The always excellent Joe Sacco featured in the Guardian at the weekend with The Unwanted, covering the emotive and controversial topic of immigration, especially waves of illegal mass immigration as desperate people flee poverty, hunger and war in many African states and try to cross over to Europe, with the small but proud islands around Malta being right in the firing line. Malta’s position in the Med has meant that it has been an important crossroads throughout recorded history- and indeed prehistory too, judging by some of the finds there.
(The Unwanted by and (c) Joe Sacco)
It’s not like the Maltese are unfamiliar with the downside of their strategic location; the island was pounded by the Nazis during the Second World War but held out, leading to the entire population being collectively awarded the George Medal for their heroic role assisting the Allied convoys to Africa. Now it is unwanted, desperate ragtag convoys from Africa that are causing huge problems. As ever Sacco explores topics without getting preachy or soapboxing, which is something I always admire about his work – I’m too opinionated, I doubt I could remain as even-handed as he usually does. While the main thrust of this work is Malta it’s obviously a hot-button topic in just about every country at the moment. (thanks to Matt B for the link)
Mon, Jul 19, 2010
Comics and cartoons