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6 movies to watch and learn about race and racism

6 Movies to watch and learn about race and racism
Oct 1 2021 Share

Systemic racism is not a foreign concept reserved for the larger world, with Malta being just as susceptible to its harm and oppression. The recent story of Jaiteh Lamin has brought the Maltese up close to the realities experienced by oppressed minorities. And yet, it seems, the history of the systemic issue is alien to most. An antidote to this often involuntary denial is listening to Black voices and witnessing their stories. Here are 7 movies you can watch to educate yourself about the history of such a complex issue. 

‘I am not your Negro’ 

By Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck, ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ is a documentary about writer James Baldwin. Featuring narration by Samuel L. Jackson, the film reads out an unfinished book by one of history’s most prolific and talented writers of colour. It investigates the history of racism through the US as Baldwin speaks about civil rights leaders such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. 

’12 Years a Slave’

A 2013 biographical period-drama film, the film is an adaptation of the 1853 slave memoir ‘Twelve Years a Slave’. It deals with the sort of a New York-state born free African American who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Northrup is put to work on plantations and the film was named as the 44th greatest film since 2000 in a BBC poll of 177 critics. 

‘Moonlight’

A 2016 coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Barry Jenkins, ‘Moonlight’ is based on playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney’s unpublished semi-autobiographical play ‘In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.’ The story focuses on the main character’s stages in life as he struggles with sexuality and identity. It works to weave topics of blackness, masculinity and vulnerability and grossed over $65 million worldwide. 

‘Get Out’

‘Get Out’ is director and writer Jordan Peele’s directorial debut and is an American horror film in which a young black man ends up in a terrifying situation with his girlfriend’s parents. It received widespread acclaim from critics, focusing on the lack of attention given to missing black Americans and the stereotype of ‘white saviours.’ 

‘BlacKkKlansman’

A biographical spy crime comedy film directed by Spike Lee based on 2014 memoir Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth. The latter was the first African-American detective in the city’s police department to infiltrate and expose the local KKK. Despite dramatising a couple of events, the film was met with considerable acclaim and praise for stellar performances and its depiction of African-Americans working in the force. 

Selma 

‘Selma’ is a 2014 historical drama film directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb. It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches initiated by James Bevel and led by Martin Luther King Jr. It received four Golden Globe Award nominations, praised for its amazing performances and also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. 

Of course, watching films isn’t the antidote to dealing with racism. Action is. But one cannot act on something one does not know exists or how it operates. Watching such films and doing the background reading and research can help one become a better supporter of such causes. These are current issues close to our existence. The more we’re aware the better equipped we could be to help in anyway we can.  

#MaltaDaily

PN vows to address competitive disadvantages for Maltese industry

PN vows to address competitive disadvantages for Maltese industry
Oct 1 2021 Share

Maltese industry has to pay around 44% higher costs for transportation, with the Nationalist Party stating on Friday that this pushes up the price of products by 6%. The Opposition is insisting that there is an urgent need to help Maltese industry compete on a level playing field with European competitors. 

Peter Agius, the party’s chief spokesperson, visiting a factory in the Marsa industrial estate. Along with PN candidates Joseph Grech and Stefan Caruana, Agius said that a new Nationalist government would immediately address the competitive disadvantage faced by factories, companies and importers. This would be done through the implementation of a support system which alleviates said disadvantages. 

This would occur through the examination of quotations which compare the export of pallets of products from Malta against those exported from Sicily to France. The difference on one consignment of the same weight meant a difference of €1,600 of added price on Maltese product. Agius said that when it comes to delivery of pharmaceutical products, this has an impact of 6%. 

Agius highlighted how this indicates that Maltese product should already be 6% cheaper to even begin to compete. The impact of transport price would also be much greater on lower value manufacturing products. Grech said that it is ‘fundamental that our country launches a support for exports and imports because only in this way will we be able to reach a level playing field for Maltese manufacturing.’ 

Caruana on his part said that the impact of transport prices means high prices for the Maltese consumer as well. This leads to direct employment impact as the industry is under pressure due to the transport prices, making it harder to invest in better wages and conditions. 

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Photo Source: Partit Nazzjonalista FB

Man fined €10,000 for breaching quarantine files constitutional challenge

Man fined €10,000 for breaching quarantine files constitutional challenge
Oct 1 2021 Share

A man facing a €10,000 fine for breaching COVID-19 health regulations has claimed that the fine is in fact illegal and filed for constitutional proceedings. Nicholas Gatt, who was booked on the 10th of March by the Environmental Health directorate for disobeying quarantine measures, contested the fine and received a summons. He was ordered to appear before a Commissioner for Justice in June. 

Accompanied by his lawyers, Gatt argued that the proceedings breached article 39 of the Constitution which enshrines the right to a fair hearing. The lawyers argued that since the fine of €10,000 amount to criminal charge, it must be heard by a competent court. Two legislative attempts to fix the ‘illegal and unconstitutional’ situation were made by the government who was aware of the issue. 

Bill 166 was published in October of last year, but was not approved by parliament. Subsequently, Bill 198 was published in the Government Gazette in February 2021. In preliminary ruling carried out on September 16th 2021, the Commissioner for Justice presiding over the Tribunal dismissed Gatt’s preliminary pleas. 

This, he did, on the basis that the Tribunal was acting in accordance with laws passed by parliament. Gatt reacted by applying to the Civil Court in its constitutional capacity for redress. He is arguing that the September judgement clearly indicated that the applicant’s fundamental rights were not and will not be safeguarded, leading to breach. 

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Kamra tal-Periti, Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials

WATCH: Highly damaged car abandoned on Mellieha pavement in front of bar

Highly damaged car abandoned on Mellieha pavement in front of bar
Oct 1 2021 Share

A video posted to TikTok by @carsaddiction shows a red vehicle with sever damage to its rear end resting on a pavement in front of a Mellieha pub. The car blocked the entrance of Cross Keys British Pub, even toppling a small table. Bits and pieces of debris littered the pavement where the car was abandoned. 

@carsaddiction.com

Sidewalk Seating Is Stupid #carwreck #accident #noonewashurt

♬ original sound – Ryan CarsAddiction

It seems as though the car was parked but hit from the back and left there throughout the night. Some commenters pointed out that this is in fact a regular occurrence, with others finding the situation humorous. It is unclear who the car belongs to, but the account who uploaded the TikTok did caption the video with a hashtag stating no one was hurt. 

#MaltaDaily

Source: carsaddiction.com TikTok