Serena Williams Returns to No.1

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February 28, 2013

Tennis legend Serena Williams returns to her number one world-ranking. (Google Images)

Written by Benjamin Snyder

Serena Williams reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in over two years on Monday after an emotional win that saw her defeat Petra Kvitova. She beat the Czech player in a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 quarterfinal marathon match at the Qatar Open.

According to Reuters, Serena recovered from being down 4-1 in the final set against Kvitova to seal the win and take the top ranking.

The American then went on to face previous No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in the final, which she ultimately lost in three sets.

Suppressing tears in the on-court interview after defeating Kvitova (see the video clip below for the full reaction), the 31-year old said, “I’m so sensitive nowadays, I’m always crying! I’ve just been through so much and never thought I’d be here again.”

Serena, whose return to the world’s best position among women tennis players saw her survive a foot injury in 2010 that led to a life-threatening blood clot, told reporters after the victory, “I never thought I’d play again. She continued, “Then I thought I’d never be able to win tournaments or Grand Slams. No. 1 was so far off. It was always a dream.”

As reported by the Associated Press, Serena called the pulmonary embolism the “scariest moment in my life.”

It turns out that despite downplaying the desire to reach the pinnacle of her sport’s rankings in the past, Serena secretly had the goal in mind. As quoted by Sports Illustrated, “I didn’t want to get into talking too much about No. 1. I think I would have put too much pressure on myself.”

Serena enjoys an additional accolade as well. At 31-years old, the 15-time major winner is now the oldest No. 1 since Chris Evert’s place atop the rankings at the age of 30.

It has been a position she’s held a number of times in her illustrious career. Reports Sports Illustrated in the same piece as above: “This will be Williams’ fifth stint at No. 1, having first ascended to the spot in July 2002 and most recently holding it for 49 weeks from November 2009 to October 2010. It will be her 124th week total at the top.”

The following week, however, Serena was forced to pull out of a tournament in Dubai, which began on February 18, due to a back injury that seemed to plague her during her loss to Azarenka in Qatar.

For a clip of the American’s emotional post-match press conference versus Kvitova, see below or view the WTA’s video here.

Benjamin Snyder is a sports contributor to The Burton Wire. You can follow Benjamin Snyder on Twitter @WriterSnyder.

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R&B Legends 'The Temptations' Lose Another Member

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TheBurtonWire

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February 28, 2013

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Temptations member Damon "Otis" Harries dies. (Google Images) — Temptations member Damon “Otis” Harries dies. (Google Images)

The Urban Daily is reporting that the legendary R&B group the Temptations has lost another member. You may recall last week, Damon “Otis” Harris, who sang with the Temptations on many of their hits of the 1970s, died of prostate cancer on Feb. 18. He was 62. The New York Times reports:

Harris was a decade younger than anyone else in the Temptations when he joined in 1971, replacing Eddie Kendricks. He was the lead singer on “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” the group’s last No. 1 single, and was also heard on “Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are),” “Masterpiece” and other hits. He left in 1975.

Former member Richard Street died yesterday, after being admitted to a Las Vegas hospital for difficulty breathing last Friday. It was discovered that he had a clot in his lung. His wife of seven years Cindy Street stated that Street was proud of being a part of black history. The Urban Daily reports that Mrs. Street stated:

“He was part of black history. He was always proud of that. He sang on a lot of those classic songs: ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,’ ‘Hey Girl,’ ‘Heavenly,’ ‘Superstar,’ ‘Masterpiece.’”

Street was 70-years-old.

Read more at Urban Daily or The New York Times.

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R&B Legends ‘The Temptations’ Lose Another Member

By

TheBurtonWire

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February 28, 2013

0

The Urban Daily is reporting that the legendary R&B group the Temptations has lost another member. You may recall last week, Damon “Otis” Harris, who sang with the Temptations on many of their hits of the 1970s, died of prostate cancer on Feb. 18. He was 62. The New York Times reports:

Harris was a decade younger than anyone else in the Temptations when he joined in 1971, replacing Eddie Kendricks. He was the lead singer on “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” the group’s last No. 1 single, and was also heard on “Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are),” “Masterpiece” and other hits. He left in 1975.

Former member Richard Street died yesterday, after being admitted to a Las Vegas hospital for difficulty breathing last Friday. It was discovered that he had a clot in his lung. His wife of seven years Cindy Street stated that Street was proud of being a part of black history. The Urban Daily reports that Mrs. Street stated:

“He was part of black history. He was always proud of that. He sang on a lot of those classic songs: ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,’ ‘Hey Girl,’ ‘Heavenly,’ ‘Superstar,’ ‘Masterpiece.’”

Street was 70-years-old.

Read more at Urban Daily or The New York Times.

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Sudan: Court-Ordered Amputations Cause Stir Among Rights Groups

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TheBurtonWire

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February 27, 2013

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In Khartoum, Sudan, a court ordered the amputation of a man’s hand and foot. (Google Images)

written by Kaitlin Higgins

Ulf Laessing of Reuters is reporting that a court in Khartoum, Sudan ordered the amputation of a convicted robber’s hand and foot on Feb. 14. Human rights organizations have denounced the act, saying it violates basic human rights under the prohibition of torture. While other punishments under Sharia (Islamic law), such as flogging, are still carried out today, amputation has, until now, not been used since the 1980s.

Laessing writes:

The al-Sudani daily said a state court had convicted [Adam al-] Muthna of firing on a car with an assault rifle in the Sharaf area in March 2006 to force it to stop and then stole 1,000 Sudanese pounds ($228) from its passengers. It said Sudan’s constitutional court upheld the conviction.

Officials at the justice ministry, the judiciary headquarters in Khartoum and the constitutional court all declined to comment on the amputation.

Kamal al-Jazouli, a Sudanese lawyer and human rights activist, said the government apparently wanted to intimidate people with the amputation at a time of dissent over galloping inflation and corruption.

Sudan signed the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 1986, though they have never ratified the convention. However, as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Sudan does have legal obligations to abstain from such treatment.

According to Human Rights Watch:

In the case of Doebbler v Sudan, concerning the use of flogging as a punishment in Sudan, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights ruled that: “there is no right for the government of a country to apply physical violence to individuals for offences. Such a right would be tantamount to sanctioning State sponsored torture,” contrary to article 5 of the African Charter.

Read more at Reuters and Human Rights Watch.

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Akosua Report: Hiram R. Revels

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February 26, 2013

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written by Akosua Lowery

In 1870, Hiram R. Revels (R-Miss.), became the first black member of the United States Senate as he was sworn in to serve out the unexpired term of Jefferson Davis.

Born on September 27, 1827, Hiram R. Revels became the first African-American U.S. senator—as well as the first African-American congressman—in 1870, representing Mississippi. Before taking office, Revels attended seminary and became a Christian minister, preaching throughout the Midwest and South. In his later years, he was appointed first president of the Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College.

The Akosua Report: Facts on The African Diaspora, is written by Akosua Lowery. Follow her on Twitter @AkosuaLowery.

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Africa Shafted: Under One Roof

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TheBurtonWire

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February 26, 2013

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written by Kaitlin Higgins

Goucher College hosted this year’s Baltimore African Film Festival from Feb. 22 to 24. The festival’s lineup included an afternoon’s worth of films from South Africa, including Africa Shafted: Under One Roof (Ingrid Martens, 2011).

A documentary about Johannesburg’s Ponte City–Africa’s tallest residential building–Africa Shafted explores the deeply-rooted xenophobia of some of the building’s residents. Martens filmed mostly from within the building’s eight elevator shafts, initiating candid interviews with the passengers who represent many African countries, including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Burundi, among others. In the elevator, Martens meets some residents only once or twice, while others develop a relationship with the camera.

“It’s some sort of a refugee camp for us,” says one interviewee of the diversity amongst the nearly 4000 residents at Ponte. Most have come to South Africa for safety and livelihood, which their homes could not provide, and to Ponte in particular because it is known for housing “all of Africa” throughout its 44 floors. However, there can be much animosity and tension between those seeking their refuge from different countries. Many interviewed in the elevator accuse Nigerians of criminal acts, while South Africans blame foreigners in general for stealing their jobs and their wives.

Martens’ portrayal of South Africa through the residents of Ponte City is often painful, harsh, and sometimes awkward, but thoroughly honest and eye-opening. She shows, in the tiny and usually crowded elevator shafts, what it means to be a foreigner, perhaps even in one’s own country.

Other films featured throughout the weekend included Farewell Exile (Morocco, 2011), Microphone (Egypt, 2010), How to Steal 2 Million (South Africa, 2011), Black Africa White Marble (Republic of Congo/USA/Italy, 2011), Monica Wangu Wamwere: The Unbroken Spirit (Kenya, 2010), and Our Beloved Sudan (Sudan/UK, 2011).

The Baltimore African Film Festival is part of the New York African Film Festival‘s traveling series, which will host further events this year at the Georgia Institute of Technology from April 2 to 16 and at the BAMcinématek at BAM Rose Cinemas in New York from May 24 to 27.

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New York City: Slavery Math Questions Cause Stir

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TheBurtonWire

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February 25, 2013

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A New York City school teacher was reprimanded for using slavery to teach math. (Google Images)

MSN News is reporting that parents, teachers and administrators are in an uproar over a New York City teacher’s poor decision to give a homework assignment that used scenarios about killing and whipping slaves to teach math. The unidentified teacher clearly hasn’t been paying attention to the firing of other teachers for giving tests with insensitive and offensive questions, like a third-grade teacher in Washington, DC last year.

The homework assignment used scenarios about killing and whipping slaves to teach math. One question asked if a slave was whipped five times a day, then how many times a month was he whipped?

School principal Adele Schroeter says she was “appalled” by the questions and has ordered sensitivity training for the entire school.

Barbados: Ruling Democratic Party Wins Election

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TheBurtonWire

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February 25, 2013

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Prime Minister Freundel Stuart's Democratic Labor Party won Barbados' 2013 general election taking home 16 parliamentary seats in the process. (Google Images) — Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s Democratic Labor Party won Barbados’ 2013 general election taking home 16 parliamentary seats in the process. (Google Images)

BBC News is reporting that the ruling Democratic Labor Party (DLP) has retained power in Barbados’ closely fought general elections. Led by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, the DLP won 16 parliamentary seats in the 30-member House of Assembly. Prior to the election, Barbados’ opposition party, the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) was slated to win in an election that many said was too close to call. The BLP won 14 parliamentary seats.

Prime Minister Stuart took over as prime minister after the death of Prime Minister David Thompson in 2010. This election will give him his first full term in office.

Black Filmmakers That Changed the Game

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TheBurtonWire

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February 25, 2013

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Filmmaker Spike Lee helped open doors for many of today's black filmmakers. (Google Images) — Filmmaker Spike Lee helped open doors for many of today’s black filmmakers. (Google Images)

Writing for The Root, The Burton Wire’s editor-in-chief Nsenga K. Burton highlights black filmmakers that changed the game for blacks in the Hollywood film industry. Filmmakers include William Foster, Eloyce Gist, Euzhan Palcy, Sidney Poitier, Oscar Micheaux, Ava DuVernay and Spike Lee of course.

Check out the photo gallery on The Root.

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Oscar Pistorius Granted Bail in Murder Trial

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February 22, 2013

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Oscar Pistorius was granted bail on the fourth day of trial for the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. (Google Images)

Phillip de Wet of South Africa’s Mail & Guardian is reporting that Olympian and Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been granted bail on his fourth day of trial for the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Prosecutors had accused Pistorius of premeditated murder, and he spent eight nights in jail before bail was set today. The conditions were originally set at 250,000 rand in guarantees and a ban on foreign travel, as well as on return to the home where he shot Steenkamp. Magistrate Desmond Nair, however, significantly raised the conditions to 100,000 rand in cash and 900,000 rand in guarantees. In addition, Pistorius must relinquish ownership of his guns and agree to constant surveillance. If you have to pay bail, then it is so important that you can get what yo want, you can check out this website here http://www.1stchoicebailga.com/ who can help you if you need to get out of jail in no time.

De Wet writes:

Most onerously … Nair dispensed with the usual requirement that an awaiting-trial accused report regularly to a police station, and made Pistorius subject to constant supervision. That means, among other things, that Pistorius will not be able to travel outside Pretoria without prior permission. He is not allowed to use alcohol or drugs, and is subject to testing for those substances, day or night.

His probation officials will need to be in regular contact with him, to report on his state of mind, and have the right to phone him and request meetings whenever they see fit. The implication is that, should Pistorius indeed resume training, as his coach suggested on Friday morning he would do, he would have a hard time using facilities outside Pretoria, even as near as Johannesburg.

And should he take a celebratory drink during his first night not behind bars in more than a week, he could be subject to immediate arrest and detention for the duration of his trial. Pistorius was also specifically warned against contacting any potential witnesses in the matter, or doing violence to a woman.

The Burton Wire

Serena Williams Returns to No.1

R&B Legends 'The Temptations' Lose Another Member

R&B Legends ‘The Temptations’ Lose Another Member

Sudan: Court-Ordered Amputations Cause Stir Among Rights Groups

Akosua Report: Hiram R. Revels

Africa Shafted: Under One Roof

New York City: Slavery Math Questions Cause Stir

Barbados: Ruling Democratic Party Wins Election

Black Filmmakers That Changed the Game

Oscar Pistorius Granted Bail in Murder Trial

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