#a global history

[thewitchesbrewletter]

Granita di limone

One cannot speak of Sicily and lemons without a mention of lemon granita, an intensely refreshing sweet-sour frozen confection of sugar mixed with water, lemon juice and rind. Sicilians' passion for granita is such that many eat granita even for breakfast, often accompanied by a soft roll called brioscia, or brioche. In a traditional cafe or bar, with or without brioche, in every season and at any time of day or night, waiters serve up elegant glass dishes with pale yellow scoops of the island's signature delight, granita di limone.

On Sicily's eastern side this passion is connected not only to the coast's prolific lemon groves but also to Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna. Along with plumes of smoke and slow-moving lava flows, the mountain is known for its snow. Before refrigeration, snow provided an astonishing and invaluable source of cold in the relentless scorch of summer. In ancient times Greeks and Romans packed snow into caves on Etna's slopes and withdrew it as needed to chill their wine. Snow merchants profited from Etna's natural cold power into the 1940s, collecting snow from the grottos every night and hauling it in horse-drawn carts down the mountain to Catania, where it was used to preserve food and make ice cream.

The island's earliest Arab residents must certainly have employed Mount Etna's snow for their delicious slushy drink called sarbat or sharbat. A cold fruit-sugar syrup, it was consumed between courses to refresh the palate and likely evolved into the sweet ice we call sorbet or sherbet. Yet it is only legend that sorbet and gelato were born in Sicily during the Arab reign, since real ice cream was not made until the endothermic principle of putting salt on ice was introduced around 1650. Granita, however, is not a true ice cream but a kind of frozen lemonade, and its origin is probably much older, enjoyed long before ice cream was invented. Lemons and sugar, both native to India and Persia, formed a natural marriage of sweet-tart tastes, and the most natural concoction one could make was simply to combine the two.

– Toby Sonneman, Book - Lemon: A Global History

#granita di limone #lemon granita #Sicily #mount etna #greeks #romans #snow merchants #Catania #Arabs #native to india and persia #toby soneman #lemon #a global history #lemon groves #books and libraries #citrus #history #history of food #spilled ink #words #spilled words #spilled pages #spilled writing #books & libraries #sharbat

[gael-garcia]

They Do Not Exist (1974) by Mustafa Abu Ali (watch)

from PalestineCinema.com:

Salvaged from the ruins of Beirut after 1982, Abu Ali's early film has only recently been made available. Shooting under extraordinary conditions, the director, who worked with Godard on his Ici et Ailleurs (Here and Elsewhere), and founded the PLO's film division, covers conditions in Lebanon's refugee camps, the effects of Israeli bombardments, and the lives of guerrillas in training camps. They Do Not Exist is a stylistically unique work which demonstrates the intersection between the political and the aesthetic. Now recognised as a cornerstone in the development of Palestinian cinema, the film only received its Palestine premiere in 2003, when a group of Palestinian artists "smuggled" the director to a makeshift cinema in his hometown of Jerusalem (into which Israel bars his entry). Abu Ali, who saw his film for the first time in 20 years at this clandestine event noted: "We used to say 'Art for the Struggle', now it's 'Struggle for the Art'"

#mustafa abu ali #they do not exist #they do not exist 1974 #for the missing subs pls message me for the link. just got the yt version and the subs to sync! #palestinian cinema #documentary #screencaps #global struggle #resistance #palestine #jean luc godard #post #history

[intersectionalpraxis]

I just posted a thread on the history of colonialism and ongoing oppressive Indonesian occupation of West Papua. If you have time, please read the educational slides. This is absolutely horrendous, and has been going on for decades. The Indonesian government and military must be held accountable. Free West Papua.

#feminist #social justice #settler violence #settler colonialism #current events #current news #free west papua #west papua #history #indonesia #colonial violence #colonialism #global news #world news #torture tw #end the occupation

[hussyknee]

Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani’s Kitab al-Aghani records the lives of a number of individuals including one named Tuways who lived during the last years of Muhammad and the reigns of the early Muslim dynasties. Tuways was mukhannathun: those who were born as men, but who presented as female. They are described by al-Isfahani as wearing bangles, decorating their hands with henna, and wearing feminine clothing. One mukhannathun, Hit, was even in the household of the Prophet Muhammad. Tuways earned a reputation as a musician, performing for clients and even for Muslim rulers. When Yahya ibn al-Hakam was appointed as governor, Tuways joined in the celebration wearing ostentatious garb and cosmetics. When asked by the governor if he were Muslim Tuways affirmed his belief, proclaiming the declaration of faith and saying that he observes the fast of Ramadan and the five daily prayers. In other words, al-Isfahani, who recorded the life of a number of mukhannathun like Tuways, saw no contradiction between his gender expression and his Muslimness. From al-Isfahani we read of al-Dalal, ibn Surayj, and al-Gharid—all mukhannathun—who lived rich lives in early Muslim societies. Notably absent from al-Isfahani’s records is any state-sanctioned persecution. Instead, the mukhannathun are an accepted part of society.

...

Far from isolated cases, across Islamic history—from North Africa to South Asia—we see widespread acceptance of gender nonconforming and queer individuals. - Later in the Ottoman Empire, there were the köçek who were men who wore women’s clothing and performed at festivals. Formally trained in dance and percussion instruments, the köçek were an important part of social functions. A similar practice was found in Egypt. The khawal were male dancers who presented as female, wearing dresses, make up, and henna. Like their Ottoman counterparts, they performed at social events.

- In South Asia, the hijra were and are third-sex individuals. The term is used for intersex people as well as transgender women. Hijra are attested to among the earliest Muslim societies of South Asia where, according to Nalini Iyer, they were often guardians of the household and even held office as advisors.

- In Iraq, the mustarjil are born female, but present as men. In Wilfred Thesiger’s The Marsh Arabs the guide, Amara explains, “A mustarjil is born a woman. She cannot help that; but she has the heart of a man, so she lives like a man.” When asked if the mustarjil are accepted, Amara replies “Certainly. We eat with her and she may sit in the mudhif.” Amara goes on to describe how mustarjil have sex with women.

...

Historian Indira Gesink analyzed 41 medical and juristic sources between the 8th and 18th centuries and discovered that the discourse of a “binary sex” was an anachronistic projection backwards. Gesink points out in one of the earliest lexicography by the 8th century al-Khalil ibn Ahmad that he suggests addressing a male-presenting intersex person as ya khunathu and a female-presenting intersex person as ya khanathi while addressing an effeminate man as ya khunathatu. This suggests a clear recognition of a spectrum of sex and gender expression and a desire to address someone respectfully based on how they presented.

Tolerance of gender ambiguity and non-conformity in Islamic cultures went hand-in-hand with broader acceptance of homoeroticism. Texts like Ali ibn Nasir al-Katib’s Jawami al-Ladhdha, Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani’s Kitab al-Aghani, and the Tunisian, Ahmad al-Tifashi’s Nuz’ha al-‘Albab attest to the widespread acceptance of same-sex desire as natural. Homoeroticism is a common element in much of Persian and Arabic poetry where youthful males are often the object of desire. From Abu Nuwas to Rumi, from ibn Ammar to Amir Khusraw, some of the Islamic world’s greatest poets were composing verses for their male lovers. Queer love was openly vaunted by poets. One, Ibn Nasr, immortalizes the love between two Arab lesbians Hind al Nu’man and al-Zarqa by writing:

“Oh Hind, you are truer to your word than men. Oh, the differences between your loyalty and theirs.”

...

Acceptance of same-sex desire and gender non-conformity was the hallmark of Islamic societies to such a degree that European travelers consistently remarked derisively on it. In the 19th century, Edward Lane wrote of the khawal: “They are Muslims and natives of Egypt. As they personate women, their dances are exactly of the same description as those of the ghawazee; and are, in like manner, accompanied by the sound of castanets.”

A similarly scandalized CS Sonnini writes of Muslim homoerotic culture:

“The inconceivable appetite which dishonored the Greeks and the Persians of antiquity, constitute the delight, or to use a juster term, the infamy of the Egyptians. It is not for women that their ditties are composed: it is not on them that tender caresses are lavished; far different objects inflame them.”

In his travels in the 19th century, James Silk Buckingham encounters an Afghan dervish shedding tears for parting with his male lover. The dervish, Ismael, is astonished to find how rare same-sex love was in Europe. Buckingham reports the deep love between Ismael and his lover quoting, “though they were still two bodies, they became one soul.”

...

Today, vocal Muslim critics of LGBTQ+ rights often accuse gay and queer people of imposing a “Western” concept or forcing Islam to adjust to “Western values” failing to grasp the irony of the claim: the shift in the 19th and 20th century was precisely an alignment with colonial values over older Islamic ones, all of which led to legal criminalization. In fact, the common feature among nations with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation isn’t Islam, but rather colonial law.

Don't talk to me I'm weeping. I'm not Muslim, but the grief of colonization runs in the blood of every Global South person. Dicovering these is like finding our lost treasures among plundered ruins.

Queer folk have always, always been here; we have always been inextricable, shining golden threads in the tapestry of human history. To erase and condemn us is to continue using the scalpel of colonizers in the mutilation and betrayal of our own heritage.

#islam #queer muslims #queer history #lgbt history #colonization #colonialism #imperialism #world history #trans positivity #gay positivity #intersex positivity #queer poetry #queer love #queer art #islamic culture #lgbtqia #islamic history #global south #pinkwashing #islamphobia #colonial violence #queer erasure #arab culture #ottoman empire #hijra #wlw #mlm #knee of huss #same sex love #egyptian culture

[realjaysumlin]

The Black on Black Love Movement is a social movement that celebrates and promotes love, unity, and healing within the Black community. It is a response to the systemic racism and oppression that Black people have faced for centuries, which has led to trauma, self-hatred, and violence within the community.

The movement is based on the belief that Black love is the foundation of a strong and thriving Black community. It encourages Black people to love and support each other, to heal from their wounds, and to work together to create a better future for themselves and their children.

The Black on Black Love Movement is manifested in many different ways, including:

Social media campaigns: The movement has a strong presence on social media, where people use hashtags like #BlackLove and #BlackOnBlackLove to share stories, images, and videos of Black love and joy.

Art and culture: Black artists and creators are using their work to promote the Black on Black Love Movement. For example, there are many films, books, and TV shows that celebrate Black love and relationships.

Community events: Organizations and individuals across the country are hosting community events to promote Black love and unity. These events can include things like potlucks, movie nights, and workshops on Black relationships and parenting.

The Black on Black Love Movement is still in its early stages, but it is growing rapidly. It is a powerful and important movement that is helping to heal the Black community and create a better future for Black people everywhere.

Here are some specific examples of the Black on Black Love Movement:

The Black Love Campaign is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting Black love and unity. The organization hosts community events, produces educational materials, and advocates for policies that support Black families and relationships.

The Black Girl Magic movement is a social media campaign that celebrates the beauty, strength, and resilience of Black women. The movement is a reminder of the importance of Black self-love and community.

The Black Boys Joy movement is a social media campaign that highlights the positivity and joy of Black boys and men. The movement is a counter-narrative to the negative stereotypes that are often associated with Black men.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that the Black on Black Love Movement is being manifested. The movement is a powerful and important force for change in the Black community.

“Racists will always call you a racist when you identify their racism. To love yourself now - is a form of racism. We are the only people who are criticized for loving ourselves. and white people think when you love yourself you hate them. No, when I love myself they become irrelevant to me.” ― John Henrik Clarke tags: racism, racists.

The Black History Channel and all of it's affiliates are proud supporters of The Black On Black Love Movement.

#black love #black history #black positivity #black africans #global black on black love #global black unity #black indigenous people #black indigenous africans

[damnesdelamer]

‘Socialism has never worked’?

What do you call Russia, China, and Cuba functionally eradicating homelessness and illiteracy in their respective spheres within a few years of the massive upheaval of revolution, and radically improving the living conditions of millions after generations of poverty? What do you call the Soviet Union bearing the brunt of the greatest military conflict the world has ever seen and emerging victorious? What do you call the Soviet Union holding out for four decades of sustained military and economic warfare against the greatest military and economic superpower the world has ever known? What do you call Vietnam defeating the greatest military empire the world has ever known in its anti-imperialist resistance campaign? What do you call China emerging from the 20th Century as the most populous country on earth with the highest GDP? What do you call China reducing daily covid numbers to double digits in a population of 1.4 billion? What do you call Cuba thriving after six decades of brutal embargoes? What do you call Cuba passing the most progressive and practically protective legislation for family and LGBT rights in a world historical moment marked by increased LGBTphobia among the Western powers? What do you call the people of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe shrugging off the muck of ages to usher in an era of progress, all while Western powers conspire to sabotage them at every turn while growing fat off the earth they’ve scorched?

I’d ask what history books you’re reading, but I know that you’re not reading any, and the only information you have on the subject is spoon-fed into your colonised mind by the people’s enemies, whose vested interest in fabricating events is readily apparent to any who bother to look into these things.

‘Socialism has never worked’? It has been one of the dominant political-economic models of the past century, and has made drastic strides on every front despite its relative infancy and constant opposition from Western superpowers. If you fear socialism, what do you really fear? Socialism is the people. Socialism is me; socialism is you; socialism is all of us, together.

‘Socialism has never worked’? Socialism has always worked. Socialism is working right now. We will see socialism work again, always.

#socialism #socialist #communism #communist #original #btw I know that if bootlickers find this post they'll call this 'propaganda' or whatever and like... #what do you think your anti-communist histories are? #who wrote those versions of events? #could it have possibly been enemies of socialism with vested interests in expanding global capitalism for the profit of a ruling class? #these questions are rhetorical #bootlickers fuck off

[sleepyleftistdemon]

(via xkcd: Greenhouse Effect)

#greenhouse effect #history #comic #global climate change

[robsheridan]

Spectagoria Magazine’s 1978 “Swimsuit Issue” mocked the popular institution with themes of pollution and global warming, depicting melting, skeletal, oil-drenched models on apocalyptic beaches. “Just a decade after the carefree innocence of the ‘Endless Summer,’ we are careening towards an uninhabitable future of poisonous air and a deadly summer that truly does not end.” Editor Sera Clairmont said she was inspired by her experience in the record-shattering British Isles heatwave of 1976, which “felt as though the whole of my skin was surrounded at all times by the bone-dry specters of imminent death, crowding ever-closer around me, nipping at my flesh.” The playful, sexy tone of “the swimsuit industry’s most lucrative marketing stunt” felt absurd to her after that experience, as she witnessed what she described as “psychic visions of a future where our relentless destruction of the planet boils it with rage, and dooms mankind to melt and crumble into the dust of our own ruin.”

It was far from the only time Spectagoria’s fashion photography drew influence from supposed visions or “visitations” from the future. But the British Isles heatwave was widely regarded as a standalone extreme weather event, and Clairmont’s prophecy of an imminently burning planet was mocked as the latest example of her supposed “mania” since going into hiding two years prior and shifting the magazine’s focus towards darker and more other-worldly themes. But while critics found its predictions easy to dismiss, still no one had any explanation for where the magazine was staging such elaborate photo shoots, who the models were, or how some of the seemingly impossible visuals were executed. Rumors intensified that Clairmont had powers to commune with realms beyond our own…

Two years later, the 1980 heatwave in the United States was among the most destructive and deadly natural disasters in US history, claiming at least 1700 lives. It was reported as an isolated extreme weather event. As was the next one. And the next one. And the next one…

---------

NOTE: Spectagoria is an ongoing work of fiction created by me. This alternate reality horror story is part of my NightmAIres narrative art series (visit that link for a lot more). NightmAIres are windows into other worlds and interconnected alternate histories, conceived/written by me and visualized with synthography and Photoshop.

If you enjoy my work, consider subscribing to my free newsletter to stay up to date on my projects, or supporting me on Patreon for frequent exclusive hi-res wallpaper packs, behind-the-scenes features, downloads, events, contests, and an awesome fan community. Direct fan support is what keeps me going as an independent creator, and it means the world to me.

#rob sheridan #nightmAIres #ai art #synthography #ai horror #synthography horror #spectagoria #sera clairmont #global warming #climate change #swimsuit issue #summer horror #summer #summertime #summer goth #alternate history

[squidgirlautism]

uncomfortable feeling to be in the period of knowing things are getting worse and it’s still not too late to run, but also knowing there’s literally nowhere to run

#globalization and media etc etc #israel isnt even really safe but its a better option but i also think having almost all the worlds jews in one small area is an objectively #horrible idea #not to be alarmist or anything im just jewish and a history major #def feels like we’re speedrunning the 1930s #jumblr #jewish

[makingqueerhistory]

I would actually love to hear more about more local queer symbols! Ideally from the queer community outside of North America, please share some queer symbols that are specific to your region!

#queer history #global queer history

[intersectionalpraxis]

OP lists some ways we can help:

Here is the page they referenced on Instagram:

#feminist #social justice #current events #current news #kashmir #free kashmir #world politics #global news #world news #colonial violence #settler colonialism #settler violence #genocide #illegal occupation #history #resistance #the zionist entity

[parttimesarah]

🎉Happy birthday, you beautiful boy! 🥳

#happy Ben Day one and all! #let’s make it a global holiday #six idiots #the six idiots #them there #ben willbond #bbc ghosts #horrible histories #i made these #use them wisely… or not

[cyarskj1899]

#Black history #global black on black love #black liberation #malcom x #african history #black power #black history facts #black history matters #black history month #black history is american history #black history 365 #black lives are important #black lives fucking matter #black lives movement #blm #black lives matter

[realjaysumlin]

SCIENTIST COULDN'T HIDE HIS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER DISCOVERING ANCIENT PH...

There are so many things that irritated the heck out of me about this video. First of all nothing surprises me about people who believes in scientific racism which pins Black Indigenous People as inferior with low IQ's and if anyone believes in this rubbish is the ones with the low IQ.

Even this Black African who is presenting the video uses the word minority, what the heck did that come from? How do you get a minority out of humans in the first place unless you too believe in race science?

What is wrong with some of the Black People on earth today? Do they not do any type of research on their own? Do they even study anatomy and nature? This is very easy to realize that there's no separation of humanity no way possible can we even try to do this and be correct.

If you believe in this you are broadcasting to the world that you are a complete idiot and have no idea of how our natural world function. You missed the elementary biology class on mitosis and meiosis and how sexual selection works along with reproductive life. Yes, you will have to be the dumbest mother fucker on the planet to believe in that shit of being a different species of humans.

Only people who are this dumb are shit people who calls themselves white and those shit people who believes in creationism, no one else on earth can be this stupid.

#black love #black positivity #black africans #black history #science #evolution #science side of tumblr #african atheism #atheism #youtube #black on black solidarity #black on black unity #global black unity