Milt Campbell, the first African-American Olympian to win the gold medal in the decathlon, dies at 78.
The Associated Press is reporting that Milt Campbell, who became the first African-American to win the Olympic decathlon in 1956 and went on to play pro football and become a motivational speaker, has died, his family said. Linda Rusch, Campbell’s partner of 13 years, said the trailblazer died Friday at his home in Gainesville, GA after fighting prostate cancer for a decade. The article states:
A native of Plainfield, N.J., Campbell was a rising high school senior when he won the silver medal in the decathlon at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, finishing second to Bob Mathias. The Americans swept the decathlon that year. Four years later, Campbell won gold at the Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia.
The 6-foot-3, 217-pound Campbell, who attended Indiana University, was drafted in 1957 by the Cleveland Browns, where he played one season in the same backfield as Jim Brown. Campbell then played for various teams in the Canadian Football League until his football career in 1964.
Campbell was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1999 and was honored this year by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. In 2000, the New Jersey Sportswriters Association named Campbell its New Jersey Athlete of the Century.
In June, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame along with nine others, including actor Michael Douglas, author Joyce Carol Oates and the late New York Giants owner Wellington Mara.
Dominica celebrates 34 years of political independence. (Google Images)
Caribbean 360 is reporting that Dominica is celebrating 34 years of political independence from Britain with the country’s newly elected head of state, Eliud Williams, telling citizens “we can be justifiably proud of the progress that we have made over those 34 years.” Caribbean 360 writes:
Williams, who replaced prominent jurist Dr. Nicholas Liverpool last month, said that over the past three decades, Dominica had improved its social and physical infrastructure, electrified the entire country; built businesses and industries, schools and colleges, and developed a primary health care system which is a model to the developing world.
“Our scholars and artistes have achieved international recognition in various fields of endeavour which is a tribute to our resolve and intellectual capacity,” he said, adding when he examines the achievement “I am comforted that none of these developments could have occurred without the guidance of our Heavenly Father and the active support and engagement of our people.
“It is precisely because of these joint efforts and the engagement of all stakeholders that I believe that this year’s theme “Partnering for Further Progress and Development” is so appropriate.”
President Williams also called for more exploration of economic opportunities, pointing to Dominica’s participation in the development of broadband technology over the past decade.
Officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, Dominica is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, south-southeast of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique.
South African President Jacob Zuma meets Raul Castro, brother of reportedly ailing Cuban Communist leader Fidel Castro. (Google Images)
Writing for TheRoot.com, Anita Powell reports that South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma celebrated the accomplishments of 94-year-old anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela and Cuban Communist Leader Fidel Castro in remarks made to the Foreign Correspondents Association. Powell believes that this is Zuma’s attempt to distance South Africa from the economic crises of the West and to call for a greater voice for South Africa in the area of economics on the world’s stage. Powell writes:
‘In that speech earlier this week, Zuma hailed Castro as “one of the revolutionary icons in the fight for freedom and equity in a world free from oppression, exploitation and prejudice.”
South Africa has historically leaned left — Zuma and his cohorts in the African National Congress refer to one another as “comrade,” and the ruling coalition counts the South African Communist Party as an important member of the bloc. But one of the reasons South Africa may be pulling back from Western hegemony could be that it wants to distance itself from the current global economic crisis. Also, South Africa pushed for its finance minister to head the World Bank and clearly feels that its economic voice is not being heard.
The United States has close and positive diplomatic relations with South Africa, but this hasn’t always been the case. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney dredged up that fact from the past in the third presidential debate, when he equated Iran with apartheid-era South Africa.
“I would also make sure that their diplomats are treated like the pariah they are around the world,” he said, referring to Iran, “the same way we treated the apartheid diplomats of South Africa.”
These days, it seems as if South Africa is the one turning away a little bit. That’s exemplified by two recent South African actions: its decision to join a grouping of developing nations in 2011 and Zuma’s current crusade for more African representation on the United Nations Security Council.
Learn more about President Zuma’s remarks and read the piece in its entirety on TheRoot.com.
Skulls from the Hutu-Tutsi civil war in Rwanda in 1994 often referred to as the Rwandan genocides. (Google Images)
AllAfrica.com is reporting that Rwanda justice officials have compiled a list of 50,000 suspects that are alleged to have participated in the 1994 genocides. Rwandan authorities have issued arrest warrants for 146 of these suspects, but state they are working on the case files of the others. Most of these people have been tried and convicted in absentia by the semi-traditional gacaca courts which finished working at the end of June. The author writes:
‘We have confidence in our cooperation with the different states concerned,” said Jean Bosco Siboyintore, head of the genocide accused tracking unit of the Rwandan Prosecutor’s office.”Sooner or later these people will be arrested.’
‘They must either serve their sentences here, or get their trial reviewed,” he told Hirondelle (news agency located in Lausanne).’
While most of those thought to have participated in the genocides reside in Africa, namely the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, the largest number of suspects living in Europe are residing in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Wu-Tang Clan producer RZA’s film The Man With the Iron Fists was released nationwide on November 2. (Google Images)
by Christopher A. Daniel
RZA recalls being in Beijing beside award-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino watching a final playback on a camera monitor. Just a few years prior, the two creative minds were collaborating in the exact same place on Kill Bill: Vol. 1. At that moment, RZA – in déjà vu – knew he was onto something special. “The student has become a master,” Tarantino whispers to him.
The controversial director was referring to the Wu-Tang Clan’s iconic producer completing his directorial debut, The Man With The Iron Fists. The Nov. 2 nationwide release chronicles a 19th Century blacksmith – played by RZA – who creates weapons and joins a slew of warriors to protect a Chinese village. RZA also co-wrote the screenplay with famed writer/director Eli Roth. The film also stars Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, Rick Yun, David Bautista, Byron Mann and Jamie Chung.
The Brooklyn-born, Staten Island-raised connoisseur of martial arts films – born Robert Fitzgerald Diggs – took pointers from Tarantino. In addition to screening numerous films and having multiple conversations with Tarantino, RZA heavily studied director John Woo’s ability to capture multiple action sequences in one scene. “I picked up so much from him, I can write a book,” RZA says during the Atlanta press conference. “I can’t really say I got one thing. He’s my teacher. If I belong to any school of filmmaking, I belong to the school of Tarantino.”
More recently, the trendsetting, interpersonal Grammy Award-winning producer has composed a slew of film scores and flexed his acting chops. Much like his musical career, RZA designed a five-year plan for the film. His vision was met with some skepticism from peers, colleagues and family members. Still, The Man With The Iron Fists is paramount to RZA’s artistry. “It was a natural progression of art and creativity that I wanted to express,” RZA says. “I wanted to take hip hop [and I think I’m doing it with this film] to another level.” The Man With The Iron Fists came into fruition with its share of sacrifices. RZA put his music career on hold briefly. The producer says his wife, who was the only person with knowledge of his blueprint, supported him throughout the entire process.
“My family had to be patient with me putting in the time with Quentin,” RZA adds. “A couple of New Years I didn’t spend at home. It took a lot of perseverance, patience, tolerance, will power and determination for me to do this. People enter the path, but few prepare themselves for the path. The most important thing is preparation.”
RZA hit the road with an intimate, 11-city promo tour. Hosting his Atlanta stop at Vinyl on Oct. 10, he performed his set with Wu-Tang cohort U-God. Along with composer Howard Drossin, RZA was able to secure soundtrack contributions from Kanye West, Corinne Bailey Rae, Wiz Khalifa, Kool G Rap, Talib Kweli, The Black Keys and the entire Wu-Tang Clan among others. “I’ve always been an artist that likes to share the energy, the wisdom and keep the culture going. Music is a part of that effort,” RZA says.
The Man With The Iron Fists might be RZA’s first major film project, but he reiterates that having goals comes with preparation. “Know before you do. Don’t do before you know. If you know before you do, the results are already understood. You already know the path.”
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.
Wu-Tang Clan producer RZA’s film The Man With the Iron Fists was released nationwide on November 2. (Google Images)
by Christopher A. Daniel
RZA recalls being in Beijing beside award-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino watching a final playback on a camera monitor. Just a few years prior, the two creative minds were collaborating in the exact same place on Kill Bill: Vol. 1. At that moment, RZA – in déjà vu – knew he was onto something special. “The student has become a master,” Tarantino whispers to him.
The controversial director was referring to the Wu-Tang Clan’s iconic producer completing his directorial debut, The Man With The Iron Fists. The Nov. 2 nationwide release chronicles a 19th Century blacksmith – played by RZA – who creates weapons and joins a slew of warriors to protect a Chinese village. RZA also co-wrote the screenplay with famed writer/director Eli Roth. The film also stars Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, Rick Yun, David Bautista, Byron Mann and Jamie Chung.
The Brooklyn-born, Staten Island-raised connoisseur of martial arts films – born Robert Fitzgerald Diggs – took pointers from Tarantino. In addition to screening numerous films and having multiple conversations with Tarantino, RZA heavily studied director John Woo’s ability to capture multiple action sequences in one scene. “I picked up so much from him, I can write a book,” RZA says during the Atlanta press conference. “I can’t really say I got one thing. He’s my teacher. If I belong to any school of filmmaking, I belong to the school of Tarantino.”
More recently, the trendsetting, interpersonal Grammy Award-winning producer has composed a slew of film scores and flexed his acting chops. Much like his musical career, RZA designed a five-year plan for the film. His vision was met with some skepticism from peers, colleagues and family members. Still, The Man With The Iron Fists is paramount to RZA’s artistry. “It was a natural progression of art and creativity that I wanted to express,” RZA says. “I wanted to take hip hop [and I think I’m doing it with this film] to another level.” The Man With The Iron Fists came into fruition with its share of sacrifices. RZA put his music career on hold briefly. The producer says his wife, who was the only person with knowledge of his blueprint, supported him throughout the entire process.
“My family had to be patient with me putting in the time with Quentin,” RZA adds. “A couple of New Years I didn’t spend at home. It took a lot of perseverance, patience, tolerance, will power and determination for me to do this. People enter the path, but few prepare themselves for the path. The most important thing is preparation.”
RZA hit the road with an intimate, 11-city promo tour. Hosting his Atlanta stop at Vinyl on Oct. 10, he performed his set with Wu-Tang cohort U-God. Along with composer Howard Drossin, RZA was able to secure soundtrack contributions from Kanye West, Corinne Bailey Rae, Wiz Khalifa, Kool G Rap, Talib Kweli, The Black Keys and the entire Wu-Tang Clan among others. “I’ve always been an artist that likes to share the energy, the wisdom and keep the culture going. Music is a part of that effort,” RZA says.
The Man With The Iron Fists might be RZA’s first major film project, but he reiterates that having goals comes with preparation. “Know before you do. Don’t do before you know. If you know before you do, the results are already understood. You already know the path.”
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.
The tenor saxophonist, producer, bandleader, composer and arranger is one of jazz music’s latest superlatives. His latest effort (fourth album),The Art of Dreaming, features his self-titled jazz quartet. The outfit morphs America’s greatest musical genre into soul drenched hybrids of Afro-Caribbean roots rhythms, hip hop, Latin music and funk. “I don’t know if I should be proud or ashamed,” he says. “I’m the latest bloomer among the jazz achievers.”
The accomplished musician’s session work with Grammy Award-winning musician D’Angelo, who christened the performer as “Brother Jacques” in 2000, opened up his interest for secular music. Schwarz-Bart adds that the greatest talents and soul songs are firmly rooted in gospel. “Working with [D’Angelo] connected me to those gospel traditions,” says Schwarz-Bart. “I came to gospel from a place of freedom because of playing in [D’Angelo’s] band. It’s the foundation of amazing creations in black music.”
Schwarz-Bart knows the value of a stellar work ethic. The Guadeloupe-born musician was blessed with creative lineage. His West Indian mother, Simone, is the novelist behind The Bridge of Beyond. His father, Andre, is the French-Jewish author behind The Last of the Just. His musical orientation stems from his rearing in Senegal, Switzerland and Goyave. Since age four, he’s mastered the seven fundamental rhythms of the Gwoka drum. Schwarz-Bart gets in his zone when speaking about melodies, harmonies, variations and modulations. His fusion of Gwoka and jazz is the first of its kind. “There is no shortcut to that accomplishment,” says Schwarz-Bart. “It is long, difficult and no magic recipe that will help you go any faster. Discipline is not working two months and relaxing for three months. It means doing it every single God-given day. You got to go through all of the stops and know that writing is not just writing.”
Meshell Ndegeocello is another collaborator that Schwarz-Bart takes a great deal of inspiration from. In a testimonial, the bassist refers to Schwarz-Bart’s talents as “cherry blossoms and beautiful fragrant flowers.” In reference to her blatant sexuality and musical integrity, he says she is courageous and revolutionary. He adds there are not enough words to describe her influence on him. “I respect her courage and asserting who she is. She is one of the most original minds I’ve ever encountered in my entire life. I have so much love and respect for her,” he says.
Schwartz-Bart lists of accomplishments continues to grow as he served as the guest performer for the Alliance Francaise d’Atlanta’s Centennial Ball at the Four Seasons this year. His act followed Ambassador Andrew Young receiving the evening’s Global Ambassador accolade. Still, Schwarz-Bart knows what it takes to make an impact. “When it comes to playing music and playing jazz [even when you improvise], the main thing is to keep in mind that you are telling a story,” he adds.
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.
Hurricane Sandy pummels the East Coast. (Google Images)
CNN is reporting that at least 16 people in the United States were killed in incidents related to Hurricane Sandy. The Red Cross reported that nearly 11,000 people spent Monday night in 258 Red Cross-operated shelters across 16 states. More than 15,000 flights were canceled due to the Hurricane and approximately 7.5 million customers are without power in 15 states and the District of Columbia, according to numbers compiled by CNN from local power providers. Amtrak suspended service along the East Coast and scores of people were evacuated from states along the East Coast including Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. States as far South as North Carolina declared states of emergency as a precaution and in order to obtain government funding. After such an insane natural disaster many homes have been seriously damaged or destroyed. Many people may have had to get in touch with professionals like round rock roofing companies, in order to get their roof repaired. Further assistance may be needed (depending on the damage) in order to get everything up and running. No one can predict when something like this is about to happen, but sadly it does. The same goes for businesses. It is important that businesses are protected; the advice and suggestions for business insurance on Lending Expert could help to prepare and protect business owners against various forms of damage that could cost them a large amount of money. It might be smart for some to talk to St Louis Commercial Roofing Pros to understand how to move forward with repairing the roof of their home after such an event.
In the event of a storm and the aftermath that follows, it is not only the roofing of houses and businesses that could have been impacted. When inspecting the devastation that the storm has caused to your roof, some people may also notice that their gutters have been affected too. This could be because leaves have blown into the system and have clogged the flow of water, or it could be due to the fact that some parts have been broken in the process and it is unable to work efficiently. If this problem is left unresolved, the chances of you experiencing any sort of flooding and water damage in your home are increased. Companies in your area that are similar to Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning Cary will be able to visit your home and clear any unwanted debris out of your gutters so that normal water flow can be restored. To prevent the risk of creating any further damage, it is important that this is fixed as soon as possible, especially if more unexpected weather conditions are expected to occur.
Most businesses and schools along the East Coast are closed for the second day in a row. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has opened the Garden State Parkway in both directions. Tolls will resume at 2 p.m.
Travel lanes are still blocked by storm damage at 190 locations across the state, including portions of the New Jersey Turnpike. CNNreports that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says, “The level of devastation of the New Jersey Shore is unthinkable.”
Hurricane Sandy is working its way from the Bahamas, where it hit early Friday, to the East Coast. (Weather Channel)
The New York Times and The Washington Postare reporting over 20 deaths in the Caribbean due to Hurricane Sandy. The storm hit early Friday with 80 m.p.h. winds and knocked out power lines and flooded the streets. Weather reports indicate that Sandy should reach the East Coast by Tuesday and bring heavy winds, rain, flooding, and perhaps snow.
According to The New York Times:
“The storm is moving northwest at about 10 m.p.h., but is likely to slow before turning northeast on Saturday, forecasters said.
Where it may hit along the East Coast is unclear, with possibilities ranging from North Carolina to New England, though meteorologists say there is a slight possibility that the storm could also drift harmlessly out to the Atlantic Ocean.
Still, coastal areas of the United States, from Florida to North Carolina, were under a tropical storm watch Friday morning, with portions of North Carolina expected to get as much as eight inches of rain.
If the storm does make landfall in the United States, it could become, to use a technical term from meteorology, a whopper.”
Mohammed Awad of Bikyamasr.com is reporting that Ethiopia Muslim and Christian students have once again called for unity after a violent attack on a police station in the eastern part of the country left at least four people dead. Awad writes:
“A group of concerned students told Bikyamasr.com that the ongoing tension between the government and Muslims should be ended and they called on the government here in Addis Ababa to do more to ensure that violence does not erupt again.
“We believe that the government is creating this tension and fear of sectarian conflict in the country by not allowing the Muslim population to have their will in their own affairs,” said the group meeting at a cafe on Monday evening.
They added that the youth of the country should be consulted more “because we have connections with one another that goes beyond religious lines.”’
Muslims in Ethiopia have been holding mass protests against being mistreated as religious minorities in the country. (Google Images)
France 24 is reporting that Ethiopian Muslims have been protesting being treated like “terrorists.” France 24 reports:
“While the majority of people in Ethiopia are Orthodox Christian, nearly 34 percent of the population is Muslim. Although the country has no official religion and its constitution guarantees religious freedom, there are some Muslims who feel as though their rights have been encroached upon and accuse the government of pushing the ideology of al-Ahbash – a Sunni movement founded in Lebanon during the 20th century that largely condemns Salafism and encourages religious pluralism.”
Mass protests have been taking place since July and resulting in clashes with police and the arrest of hundreds of protesters.
