Weather forecasters are predicting that the Caribbean will be hit hard this coming hurricane season. (Google Images)
Caribbean 360 is reporting that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Management Agency (CDEMA) has urged Caribbean people to be prepared for a very active season. Hurricane season starts June 1 and officially ends November 30, 2013. The author writes:
Noted hurricane forecasters Dr William Gray and Philip Klotzbach of the Colorado State University have predicted an above-average season with 18 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes likely to occur during the six-month period.
The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting between 13 to 20 named storms, six to 11 hurricanes, and three to six major hurricanes.
CDEMA executive director Ronald Jackson said these predictions are well above the season averages.
“The message is clear. The extent to which we could be impacted will depend on the level of investment we put into preparing for and preventing as best as possible the negative consequences of this hazard.
Weather forecasters are predicting that the Caribbean will be hit hard this coming hurricane season. (Google Images)
Caribbean 360 is reporting that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Management Agency (CDEMA) has urged Caribbean people to be prepared for a very active season. Hurricane season starts June 1 and officially ends November 30, 2013. The author writes:
Noted hurricane forecasters Dr William Gray and Philip Klotzbach of the Colorado State University have predicted an above-average season with 18 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes likely to occur during the six-month period.
The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting between 13 to 20 named storms, six to 11 hurricanes, and three to six major hurricanes. It’s not just the Caribbean that can experience this type of weather. It might happen where you live, so it’s important to be ready when it happens. However, if you find that after the extreme weather has passed that it has caused damage to your home, more so to your roof, then you should think about getting in touch with a roofing contractor as soon as possible. If you live in the relevant area, you may want to contact Water Damage and Roofing of Austin for further information. But first, you may want to get in touch with your insurance company, for example somewhere similar to Insurance Quotes since you will need their help with any repairs you may need.
CDEMA executive director Ronald Jackson said these predictions are well above the season averages.
“The message is clear. The extent to which we could be impacted will depend on the level of investment we put into preparing for and preventing as best as possible the negative consequences of this hazard.
Shadow and Act’s Tambay A. Obenson challenges readers to hold independent news sites that cover black film with the same esteem given to mainstream publications that acknowledge black film. (Google Images)
If you haven’t gotten the memo yet, please stop sending Shadow and Act‘s founder and editor-in-chief Tambay A. Obenson articles about black cinema written by mainstream media. As Tambay has said before, he lives and breathes and reports on black cinema every day of his life. Tambay’s statement spoke to me as an expert in African-American film, who continues to get similar offerings from friends, colleagues and the like. Even though it is clear that the links to articles like the New York Times’ recent article on the coming “breakout year” for black film are sent with the greatest of intentions (information, enthusiasm, love of black film), it can be frustrating to those who work tirelessly on behalf of black cinema with very little fanfare. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, just because the so-called explosion of black film is new to you doesn’t mean that it’s new; just because black cinema is covered by a mainstream publication every once in a while doesn’t mean progress or validation of an art form many of us know is valid year-round. Check out an except of Tambay’s ode to those in the trenches covering, critiquing, analyzing, creating, loving and breathing black cinema on a regular, on-going and consistent basis. After all, black cinema is more than a news article. — Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief, The Burton Wire
EXCERPT from “Sorry I don’t need the New York Times to Tell Me What’s Happening in Black Cinema.”
“In the last 24 hours, my various mailboxes (email, Facebook, Twitter) have been flooded with messages alerting me to THISNew York Times piece, titled Coming Soon: A Breakout Year for Black Films, referring to the unusual volume of films by and about people of African descent, scheduled to be released theatrically in 2013.
It’s what I refer to as The New York Times’ annual ‘state of black cinema’ (broadly speaking) nod, and, each year, for almost as long as I’ve been running this site, I’m bombarded with messages linking me to whatever it is The Times (or The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, etc) have to say about subject matter that we cover on this site daily, and have been writing about for the last 4 years.
I’m never sure what exactly my response is supposed to be to these messages, as well as the articles that I’m being alerted to. Is it Jubilation? I’m supposed to be excited about the *acknowledgement* from mainstream papers? Am I to fall all over myself and start singing Negro Spirituals?
There’s this euphoria that consumes *us* when these pieces are published, which I don’t quite understand – one that contributes to the idea that, for some of *us*, *our* endeavors aren’t worthwhile, until formally recognized in some shape or form, by mainstream (read: White) institutions.
So, The New York Times realized that this year will see the once-every-decade occurrence, when more black films backed by studios (as well as a few indies) enter the marketplace.
So what? Why is this cause for celebration? Especially when I wrote about the same damn thing, right here on this blog, a few weeks ago, earlier this year. But I don’t recall seeing that piece shared multiple times on my Facebook and Twitter feeds, or heard about it being forwarded en masse via email.
Or is it that we only *act* when it’s the The New York Times (or Variety, or The Hollywood Reporter)?
Shadow and Act’s Tambay A. Obenson challenges readers to hold independent news sites that cover black film with the same esteem given to mainstream publications that acknowledge black film. (Google Images)
If you haven’t gotten the memo yet, please stop sending Shadow and Act‘s founder and editor-in-chief Tambay A. Obenson articles about black cinema written by mainstream media. As Tambay has said before, he lives and breathes and reports on black cinema every day of his life. Tambay’s statement spoke to me as an expert in African-American film, who continues to get similar offerings from friends, colleagues and the like. Even though it is clear that the links to articles like the New York Times’ recent article on the coming “breakout year” for black film are sent with the greatest of intentions (information, enthusiasm, love of black film), it can be frustrating to those who work tirelessly on behalf of black cinema with very little fanfare. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, just because the so-called explosion of black film is new to you doesn’t mean that it’s new; just because black cinema is covered by a mainstream publication every once in a while doesn’t mean progress or validation of an art form many of us know is valid year-round. Check out an except of Tambay’s ode to those in the trenches covering, critiquing, analyzing, creating, loving and breathing black cinema on a regular, on-going and consistent basis. After all, black cinema is more than a news article. — Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief, The Burton Wire
EXCERPT from “Sorry I don’t need the New York Times to Tell Me What’s Happening in Black Cinema.”
“In the last 24 hours, my various mailboxes (email, Facebook, Twitter) have been flooded with messages alerting me to THISNew York Times piece, titled Coming Soon: A Breakout Year for Black Films, referring to the unusual volume of films by and about people of African descent, scheduled to be released theatrically in 2013.
It’s what I refer to as The New York Times’ annual ‘state of black cinema’ (broadly speaking) nod, and, each year, for almost as long as I’ve been running this site, I’m bombarded with messages linking me to whatever it is The Times (or The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, etc) have to say about subject matter that we cover on this site daily, and have been writing about for the last 4 years.
I’m never sure what exactly my response is supposed to be to these messages, as well as the articles that I’m being alerted to. Is it Jubilation? I’m supposed to be excited about the *acknowledgement* from mainstream papers? Am I to fall all over myself and start singing Negro Spirituals?
There’s this euphoria that consumes *us* when these pieces are published, which I don’t quite understand – one that contributes to the idea that, for some of *us*, *our* endeavors aren’t worthwhile, until formally recognized in some shape or form, by mainstream (read: White) institutions.
So, The New York Times realized that this year will see the once-every-decade occurrence, when more black films backed by studios (as well as a few indies) enter the marketplace.
So what? Why is this cause for celebration? Especially when I wrote about the same damn thing, right here on this blog, a few weeks ago, earlier this year. But I don’t recall seeing that piece shared multiple times on my Facebook and Twitter feeds, or heard about it being forwarded en masse via email.
Or is it that we only *act* when it’s the The New York Times (or Variety, or The Hollywood Reporter)?
Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan will have to decide whether to sign into law a bill banning and criminalizing same-sex marriage. The bill has already passed Nigeria’s House of Representatives. (Google Images)
Writing for AllAfrica.com, Amnesty International has called on Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan to veto a Same Sex Marriage prohibition bill that was passed on May 30 by Nigeria’s House of Representatives. The author writes:
President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria should not sign into law a draconian new bill that would formalize discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and have wide-ranging effects on civil liberties in the country, 10 Nigerian and international human rights groups said today.
On May 30, 2013, Nigeria’s House of Representatives passed the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill, which would impose a prison sentence of up to 14 years for anyone found guilty of engaging in same-sex relationships. The Senate had already passed a similar bill.
If signed into law, the bill would also criminalize freedom of speech, association, and assembly.
“The bill is a throwback to past decades under military rule when these civil rights were treated with contempt,” said Lucy Freeman, deputy director of the Africa Programme at Amnesty International.
Those found to be in violation of the bill if it becomes a law face prison sentences, including those who speak out in support of gay marriage. Nigeria currently has a 14-year sentence for those involved in or knowledgeable of anyone who has “carnal knowledge” or “carnal intercourse” with another person “against the order of nature.” These laws are holdovers from Victorian-era British rule.
Josephine Baker was an entertainer and activist. She is the first American born woman to be honored with France’s Croix de Guerre for serving as a spy during the French Resistance. (Google Images)
“Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than the skin tone, when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one’s soul; when birth places have the weight of a throw of the dice and all men are born free, when understanding breeds love and brotherhood.” – Josephine Baker, entertainer and activist.
JOSEPHINE BAKER
Josephine Baker, entertainer and actress, was born on June 3, 1906 as Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri. At the age of 15, Baker moved to New York City and appeared in the chorus of “Shuffle Along” (1921). By the time she appeared in “The Chocolate Dandies” (1924), she was the highest paid chorus girl in vaudeville. In 1925, she debuted in Paris and shortly thereafter was the most successful American entertainer working in France.
Despite her popularity in France, Baker never achieved the same level of success in the United States. In 1937, she returned to Paris and became a French citizen. During World War II, Baker volunteered to spy for France and provided significant assistance to the French Resistance. In recognition of her efforts, Baker was the first American born woman to receive the French military honor, the Croix de Guerre. Although based in France, Baker was supportive of the Civil Rights Movement. When in the U.S., she refused to perform for segregated audiences and spoke at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Baker died April 12, 1975.
The Akosua Report: Facts on The African Diaspora, is written by Akosua Lowery. Follow her on Twitter @AkosuaLowery.
Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe says that he will follow the constitutional court ruling to hold elections by July 31, 2013. (Google Images)
BBC Africa is reporting that Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe has said that he will abide by a Zimbabwean constitutional court ruling that elections should be held by the end of July. BBC Africa reports:
“Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court said on Friday that elections must be held by 31 July, and that Mr. Mugabe should set a date ‘as soon as possible’.
Mr. Mugabe has been in coalition with the former opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai since 2009.
Mr. Tsvangirai’s party has said it is ready for ‘free and fair elections’.”
You may recall that in 2008, Tsvangirai won the first round of elections, only to pull out of the second round after increasing violence against his supporters. During this time Tsvangirai and his then-wife Susan were involved in a freak car accident in which the couple was hit head-on by a truck. Mrs. Tsvangirai died in the accident while Mr. Tsvangirai sustained injuries. President Mugabe went forward with the elections after Tsvangirai pulled out, winning 85% of the vote. Amid international controversy over Mugabe’s win, regional mediators intervened to organize a power-sharing agreement with Tsvangirai.
Zimbabwe’s constitutional referendum includes new checks and balances that have been agreed to by all involved parties. Despite the changes, some believe that president Mugabe may still win this election due to increasing dissatisfaction with Tsvangirai and voter apathy.
Ethiopians protest human rights abuses in Addis Ababa. (Google Images)
AllAfrica.com is reporting that thousands of Ethiopians in Addis Ababa protested against the ruling party on Sunday in an effort to ensure human rights protections. This is the first protest of this kind since 2005 when many protesters and opposition leaders were jailed. The author writes:
“The demonstrators were shouting they wanted their human rights to be ensured, that political and religious prisoners should be released, and accusing state television of only broadcasting propaganda.
‘We have been raising lots of questions for the government and one is to release those political party leaders and journalists,’ said Getaneh Banch, a member of the Blue Party, the opposition party that organized the demonstration. ‘And we have been also calling for the government to release also those who have been dislocated from their locations, because of their ethnic background.'”
Ethiopian authorities are accused of detaining a journalist who sought to interview people evicted from their homes in a region where the government is building a contentious hydro-electric dam on the Blue Nile. The journalist has been held since Friday and joins two award-winning journalists, Reeyot Alemu and Woubshet Taye, who are also in jail. The dam project is part of a $12 billion plan to boost power exports. The BBC reports that Egypt and Sudan object to the dam because they say it violates a colonial-era agreement, which gives them rights to 90% of the Nile’s water. The Blue Nile is one of two major tributaries of the Nile (one of the world’s longest rivers).
“One of the opposition leaders jailed after the 2005 elections, Jacob Hailemariam, says this demonstration is significant for Ethiopia. ‘This will definitely encourage people to demand their rights that they have been very quite about, until today,’ he said. Many of the protesters were young men with a Muslim background who do not necessarily support the Blue Party, but do feel a change in government is needed.”
Reggae legend Toots Hibbert is canceling his tour after injuries sustained at a concert in Richmond, VA. (Photo Credit: Commons.wikimedia.org)
This week has been pretty eventful for black music. Common lore suggests that bad things happen in threes. This week, the music world lost two major singers in Marvin Junior of the mighty Dells and Clarence Burke of the Five Stairsteps whose classic “O-o-h Child” has been sampled, covered and included in more movie soundtracks than can be named. Grammy award-winning Reggae artist Toots Hibbert has been forced to cancel his tour due to an injury sustained from a violent concert goer, ending what was a successful concert tour. As mainstream media focuses on frivolous fare like Kanye West’s album covers, American Idol rejects Mariah Carey and Nikki Minaj (who embarrassed themselves and black music with their petulant behavior on the show), The Burton Wire wants to make sure that these important stories aren’t overlooked. – Nsenga K. Burton
MARVIN JUNIOR Marvin Junior, singer for the legendary R&B group ‘The Dells’ passed away. In an obituary for the New York Times, William Yardley writes:
“Marvin Junior, whose raw but robust baritone served for half a century as the sturdy foundation for the Dells, a Chicago doo-wop and rhythm-and-blues group that was formed when he and most of its other members were in high school in the early 1950s, died on Wednesday at his home in Harvey, Ill. He was 77. The cause was kidney and heart problems, said his son Marvin Jr. ‘Iron Throat’ is what David Ruffin, the former lead singer of the Temptations, once called Mr. Junior. ‘Two tons of fun’ is what he called himself. He grew up hoping to be the next Ray Charles and eventually inspired other singers, including Teddy Pendergrass.
His voice was huge and versatile — it often reached into tenor territory — and it held up through more than two dozen albums and 57 years of performing. Unlike some other acts of their era, the Dells had no angry breakups and few personnel changes.”
CLARENCE BURKE CBS News is reporting that Clarence Burke of the Five Stairsteps passed away just one day following his 64th birthday, according to his friend and manager Joe Marno. The author of the post writes:
“Formed in Chicago in 1965, the Five Stairsteps included Burke, three of his brothers and a sister. They owed their name to their mother, who said that they looked like stairsteps when they stood beside each other in order of age, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Burke, the eldest brother, was the group’s producer and choreographer, played guitar and wrote many of the songs. He wrote the group’s first single, ‘You Waited Too Long.’ He was not yet 17 when it rose to No. 6 on Billboard’s R&B charts in 1966.
Other hits included ‘World of Fantasy,’ ‘Don’t Change Your Love’ and ‘From Us to You.’
However, the group’s biggest hit was 1970’s ‘O-o-h Child,’ written by Stan Vincent. Its signature refrain croons “o-o-h child” and promises that “things are gonna get easier.”
The song has been covered many times and has repeatedly been used in movies and TV shows.
FREDERICK “TOOTS” HIBBERT
Erin Coulehan ofRolling Stone is reporting that Grammy award-winning reggae artist Toots Hibbert has been forced to cancel the remainder of his tour due to injury sustained during a concert in Richmond, Va. Coulehan writes:
After being hit in the head with a glass bottle at a concertearlier this month, Toots Hibbert has canceled the remainder of his U.S. tour and returned to Jamaica. Billboard reports that the injured Grammy winner made the decision to return home to focus on his recovery.
Frederick “Toots” Hibbert was performing with his band the Maytals on May 18th in Richmond, Virginia, when a 19-year-old man in the crowd threw a glass bottle onstage, striking Hibbert in the head and bringing the set to an early close. The reggae veteran was taken to the hospital for treatment, and the alleged bottle thrower was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and public intoxication.
A spokeswoman for Hibbert, Andrea Davis, said the singer regretted having to cancel the tour, but that he wanted to focus on his recovery.
This post was written/compiled by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire.
Patricia Roberts Harris was the first African-American woman named to a presidential cabinet (President Jimmy Carter). (Photo Credit: Biography)
“You do not seem to understand who I am. I am a black woman, the daughter of a dining-car worker. If my life has any meaning at all, it is that those who start out as outcasts can wind up as being part of the system.” – Patricia Roberts Harris, the first African American woman to serve in the United States Cabinet
Patricia Roberts Harris
On May 31, 1924, Patricia Roberts Harris, the first Black woman to hold a presidential cabinet position, was born in Mattoon Illinois. Harris, the was also first African American woman to serve as a United States Ambassador, was born in Mattoon, Illinois. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude from Howard University in 1945 and in 1960 graduated at the top of her class from the George Washington University National Law Center. In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson appointed her Ambassador to Luxembourg where she served until 1967. In 1969, Harris was named dean of Howard University’s School of Law, a position she held until 1972. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Harris Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and in 1979 she became Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare where she served until 1981. In 1982, she was appointed a professor at the George Washington University National Law Center, a position she held until her death on March 23, 1985. Harris also served on the Board of Directors of several corporations, including Chase Manhattan Bank, Scott Paper Company, and IBM. The Patricia R. Harris Education Center in Washington, D.C. is named in her honor.
The Akosua Report: Facts on The African Diaspora, is written by Akosua Lowery. Follow her on Twitter @AkosuaLowery.
