Michaela Makusha

1 month ago | theneweuropean.co.uk | Michaela Makusha

It was my birthday, which is traditionally a time of year when I wander around, picking up books I don’t need. But this year the weather was lovely, so I took myself to the recently reopened Birmingham Museum and Gallery. I walked in, iced coffee in hand, to be told, “Sorry you can’t drink that in here”. My first summer job was at this place when I was an awkward 16-year-old who loved history. Now, I’m an awkward 23-year-old who still loves history, but is perhaps a little more cynical nowadays.

1 month ago | theneweuropean.co.uk | Michaela Makusha

When I walk down to the massive waste bin, it’s already full. The pile of rubbish that has built up around it is now two weeks old. I’m sure my bin bags from last week are in there somewhere. And the week before that. The usual dilemma around doing the bins used to be whether I could be bothered. Now everyone is bothered. The refuse collectors here in Birmingham have been on strike for weeks now. The stench of old rubbish is terrible. A cat nudges at a torn bin bag and stalks away.

2 months ago | independent.co.uk | Michaela Makusha

commentBlack men embracing white supremacy is still a wild sight, but Kanye isn’t the first and he won’t be the last, warns Michaela Makusha. We’re facing the Black manosphere online – and it’s infectiousOh, Kanye West. It seems that nearly every week, the once-genius rapper seems more focused on being in the news for everything else but music.

2 months ago | theneweuropean.co.uk | Michaela Makusha

March has finally arrived, and with it, the sunshine, but there’s still a chill in the air. So I put a scarf over my lighter jacket and head out into the Birmingham city centre lunchtime rush. I find a place and it’s packed, but manage to snag a seat and enough space for the laptop. I can’t help people-watching. To my left are two men – typical city workers. They’re discussing shares and I find myself almost immediately tuning out. Two young women are giggling over their drinks, and I smile.

Feb 6, 2025 | theneweuropean.co.uk | Michaela Makusha

Last month, Kemi Badenoch said “peasants” from “sub-communities” in some countries are the ones in grooming and rape gangs. Aside from sounding like a 14th-century noble, the xenophobia and racism in her statement are surprising in that it comes from someone like Kemi Badenoch. The leader of the Conservative Party has long confused me.