. The WHO must develop a consistent plan of action to prevent major crisis. One goal for the UN should be to see the establishment of functional healthcare systems and contribute to the construction of more hospitals. The ebola virus could become as dangerous as AIDS when it was first identified. Unchecked public health will rapidly deteriorate. Many people may no seek healthcare simply because they do not have the financial means to do so. Other times there is a urban and rural divide between in terms of quality of care. Rural areas globally have limited options in terms of hospitals or medical clinics. The DRC alone does not have the resources to deal with an ebola outbreak combined with other social and political issues. It is important that the African Union become involved in the promotion of stable healthcare systems and the prevention of pandemics. As the DRC deals with this crisis it is also important that the public not panic. Doing so only creates more disorder or possible long term unrest.  

Facebook Will Launch a New Cryptocurrency

Facebook has become a social media phenomenon. It continues to define the standard of internet communication, with other imitators following. Now the company wants to get involved in cryptocurrency. From a point of business this makes logical sense. Getting involved in digital currency early may secure more profits and higher value for Facebook in the future. Facebook has given a name to its proposed cryptocurrency known as the libra. There are concerns about it development. Facebook has done a poor job at protecting user data. Privacy may not be guaranteed to users of the social media network. Facebook also found itself  answering questions about fake accounts connected to Russia attempting to influence elections in the United States. The spread of false information has also become a concern with a public that has limited media literacy. The fear about the use of the libra is that may enable massive financial fraud. When digital assets are traded it is done under a strong system of cryptography and firewall protection to ensure security. Facebook has difficulty or lacks the ability to protect user data, which makes the exchange of libra a risk. Other detractors have a concern that is not about Facebook in particular, rather they want to preserve private central banking. Beside the few nations that have national banks, cryptocurrency make to a serious threat. At the moment a large portion of the public is not doing financial exchanges in cryptocurrency. It may take some time before this type of money becomes available to most of the global population.    

Carrie Lam Declares the Extradition Bill Is Terminated and Protests Continue.

Carrie Lam stated "the bill is dead" while protests continue with no end in sight. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong faces a political crisis, which may become an wider problem for the People's Republic of China. The extradition bill would have seen residents of Hong Kong tried in mainland China. The fear is that a person would not get a fair trial for a certain criminal offense. Some believe that the law was designed to target dissidents who were either against Beijing or the Chief Executive. The sudden change in law and policy has created friction even outside of China. Boris Johnson who seeks to become Prime Minister in the UK has made comments in support of  the protests. This was followed by swift condemnation from China. Ever since Xi Jingping became core leader, his presidency has sought unity through crackdowns and a limited toleration for protests. Instances of police brutality forced Carrie Lam to make an apology for poor conduct. Gradually calls for her resignation became louder, but there is a fear that she could be replaced by someone more stern in approach. The former British colony was transferred to China in 1997. Ever since, there have been cases of civil disobedience. The current protests seem different with participants demanding more. Escalation could lead to serious violence, but Beijing may not be will to use force against Hong Kong. The memories of Tiananmen Square still remain with some government officials. Although China has proclaimed this is domestic affairs matter and no nation has the right to interfere, drastic action could change global public opinion. The situation is a delicate balancing act between the people of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, Xi Jingping, and the question of the law.   

West African Nations Adopt New Currency The Eco

It was agreed upon nations of West Africa in ECOWAS that a single currency be adopted by 2020. The Economic Community of West Africa States wants to strengthen economic and political ties among its members. This can be very positive news with Africans developing solutions rather than seeking advice form the International Monetary Fund or World Bank. Some may question what would currency do in the long term plan of development. It may make transactions easier with a single currency and may also encourage more collaboration among the 15 member states. If this can be successful then, it may serve as an experiment for not just a regional currency, but a currency for the entire African continent. It would make no sense for East Africa, Southern Africa, Central Africa, and North Africa to have single region based currencies. The African Union must consider in the future of having one currency for the entire continent. The challenge is development, employment, and a common political consensus among African nations. The eco  does have a level of risk, but at the same time it means West African nations will not be so economically dependent on France. Much of the success of the eco will depend on the policies of both Nigeria and Niger. President Mahamadou Issoufou  has succeeded  the office of Chairmen of ECOWAS form President Muhammadu Buhari. So far, he has not made any official policy statements about the monetary policy related to the eco.