October 14, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
4 Comments

Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day

Jollof Rice Recipe Jollof rice is known throughout Nigeria, indeed, throughout West Africa. There’s a great article in The Guardian about controversies arising over whose jollof rice is the correct one, or the most delicious. The New York Times shared … Continue reading

June 28, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments

Education: Powerful But Too Often Neglected

Reading with my Book Club I’m in two book clubs. One is called Baker’s Dozen; I’ve probably mentioned it before. Three women have just joined and all are white friends from church. I invited two of them and another member … Continue reading

June 8, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments

Who Gets Opportunity?

A Nigerwife’s Story My friend Liz Bird recently published Surviving BIafra: A Nigerwife’s Story, with Rosina Umelo. She spoke about it at the Igbo Conference in London in April, which I was sorry to miss this year. Rose, a British woman, … Continue reading

June 4, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
Comments Off on Injustice Against Native Americans

Injustice Against Native Americans

Injustice Against Native Americans I write frequently about injustices in the US against African-Americans. They are no longer legal, though they have by no means disappeared. But the injustices done to Native Americans are enshrined in law which still exists! … Continue reading

September 1, 2018
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments

African Americans in Westport

African Americans in Westport In May I wrote about the opening of the Westport Historical Society’s exhibit “Remembered: The History of African Americans in Westport.” At that celebratory event I only saw a little of the exhibit. I knew there … Continue reading

July 14, 2018
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments

Justice in Nigeria

Justice in Nigeria How does anyone get justice in Nigeria? The country’s justice system is broken. Even when relevant laws are on the books, they are poorly enforced. Lawyers are expensive and not easily accessible. One radio and TV host … Continue reading

March 6, 2018
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
3 Comments

Native American Graduate of Mount Holyoke

Native American Graduate of Mount Holyoke College Ruth Muskrat Bronson was not the first Native American woman to attend Mount Holyoke. There had been others even as early as 1846. But she was the first Native American to graduate. Mount Holyoke … Continue reading

March 1, 2018
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
6 Comments

More Nigerian Girls Kidnapped

One Hundred Ten Nigerian Girls Kidnapped Last week one hundred ten girls were kidnapped from their Government Girls Science Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State. (“College” in the Nigerian school terminology is what would be 8th through 12th grade in the … Continue reading

October 28, 2017
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
5 Comments

Boko Haram Turns Girls Into Bombers

Boko Haram Still Active I keep hoping that the bits of positive information from the Nigerian government about defeating Boko Haram are true. Though there have been some successes, there are still so many more challenges. “So far this year, … Continue reading

October 16, 2017
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments

Beloved Conversations

Beloved Conversations – a Final Report Several months ago I mentioned a program in which I participated at The Unitarian Church in Westport called “Beloved Conversations.” Beloved Conversations is a program created at Meadville Lombard, the Unitarian Seminary in Chicago. The … Continue reading