Global Political Power Dynamics

The Ebola Crisis and the Global Response I watched with growing disbelief as the Ebola crisis unfolded in West Africa. I was in Sierra Leone in April of the year the country was declared Ebola-free. Despite extensive media coverage on prevention and identification measures, within five months, Sierra Leone was overwhelmed by the virus. The nation became synonymous with disease, poverty, and inefficiency—experiences that, as a Sierra Leonean, were deeply painful. Yet, my pride in my roots has only grown stronger. At the onset of the outbreak, the global response was slow, and many in the diaspora were dismissive of the situation's gravity. I knew first-hand that cultural beliefs, ignorance, and illiteracy could hinder efforts to contain the virus. However, the larger issue was the heavy reliance on outside intervention, particularly from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), whose guidance often appeared misdirected. Consider the decision not to close bord...

"Cumberbatch controversy is ridiculous" says Selma Star David Oyelowo   Benedict Cumberbatch recently made a mistake on the Tavis Smiley Show when he used the term "coloured" to refer to Black people. (By the way, I feel comfortable using the term "Black" myself, as I am Black.) His intention was to make a valid point, but the backlash was swift and severe. The point he was trying to make was drowned out by a wave of political correctness. I read about it in the news yesterday, and I couldn’t help but feel that the uproar overshadowed the real issue. Yes, he used the term "coloured," which many would consider outdated, but I began to wonder: What would have been the "politically correct" term to use, especially when trying to address a diverse group of ethnic minorities in the West? We can't be called "nigger," as it is extremely derogatory (and only Black people can reclaim that word, it seems). We can't b...