People cover their faces in the Dominican Republic because of the cholera outbreak. (Google Images)
Caribbean 360 is reporting that CARICOM has joined the fight against cholera devastating Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has signed a declaration to become one of the latest partners in a new regional coalition that will focus on shoring up water and sanitation infrastructure for the elimination of cholera in Hispaniola. The hurricane ravaged countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic have battled a massive cholera outbreak since the January 2010 earthquake that devastated the region. The goal of the coalition is to support the governments of Haiti and the Dominican Republic in streamlining international assistance to ensure universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The coalition is made up of Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (AIDIS) in addition to the governments of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Read more at Caribbean 360.
Verizon’s How Sweet The Sound (HSTS) Gospel Celebration made its second stop in Atlanta on Monday, September 10. (Erin Kyle)
Genesis 4:9 states, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” So is that true among contemporary gospel acts? Simply put – the answer is yes.
During the Mon., Sept. 10 stop – the second of eight cities – in Atlanta for Verizon’s How Sweet The Sound (HSTS) Gospel Celebration at Philips Arena, a few best-selling, award-winning recording artists – hosts Donald Lawrence and Yolanda Adams along with judges Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Erica Campbell of Mary Mary, Fred Hammond and CeCe Winans – placed heavy emphasis on their individual humanitarian efforts, philanthropic initiatives and community outreach programs. “Most of us on this panel have our own ministries and have our own conferences,” Adams said. “We’re all doing our part to our individual areas, and then we have a chance to come together. We all support one another’s ministries. It’s being done.”
Considering the current generation of black performers and musicians across all genres are often perceived and subjected to scrutiny for their supposed lack of social responsibility, these artists believe their influence should be used to enlighten, inspire, empower, raise morale and enhance all humanity. Adams, who hosts a nationally syndicated faith-based radio show, has ventured into her own line of turkey burgers. The dietary initiative, Adams says, began as an alternative to her developing food allergies. It was through her own research she found that 40 percent of kids are allergic to something. The singer also participated in a health and wellness tour encouraging people to check their heart rate and blood pressure. “I just want to service them,” she said. “Not just with high quality food but nutritious food; they’ll develop and love good food for the rest of their lives. It’s so important when you get a certain age, you can’t do some of the things you used to do or eat some of the things you used to eat.”
Children are a major concern among the gospel community. CeCe Winans’ Always Sisters Forever Brothers, an annual youth conference in Nashville under the singer’s Sharing the Vision Foundation, integrates faith-based motivational speaking and workshops with live entertainment. This program has been in existence since 2005. Along those parallel lines, Mary Mary has a mentorship program with the purpose of being role models for young women. Hammond, the forerunner and architect behind the spiritual subgenre “Urban Praise and Worship” who in fact started his musical career as a bassist for The Winans, hosts jam sessions for young musicians with his support group, Warehouse Worship. Bishop Walker, affiliated with HSTS since its infancy — provides spiritual nurturing and mentoring to various pastors and their temples with his Covenant Keepers International Fellowship.
Lawrence – also a main fixture and spokesperson for HSTS since its 2007 origins who Adams states is always doing something connected to the church — spent three years as a music business professor at Chicago’s Columbia College. He had to sacrifice his faculty position due to his intense travel schedule. “When we get to speak to the choirs and talk to them and give them pointers, that’s a type of mentorship,” he says. “People go to the choir for refuge or some people are going through broken homes. They lean on the choir for that family thing.” Gospel artists are more than performers –they use their fame and fortune to also benefit the community — a story that is rarely told in mainstream media.
Christopher A. Daniel is a pop cultural critic and contributor to The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.
The Chicago teachers strike has ended but problems are still far from over in Chicago and across the country. (Google Images)
The strike is over and the battle is done in Chicago. The children will be in school back to the business of learning. But make no mistake—the war is far from over. On the battlefield of public education, the perpetual question has again resurfaced. How should teachers be held accountable for student learning? It had been 25 years since the last Chicago teacher strike and then the sticking point was salaries, but in this age of joblessness it was not salaries – it was teacher evaluation.
This year would have been the first year that Chicago Public Schools instituted a new evaluation system that utilized student test scores for 25 percent of a teacher’s performance rating. In opposition, the Chicago teacher’s Union believes that the evaluation of teachers should not be based on student test results to that extent, and they believe the true purpose of this current evaluation system is to rid the system of teachers. Indeed, if the evaluation process is implemented as it is written, it translates into 6,000 teachers who will be fired over the next two years. Proponents of the new evaluation system offer what is to them a simple question without considering the issues that are obvious to Chicago’s educators. Why shouldn’t it be used?
If you are a school bus driver, and you go to every stop, but never pick up any of the students waiting for the bus, is that driver doing the job? No. The same should be said for teachers. If a teacher transmits information to students, but students are not “getting it” in a way that can be measured, then the obvious conclusion is that the teacher is not doing his job. However, unlike the bus driver, with teachers, we cannot say with absolute certainty that the teacher has not been teaching, which is the real challenge. If students aren’t able to demonstrate proficiency in a way that is measurable then how do we know that they are learning? At best the teacher is teaching and not meeting the needs of all students and at worst, the teacher isn’t teaching that well because there is limited accountability and few consequences for teachers even if the students aren’t performing well.
This issue is not just in Chicago. Enter the federal government flying its bright red banners—No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top. Though there are other factors to contend with in educating students, such as poverty, learning disabilities, and social or emotional readiness, teachers must still be held accountable for student learning. As difficult as teaching can be, teachers should not be able to simply throw up their hands because not all students arrive at the classroom door ready to learn. When teacher candidates complete a teacher preparation program, they are not certified to teach only those students they deem ideal. Teachers are charged with the task of teaching everyone, and there can be no exceptions to this mandate if our system of education is to have any credibility.
So here we are again—another distraction in the mission of educating this nation’s children. The battle rages on and the questions still go unanswered. Once we have all agreed that educating children is the only true consideration, we will realize there are no sides, no battle that must be fought, and only one point to be addressed. How best can we serve children?
Rhonda J. Summey, Ed.D. is an educator in the Prince Georges County School system. She holds education degrees from Northwestern University, Harvard University and George Washington University.
Expelled ANC youth leader Julius “Juju” Malema says that there is a conspiracy to kill him based on his comments about South African President Jacob Zuma. (Google Images)
Miranda Andrew of the Mail & Guardian is reporting that Julius Malema says his life is in danger because of a conspiracy against him involving President Jacob Zuma and several ministers. The expelled ANC youth leader believes that those in power are conspiring against him because of his comments that President Zuma is incapable of leading the country. Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj declined to comment on Tuesday night on Malema’s allegations.
Andrew writes:
“Malema said he wanted Zuma to step down as president, because he together with Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Justice Minister Jeff Radebe were ‘compromised’. He accused Radebe of focusing on law and order because his wife and brothers-in-law Cyril Ramaphosa and Patrice Motsepe had mining interests. They belonged to a “black elite” that benefitted from mining in South Africa, he claimed.”
Malema was expelled from the ANC for five years because senior leaders ruled that the youth league leader had shown no remorse for “sowing divisions” within its ranks. Malema was essentially accused of holding the ANC hostage by threatening to turn youth members against the organization. Malema campaigned for Zuma’s presidency against then-president Thabo Mbeki in 2007, but later changed his mind.
Expelled ANC youth leader Julius “Juju” Malema says that there is a conspiracy to kill him based on his comments about South African President Jacob Zuma. (Google Images)
Miranda Andrew of the Mail & Guardian is reporting that Julius Malema says his life is in danger because of a conspiracy against him involving President Jacob Zuma and several ministers. The expelled ANC youth leader believes that those in power are conspiring against him because of his comments that President Zuma is incapable of leading the country. Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj declined to comment on Tuesday night on Malema’s allegations.
Andrew writes:
“Malema said he wanted Zuma to step down as president, because he together with Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Justice Minister Jeff Radebe were ‘compromised’. He accused Radebe of focusing on law and order because his wife and brothers-in-law Cyril Ramaphosa and Patrice Motsepe had mining interests. They belonged to a “black elite” that benefitted from mining in South Africa, he claimed.”
Malema was expelled from the ANC for five years because senior leaders ruled that the youth league leader had shown no remorse for “sowing divisions” within its ranks. Malema was essentially accused of holding the ANC hostage by threatening to turn youth members against the organization. Malema campaigned for Zuma’s presidency against then-president Thabo Mbeki in 2007, but later changed his mind.
A videotape was leaked to Mother Jones in which Romney admits to something many of us already knew about him: He could not care less about 47 percent of the population. In his opinion, 47 percent of Americans are victims, who are dependent upon government benefits, don’t pay taxes and have no apparent interest in “taking responsibility or care for their own lives.”
Republicans have been throwing this 47 percent nonsense around for years. It represents the number of Americans who do not pay federal income taxes. But it entirely omits the fact that an additional 28 percent of Americans pay payroll taxes. That leaves roughly 18 percent of Americans that do not pay taxes.
But here’s the thing that really gets me: Romney makes the outlandishly false statement that the folks who do not pay taxes are Obama supporters. The reality is that more than half of those who do not pay taxes are elderly, and they poll overwhelmingly for Romney and Republicans in general. Others who fall into this category are largely poorer and less-educated white Americans, who also vote overwhelmingly Republican. So while trying to push this old “entitlement society” meme, this genius actually succeeds in insulting his own base.
In any other election, this would definitely be the end.
But this is no ordinary election. Romney’s “inelegant” wording is likely to fall on deaf ears. The insanity of the current political climate is that his only real sin here is being stupid enough to say these things out loud. His running mate Paul Ryan has been spouting this 47 percent fallacy all year. The folks who should be offended probably won’t even get it. The old folks, the poorer and less educated whites have been in some ways “brainwashed” by this entitlement jab. Despite the fact that they represent the bulk of folks receiving “entitlements,” the demonization of the poor does not seem to bother them. I guess they assume Romney and Ryan are bashing “some other poor,” perhaps some other darker pigmented poor?
Here’s the really big reason why Democrats should not take their eye off the ball — the Republicans, largely due to Citizens United, have the most intense and brutal ground game we have ever seen: Huge amounts of outside and entirely secret money combined with the most massive voter suppressioncampaign in U.S. history.
Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric that Mitt Romney’s chance at winning the White House is over because of his latest gaffe. The voter suppression machine is still at work and hasn’t stumbled yet.
A videotape was leaked to Mother Jones in which Romney admits to something many of us already knew about him: He could not care less about 47 percent of the population. In his opinion, 47 percent of Americans are victims, who are dependent upon government benefits, don’t pay taxes and have no apparent interest in “taking responsibility or care for their own lives.”
Republicans have been throwing this 47 percent nonsense around for years. It represents the number of Americans who do not pay federal income taxes. But it entirely omits the fact that an additional 28 percent of Americans pay payroll taxes. That leaves roughly 18 percent of Americans that do not pay taxes.
But here’s the thing that really gets me: Romney makes the outlandishly false statement that the folks who do not pay taxes are Obama supporters. The reality is that more than half of those who do not pay taxes are elderly, and they poll overwhelmingly for Romney and Republicans in general. Others who fall into this category are largely poorer and less-educated white Americans, who also vote overwhelmingly Republican. So while trying to push this old “entitlement society” meme, this genius actually succeeds in insulting his own base.
In any other election, this would definitely be the end.
But this is no ordinary election. Romney’s “inelegant” wording is likely to fall on deaf ears. The insanity of the current political climate is that his only real sin here is being stupid enough to say these things out loud. His running mate Paul Ryan has been spouting this 47 percent fallacy all year. The folks who should be offended probably won’t even get it. The old folks, the poorer and less educated whites have been in some ways “brainwashed” by this entitlement jab. Despite the fact that they represent the bulk of folks receiving “entitlements,” the demonization of the poor does not seem to bother them. I guess they assume Romney and Ryan are bashing “some other poor,” perhaps some other darker pigmented poor?
Here’s the really big reason why Democrats should not take their eye off the ball — the Republicans, largely due to Citizens United, have the most intense and brutal ground game we have ever seen: Huge amounts of outside and entirely secret money combined with the most massive voter suppressioncampaign in U.S. history.
Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric that Mitt Romney’s chance at winning the White House is over because of his latest gaffe. The voter suppression machine is still at work and hasn’t stumbled yet.
The stage inside the Time Warner Cable Arena during the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Antonio Villaraigosa, mayor of Los Angeles and chair of the Democratic National Convention, speaks at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Foo Fighters perform at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Crowd members show their support for President Barack Obama during the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
United States Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
United States President Barack Obama speaks at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, speaks at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
President Barack Obama speaks at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Los Angeles Mayor and DNC Chair Antonio Villaraigosa addresses DNC delegates. (TheBurtonWire.com)
Attendees at the Young and Powerful for Obama event in Charlotte, NC during the DNC.
The DNC delegates celebrate as President Obama takes the stage.
The Burton Wire’s Nsenga Burton with Janine Davis, Executive Director of Girl Talk Foundation at NABJ/CAABJ DNC event.
The Burton Wire’s Nsenga Burton chats with CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux at the NABJ/CAABJ DNC event. (The Burton Wire)
Nsenga Burton with Charlotte’s Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Cannon at the NABJ/CAABJ DNC Event. (The Burton Wire)
Nsenga Burton with Dedrick Russell, Region III Director of the National Association of Black Journalists and Charlotte broadcast journalist. (The Burton Wire)
Nsenga Burton with ‘She the People’ columnist and The Root contributor Mary C. Curtis. (The Burton Wire)
Nsenga with Food Lion Public Relations executive Benny L. Smith. (The Burton Wire)
Nsenga Burton with Ken Lemon, President of the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists at the NABJ/CAABJ DNC event.
South American drug traffickers are using submarines being built in the jungle to transport narcotics. (Google Images)
Caribbean 360 is reporting that law enforcement officials fighting the war against illegal drugs are facing a new challenge. Narcotics organizations are bankrolling machine shops operating under the dense cover of South American jungles to build increasingly high-tech diesel-powered submarines. These diesel-powered machines are fully submersible and can transport tons of narcotics to various locations from South America to the United States, like Ecuador to Los Angeles. In addition to the fully submersible submarines, older, partially submersible submarines are also being used to take the place of surface waterboats that could transport only one ton of narcotics at a time.
American officials have discovered three new models of fully submersible submarines and worry that they may be used to not only transport narcotics, but also terrorists and weapons, although use of this type has not been reported by officials. These fully submersible submarines are being built by independent contractors.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement could severely restrict online content creation. (Google Images)
Have you ever sat in front of your computer and watched parody after parody of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”? Or perhaps found a guilty pleasure in perusing some choice Lost fan fictions? Can you just not get enough dramatic gopher to really satisfy you? Well, then the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is sure to be a huge storm cloud on your digital horizon.
TPP is a trade agreement that Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam (with Canada and Mexico joining negotiations and Japan perhaps soon to follow) have been working on since 2009. While little is known about the current incarnation of TPP, since negotiations are kept strictly behind closed doors, a leaked version of the agreement dated February 2011 has alarming and disturbing implications for Internet users internationally.
TPP includes an intellectual property (IP) chapter, which will internationally strengthen copyright laws. According to the 2011 TPP, all signatories will have to re-write any current intellectual property right laws on their books to comply with the agreement. To put it simply, anything organic, chemical, or artistic can be patented, and after that will be under lock internationally unless the owner of the material gives explicit permission for it to be used. In terms of pharmaceuticals, this stipulation means that if an American company has patented a certain chemical combination, it will be illegal for a company in Canada to produce the same compound and sell it at a lower cost (say goodbye to generic medication and hello to always paying full-price).
For the Internet’s cultural creation, the consequences of the IP chapter will most likely be dire. Items like song mash-ups, abridged video summaries of TV shows, image macros, and fan fictions will be outlawed and subject to criminal charges. TPP will make no distinction between commercial and non-commercial violations of copyright laws, so the teenager who makes a Fight Club GIF will be subject to the same penalties as a corporation that rips off an advertising campaign.
TPP demands that signatories provide incentives for Internet service providers (ISPs) to police copyright infringement and report alleged cases to the government. ISPs will be required to limit or terminate service to anyone caught in the revised act of piracy, and will be expected to censor any material that allegedly defies the IP chapter. If an Internet user through caught pirating multiple times, the ISP will be required to terminate their contract. ISPs will become cyber-cops, policing the once Wild West of information sharing, and reporting any and all suspicious behavior to a judicial body.
If the IP chapter of TPP remains intact, the Internet will change forever, as user created content will no longer be viable most of the time. Sites such as Reddit, Tumblr, and even 4-Chan lose their remarkable two-way communication with big media. The IP chapter will seriously damage the ability for the masses to create, transform, and perpetuate the media and culture that they would like to see.
