This topic has been in the headlines and all over social media. Charlise Ferguson’s article, “We Out Here: Inside the New Black Travel Movement,” which was featured on The Daily Beast, has gone viral.
The Black travel group Nomadness Travel Tribe is made up of 9,000 predominately African American globetrotters, ages 25 to 40, that live to travel.
Keeping with our mission of exploring topics related to the African Diaspora, The Burton Wire‘s editorial team has been discussing this topic heavily and you know – traveling extensively.
For our inaugural Google Hangout, we decided to discuss this burgeoning movement that holds tremendous promise for black travelers, the travel industry and global economies with those leading the black travel movement.
Gospel legend Andraé Crouch has died at 72.
(Photo: Google Images)
Gospel legend Andraé Crouch has died at 72. (Photo: Google Images)
Robert Jablon of the Associated Press is reporting that gospel legend Andraé Crouch has died. Crouch was an outstanding gospel performer, songwriter and choir director whose work graced songs by Michael Jackson and Madonna and movies such as “The Color Purlple” and “The Lion King.”
Crouch was hospitalized earlier this week for what his twin sister Sandra described as “serious health complications.” Lablon reports that Crouch suffered a heart attack last weekend.
Crouch’s most memorable gospel songs include “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)” and “Soon and Very Soon,” which was sung at Michael Jackson’s public memorial service. He and his sister Sandra serve as pastors of the New Christ Memorial Church in San Fernando, California.
Crouch, 72, had been previously hospitalized in December, which led to the postponement of his “Let The Church Say Amen” celebration tour.
Lablon writes:
“Debuting in 1960, Crouch helped pioneer the burgeoning ‘Jesus Music’ movement from the late 1960s and ’70s that started the spread of contemporary Christian music.
‘We’ve lost a true pioneer and he will be missed,’ said Jason Crabb, another Grammy-winning gospel singer.
His influence also crossed over into in pop music. Elvis Presley performed his song ‘I’ve Got Confidence’ for a 1972 gospel album, and Paul Simon recorded ‘Jesus Is the Answer’ for a 1974 live album.
Crouch worked with many other stars, from Diana Ross to Ringo Starr, and his gospel albums sometimes featured performers from other musical genres. His 18th solo album, ‘The Journey,’ released in 2011, featured Chaka Khan, Shelia E., Take 6, Kim Burrell and Marvin Winans.
Crouch was one of only a handful of gospel performers to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
The cast of 'Sexo E As Negas' - Lilian Valeska (l), Karin Hils, Claudia Jiminez and Corina Sabbas (r).
Google Images
The cast of ‘Sex e as Negas’ and black women bloggers from ‘Blogueiras Negras’ protesting the show. (Photos: Google Images and Facebook)
While many in the United States are focused on the protests surrounding Vh1‘s latest reality show Sorority Sisters, protests are happening elsewhere over similar issues – derogatory representations of black women.
On and offline protests are taking place in Brazil over the television show ‘Sexo e as Negas,’ which translates to Sex and the Niggas. The show is supposed to be an adaptation of the U.S. hit television series Sex and the City (HBO) but is being criticized by black women in Brazil for the title and the hyper sexualized representation of black women in the series. The series creator Miguel Fallabella, who is white, apparently has blown off the blow back from black female audiences.
“In response to claims that his series was racist, writer Miguel Fallabella reportedly wrote on Facebook: ‘Oh! n**gaz… give me a break’. He is also reported to have said the negative reaction to the TV programme was down to viewers lacking intelligence.
In an open letter to the show’s writer, the bloggers of Blogueiras Negras who are petitioning against the show said: ‘Your work, with a view to making financial profit, does little to create the dignified visibility of black women.’
‘It does the opposite. As is common in literature and dramaturgy made by white people about black people, we are treated as exotic study cases; people to be manipulated and observed.
It added: ‘Your work amounts to ‘negrismo’ – racist parody.
The cast of ‘Sexo E As Negas’ – Lilian Valeska (l), Karin Hils, Claudia Jiminez and Corina Sabbas (r). Google Images
‘For us, this is about a counter-hegemonic visibility, with the power to transform the ways we are represented in the next soap opera, and the next mini-series. Without this transformation, nothing will change. The black woman will be nothing more than a stereotype to entertain.””
Sexo e as Negas is broadcast on TV channel Globo, one of Brazil’s largest media networks.
Black women bloggers are also upset about the show invoking a common saying in Brazilian culture – white women are for marriage, mulattoes are for fucking and black women are for work. They believe that the women characters on Sex and the City were seeking love while the women characters on Sexo e as Negas are seeking sex. The Brazilian version of the show also features a white woman narrator who tells the stories of the four, black women characters unlike the character of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) who narrated the stories of the characters on the HBO hit.
Photo: Facebook
France 24 is reporting that the bloggers at Blogueiras Negras have also launched a campaign under the hashtag #AsNegasReal to show images of real black Brazilian women, free from stereotypes. Another hashtag that is circulating is #sexoeasnegasnaomerepresenta or “Sexo e as Negas doesn’t represent me.”
The Facebook page opposing the show has 31,000 likes. The negative representations of black and brown women in entertainment is a problem that crosses genres, cultures and globes.
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, founder & editor-in-chief of the award-winning news site The Burton Wire with additional reporting from Nicky Francis, based in Brazil.Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
USA Today is reporting that two U.S. citizens have been arrested for plotting to overthrow the government of Gambia (The Gambia). The author writes:
“According to the US Department of Justice, Cherno Njie of Texas and Papa Faal of Minnesota participated together in ‘an unsuccessful attempted coup against the government of The Gambia’ late last year.
Prosecutors allege that Njie, 57, plotted with Faal, 46, to overthrow the West African nation’s leadership, and traveled to The Gambia last month in hopes of accomplishing as much with the aid of an arsenal of weapons and an armed group of around 12 individuals. Their efforts were foiled, however, and they returned to the US and were later arrested.”
Authorities describe Njie as a Texas businessman and Faal, a dual US/Gambian citizen who appears to have served in the U.S. armed forces (Army and Air Force). Both men have been charged with one count each of conspiracy to violate the Neutrality Act and conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The NAACP headquarters in Colorado Springs, Co.
(Photo Credit: Yahoo News)
The NAACP headquarters in Colorado Springs, Co. (Photo Credit: Yahoo News)
Jesse Paul of the Denver Post is reporting that an improvised explosive device was detonated against the exterior wall of a building housing the Colorado Springs chapter of the NAACP on Tuesday, officials said. The explosion knocked items off the office walls but no one was injured. The FBI and authorities have a suspect in the crime. Paul writes:
“According to the the FBI, officials are seeking a ‘potential person of interest,’ described as a balding white male, about 40 years old.
‘He may be driving a 2000 or older model dirty, white pick-up truck with paneling, a dark colored bed liner, open tailgate, and a missing or covered license plate,’ the FBI said in a statement said.”
Members of Nomadness Travel Tribe.
(Photo Credit: Nomadness Travel Series - Facebook)
Members of Nomadness Travel Tribe. (Photo Credit: Nomadness Travel Series – Facebook)
Writing for The Daily Beast, Charlise Ferguson explores the fastest-growing travel market — young, hip, urban millenials. Using social media tools like Facebook and Instagram, this demographic which includes black travelers are definitively world travelers. In the article entitled, “We Out Here: Inside the New Black Travel Movement, ” Ferguson writes about the Nomadness Travel Tribe, a group of 9,000 predominately African American globetrotters, ages 25 to 40, that live to travel. Ferguson writes:
“At last count, the tight-knit travel clique has collectively visited all but a dozen countries on the map, hosting meet-ups in cities around the world, from New York to Dubai. They even have matching tattoos. And they booked hundreds of tickets within hours.
‘We’re here,’ says Evita Robinson, 30, the creator of Nomadness Travel Tribe. ‘We may be the only black people in India, but we in here. We may be the only black people in Tokyo getting all the looks, but we’re still in here.'”
Members of Nomadness Travel Tribe booked over 400 flights to the Middle East, Asia and Africa for leisure travel in 2015 over the past two months alone, and that doesn’t even include family, friends, and the folks on Black Twitter, tagging along with them. According to the New York Times, social media savvy black travelers are the largest untapped market by the trillion-dollar travel industry.
Legendary gospel singer Andraé Crouch has been hospitalized.
(Photo Credit: BET.com)
Legendary gospel singer Andraé Crouch has been hospitalized. (Photo Credit: BET.com)
USA Today is reporting that Grammy award-winning gospel musician and songwriter Andraé Crouch has been hospitalized.
Crouch’s most memorable gospel songs include “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)” and “Soon and Very Soon,” which was sung at Michael Jackson’s public memorial service. He and his sister Sandra serve as pastors of the New Christ Memorial Church in San Fernando, California. The legendary gospel singer has been hospitalized for what his sister describes as “serious health complications.”
Crouch, 72, had been previously hospitalized in December, which led to the postponement of his “Let The Church Say Amen” celebration tour. Crouch’s sister, Sandra, said:
“On Saturday, January 3rd, my brother, Andraé Crouch, was taken to the hospital so that medical staff could more directly address some serious health complications that had arisen.
At this time, Andraé is being attended to by a medical team, and we are so grateful for their wonderful care. We are also so grateful for the many thousands of people around the world who are praying for Andraé right now. We ask for your continued prayer — that Andraé will respond positively to the medical attention being given to him at this time, and that he will fully recover from this current health complication.”
Crouch has faced a number of health issues over the past few years, including diabetes, various forms of cancer, and congestive heart failure.
This post was written by Reginald Calhoun, editorial assistant for The Burton Wire. He is a junior Mass Media Arts major at Clark Atlanta University. Follow him on Twitter @IRMarsean.
Iconic journalist Ed Gordon speaks to the Atlanta chapter of the National Black MBA Association. (Photo Credit: Markysha Clarke)
Iconic journalist Ed Gordon speaks to the Atlanta chapter of the National Black MBA Association. (Photo Credit: Markysha Clarke)
Ed Gordon has masterfully held down the type of career in broadcast journalism that many journalists, especially those of color, could only dream about. Beginning well over two decades ago as a BET News anchor, he became host of BET Tonight and eventually became executive producer of his own hour-long intimate talk show, Conversations with Ed Gordon.
The Emmy- and NAACP Image Award winner’s comforting, interpersonal approach combined with his hard-hitting, well-researched investigative reporting consistently seated him directly across from a wealth of entertainers, politicians, public figures and world dignitaries for exclusive, one-on-one chats.
However, Gordon makes it crystal clear to anyone he crosses paths with that the road leading to success is not a straight and narrow path. The riveting correspondent continues to live by a model that reads similar to a mathematical equation.
“Greatness follows success,” urges Gordon. “Success is born out of preparation. Preparation is initiated by a dream.” Never one to shy away from asking tough questions, Gordon, a Detroit native, then identified hard work, persistence and “a number of other things” as subsequent components for becoming successful.
“There are certain things one can do to make sure you’re on the right road,” says an impeccably sharp-dressed Gordon with his legs crossed. “Success is the result of continuous action. It’s hard to stay on top in this business as a black male.”
His affect feels more like a tenured professor. He rests in the corner of the ballroom partitioned from the dining area prior to the event. The salt-and-pepper-haired Gordon gave off the same confidence, charm and charisma as his television persona.
The media veteran spoke openly about the ups and downs of practicing modern journalism as a profession, revealing he luckily had only been out of work a total four-and-a-half months throughout his career. He joked about wishing success was as easy as downloading a mobile app as he takes off his eyeglasses.
An extremely down-to-earth man, Gordon defined his “purpose” as being able to connect with a myriad of subjects on-camera. “If you can find things that you love, it becomes a much easier road for you,” asserts Gordon with a slight tonal crescendo. “Most successful people will tell you a different story in terms of how they reached that level.”
“If you love a job,” adds Gordon, “you’re up before the alarm goes off. You’re ready to get started. You’re ready to roll.”
Gordon recently launched New View with Ed Gordon, his current on-air incarnation for delivering multicultural perspectives on news and current events. The series will air nationwide on PBS later this year.
Persistence is a recurring term Gordon used when he talks about staying relevant. “In this business, you have to be persistent,” says Gordon. “You’re gonna have some up years. You’re gonna be on top, and everybody’s gonna know who you are. Those things will be great.”
Having also contributed to 60 Minutes II, Dateline, Our World with Black Enterprise and The Today Show along the way, Gordon immediately counters the good side of popularity. “If you stay in it long enough, you’re gonna have some down years when you don’t have as popular of a show or you aren’t as visible as you once were.”
Even as Gordon constantly transitioned and evolved professionally, he acknowledged his favorite title being “Taylor’s daddy.” His 20-year-old daughter is currently a communications major at Howard University.
Gordon’s face glowed when he mentioned that his daughter is following in his footsteps. “Parenting is the most important job I’ve ever had,” says Gordon.
“To watch her grow into a young lady and know I had a little part into making her into what she’ll ultimately become has been fun for me to watch grow and flourish. We all have to reevaluate where we are and what our role is in life.”
Gordon’s closeness with his daughter led to him creating Daddy’s Promise. Developed in 2006, his initiative encourages other black fathers to become or remain proactive in their children’s lives. Furthermore, Daddy’s Promise is also rooted in Gordon remembering when communities played a large role in ensuring that young people were raised with strong guidance, role models and values.
The exceptional broadcaster hopes communities can re-adopt the “it takes a village” mentality. “When I grew up, you had that sense of extension, whether it was your neighbor, teacher, principal or the guy that ran the basketball program at the Y[MCA],” says Gordon. “This was the true extension of family. To some degree, we need to get back to that.”
Gordon adds, “We all owe a debt to the people that are here with us and to those that came before us and made our road a little easier. None of us make it alone. You cannot succeed without advocates. Make sure your advancements touch others.”
When Gordon stepped to the podium, he delivered a motivational speech loaded with personal experiences, acquired wisdom and Swedish proverbs. He gave his assessment of how a lack of community contributed to the results of the last midterm elections.
He highlighted odd-defying personalities-turned-success stories like Oprah Winfrey, Eric Holder, Venus and Serena Williams, Misty Copeland and Magic Johnson to further illustrate what it means to be persistent.
Gordon also shared some of his treasured moments as a journalist. The prominent interviewer had singer Jeffrey Osborne sing “Happy Birthday” to his assistant, whom he affectionately refers to as his “boss.”
He chatted with John Johnson about the struggles the groundbreaking entrepreneur encountered when starting Ebony Magazine. He sat with then-Senator Barack Obama, hoping to get an exclusive in Chicago before the leader announced to the world that he would be running for President.
The audience went completely silent when Gordon reminisced about speaking to late South African President Nelson Mandela on numerous occasions in the activist’s home. The crowd chuckled as he went into detail about spending time with comedian Kevin Hart.
Gordon believes success is about being prepared for opportunities and remaining humble. “Dreams have to be fueled by actions,” asserts Gordon similar to a classic orator. “Your contributions to the world are what will make your extraordinary. When you are good at something, no one has to tell you. Sit back, and do your thing. You will know it and so will others.”
Gordon had no problem acknowledging how blessed he is to have the opportunities he has had throughout his career. More importantly, he knew his “purpose” had to be used for the common good.
He remembered overhearing side conversations on a few occasions from people complaining about the state of world. Gordon empathized with them. On the other hand, the dapper media personality voted to People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” in 1996 goes back to the notion that continuous action guarantees progress.
“It’s fine to complain,” he says. “It’s fine to point things out that aren’t right, but if that’s all you’re doing and you’re not taking action to move, motivate or change yourself, then you’re as big or part of the problem as anyone else.”
Whenever Gordon thinks about how he can evolve or improve himself whether it’s through his professional career or acts of humanitarianism, he draws inspiration from Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror.”
Every chance he’s ever taken, he says, started with him taking initiative to do something different. “We all have the ability or the opportunity to make change,” warns Gordon. “We shouldn’t take that lightly, and we should move forward and do so.”
This post was written by Christopher A. Daniel, 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.
Longtime ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott dies at 49. (Google Images)
Longtime ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott dies at 49. (Google Images)
Steve Wulf of ESPN is reporting that longtime ESPN anchor Stuart Scott has died. Scott, who battled cancer for many years, was a game changer in the field of sports broadcasting, bringing energy and catchphrases like “Boo Yah” to the broadcasting space. Scott, the proud father of two daughters, Taelor, 19, and Sydni, 15, gave a rousing speech at the 2014 ESPY awards where he was the recipient of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award. Scott shared with the audience that he had had four surgeries in seven days in the week prior to his appearance at the ESPYs.
Scott’s words were inspirational, imparting wisdom to those fighting cancer or any other battle in life. He said:
“When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.”
Scott was born in Chicago in 1965, but spent his formative years in North Carolina. Scott attended Richard J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem and then matriculated at the University of North Carolina, where he played wide receiver and defensive back on the club football team. He joined ESPN in 1993 and the rest is history. With his energetic and charismatic presentations, Scott became as famous as many of the athletes he covered. A pop cultural figure, Scott appeared in ten films and guest starred on numerous television shows.
Scott is survived by his two daughters, Taelor and Sydni; his parents, O. Ray and Jacqueline Scott; his three siblings Stephen Scott, Synthia Kearney, Susan Scott and their families; a host of relatives and his girlfriend Kristin Spodobalski. Scott was 49.
Brazil's president Dilma Rousseff is sworn in for her second term. (Google Images)
Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff is sworn in for her second term. (Google Images)
Lisa Alves of The Rio Times is reporting that Brazil president Dilma Rousseff was sworn into her second term on Jan. 1. President Rousseff promised to make education this administration’s top priority during the next four years. The reporter writes:
“By naming Brazil ‘the country of education’ we are stating that education will be the priority of all priorities,” she said during her inauguration speech in Brasília, adding that the education sector will begin to receive ‘more significant’ volumes of revenues from petroleum royalties and the exploration of the sub-salt layer.
As Rousseff enters her second term, Brazil’s economy is facing one its worst moments in decades, with nearly zero economic growth and increasing inflation.
“More than anyone, I know that Brazil needs to once again grow,” said the President, adding that the first steps of this journey would necessarily mean an adjustment in public accounts and an increase in domestic savings. Yet Rousseff noted her administration will not tolerate high inflation and would once again defeat the false thesis that there is a conflict between economic stability and social investments.”
Brazilians have been protesting educational conditions for the last couple of years. Protesters want free university education, respect for teachers’ rights and better quality education at state-run schools.
Dilma also promised to end corruption. Rousseff swore in 39 ministers who will make up her cabinet for her second term. Twenty-seven re-elected and new governors were also sworn into their respective states across Brazil.
In 2011, President Rousseff became the first woman to be elected president of Brazil.
