The poll by the Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES), published in the Sunday Sun newspaper however indicates that Arthur’s Barbados Labour Party (BLP) still hold a “slight edge” for control of the 30 seats in the parliament.
It said that the BLP had a 37 per cent favourable rating as against 34 per cent for the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) with 29 per cent of the voters either not giving an indication of how they will vote on Thursday or did not know which party would most likely win nationally.
The poll has a margin of error of +/-5 per cent, meaning that there is a high probability that the election will be decided by undecided voters.
After the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, pictured here in 2008 with then-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Catholics in Brazil are hoping for a Brazilian successor. (Google Images)
written by Kaitlin Higgins
Ben Tavener of The Rio Times is reporting that, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, the Catholic population of Brazil–the largest in the world–is wondering if they might supply his successor. Most speculation predicts another European Pope, although an increase in Catholicism in China and Africa, for example, could be reason enough for doubt. Five Brazilian Cardinals, two of whom the media favors, could potentially claim the papacy. Although significant, however, the Catholic population of Brazil has been declining and will not necessarily impact the choice for the next Pope.
Tavener writes:
“Estimates from 2010 census suggest that Brazil is almost 65 percent Catholic, and 22 percent Protestant. The statistics indicate the Catholic Church become less prominent in recent years, partly due to a concerted recruitment drive by evangelical churches, but also because opinions, particularly among younger Brazilians, have been increasingly at odds with those expressed by both the Catholic Church.
On Benedict XVI’s trip to Brazil in 2007, he called Catholics to stem the mass conversion to Protestantism and of reinvigorating Brazil’s connection to Catholicism.
Regular Opinion writer for The Rio Times Michael Royster says the Catholic Church’s hard line on women, homosexuality and birth control has not rung true with many Brazilians, and the fact that Protestant churches allow women in their ranks and have married clergy has encouraged conversion.”
First there was the drunk old idiot from Idaho who sat down next to a white woman and her black baby. The woman says the guy was drunk and belligerent during the whole flight, but things went from bad to “bat-shit crazy” when the plane began its descent.
The baby gets fussy and dude tells the woman to shut that “Nigger baby up.” Later, he slaps the baby upside his head… Now his lawyer tells us not to rush to judgment. Dude’s lucky he didn’t try that crap with me. I would have rushed to kick his sorry butt back to Idaho. When did this story break? Last week. When did the media start covering it with any intention — this past weekend.
“This school is not safe for Somali students,” Adnan Farah, a junior, told the Star-Tribune. “Throughout this year, there have been a lot of fights.”
A school district spokesman would not comment but said racism complaints are taken seriously. Obviously, they haven’t been taken it that seriously and neither has the media since there has been scant coverage of this growing problem.
That brings me to the now deceased LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner. We all saw “Black Rambo” pre-empt the State of the Union Address. But not everyone has followed the aftermath. It seems Dormer — fired by the LAPD for allegedly filing a false report against a fellow officer and then went postal on the LAPD, killing several officers, as well as his union rep’s daughter and her fiancee — is still causing problems even after his “elimination” by the LAPD.
I don’t defend Dorner’s actions. But I am unconvinced like many that the LAPD set that fire accidentally. And I am puzzled by the outrage that folks read truth in his manifesto. Prior to his murderous rampage, Dorner thoroughly articulated several problems within the LAPD, outlining issues of racism and corruption. Clearly the LAPD is no more capable of cleansing itself of corruption and racism than some would say the Catholic church is of ridding itself of pedophiles. But instead of addressing any possible precursors, the media clings to this manufactured affront to the family members of those he killed. This was not an OJ moment. It was the LAPD’s inability to deal with its own stuff — whether that be its inability to assess the mental capacity of its own force, racism, police corruption, or the justifiable lack of trust between the department and the black community in Los Angeles.
Here are the man’s words: “During the second Obama term, however, additional threats are growing. Latin American drug gangs have invaded every city of significant size in the United States. Phoenix is already one of the kidnapping capitals of the world, and though the states on the U.S./Mexico border may be the first places in the nation to suffer from cartel violence, by no means are they the last.”
Will it be unthinkable, out of the blue, and completely “by surprise” when some NRA-card-carrying, gun-collecting nut goes on a killing spree, targeting black kids, Latino immigrants, politicians, or civil servants? Will it be this classic and repetitive “What the F$53K?” American moment? When do we realize from manipulating and occupying weaker and poverty-stricken countries, to pretending racism doesn’t exist except for in the imaginations of black people, to the untold collateral damage of drone attacks, to this incessant “Taking our country back” rhetoric that actions (including actionable words) have consequences. That people — even reasonable ones and especially unreasonable ones — have breaking points. After all nothing is more fragile than the human mind.
Devona A. Walker is the politics editor for The Burton Wire.
Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.
First there was the drunk old idiot from Idaho who sat down next to a white woman and her black baby. The woman says the guy was drunk and belligerent during the whole flight, but things went from bad to “bat-shit crazy” when the plane began its descent.
The baby gets fussy and dude tells the woman to shut that “Nigger baby up.” Later, he slaps the baby upside his head… Now his lawyer tells us not to rush to judgment. Dude’s lucky he didn’t try that crap with me. I would have rushed to kick his sorry butt back to Idaho. When did this story break? Last week. When did the media start covering it with any intention — this past weekend.
“This school is not safe for Somali students,” Adnan Farah, a junior, told the Star-Tribune. “Throughout this year, there have been a lot of fights.”
A school district spokesman would not comment but said racism complaints are taken seriously. Obviously, they haven’t been taken it that seriously and neither has the media since there has been scant coverage of this growing problem.
That brings me to the now deceased LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner. We all saw “Black Rambo” pre-empt the State of the Union Address. But not everyone has followed the aftermath. It seems Dormer — fired by the LAPD for allegedly filing a false report against a fellow officer and then went postal on the LAPD, killing several officers, as well as his union rep’s daughter and her fiancee — is still causing problems even after his “elimination” by the LAPD.
I don’t defend Dorner’s actions. But I am unconvinced like many that the LAPD set that fire accidentally. And I am puzzled by the outrage that folks read truth in his manifesto. Prior to his murderous rampage, Dorner thoroughly articulated several problems within the LAPD, outlining issues of racism and corruption. Clearly the LAPD is no more capable of cleansing itself of corruption and racism than some would say the Catholic church is of ridding itself of pedophiles. But instead of addressing any possible precursors, the media clings to this manufactured affront to the family members of those he killed. This was not an OJ moment. It was the LAPD’s inability to deal with its own stuff — whether that be its inability to assess the mental capacity of its own force, racism, police corruption, or the justifiable lack of trust between the department and the black community in Los Angeles.
Here are the man’s words: “During the second Obama term, however, additional threats are growing. Latin American drug gangs have invaded every city of significant size in the United States. Phoenix is already one of the kidnapping capitals of the world, and though the states on the U.S./Mexico border may be the first places in the nation to suffer from cartel violence, by no means are they the last.”
Will it be unthinkable, out of the blue, and completely “by surprise” when some NRA-card-carrying, gun-collecting nut goes on a killing spree, targeting black kids, Latino immigrants, politicians, or civil servants? Will it be this classic and repetitive “What the F$53K?” American moment? When do we realize from manipulating and occupying weaker and poverty-stricken countries, to pretending racism doesn’t exist except for in the imaginations of black people, to the untold collateral damage of drone attacks, to this incessant “Taking our country back” rhetoric that actions (including actionable words) have consequences. That people — even reasonable ones and especially unreasonable ones — have breaking points. After all nothing is more fragile than the human mind.
Devona A. Walker is the politics editor for The Burton Wire.
Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.
“In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.” – Toni Morrison, The Guardian, Jan. 29, 1992
Toni Morrison
Chloe Ardelia Wofford (Toni Morrison), author, editor and professor, was born in Lorain, Ohio on February 18, 1931. Morrison earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Howard University in 1953 and a Master of Arts degree in English from Cornell University in 1955. In 1966, she became an editor at Random House where she played an important role in bringing African American literature into the mainstream. Morrison’s first novel was The Bluest Eye (1970) which was followed by Sula (1973) and Song of Solomon (1977), which won the National Book Critics Circle Award. In 1987, her novel Beloved was published and it won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the American Book Award and in 2006 The New York Times Book Review named it the best American novel published in the previous 25 years. In 1998 the book was adapted into a film of the same name. Other novels by Morrison include Jazz (1992), Love (2003), and A Mercy (2008).
In 1993, Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and was referred to as someone “who in novels characterized by visionary force and poetic import, gives life to an essential aspect of American reality.” In 1996, the National Endowment for the Humanities selected Morrison for the Jefferson Lecture, the United States federal government’s highest honor for achievement in the humanities. Also in 1996, she received the National Book Foundation’s Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters for “enriching our literary heritage over a life of service, or a corpus of work.” From 1989 to her retirement in 2006, Morrison held the Robert F. Goheen Chair in the Humanities at Princeton University. On 29 May 2012, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Akosua Report: Facts on The African Diaspora, is written by Akosua Lowery. Follow her on Twitter @AkosuaLowery.
The Burton Wire is known for thoughtful and meaningful coverage of news impacting the African Diaspora. Every once in a while, we come across content that is so funny, that we have to put deep and meaningful on the back burner in order to add some comedy to our lives. A Facebook friend sent us this post and we couldn’t resist posting it for the enjoyment of all of our readers.
Ham Radio is bringing you funny Black History Month videos. “How to Shake A Black Man’s Hand” is quite hilarious. Sit back, relax, watch and find the humor in the Diaspora. You’ll thank us later.
The Burton Wire is known for thoughtful and meaningful coverage of news impacting the African Diaspora. Every once in a while, we come across content that is so funny, that we have to put deep and meaningful on the back burner in order to add some comedy to our lives. A Facebook friend sent us this post and we couldn’t resist posting it for the enjoyment of all of our readers.
Ham Radio is bringing you funny Black History Month videos. “How to Shake A Black Man’s Hand” is quite hilarious. Sit back, relax, watch and find the humor in the Diaspora. You’ll thank us later.
South Africans, outraged over the rape and murder of Anene Booysen, participated in the worldwide movement for One Billion Rising (OBR) on February 14. (Google Images)
written by Kaitlin Higgins
AllAfrica.com is reporting that on Thursday, February 14, communities throughout South Africa stood, marched, and rallied in solidarity with the global One Billion Rising (OBR) initiative. Fueled by outcries over the rape and murder of 17-year-old Anene Booysen, the movement was planned to take place in cities including Cape Town, with the largest held at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. In the Western Cape province, the Bonteheuwel community organized in song and protest. Many have said that Booysen’s case may be the “tipping point” in a country that, until now, has neglected to talk about its staggering number of rape cases.
“‘The United Nations has reported that one in three women will be raped in her lifetime. We are here to represent each one of those. Government must implement laws that will deal with heinous crime effectively. MPs should visit the police stations where rape is reported frequently. We want more action that will bring a meaningful change to the communities. That is why we are starting our protest here,” [OBR’s Western Cape coordinator Zubeida Shaik] said.
The Bonteheuwel community leader and parliamentary official Anthea Abrahams said it was important to start such campaigns in the townships because that is where the victims and perpetrators are. She said the area is among those with highest rape statics but was not ‘reported as the victims fear for more victimization.'”
One Billion Rising was created last year by Eve Ensler, a US activist and writer of The Vagina Monologues.
Johnathan Lee Iverson is Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ youngest and first black ringmaster. (PHOTO CREDIT: EOS Marketing/Feld Entertainment)
written by Christopher A. Daniel
Johnathan Lee Iverson is the luckiest man in show business. For 48 weeks a year, he is in a different U.S. city in front of bright spotlights, wearing a radiant smile underneath a top hat, entertaining alongside a diverse cast in lively costumes and doing what he loves most – singing.
“I’m a fierce advocate for living out the best life you possibly can. There’s no glory in living beneath yourself,” says Iverson.
And rightfully so. The 6-foot-5 performer is the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ youngest and first black ringmaster. The New York City native’s stellar voice – since the 129th edition – has been a staple in the 143-year-old Greatest Show on Earth’s celebratory, mystic and family-friendly production.
Iverson’s innate ability to mesmerize audiences is rooted in eight years as the Boys Choir of Harlem’s lead tenor. He trained extensively across various genres. He circled the globe to perform for various entertainers, politicians and world dignitaries. When Iverson performed for Lena Horne, he earned second prize in the entertainer’s vocal jazz scholarship. “She was such a gem, such a lady and so down home,” says Iverson. “It was one of the highest points in my life.”
The Boys Choir, Iverson says, was a combination performance vehicle and social program that conditions young black males to become productive citizens. “Those experiences fed my confidence to realize and know I could do anything,” says the ringleader. “It built our people skills. It was the springboard for everything I would ever do in my life. Not only that I could, I was entitled to believe that I could. It indoctrinated self-worth in us.”
His plans post-graduation from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School in 1998 was to sing opera and study in Europe. Plans changed during an audition for a dinner theatre. The director of the dinner theatre, was also director for the circus and convinced the then 23-year-old singer to audition.
Even Barbara Walters recognized Iverson as one of 10 Most Fascinating People of 1999. “I never perceived the circus as a career,” says Iverson. “It never dawned on me that it would be something I could possibly do. It’s a terrific form of energy that you get when you realize what you’re giving is a service when it’s your craft.”
Iverson draws his inspiration from a myriad of reference points, quotes and cultural moments. He even finds a parallel between his career and Beyonce’s Super Bowl XLVII halftime performance. “The circus is the celebration of living things at its best. We stretch the limits of the human imagination. I’m conditioned for what I do. It’s nothing for me to stand out in front of an arena of tens of thousands of people and serve them their imagination,” he says.
Iverson went on hiatus in 2004 but returned to Ringling Bros. in 2010. He pursued the off-Broadway stage, television commercials, animated film voiceovers and even freelance journalism under the pseudonym, J. Frederick Baptiste. He regularly conducts speaking engagements and mentors youth. Iverson contributed to Zane Massey’s 2012 anthology, Beyond The Statistics, a culmination of interviews and passages on fostering strong degrees of professionalism, spirituality and intelligence from extraordinary men of color.
Off-stage, Iverson is happy with paying his blessings forward. He believes success involves passion and encouraging others (especially young black males) to maximize their potential. “Whatever it is in you, trust it. Have the courage enough to pursue it. You will never be happy if you don’t,” he says.
Christopher A. Daniel is a pop cultural critic and music editor for The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.
Australia finally passes a bill officially recognizing the indigenous population. (Google Images)
BBC News UK is reporting that Australia’s lower house has unanimously passed a bill recognizing Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples as the country’s first inhabitants. The passage of the bill happened on the fifth anniversary of the historic apology to indigenous Australians for past injustices. The bill is seen as an interim move before legislators introduce a referendum to include the official recognition in the country’s constitution. The article reports:
Indigenous Australians watching from the public galleries met the passage of the bill, which enjoyed bipartisan support, with applause.
“I do believe the community is willing to embrace the justice of this campaign because Australians understand that indigenous culture and history are a source of pride for us all,” Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said.
“This bill seeks to foster momentum for a referendum for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
She said that a review will be held to gauge public support for a referendum, which is needed to make any change to the constitution in Australia.
