What I’m Reading
September 24, 2020
What I’m Reading returns with two international stories I found curious. The culture of drinking in China made it into the pages of The New York Times after a banker’s slap in the face at a banquet stirred up a discussion on Chinese social media platforms. And a prominent atheist in Nigeria went missing, prompting fears over his well-being and a look at anti-blasphemy laws in Nigeria.
The Culture Of Drinking
To drink or not to drink. That’s one of the underlying questions of the first article I’d like to introduce you to. For Refusing a Drink With the Boss, He Was Slapped in the Face brings us to China, where “a professional drinking culture […] rewards excessive drinking and alienates those who do not imbibe,” as Tiffany May describes it.
The article recounts the experiences of a young Chinese banker, who was told to order an alcoholic beverage at a work dinner, politely refused, and got slapped in the face, and left the premises under the cheers of his colleagues.
The incident then went viral on Chinese social media channels, going from apologies and punishments to accusations and a general discussion about the role of alcohol in business and society at large.
I found it an interesting and curious read that offers a window into life in a country that tries to control the painting of the portrait the outside world gets to see.
Of course, it’s also a topic that is hardly exclusive to China, which is another point why it’s a valuable read.
Religion And Human Rights Clash in Nigeria
“I just need proof of life,” she said. “That is all.”
Outspoken Atheist, Arrested in Nigeria for Blasphemy, Hasn’t Been Seen Since is a strong example of foreign correspondent work that brings a piece of life from a foreign culture to us.
It’s also a story that ends with what could have been the perfect lead (the line quoted above). It grabs attention, provokes questions, and makes one want to hear the details that caused such a statement.
Ruth Maclean brings us to Nigeria, where an outspoken atheist by the name of Mubarak Bala got arrested after making repeated critical comments about the Muslim and Christian communities. Both are pillars of Nigeria’s religious culture.
The arrest was feared by Mr. Bala’s wife.
Nigeria is one of 71 countries that have anti-blasphemy laws; in violation of international human rights laws as well as Nigeria’s constitution.
If charged, he faces severe punishment. Depending on whether customary law or Islamic law is applied, blasphemy can either land one in prison for up to two years or hand one a death penalty.
The article offers more context on the role of religion in Nigeria and explains the background of the anti-blasphemy laws. In addition, readers hear from Mr. Bala’s wife. I highly recommend you jump over and read more about Mr. Bala’s fate.
While there doesn’t seem to be any updates on his case as of yet, the Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom a few days ago announced his support for Mr. Bala through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.
That’s it for this week’s What I’m Reading coverage. Next week, I’ll show more impressions of Prague from a rather dark hike through the woods of suburban Prague. There might also be another journalism-focused post ready by then.
