It was very sad news to hear of the death of Leigh French, co-editor of Variant. I was invited in the context of IndyRef2 to speak to a meeting organised by Leigh and Gordon Asher. What we shared in common was an appreciation of the significance of cultural struggle in challenging capitalism. Although we differed…
Norway: thousands of youth demonstrated against “Green Colonialism”
The following article, written by Matthew Walters, was first posted by Left Voice (USA). From the end of February to the beginning of March, over a thousand youth protested against the construction of wind turbines on Sami land. This movement represents the birth of a militant, Indigenous-led environmentalist movement. NORWAY:THOUSANDS OF YOUTH DEMONSTRATED AGAINST’GREEN COLONIALISM’…
Arundhati Roy on things that can and cannot be said: The dismantling of the world as we know it
We are reposting the Stuart Hall memorial lecture, first posted on thewire, given by Arundhati Roy last September. She is author of Azadi – Fascism, Fiction and Freedom in the Time of the Virus, outlining the ongoing fascistisation of India under Modi. In Arundhati’s lecture, she locates this process in a global context. Solidarity, speaking…
Homophobia in Uganda is a horrifying demonstration of colonialism and evangelism at work
The following article written by Alex/Rose Cocker was first posted by The Canary. It outlines the shared role of colonialism, and in particular Protestant evangelicals, in promoting homophobia in Africa, particular the ex-British colonies. Several of these evangelical organisations are currently involved in the transphobic offensive in the USA, UK and Scotland and in picketting…
The Winds of Change at Gartymore
George Gunn is a signatory to the 2023 Declaration of Calton Hill. In this thought provoking article, first posted by bella caledonia, George argues that climate activists should take inspiration from the Highland Land League’s slogan “Is treasa tuath na tighearna” (The people are mightier than a lord.) Allan Armstrong adds his own comment at…
Remembering George Padmore
The following article on Trinidadian revolutionary, George Padmore, written by Perry Blankson, was first posted by the Tribune. REMEMBERING GEORGE PADMORE Trinidadian socialist George Padmore was born in 1903. His Pan-African organising helped to build the struggle against colonialism in the West – and to push independence struggles towards Marxism. Of all the many figures…
‘Love is love’: LGBT lives and the fight to become Scotland’s First Minister
The following article, written by Kevin Guyan, was first posted by bella caledonia. It examines the different ways SNP leader contenders Kate Forbes and Ash Regan have promoted anti-trans politics. ‘LOVE IS LOVE’: LGBT LIVES AND THE FIGHT TO BECOME SCOTLAND’S FIRST MINISTER ‘Love is Love’, tweeted Ash Regan on the morning of 21 February,…
Kate Forbes’ economic agenda is just as dangerous as her conservative views
Adam Ramsay first posted this article on openDemocracy. He argues that Scotland’s poorest would likely be worse off under the leadership of the SNP finance minister. KATE FORBES’ ECONOMIC AGENDA IS JUST AS DANGEROUS AS HER CONSERVATIVE VIEWS There has so far been little focus on Kate Forbes’ economic policies. There has, rightly, been a lot…
Off Brand: the problem with ego, charisma and conspiracy
The following article, written by Mike Small, was first posted on bella caledonia. Using Russell Grant as an example, this article examines the the gallop to Right by many high profile men, particularly online. In the days of the Arab Spring, the Indignados in Spain and Greece, and the 2014 democratic revolution in Scotland many…
International Womens Day 2 – Zan Zendigi Azadi and Art Monsters
As our second contribution to International Women’s Day, we are posting Zan, Zendigi, Azad (Women, Life and Liberty), written by Pauline Bradley, and a review of the film Tar, by Meaghan Delahunt, which was first posted by bella caledonia. 1. ZAN ZENDIGI, AZAD (WOMEN, LIFE AND LIBERTY) Zan, Zendigi, Azad by Pauline Bradley …