Showing us illustrations from the late sixties up til now, he spoke about the situation for black people in the US now and in the past, the work of the Black Panthers, and also how discriminatory practices at home have always been analogous to imperialist policies abroad.

These are two of his latest illustrations, made only last year I think. The first one represents the situation today of a huge over-representation of blacks in prison, and how that can be seen as a continuation of slavery. Quite a powerful image. And the Obama one, no need for further explanation there. Pretty clear.

To see more of his art work and read about him and the Black Panthers, check out what Urbis and MOCA writes about their exhibitions of his images.

What’s encouraging about the article however, is the many comments at the bottom from Lebanese men (and others) feeling ashamed and angry from this behavior. I hope to see more pieces like this, as the whole issue of the treatment and attitudes towards Asian migrant workers is in dire need of serious discussion.

Too mild according to some, especially the ones running the country’s ski resorts in Faraya, the Cedars and Laklouk. The lack of snow in these mountainous resorts is an economic disaster, as Lebanese as well as foreign visitors cancel or postpone their reservations.

Quite a different story in Scandinavia this year, I understand. As far as Beirut goes, it’s already empty without Karim. Woke up this morning and opened the cupboard only to not find his stuff in there.

Hopefully, he’ll start longing for the Levant in no time, and comes back to Beirut soon. Myself, I’ve got three weeks of non stop studying ahead of me now, as the end of the semester draws near and we have lots of work due the next couple of weeks. So, goodbye life, hello library.

Also, if you’re in Beirut today any of you, As’ad AbuKhalil, more known as the Angry Arab, is speaking tonight at seven o’clock about Palestine in the Lebanese context. Will be interesting for sure.

Blogs and news media speak of chickpeas replacing bullets in a third war between the countries – drastic language but I guess the analogy is too good not to be made. Lets just hope this dispute stays in the kitchen. Anyhow, I’m sure phone lines to chefs across the country are busy right now, as the Lebanese taking-back of the record probably won’t be long.

Now Lebanon also writes about how authorities don’t even have access to updated maps of the area, which was rebuilt by Hezbollah after the 2006 war. The labeling by many of Hezbollah as “a state within the state” for sure seems very accurate in the light of such facts, but it also highlights other crucial issues, like the (absence of) control and strength of the Lebanese state, and, the ever so important future shape Lebanese domestic politics. Recently, both president Michel Suleiman and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, have voiced calls for an abandonment of sectarianism, putting the issue on the table. And with Hariri off to Damascus before Christmas, anything could happen, right?

This is just tragic, and sadly intrinsic to reporting about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead of discussing real issues – like whether or not the Israeli military has been stealing people’s organs – it seems impossible for mainstream journalists, politicians and commentators to approach this topic without resorting to name calling and an inward-looking self-serving argumentation on which side people are on. Hey, Palestinians are real people you know, suffering from atrocities here and now. Let’s talk about that for a change.

Anyways, headlines today tell us that what Boström wrote about are not just allegations: Israel has made a complete u-turn and now admits having stolen organs, from Palestinians as well as Israelis and foreign workers. That’s quite something coming from the same mouth that only a couple of months ago called it all a lie. An anti-Semitic lie, of course. Please. Someone maybe should inform these guys that Arabs as well are Semitic people. Evoking antisemitism as flagrantly as Israeli authorities do only serves to undermine the fight against the hideous and appalling phenomenon that antisemitism really is. And, apparently, this time it was definitely not a question of antisemitism.

While spending time with mum and dad, I’ve also tried to keep up with uni work, which means that I’ve been extremely busy, hence the absence from here. We’ve done lots of nice things though: wandered around Beirut, visited Damascus and met with friends of mine. And, when I after one week dropped mum and dad off at the airport, I picked up Karim. He’ll be staying for more than a month, escaping cold Sweden and spending Christmas and New Years with me. Love it! And best of all, Monday we’re off to Oman for ten days of warmth and sunshine, stunning nature and new exciting places, away from big city noise and stress. Merry Christmas!

First though, I’m finishing what I need to do for uni before Christmas break. Quite a lot actually, especially since I’ll be away and won’t do much during that time. Like in Sweden, the semester continues next year and goes on until early February after which we’ll have a short break before spring semester starts. I’m very happy that I’m staying next semester as well: though I’ve improved my Arabic skills a lot since coming here, I still need to work lots more to be more or less fluent.

Inshallah I’ll be speaking without too many mistakes when summer comes. With some hard work, I think it’s doable. I’ll do my best! Anyways, summer is far away right now, here in Lebanon as well as in Sweden. Sure, the winters here aren’t nearly as bad as the Scandinavian ones, no way. But I won’t say they’re nice. Walking to school this morning, getting soaked by passing cars and rain coming from literary every direction, I felt very glad we’re going south for a while. Oman. Mmm. Can’t wait. I’ll keep you posted on what we’re up to! First though, some pictures from mum and dad’s visit.

Off Hamra Street, close to my place.

Immediately when they arrived, we headed across the border to Syria where we stayed at my friend Caroline’s place in Damascus, the world’s oldest still inhabited city. Amazing place.

Caroline lives with some 10 or so other people in a beautiful old house right in the middle of the old city. Basic, sure, but very nice. Especially all seasons except winter; the house is built around an outdoors courtyard and has a big roof perfect for parties and chilling in the sunshine.

Breakfast on the roof. Don’t think omelet and foul ever tasted better?

Mum found a new friend, the cat who calls the house her home.

The Umayyad Mosque, one of the oldest and for sure most stunning mosques in the world.

Souq el-Hamidiyyeh. Unfortunately, there’s no souq in Beirut anymore: it got destroyed during the war and didn’t fit with the posh rebuilding of the downtown area after the war.

Dad with Caroline’s friend Abdou

Back in Beirut. This is from a manifestation against something that tragically happens way too often lately: women coming to Lebanon to do domestic work – house keeping, nannying, cleaning – are found dead under “unknown circumstances”. In all, there are some 200 000 women from mainly Sri Lanka, Ethiopia and the Philippines working in Lebanon right now, too many of them under really bad conditions. Hopefully the drawing of attention to this exploitation can help changing the situation. Right now, for many women, it’s outrageous.

Before leaving, we met Sanna for one last night of yummie mezze: foul, hummus balila, fattousch, spinach fatayer, batata harra, grilled halloumi…

Then Karim arrived! Unfortunately, the rain didn’t leave with mum and dad.

I haven’t disappeared, though that’s how it might seem. Mum and dad are visiting from Sweden, and I’m super busy doing stuff with them while at the same time keeping up with everything at uni. Bare with me please, I’ll be back soon!