The Uyghurs are a Turkic group living in Xinjiang, or the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China. They speak the “Uyghur” language and the vast majority of them are practitioners of Sunni Islam. One particularly interesting thing about Uyghurs is that they are a phenotypically diverse ethnic group with some appearing Caucasian, others more central Asian, … [Read more...] about Stateless: Exploring the Political Dynamics of Cultural, Ethnic, and Religious Minorities Around the World, This Week’s Focus–The Uyghurs
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Benjamin Franklin: The Fish-Loving Vegetarian
“I considered… the taking every Fish as unprovoked Murder, since none of them had or ever could do us any injury that might justify the slaughter…. But I had formerly been a great Lover of Fish, & when this came hot out of the Frying Pan, it smelled admirably well.” – Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Although not the first … [Read more...] about Benjamin Franklin: The Fish-Loving Vegetarian
Development of Turquerie and Mozart
Since the Late Medieval Period, the Ottoman Empire and the European states have periodically been engaged in political and military conflict. Due to the vast dominion of the Ottoman Empire along with their acquisition of Constantinople, which undermined Christian influence in the east, many Europeans viewed the Ottomans as barbaric and uncivilized. Yet along with their … [Read more...] about Development of Turquerie and Mozart
Unweaving Africa: Spotlight Equatorial Guinea
With a population just under 800,000, the nation of Equatorial Guinea, which also happens to be one of the smallest countries on the continent, is also its wealthiest ranking higher than countries like Brazil and Poland in terms of GDP. Located in Central Africa, bordered by Cameroon and Gabon, Equatorial Guinea is the only independent Spanish speaking country on the continent … [Read more...] about Unweaving Africa: Spotlight Equatorial Guinea
The Ironic Origins of the Star-Spangled Banner
As the national anthem of the United States of America, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is often cherished with patriotic sentiment by American citizens. Often while heard, the iconic description of the resilient American flag in the lyrics and grandiose nature of the music seem to be inherently representative of American culture. Interestingly, however, the American national anthem … [Read more...] about The Ironic Origins of the Star-Spangled Banner