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JK Rowling gives sexual assault as the reason for her views on trans people

JK Rowling has spoken out after being criticised for recent remarks about transgender people. In an extended essay posted on her website, the Harry Potter author defended her recent tweets …

Cuba: From colonisation to independence

A history of conquest, slavery, rebellion and the long struggle for freedom The First Peoples: Before Columbus Long before a European sail broke the Caribbean horizon, Cuba was home to several …

The Encomienda System: Spain’s blueprint for colonial exploitation

Spain built one of history’s most ambitious empires in a matter of decades, but ambition alone doesn’t extract silver from mountains or sugar from fields. For that, you need labour. …

Mastering the art of the clapback: Insights from Elijah Lawal’s guide to calling out racist stereotypes

2021 list As a society, we still struggle with the issue of racism. Even though we have made significant progress in the last century, we still encounter racist behaviour and stereotypes in …

Writing as a hobby

Taking up writing as a hobby is an excellent way to find out if it’s something you want to do long-term. If you want to be a writer, you need to enjoy writing. If you don’t enjoy it, odds …

The Gadsden Purchase: America’s quest for a southern railroad

In the tapestry of American expansion, the Gadsden Purchase of 1853 stands out as a significant but often overlooked chapter. Named after James Gadsden, the US diplomat who negotiated the deal, this …

Spanish colonisation of Mexico: A tale of destruction and coercion

The colonisation of Mexico was a transformative period marked by exploration, conquest, and the establishment of Spanish rule in the region. At its core lies the invasion of the Aztec Empire by …

Working from home: Tips for beginners

The coronavirus pandemic has caused governments to lockdown countries globally, and many people are asked to work from home where they can. If you’re one of them, congratulations! Working from home …

The Anglo-Boer Wars: A clash of Empires in South Africa

The Anglo-Boer Wars, comprising the First Anglo-Boer War (1880-1881) and the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), were significant conflicts in South Africa that dramatically shaped the region’s …

The Mfecane: A transformative era in Southern African history

The Mfecane, also known as the Difaqane or Lifaqane, was a period of widespread chaos and warfare among indigenous ethnic communities in southern Africa during the early 19th century. This era, …

Shaka Zulu: The legendary warrior king

Shaka Zulu, born in 1787, remains one of the most formidable and innovative leaders in African history. As the founder of the Zulu Kingdom in the early 19th century, his military genius, social …

The slave trade in Africa before European expansion

Early forms of slavery in Africa Before European expansion, many African societies practised forms of slavery that varied greatly in terms of their nature and impact. Slavery was a deeply ingrained …