Sometimes I Wish I Had Had an Abortion.

We Have Coups at Home

As US citizens looked on in horror at the events of January 6th, I sat from my home in Jamaica alternating between distress and hilarity. The situation before me was absurd on so many levels, but the sense of irony that permeated the moment couldn’t be shaken. Decades of “covert operations” and dubious foreign policy all came to a head in an attack that many people saw coming.

White America has a history of aiding and abetting insurrection and the actions that day in the Capitol building were a reflection of that. Coronavirus, travel restrictions, and stay at home orders have forced many to be focused on local action and it seems white supremacists are no different in that regard. As thousands of Trump supporting terrorists stormed the building leaving in their wake explosive materials and carrying in their midst dozens of rich and well connected white men an air of despair and disgust fell over the US.

The weeks following these horrific events have been filled with politicians, news anchors, and journalists everywhere rushing to reassure the US that this “isn’t who we are as a country.” But that can’t possibly be the truth, this is the same country that has admitted to providing military and financial assets to at least 10 coups in Latin America alone. That number isn’t counting invasions or cases of only “suspected” US involvement. Hell, the US backed a coup just last September!

Undermining democracy is just as much a part of the US’ international legacy as baseball and slavery.

The attempts of those who empowered, emboldened, and condoned white supremacy under this administration through complicit complacency or active encouragement to wash their hands of guilt sickens me. That extends to more than just career politicians and into the “liberal media '' that failed to call out and disavow Trump’s wildest claims.

Big media organisations that have spent hours agonising over the Trump administration's most vile and ridiculous actions, giving him the foot in the door he needed to escalate. Their failure to actively call out the borderline (and sometimes actually) illegal actions of the former president and his cronies paved the way for those rioters in a way no sympathetic Capitol police person could have.

The career politicians who stood idly by watching the US’ political landscape erode before their eyes ought to hang their heads in shame. This might just be the most bipartisan act that took place in these last 4 years. Men and women on both sides of the aisle remained mild in their condemnations, weak in their convictions, and feeble in their actions.

The false calls for unity with radical right wing fascists sicken me. All the Republicans who failed to do what was right, are quick to claim the country can go forward without accountability. Impeachment is the bare minimum, charges are the bare minimum, increased security measures are the bare minimum.

Unity?

Unity is a distant dream they should have thought about before they endorsed the vile racist, misogynistic, ableist (and the list goes on) man child. Unity is what they should have thought about last summer as they brazenly condemned protests for black lives. The Republican party has never been concerned with unity, what they are concerned with is their bottom line. They are concerned with their next election and satisfying their now radicalised base, because what truly matters is power.

All these important political actors have all played a major role in allowing radical white supremacist rhetoric to fester in the American middle class. The blood and rubble is on their hands and their disservice to the American people is duly noted.

Finally, all the assertions that there is a way to “bring America back” without questioning what it is to be from the US and how and who got us here sickens me. What is the America you want to bring back? Yet again, the US’s elite are peddling lies, misinformation, and easy ways out of complex and confounding situations. One thing I have noted in coming to the US and attempting to understand US media cycles and politics is that coddling is an all too common practice. There is no comfort in uprooting white supremacy, there never will be. Hard work is never easy and changing a nation isn’t either.

US history is bleak but this is a time to look forward. To dream bigger and realize a United States that is at least more united in the pursuits of justice, peace, and radical change for the better.

Whether it comes from your local news anchor or the incoming President, we need to reject a narrative that makes these terrorists and their accomplices (active or passive) comfortable. That is what got us into this mess in the first place. When we prioritize the voices and comfort of more white, rich, well connected men (and women) we empower them to seek out that comfort at the expense of even democracy.

The failed coup of January 6th remains one of the most hilarious and harrowing things I have lived in my very short life. With a solid 40 years (at least) ahead of me I dread to think what future the US will build for itself. Whether it will be one darkened by years of further white supremacist action or enlightened by the liberation of the many oppressed peoples who reside here is as yet unclear to me. As I prepare for my next 3 years and a half in this peculiar nation I continue to ponder what it means to bring home your foreign policy with you. Furthermore, I question what it means to exist here in a time of great political and socio economic disarray.

I have many hopes for the future of the US, and while most involve preserving my personal safety and sanity, others are hopes for a nation that can fully accept all the people it holds within its expansive borders. I hope that this rattled and divided country can unify in the years to come, after the dust has settled and the charges have been filed, after accountability and unlearning. I hope that one day the US and its foreign relations wont strike fear in my heart or anyone else’s. Finally, I hope for a future that is filled with opportunity and joy for everyone.

Hayley Headley is an emerging writer and journalist who works hard to create work that is fiercely feminist, anti racist and anti oppression on a whole. You can check out more of her work and content on her instagram @hayley.headley

Hayley Headley 2/24/21 Hayley Headley 2/24/21

Thoughts on Biden, and What the Future Should Hold

A couple of weeks ago Joe Biden was finally sworn in and became the 46th President of the United States and a sense of relief washed over much of the US. Tensions that have kept us up at night over the past 4 years were released and for many, there is hope of healing in the next four years that will cancel out the nightmare of the previous one. Every part of the nation's expanding population is asking for something different from President Biden, the question is - can he deliver?

All across the US (and beyond) the question lingers in the back of every American’s mind differently. There is much work to be done, but a month in the president has made it clear that he is committed to stepping firmly out of the shadow of his predecessor. But the 45th president ignited extremists that this nation has not had to confront with such gaping self-examination, and they remain a prominent part of the US’ future.

Moreover, the pandemic continues to cast a cloud of worry over much of the population. Zahra, a Muslim-American woman, expressed her hopes and fears saying:

“I am most optimistic about how the pandemic will be handled under the Biden administration. Trump did a terrible job of ensuring nationwide protocol when dealing with COVID-19 & I am very hopeful that Biden and the COVID-19 task force are going to try their best to make sure the vaccine is accessible and take whatever precautionary measures are necessary in order to flatten the curve. I’m afraid that racial tensions may stay the same. Trump has mobilized and energized violent racists to the forefront. And they are very much comfortable with what they stand for and that genuinely scares and concerns me.”

But racial division and COVID-19 response are inextricably intertwined, no matter how we view the future of this pandemic or this country we must consider all the niches of inequity that exist. Ece, a Turkish-American currently pursuing a dual degree at Sciences Po and Colombia Universities, expanded on this, commenting:

“With Biden already signing to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and plans to lift the Muslim-majority travel ban, I’m optimistic to mostly to see the undoing of Trump’s discriminatory and ignorant presidency. Though, I’m quite skeptical of the Biden administration in accomplishing the radical change we need to see now in the US, ranging from massive housing to educational reform. If the outbreak of COVID-19 proved anything, it was that the US reeks of inequalities, most of which have only escalated. I’m afraid that unless the consequences and the continuance of racist and discriminatory practices are acknowledged and confronted, the change we need to see as a fairer and more society will not occur. It’s a matter of admitting that this system does not work, and one of creating a new order that reorients the decision-making towards its citizens and away from waging countless wars in the Middle East fueling a military-industrial complex and prioritizing the demands of corporations all in the name for profit.”

Looking out at the state of US politics as President Biden takes over doesn’t inspire much confidence. Many feel that this is a return to the regular state of affairs where scandals are swept under the rug and not blurted out on Twitter. That the next 4 years will see merely incremental change. Blythe, a student of Community Organization from Tennessee echoes this less than optimistic sentiment saying:

“I feel like our country’s administration just changed from a dumpster fire to a regular trash can that ultimately still resides in the landfill of American politics...so my relief is high but my optimism for the Biden administration is low. The light from the dumpster fire did illuminate a lot of cracks in our system, and I’ve started to see people really demanding that their politicians work to fix those. I hope that the Biden administration is able to create “radical” policy that will serve the people of our country. But I fear and expect that this administration will create solutions that don’t dig deep enough to get to the root of the problems. That they, for instance, will work with BLM leaders and activists to create really progressive policy, but will fail to dismantle the prison and military industrial complex in a way that would prevent all their work from being easily undone. I hope I’m surprised though.”

For the youth who have been so catastrophically introduced to political life in the past 4 years, the inauguration meant rest - for a brief moment. Sulan, an IB student and Jamaican-American speaks to much of what many young people are feeling saying:

“I must admit that when Biden was voted in I felt a rush of relief. After four years, I could let go of the breath I was holding in and open my eyes; the nightmare is over. Now that he and VP Harris have been sworn in, I’ve had more time to reset my expectations of this administration to a realistic level. I think most of their efforts will likely be to correct much of the damage that Trump has done in his time as president, like improving upon immigration policies, reversing the Muslim ban and re-entering the Paris Climate Agreement. Additionally, I think Biden will help to get the country closer to recovering from the pandemic. However, I doubt there will be much progress with issues that were prominent during Obama’s administration, like defunding local and federal law enforcement and refocusing the national budget on education and social services. I definitely expect this presidential term to be less eventful than the last, but I hope that other young people share the realization of how important it is to pay attention to the actions of our leaders and demand change when they have failed us.”

Immigrant communities were made particularly vulnerable under the Trump presidency and continue to wait in the wings as the administration plans to wrestle with the growing racial tensions and the ever-changing nature of the pandemic.

Angie reflects upon her position being the daughter of Mexican (im)migrants as Biden takes the reigns of US foreign policy. “As a first-generation student and daughter of Mexican (im)migrants, I am most excited about seeing the possibilities of immigration policy changes under Biden. After years of turmoil and discrimination against (im)migrants, I hope to see a change for my undocumented family members and close friends to have a chance in obtaining a green card and/or citizenship. However, I fear that no policies will change, and yet another failed promise will eradicate all hope for the futures of my loved ones in this country.”

At the same time, the Biden administration is working in coordination with the most diverse US congress in history. From the House of Representatives to the Senate, and all the way to the White House there has never been this much representation of the US’ most historically underrepresented identities. This hits home for many, but for Black women especially. Vice President Harris exists at the intersection of many identities that have been not only controversial but constricting. Having the daughter of Asian and Caribbean immigrants ascend to the second highest office definitely resonates with Dr Joseph, a Haitian American historian. As she reflected on the incoming administration saying:

“I am most optimistic about Black women continuing to lead coalitions to push for policy change under the Biden administration. Such change includes addressing the unjust judicial system and the wealth gap.I know that white supremacy is not going away in the next 4 years and neither is capitalism, a system built on oppression of the masses for the gains of the few. But I believe the people doing the work to see that radical shift happen.”

The next 4 years might not see the radical change that I and many others are awaiting, but as we move forward in optimism we cannot forget how the Trump presidency enlightened us to the dark underbelly of US politics. Beyond conspiracy and falsehoods, complicity is the poison that has kept this nation sick for centuries. Whether it is the pandemic that continues to guide our lives or the racism that has gone unspoken for years - the way forward is rooted in accountability.

The Biden administration, the House of Representatives, the Senate, every facet of local and national politics must be held accountable on every issue, so find what really matters to you and hold them to their promises. Victory should not lead to complacency.

Hayley is an emerging writer and journalist who works hard to create work that is fiercely feminist, anti racist and anti oppression on a whole. You can check out more of her work and content on her instagram @hayley.headley

The Whorticulturalist 11/4/20 The Whorticulturalist 11/4/20

The Day After.

By the whorticulturalist.

It's the day after election day and I'm so exhausted that I can barely focus my eyes on the work I have to do in front of me. I feel sick, my lower back aches, and my eyes are already burning. The blinds are pulled shut and my curtains are drawn. My apartment, which is usually full of music or podcasts, is blissfully silent. I want it to remain that way, I want to preserve the fragile tendrils of certainty and safety I feel.

It's surreal, to say the least, that we've finally made it here. I can still remember this day in 2016, and the feeling of hopelessness and betrayal. I was living abroad in England at the time, and as I went about my day and ran my errands, I was asked by many who recognized my accent what I thought about the election results. I didn't want to talk about it with strangers though, I didn't want to cry in public, so I just told everyone that I was Canadian. I didn't want to take on that responsibility, I was ashamed of how low we'd come.

There was a heavy feeling in my heart, as a woman, a sense of oncoming doom. I already felt tired thinking about the fights that were to be had. Maybe even back then, maybe I was already starting this magazine in my head. Just like back then, this week I'm thinking that this is not the end, but the beginning of something huge. I want to think about all the ways that this election, and this presidency have galvanized a lot of people to participate in their communities in ways they had never previously imagined. And I think about all the thoughtful energy created. People are paying attention, and people are beginning to care.

It's too early to say whether or not we are too late. It's too early to know whether or not we're going to be able to save the world in time. I feel even more lonely when I think about how more people voted for Trump in 2020 than they did in 2016. We need to change this. We need to change it all.

Last night I took a walk through the city to observe what I could. I could see streets that were eerily empty, and sports bars with election coverage on their tvs. I stopped next to a woman who was helping a homeless man, and when she walked away, the man told me that she had stolen his phone. I paused to look at graffiti on the sidewalk and a man leered at me and asked me to get a drink with him. I saw the empty hotels of SF with their rooms selectively lit up to make the skyline a choppy row of glowing hearts. I went home so tired, but I didn't sleep. I didn't sleep at all.

This isn't the end, this is just the beginning. This is us realizing, as we did back in 2016, that there is no end to the work to dismantle patriarchy, white supremacy, and exploitative systems of colonization and capitalism. We are tired, but we are determined. The tide is turning, and we will have our turn.

Hayley Headley 11/1/20 Hayley Headley 11/1/20

Understanding The Second Armenian Genocide

Disclaimer: This article is heavily biased in favor of Armenia. It does not effectively represent the plight of the Azeri people. For personal reasons, I am not capable of doing that. If you would like to seek out information from the Azerbaijani perspective, feel free to check out this source: https://www.dailysabah.com/

It has been just over a month since fighting first broke out in Artsakh (aka Nagorno-Karabakh). Since then, the region has seen even more violent attacks on civilian populations and was declared to be going through a genocide. There is so much to say about what has been happening and what hope there is for the future. The following is a semi-comprehensive round-up of some of the most significant events of the past month.

In the second week of fighting, there were reports of Turkish and Israeli artillery being used to fire on Artsakh. As the conflict continues, more and more reports are being found to prove that the same nations calling out for a ceasefire are fueling the war with weapons. Israel has historically been Azerbaijan’s biggest arms dealer (surpassing even Russia), and they show no signs of slowing down. Despite Armenian descent, they have reaffirmed their commitment to fulfilling their billion-dollar arms deal with the nation.

Syrian boots hit the ground in the second week of the fighting, as Turkey’s bought and paid for rebel troops were deployed. Turkey has been using Syrian mercenaries for a while now, recruiting them to fight wars in Libya. Using poverty as a recruitment tactic, they have been able to supply their allies in Baku with the manpower they need to keep this war going.

Coming off of those reports’ heels, members of the Dutch Parliament called for action to aid Armenia in the war. In early October, MPs signed a resolution that condemned Azerbaijan and called for the government to bring this issue to a conclusion at this year’s EU summit.

Similarly, in opposition to Azeri oppression, Greek politicians have been leading the charge in the EU parliament to condemn President Aliyev. They have been pushing to revoke all visas for Azeris in Europe with diplomatic passports - essentially sending all the politicians, foreign ministers, and diplomats currently residing within the Schengen/EU area back home.

Nothing has come of these pushes for further action.

The fighting has spilled over into civilian settlements on both sides. Armenia attacked the Azeri city of Ganga; this comes as a presumably reactionary move to the attacks on similarly populated regions by Azeri forces. Not to mention the attempt to strike the capital, which occurred in just the first week of the conflict.

Since the first week of fighting, Russia, France, and the United States have all negotiated three separate peace deals. Humanitarian Ceasefires are generally agreed upon by two parties that are brought to the table by a third party. Often, as in Artsakh, this third party has a vested interest in the conflict, whether monetary or military.

After two failed attempts at establishing this tentative peace, the US brought the two nations back to the table. They established a ceasefire that went into effect Monday morning and was promptly broken as Azeri forces continued to shell military positions in Artsakh.

This came as, over the weekend, Genocide Watch declared a genocide emergency in the Artsakh region. Fear that this war may turn into a genocide is not new, but what the GW says that a genocide is underway. What does that mean?

Genocide is defined in the second article of the Genocide Convention as:

The performance of these acts with “intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group:

Killing members of the group;
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.”

Not every war can be declared genocidal, but the war in Artsakh is notable for various reasons.

Number one is that Turkey has used the mislead of war to do this in the past. In 1915 the first Armenian genocide took place, and Turkey utilized the distraction of World War 1 to commit these heinous acts in secret. Turkey’s heavy involvement in this war had always sparked fear since the early days of the war. Those fears are now being realized in the worst way imaginable.

Genocide Watch recognizes 10 stages of genocide. If you are familiar with political theory, they resemble Allport’s scale of prejudice and discrimination. The organization says that the situation in Artsakh is close to approaching the most advanced stage. If we don’t act now, the world will give Turkey and Azerbaijan all they need to pretend this never happened.

Turkey got away with the genocide of 1915, and Erdogan pledged to do it again. The prime minister has said that the nation is a continuation of the Ottoman empire. An era of Turkish history characterized, at least in part, by genocide and imperialism. He is committed to returning Turkey to its former glory, one which begins with the murder of Armenians for their territory.

When the United Nations was formed, the world said they wouldn’t stand idly by and let another genocide happen again. Yet, in the face of an active threat, the West is silent; the UN is silent.

As Azeri airstrikes encroach further on the civilian territory, it is only a matter of time. Erdogan is committed to upholding his end of the bargain. The question is if we will do what is right.

Congressman Devin Nunes (R-CA 22) sent a letter to his constituents as the US announced their ceasefire deal with the two nations. Saying: “I am hopeful this ceasefire will bring an end to the unacceptable, belligerent actions taken by Azerbaijan and Turkey against Armenia.”

With all due respect, Congressman, your hope isn’t saving anyone. The Armenians in your district need more than just your hope, more than just your words; they need action. Their families back home are being slaughtered as your government provides security aid to their enemy. These people are crying out for their lives, and you are telling them, whether directly or indirectly, that you don’t care - at least not enough to do anything. There are genocidal heads of the state bringing about their extermination, and you “hope” they do better?

There is no need for hope when you can create change.

The United Nations, the EU parliament, the United States, all of these nations and collectives are calling on hope when the power to stop these attacks lies in the palm of their hands. This is no longer a war, no longer a debate about state sovereignty - every action and inaction taken since the 23rd of October is an act that aids this genocide.

Peace deals won’t work. Denouncing Azerbaijan won’t work. Only real and sustained actions to halt Azerbaijan in all their operations will work. Azeri and Turkish forces are searching for a much greater goal, one that these bodies can prevent them from reaching.

Now isn’t the time to respect agreements or trade deals. It is time for action.

Azerbaijan has given up all pretense of decent warfare, opting to partake in the severe destruction of forest areas. Recently videos have surfaced of the white phosphorus being used to set the forests near Armenian villages ablaze. This is just the latest in a long series of heinous acts that have characterized this war. While white phosphorus is not prohibited under international law, its use is frowned upon near civilian areas.

Armenia first accepted women into military service training in 2013, but very few women have been urged to join since then. Last week, however, the prime minister’s wife announced that she and 13 other women will be deployed on the frontlines in Artsakh soon. This just reflects that the nation is being stretched for resources and soldiers.

Over 1000 young men, most of them just 18 or 19 years old, have fallen fighting this war. As of the 26th of October, 300 to 400 civilians were reported dead, and that number is only projected to grow as Azeri airstrikes extend further into Artsakh villages. According to the BBC, on the 10th of October, over 70,000 people have been displaced on the Armenian side of the conflict.

The first Armenian genocide was background noise to Western interests, don’t let this be the same. Get involved, show up to the protest, call your representatives.

International bodies and treaties like NATO limit the actions that European nations and the US can take. That doesn’t mean that nothing can be done, and the US has found a way around these rules in the past.

Here is what you can petition your representatives to push for:

Contract a private military
1. The US is currently utilizing private contractors to represent their interests in Syria. This is in no way a violation of the constitution or the law. Moreover, while the act might irritate Turkey, it is permitted by NATO.
2. It is possible for other nations as well, especially those with the money to employ mercenaries.
Petition the Security Council to sanction arms sales to Azerbaijan
1. This is an option for anyone from a security council nation (mostly); this includes the UK, Russia, France, the United States, and China. The non-permanent member nations like; Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Germany, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Niger, St Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, and Tunisia.
Petition your government to stop selling arms to Azerbaijan
1. There are many countries that are providing aid, funds, and arms to the Azeri army. Check if your government is and if they are, call your representative in the national government.

Many of us are not able to do that, but what we can do is donate!

If you have anything to give, donate to the Armenia Fund and help people on the ground.

Guest Author 10/30/20 Guest Author 10/30/20

NOT JUST A HASHTAG

Feyi Apampa is a Nigerian student currently doing her undergraduate degree at Clark University. Though doing her degree in Psychology and Biology, Feyi takes interest in Nigerian Politics, with the hope of seeing the country change for the better in the years to come.

The #ENDSARS/SWAT hashtag has been circulating around social media for quite a number of days now. On the 8th of October 2020, protests broke out across many locations in Nigeria after a video of a SARS officer shooting a young man was released.

What is SARS?

SARS is the Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit of the Nigerian police force formed in 1992 after the rise of violent crimes in Nigeria, with the sole purpose of investigating crimes such as armed robbery, kidnappings and theft. However, they appear to have had a different agenda, for what we now see is these officers acting like those that they were supposed to apprehend.

SARS officers abuse their power in so many ways, from kidnapping, to torture, to sexual violence, to murder- the list is extensive . Not to mention the fact that the Nigerian police force was ranked THE WORST in the world in 2016 World Internal Security and Police Index. This is why #ENDSARS is trending.

“The men of SARS stopped me at Yaba, got into my car, and said that I’m a yahoo boy (a fraudster) because I was wearing gold chains, owned an iPhone and there was cash with me. They drove me to their office in Surulere and held me there till I paid 50k (about 131 USD). One of them gave me his number to keep in touch.”

“I was bundled to the station like a criminal, I was extorted. One innocent person was assaulted with a cutlass at the police station”

“When armed robbers were breaking into my apartment in July., I called SARS and they told me they had no petrol in their vehicle. The robbers spent 2 hours robbing my entire street uninterrupted.”

“Met a lady today who was picked by SARS in Ibadan, searched, then driven 12 hours to Abuja. They asked her for money, she told them “do your worst.” They did. Framed her and locked her up for 42 days without contact with her family who thought she was dead.”

SARS has become a game of who can hunt down Nigerian people, specifically youth, with dreadlocks, nice clothes, nice cars, piercings, tattoos, dyed hair, laptops and expensive phones.

If any of these apply to you, be careful, you might be next.

So what has the government said in response to the #ENDSARS movement?

On the 11th of October, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank MBA signed a statement about the dissolution of the SARS unit stating that:

1. The Inspector General of Police has dissolved the SARS unit across the thirty-six State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with immediate effect.

2. All officers and men serving in the unit will be redeployed to other Police Commands, Formations and Units.

3. A new policing arrangement for tackling the offences of Armed-Robbery and other violent crimes will be unveiled to the public soon.

4. A Citizens and Strategic Stakeholders Forum will be launched to provide an avenue for citizens to regularly interface and advise the police authority on issues touching on the general public.

5. To deal with the report of crimes committed against citizens, an Investigative team will be constituted which will include Civil Society Organizations and culprits will be punished.

What has been the response of the youth and general public?

As said by Bashir Ahmad, the personal assistant of president Buhari, SARS was “reorganized” in 2017, “overhauled” in 2018, “disbanded” in 2019 and now “dissolved” in 2020. For the past 4 years the government has promised the removal of SARS, but that hasn't been the case. Nigerians are tired of empty promises, and have demanded:

1. The immediate release of arrested protesters

2. Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for the families of the victims

3. Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days)

4. In line with the new police act, psychological evaluation and retraining (to be confirmed by an independent body) of disbanded SARS officers before redeployment.

5. Increase of police salaries so that they are adequately compensated for protecting the lives and property of citizens.

So much has happened concerning the protests since it started a couple of weeks ago. By the 19th of October, Nigerians and allies all over the world had donated money to be used for food, water, ambulances and other support and had raised over 74,727,649.14 NGN (approximately 195,662 USD) in the currencies of USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, GHS, KES, and BTC. The response from some Nigerians in the diaspora has been overwhelmingly positive with protests in various countries, including the UK, US and Canada.

20.10.20 – The Lekki Tollgate Massacre

In Chapter 2 part 14.2 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, it states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” The government has broken this, multiple times, but the events of the 20th of October 2020 mark the worst way this constitution has been broken. On this day at 11:49am WAT, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu issued a 24-hour curfew to start at 4pm, in order to prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to protest against police brutality, claiming that the protests have been infiltrated by criminals. This gave Lagosians about 5 hours to spare and prepare. With Lagos being home to about 20 million people, 5 hours is such little time and as a result, people were met with gridlock traffic and crazy long queues in various places like grocery stores with the fear that the curfew may be extended.

Despite the initial 4pm curfew, peaceful protesters still decided to meet at the Lekki Tollgate, which has been the main center of all the protests since they began on the 8th. Sometime before 4pm, the CCTV cameras at the Lekki Tollgate were uninstalled and around 6pm, the lights at the tollgate and surrounding areas were turned off. At approximately 6:45pm tweets from the scene of the protests started to alert people that soldiers arrived at the scene and opened fire allegedly resulting in the loss of about 78 lives and counting (although the figure is now debated), with many others injured and in critical condition. While this was ongoing, the Lagos state government tweeted an amendment to the initial start time of the curfew, moving it till 9pm, all while the shooting is happening. What were the protesters doing at the time of the massacre? Sitting down, waving the country’s flag, and singing the national anthem. For many, their final words being “peace and unity” the last line of the first stanza of the Nigerian national anthem.

So who is responsible?

With videos and live stream recordings circulating the media, the Nigerian army was quick to label their involvement and the killings of protestors as fake news. On the 18th of October, it was reported the army was to intervene in the protests, with a deployment under the name “Operation Crocodile Smile VI.” The acting director of the army’s public relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, said that the army “is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively”.

In addition to this, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Lagos state governor, also known as “the Grand Oppressor of Lagos State”, has since fled the country and claimed that he had no involvement with what happened, despite the popular belief he is the beneficial owner of the the Lekki Tollgate amongst many other properties in the area, such as the Oriental hotel, and the popular news channel, TVC.

The current governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has since stated that “forces beyond [his] control]” are responsible, and even went on to say that there were no fatalities in a press release, which the pubic asserts is a blatant lie, as many watched the live broadcast by a popular Nigerian DJ who livestreamed most of the protest on Instagram, on which someone was shot and killed live.

My heart is heavy, my country is bleeding. Never in my 18 years of life have I ever felt more confused. Nigeria, the most populous Black nation in the world, is in shambles. Innocent people are being murdered! The silence of the wider Black community and the rest of the world is deafening. WE ARE NOT JUST ANOTHER HASHTAG! I urge you all, Nigerian or not, to raise awareness! Use your voice! Nigeria needs you now more than ever. For 60 years, we’ve been suffering. For 60 years, we’ve been exploited. For 60 years, we’ve been promised a better Nigeria. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. All my life, I’ve seen countless Nigerians go into poverty; I have seen everyday pain and suffering. How can minimum wage be 30,000 NGN ( approximately 78.50 USD)and a COVID test be 50,000 NGN (approximately 131 USD)? How does that work? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE! What happened to the better Nigeria we were promised? We, the “lazy” youth (as the president called us), have woken up and we say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

All I have left to say is this:

Sanwo-Olu! You’ve been caught in all your lies!

In the words of Stephanie Mbachu, Buhari! “You’ve been a bad, bad boy!”

Tinubu! You can run, but you can’t hide!

The blood of innocent Nigerians soils all of your hands. Blood on the flag, blood on the land, blood on your hands!

To JIMOH ISAQ. AYOMIDE TAIWO. PETER OFURUM. CHIKA IBEKU. CHIBUKE ANAMS. IFEOMA ABUDU. CHRISTIAN ONUIGBO. EMMANUEL EGBO. VICTOR MADUAMAGO. CHIDI ODINAUWA. STEPHEN AGBANYIM. TONY ORUAMA. TIYAMIU KAZEEM, MUS’AB SAMMANI. KOLADE JOHNSON. ONOVO MATTHEW. CHINEDU ANI. PRESCIOUS ODUA. RICHARD GORA. CHIJIOKE ILOANYA. LINDA IGWETU. DANIEL TELLA. HARRY ATARIA. JOHNSON NNAMEKA. FEMI BELLO. CHIMA IKWUANDO. GODGIFT EKERETE. GABRIEL OWOICHO. TINA EZEKWE. MODEBAYO AWOSIKA. DANIEL ADEWUYI. CHUKWUEMEKA MATTHEW. CKIKA IBEKU. AZUAMAK MADUEMAGO. RINJI BALA UZZIEL. TIYAMIU KAZEEM. JOSEPH EIDONOJIE UGBENI. ANITA AKAPSON. CHIBUIKE DANIEL IKEAGUCHI. ANTHONY NWOKIKE. PAULINUS OGBONNA. IFEANYI OZOR. CHINEDU MENIRU. AUGUSTINA AREBU. EKENA ISAAC MEGBE. EMEKA OJINZE. ADEMOLA MOSHOOD. ISMAILA ANYINLA. MIRACLE. JOY NDUBUEZE. SUNDAY.

OKE-OBI ENADHUZE.

and many others, who have lost their lives to the hands of SARS and the government, your deaths shall not be in vain, we promise you that. We will fight till the very end. Rest in eternal peace.

“We want a Nigerian society where the child of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody”

-Aisha Yesufu (2020)

Hayley Headley 10/28/20 Hayley Headley 10/28/20

Reconciliation and Reform; Chile's Long Awaited Plebiscite

On Sunday 25 October, Chile finally voted to change its constitution. The Chilean people have been awaiting this moment for decades, and whether they are conscious of it or not that single moment will be redefining their nation and national identity for years to come.

In 1973, Augusto Pinochet commanded his junta army to storm the streets of Santiago. In a coupe aided and abetted by the US government, as a part of Operation Condor, the general took control violently. Usurping and brutally murdering the opposition party effectively quelling any sense of dissent among the people.

Over the coming months, activists and leftists that were even remotely associated with the opposition or any potential resistance movements were locked away and imprisoned. The national stadium became a center for the egregious and murderous displays of right-wing malice that would become synonymous with the name Pinochet. The stadium was a place of joy yet the early days of the dictatorship saw it desecrated by bloodshed.

A symbol of the duality of their tenuous democracy.

When the stadium was too full the junta constructed new torture chambers in the north of the nation. They held tens of thousands of prisoners, killing, and discarding the bodies of many of them. An estimated 3,065 people have been confirmed to have died as a result of the dictatorship. While there are more than 40,000 people who are known to have been political prisoners, tortured, and made to disappear. All of them suffering at the hands of a leader poisoned by his own power. To this day thousands of people are still missing, leaving their mothers and families to search for them.

Pinochet changed Chile forever, and the greatest vestige of his tyrannous rule is the 1980 constitution. Among his first acts after usurping power was to abolish the constitution of 1925. This left him and his supporters with the lofty task of rewriting the constitution, which they did. At the behest of their hostile dictator, the regime and their team of right-wing judges and lawyers produced a document that extended the power of the executive.

The original council that was charged with designing a new constitution completed their first draft in 1978 but infighting prevented this draft from going anywhere. Finally, Pinochet and his military junta ceased control of the drafting process and produced a final document that enhanced the presidential powers and lengthed the transitionary period to secure himself essentially unlimited power over the government, another 8 years of undemocratic leadership, and eligibility in the next democratic election. The greatest authority Pinochet granted himself as a part of this new constitution is found in Provision 24. This was the section of the document that gave way to his most vile acts as a dictator, but these expired after the 8 year transition period.

The permanent articles of this constitution, however, lend themselves to an abuse of presidential power to the detriment of the Chilean people. Article 8 essentially condemns alternate ideologies, allowing for the arrest of individuals who espouse beliefs that aren’t supported by their government. The next few articles secure presidential authority above congress, and thus, above the will of the people. Pinochet worked diligently to actively seek out ways to assert his will, and to allow any possible future president to do the same.

Moreover, Pinochet was fiercely neoliberalist and he folded that ideology into his constitution as well. This left Chile with a system that ultimately values profit over people. With no constitutional way to reform the economic systems which Pinochet redesigned for his own profit, the people are left to deal with the impact of a truly free market where privatisation and inequality run rampant.

This new constitution was then put to a plebiscite on September 11th. The vote, however, was severely manipulated. When a movement to leave your vote blank to show your discontent began among centrists and leftists alike, Pinochet declared that any blank vote would be a “yes”, and since he destroyed the registration ledger, every Chilean over 18 was expected to vote. Spreading propaganda about the bright future this constitution offered and actively sicking his military and police forces on the opposition. The vote was illegitimate.

The constitution itself has been denounced by international onlookers and Chileans alike as a fractured document -- its very conception tainted by an era of dictatorial rule and suppression of the people.

But this is how the people lived, under a “president” that was clear on his consideration for the will of the people. His transitionary rule was just as brutal as the years before, but now he pushed through policies that would forever change the economy and life of the people.

Finally, after 16 long years of uninterrupted power, Pinochet and the junta held their final plebiscite in 1988 aimed primarily at securing more years of power. Activist groups who realized that this was their chance, their opening to finally bring about the return of democracy. The campaigning soon began and the final vote of 56% NO brought an end to the dictatorship. A return to democracy then began, officially ending Pinochet’s cruel reign in 1990.

Chile’s democracy remains fractured, the wounds of this era are still healing. They are still attempting to exorcise the terror that was visited upon them just 47 years ago. It has been a long and arduous journey to get to the place the nation is in today, and still the remnants of Pinochet’s reign linger on.

His free-market policies and the privatization of social security continue to widen wealth gaps and impoverish the poorest 90% of Chileans. His campaigns against the opposition have left people missing to this day. His constitution still holds power over the very people he terrorized.

Of course, various presidents have edited the 1980 constitution but the document remains lacking. Many academics and activists have been coming for the full reconstruction of the constitution for years, but those desires were first realized in 2019.

Chile is no stranger to protest, especially in its most recent history. The youth have found a voice through protest and the most recent ones have called for a variety of changes. High school students first began protests anew in 2019 over a spike in the price of metro tickets. This was the tipping point that started the nation down this path.

The students were soon joined by thousands of their compatriots as they called out for major economic, political, and constitutional reform. President Sebastián Piñera, whose brother originally constructed the privatized social security system that was a cornerstone of the reforms the youth were calling for, responded with violence initially. He declared a state of emergency and put the military to patrol the streets, the first time any action like this has been taken since Pinochet.

In the face of mass arrests, hospitalizations, and even murders as a result of the unrest, the protestors were unwavering. They continued to voice their demands, especially as coronavirus and the resulting shutdowns widened the wealth gap in the nation. It all came to a head this past Sunday when Chileans all over the world got their chance to vote.

Polls closed at 8 pm Sunday night and as the counts came in celebrations broke out as Chileans everywhere got what they have been waiting for. An overwhelming majority voted for a new constitution to be written by a constitutional council.

This may not bring an end to the socioeconomic tensions, but it’s a start to a journey of healing that should have begun in the 90s. This is the first step to a new Chile, one that is truly ready to crawl out from under Pinochet’s shadow.

Hayley Headley 10/1/20 Hayley Headley 10/1/20

We Need to Talk About Nagorno-Karabakh

A brief explanation of the current conflict in Armenia, and how you can help.

For decades there have been disputes over the territory now known as Nagorno-Karabakh. Last Sunday there were reports of attacks late at night, since then the conflict has escalated with both sides taking up arms.

While few people are taking note of the issue outside of Armenia, I think we who live far away from the horrors of armed conflict owe it to those who suffer from it to understand what is happening. So here is a crash course in the significance of Nagorno-Karabakh, the conflict, and the events this week:

Why is Nagorno-Karabakh disputed?

The region is made up of ethnic Armenians, who have inhabited the region for centuries. The mountainous enclave that stretches over 4000km was first placed under Azerbaijani control during the establishment of the Soviet Union. There was no concern at the time for the actual ownership of the lands and under Stalin’s rule few openly contradicted the decision.

When the era of Soviet oppression began to come to an end, the majority Armenian region began to call out for their independence or a return to Armenia. But these cries fell on deaf ears and the region remains internationally recognized as under Azerbaijani control to this day. In spite of that, the region has operated independently with heavy Armenian support after a series of ethnic conflicts and full-blown wars that took place in the 90s.

The most notable of which is what occurred in 1992, a year after the region declared itself as an independent state. Though that independence is not supported by any UN member state (including Armenia) The war in 1992 ended in Armenia ceasing full control over the region. 2 years and approximately 30,000 lives later, the two nations signed a ceasefire.

This however did not guarantee peace. There have been consistent attacks made on the border as Azerbaijan still holds out hope that they will regain control of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding areas.

The region remained in a stunted and perpetual state of conflict.

What happened this week?

Attacks began anew on Sunday the 27th of September as reports of fighting erupted, these reports continued well into Monday and Tuesday. Both sides accuse the other of beginning this renewed violence and casualty estimates continue to rise as the fighting continues.

Fighting broke out late Sunday night and many Armenian villages have been under martial law since then. While Armenia is said to have been the first to fire, many view Azerbaijan as the original aggressor, especially after the events of this summer. In early July the nation began to encroach on the Tavush region of Armenia to little success. Their past attempts have failed to gain them greater footing on Armenian territory, and these latest battles seem to be an extension of this attempt. The President even reaffirmed his confidence that they will regain control of the region after the most recent attacks.

The conflict entered its fourth day on Wednesday. With estimates of casualties and injuries among Karabakh soldiers as high as 2,3000 since the fighting began on Sunday. Wednesday also saw the largest eruptions since the 1994 ceasefire, stoking many fears that this might fully reignite the conflict.

On Thursday attacks have begun to encroach on civilian territory on both sides, even expanding beyond the contested region. Armenia’s president said that the air force shot down drones near the capital, Yerevan. This attempt is the furthest one away from the contested region.

Current reports put the confirmed death toll on the Armenian side at 104 soldiers with 23 civilians. While there are no independently or nationally certified numbers for the other side, regional authorities claimed that Azerbaijan has lost 130 soldiers since Sunday.

The violence is escalating daily and reactions from the international community have been less than ideal.

How has the world reacted?

This move from Azerbaijan is in direct insubordination and defiance of the ceasefire instituted by the United Nations Security Council. But responses to the conflict and fighting from the council has been lukewarm.

On Tuesday, the 29th of September, the Security Council met to discuss the conflict and called for an “immediate end”. But this rhetoric in words alone is useless when the Security Council has many other tools at their disposal. Many Armenians have taken to social media to call out this weak and haphazard response offered by the UN.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Turkey is actively supporting their Azerbaijani brothers. This builds on a strong devotion to their well documented anti-Armenian rhetoric. Erdogan has made it clear that he is vying for an expansion of power within the region, so his support of Azerbaijan’s weak claim to the territory is well reasoned.

There are many rumors that Turkey will be sending in a private military bolstered by members of Syrian rebel groups, to fight with Azerbaijani forces already present on the ground. Though Turkey has said they are not responsible and their support of Azerbaijan only extends to military training and advice

Erdogan’s outspoken support strikes fear in the hearts of many Armenians. Sparking concerns that he will use this burgeoning war as a way to slaughter the ethnic Armenians present in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Meanwhile, Armenian forces which are made up primarily of young 18, 19 and 20-year-olds fulfilling their mandatory service requirements have had no tactical support. On Wednesday, France stated their support for Armenia. Meanwhile, Russia, who has a military base in the post-soviet nation has instead called for an immediate ceasefire but remained inactive. Many international organizations have called for peace talks but were rejected by both sides.

What does this mean for Armenia?

Honestly, no one has an answer to this. At least not one that perfectly reflects the future of the country. There are so many variables. But what this means for Armenians today, tomorrow and at the end of this conflict is a loss of life, the loss of a generation even.

This is about more than just Nagorno-Karabakh, it is about the future of this entire nation. Turkey has called them aggressors and their troops mercenaries and terrorists, yet they are just trying to defend their land and their people. Especially as the attacks from Azerbaijan begin to encroach on internationally recognised Armenian territory, the threats feel more and more existential for the Armenian people.

I am scared, heartbroken, and sorry. There is very little to be done on a personal level but I implore you to keep learning about the conflict, keep watching what is happening, keep teaching others. Being able to watch what is happening and talk about it like this is the definition of privilege. And as those with the supremely enviable position of not having any stake in this battle we need to use the methods we have to spark change and spread awareness.

To my Armenian friends,

I am sorry - so deeply sorry. I’m sorry that the world around you is fading away, being shattered with every new attack. I am sorry that your neighbor refuses to let a new generation pave a way for peace, and has instead chosen to inundate you with bloodshed and hatred of warfare. But above all, I am sorry that your friends and family are dying to defend their country and the rest of us even have the option of ignorance.

We here at the Whorticulturalist encourage you to get involved and learn more. Here are resources you can use to further educate yourself and some Instagram pages you can repost to spread the message of Armenians on the ground:

Al Jezeera has been giving almost hourly updates on the conflict, we encourage you to keep up to date with all that is happening on the ground with them.

Zartonkmedia is an Armenian run Instagram page that provides consistent daily updates on the fighting.

Amplify Armenia is an Armenian run Instagram page that aims to be a safe space for Armenians to speak out and educate others.

Amplify Armenia is also collecting donations to provide aid to civilians who have been displaced by the recent fighting, we encourage you to donate if you can.

If you are American, or from a NATO country at all, please reach out to your representatives. Many countries have been accused of supplying Azerbaijan with arms, most notably the United States, but many stand to gain financially from this conflict. Email, call, and sign petitions, and get these countries to stop fueling the conflict.