Linda's Blogspot

​Tracing the Intellectual Footsteps of the Pan-African Movement in Paris ​Paris, often celebrated for its literary salons and artistic history, was also the silent crucible for the intellectual framework of African independence. While political leaders focused on statecraft, a distinct "cultural Bandung" was forged in the heart of the Latin Quarter. ​The Epicenter: Paris-Sorbonne University ​Paris-Sorbonne University served as the formal stage for the 1956 International Congress of Black Writers and Artists. It was here that thinkers like Léopold Sédar Senghor and Aimé Césaire debated the fundamental role of culture in the anti-colonial struggle. ​The Heart of the Movement: Présence Africaine ​Located at 25 bis rue des Écoles, Présence Africaine was the logistical and intellectual home for the diaspora. Founded by Alioune Diop, it functioned as the primary publishing house and gathering spot for the movement's leaders, providing the infrastructure for their radica...

Remembering the "Black Pearl": Tracing the Legacy of Joséphine Baker in France ​To walk through —and Paris in particular—is to walk through the history of those who helped define its culture. Among the most luminous figures of the 20th century is Joséphine Baker. A dancer, a singer, a civil rights activist, and a courageous member of the French Resistance, Baker didn't just perform in France; she made it her home, her sanctuary, and her cause.   ​For those wishing to connect with her history, France offers several sites that honor her multi-faceted life.   ​ The Panthéon: A National Tribute ​The ultimate honor in France is to be interred in the Panthéon in Paris. In November 2021, Baker became the first Black woman, the first American-born citizen, and the first performer to be inducted into this national mausoleum.   ​While her body rests in Monaco at her family’s request, a cenotaph in the Panthéon’s crypt (Vault 13) contains earth from the four places th...

  Walking Through History: Locating the Legacy of Beauford Delaney in Montparnasse ​For the researcher and the curious wanderer alike, Paris is more than a city; it is a layered archive. Among the many figures whose lives left an indelible mark on the Left Bank, the American painter Beauford Delaney (1901–1979) stands out as a vibrant, luminous presence. A master of color and a pioneer of abstract expressionism, Delaney found in Montparnasse a home that nurtured his spirit and his art for over two decades. ​Today, you can trace his footsteps through two specific sites in the 14th arrondissement, preserved by the tireless efforts of Les Amis de Beauford Delaney (The Friends of Beauford Delaney). ​The Sites of Remembrance ​ 28 Rue d’Odessa (Hôtel Odessa): This quiet street corner offers a glimpse into the early chapter of Delaney’s Parisian life. The plaque here commemorates his residency at this address in 1953, the year he arrived in the city that would define his later yea...

The Centre Paris Anim' Ken Saro-Wiwa The Centre Paris Anim' Ken Saro-Wiwa is more than just a municipal facility; it is a vibrant embodiment of the "education populaire" (popular education) movement in the heart of the 20th arrondissement of Paris. ​While it functions primarily as a community hub—offering everything from dance and language classes to sports and graffiti workshops—its namesake carries a profound weight that aligns with your own lifelong dedication to archival preservation and environmental stewardship. ​A Legacy of Resistance and Education ​The choice to name a center in a working-class Parisian district after Ken Saro-Wiwa serves as a powerful bridge between his struggle and the local community. Saro-Wiwa, a Nigerian writer, television producer, and environmental activist, was the voice of the Ogoni people. His life’s work centered on the non-violent defense of the Niger Delta against environmental destruction by multinational oil interests—a str...

  Staying Connected: UN Open Source Week 2026 ​Even if you aren't attending in person at the United Nations Headquarters, the global open-source community is making this year’s summit remarkably accessible. Whether you are observing from home or looking for ways to engage with the NYC tech scene, there are plenty of pathways to participate. ​ Participating Virtually ​The UN is providing a comprehensive digital window into the week’s proceedings. If you aren't registered for the in-person sessions, you can still catch the core pillars of the conference: ​ Official Livestream: Head over to UN Web TV to watch the key sessions. Major tracks including Open Source x AI (June 23) , DPI Day (June 24) , and OSPOs for Good (June 25) will be broadcast to a global audience. ​ Program Access: The official event portal offers the full agenda and speaker list, allowing you to follow the discourse on digital sovereignty, AI governance, and infrastructure development in real-ti...

A Turning Point in Intellectual History: The 1956 Paris Congress ​In September 1956, the amphitheaters of the Sorbonne in Paris became the stage for a seismic event in the history of global liberation. The First International Congress of Black Writers and Artists, organized by the visionary publishing collective Présence Africaine, convened sixty-three delegates from twenty-four countries. It was a meeting that sought to do more than simply critique the status quo; it aimed to decolonize the mind and establish a new, sovereign cultural identity for the Black world. ​ The "Cultural Bandung" ​Often referred to as a "cultural Bandung" after the 1955 Asian-African Conference, the Congress was a formal assertion that political independence was incomplete without cultural self-determination. Under the leadership of Alioune Diop and a dedicated organizing committee, the event brought together disparate voices—diasporic, African, and Caribbean—to wrestle with the weight of ...