Video: The documentary 'Hope in my heart' of Afro-German poet May Ayim

Hoffnung im Herz (1997) is a documentary of Maria Binder about the life of Poet, activst an educator May Ayim (1960 - 1996). In the documentary which is in English and in German she talk about her life and her experience with racism in Germany. For those who don't speak German, I've translated a few parts.

Video: Dutch singer Ntjam Rosie - "Love is Calling"

Ntjam Rosie's song "Love is Calling", which was released in February, is the first single from her album "At The Back Of Beyond'.

Video: Spanish rapper El Chojin - Ven, Ven

Spanish rapper Chojin is known for the social commentary of his lyrics, his solo disc Mi turno being perhaps his most "radical" work. He avoids coarse language in his music, and his raps also frequently espouse non-violence, anti-racism, and warn of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Black German Photo book "Daima" to be published October 2013

“Daima” is a collection of selected black and white photographic portraits of inspiring Black women who live and work in Germany. From intimate representations of two ladies confiding in each other, through lively group pictures of sistahs together, to beautiful individual portraits: this book captures their interactions in a variety of settings. Afro-German photographer Nzitu Mawakha presents a unique collection of striking images and combines these with texts, where the women portrayed focus their gaze on the reader-viewer and where the women portrayed are the one to ask the questions.

Wanewake is the third publication in the English language book series "Witnessed".

Are There Black People In Italy? + (In)visible Cities

When a 20-year-old PR from London asked Afro-Italian journalist and photograper Balobeshayi whether there are Black people in Italy, she wrote on her blog,  "I killed the first shocked and almost offended reaction I was going to serve her and answered with a rather surprised “Yes.” The girl, who was trying to get me and my friends a deal for a club in Piccadilly Circus, was as stunned as I was. And she explained she was afraid to go to Italy because she thought she would have been the only Black person there.

Italy launches investigation into racist slurs against first black minister

The Italian government ordered an investigation yesterday into slurs on right-wing websites against the country's first black minister – a case that has put Italy's racial problems back in the spotlight.

Nigerian-German singer Ayo sings "Africa" and "Life is real" in Olympia in Paris

Singer-songwriter Ayo life in Paris in 2007. The entire history of the continent passes by in her song, from slavery, Biafria to Mandela. Great singer.

Check the full concert Ayo - Live At The Olympia 2007

Black in Portugal - Nuno Santos and his music of resistance

Nuno Santos (aka Chullage) is a second generation Cape Verdean living in Portugal. Half of his fellow Cape Verdeans in Lisbon don’t have official documents and live without basic human rights. Nuno writes blistering protest songs about being an immigrant in Europe, and his outspokenness has made him a target for right-wing attacks.

Video: Interviews with immigrants in Portugal

Interviews with immigrants in Portugal about how they are treated in Portugal. The video is part of MIPEX III (Migrant Integration Policy Index III - 2011): This project, led by the British Council and the Migration Policy Group, evaluates and compares since 2004, immigration policies in force in 31 countries.

Black European victims who became symbols in fight against racism

From left to right, Kerwin Duinmijer (Netherlands), Stephan Lawrence (UK), Alberto Adriano (Germany)

Racially motivated crimes against black people and people of colour in Europe is still a problem. Some of these incidents briefly make the headlines and cause a public out cry, but often these incidents are not even documented as racist violence. But in some cases victims of racist violence become symbols in the fight against racism.

A Black American walks through Black Amsterdam: The Bijlmer

Black American travel writer and filmmaker Diana O’Gilvie ignored the travel advice and went down into the Black neighborhood in Amsterdam.

“Don’t go to the Bjilmer,” was the general consensus among folks I asked about this predominantly Black neighborhood in Amsterdam.

“Make sure you hold your purse” cautioned my taxi driver on our way from the airport to my hotel.  While I appreciated her advice, I grew up in Kingston and lived in Brooklyn for sixteen years, so visiting Amsterdam’s proverbial ghetto wasn’t a stretch for me. I took the #54 train from Centraal Station in the heart of the historic district.

Afro-Europeans talk about their experiences in Germany and The Netherlands

Ian Ogutu from Germany and Furaha Kensmil from The Netherlands have something to say about life in Europe. In an interview with The German based African Magazine African Courier student Ian Ogutu talks about the challenges facing African and black students in Germany. And in a personal story Furaha writes about why she feels like a foreigner in The Netherlands. Furaha's story (picture at the top right corner) was published in a special edition on Afro-Europeans.

Video: The portrayal of black people in Dutch television advertising

How are black people portrayed in TV commercials in the Netherlands?  In a new TV commercial for  chocolate pasta Duo Penotti (brown and white) the old stereotypical image flashes by, a little black boy playing drums in a lion suit and a little white girl playing piano in a ballet dress. It’s the colonial image of the uncivilized versus the civilized.