Journalist at RFI (ex-DW, BBC, CBC, F24...), writer (on art, music, street art...), I work in radio, podcasting, online, on films. As a writer, I'm a contributor to the New Arab, Art UK, Byline Times, the i paper... Born in Paris, I was also based in Prague, Miami, London, Nairobi (covering East Africa), Bangui, and in Bristol, UK. I also reported from Italy, Germany, Haiti, Tunisia, Liberia, Senegal, India, Mexico, Iraq, South Africa... This blog is to share my work and cultural discoveries.
03/01/2025
02/01/2025
Introduction To Peter Kennard
Human rights and activism for Palestine & Gaza: Bystanders No More
Meanwhile, a great initiative:
>> Bystanders No More
"Helping people speak up about human rights in Palestine"
If…
✅ You believe in human rights and international law
✅ You care about all people – including Palestinians
✅ You are concerned about the atrocities in Gaza
But…
❌ You worry you’ll be labelled antisemitic or pro-Hamas if you speak out
❌ You think that you (and the public) are powerless in this situation
❌ You don’t feel educated enough to take action
Bystanders No More
"Helping people speak up about human rights in Palestine"
A basic sense of right and wrong is all that is required to stand up now against the collective punishment of civilians. No degree or specialised expertise is necessary, and taking action doesn’t always look like taking to the streets to protest or being outspoken on social media.
Concerned citizens can lobby elected officials to support policies, donate to organisations, join the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions movement and simply talk to friends and family. Each of us may choose different ways to help stop the atrocities, but we all must do something.
First post of the year on my newsletter
Democracy is in danger in the US... It doesn't have to be everywhere else!
Against the rise of fascist billionaires and potential dictators, let's stay mobilised in 2025! And as always I include examples of progress in Africa.
https://melissa.substack.com/p/democracy-is-in-danger-in-the-us
Link to read: https://melissa.substack.com/p/democracy-is-in-danger-in-the-us
It's the end of the empire, and it's a good thing
Here is a nice video recording helping understand why it is a good thing... If you need it.
How Empires Fall and Why the US is Next
01/01/2025
2025
I'm not too optimistic at the moment...
But, as Toni Morrison once wrote, ”this is precisely the time when artists go to work — not when everything is fine, but in times of dread. That’s our job!”