When Cassius Clay, a descendant of a slave, became heavyweight boxing champion of the world in 1964 he rejected his slave name (‘I didn’t choose it and I don’t want it’) and, before becoming Muhammad Ali, referred to himself as Cassius X. Another Black American, Malcolm Little, also rejected his […]
Culture
Best not to think about it
Anna knows only too well that growing old means losing partners, friends and acquaintances. Her birthday party – and she won’t have many more – forms the opening chapter of “Beyond the Storm”. Sean Sheehan Diana Finley’s absorbing novel goes on to unfold the story of Anna’s life […]
Music and strength of an immigrant
In a journey throughout the impressive audio legacy of his hometown, Colombian artist Julián Mayorga releases his new album in which he seeks to go against musical clichés, in an act of protest that reclaims his roots with a unique style. Daniela Arias Baquero Born in Ibagué, the […]
Built on a political lie
“Missionaries”, a carefully-plotted tale of politics and war set predominantly in Colombia, has impressed many readers and won plaudits in the United States. Sean Sheehan Of the four main characters, two are Colombians: Abel, recruited by paramilitaries after his village is destroyed by guerrillas; and Juan Pablo, a […]
Picturing the refugee and migrant experience
In “The Castle”, Richard Mosse deploys hi-tech thermographic cameras of the kind associated with stealth surveillance by the military. He uses the technology to record moments of life in refugee camps and border crossings along the migration routes into Europe from neighbouring continents. Sean Sheehan The site for […]
















