Caribbean American Passport News Magazine Sept 2024
The Importance of Embracing and Understanding All Cultures: A Celebration of Diversity
In today's interconnected world, the importance of embracing and understanding all cultures has never been more essential. With globalization, cultural boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred, and our interactions are shaped by the myriad of traditions, customs, and beliefs that define the human experience. These differences should not separate us but rather offer opportunities to learn, grow, and foster greater unity.
By opening our minds and hearts to other cultures, we build bridges of empathy and understanding. This process not only enriches our personal lives but also enhances our ability to live in a diverse society, work in multicultural environments, and advocate for inclusivity and equity.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, this serves as a perfect reminder to actively embrace and better understand Hispanic culture, which encompasses a rich tapestry of history, language, music, food, and art. The contributions of Hispanic communities in the United States span centuries, yet too often their heritage and history are underappreciated or misunderstood.
Hispanic Heritage Month offers more than just a festive acknowledgment of this community; it calls for a deeper exploration into the diverse cultures that make up the Hispanic world, spanning countries from Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean. Understanding the nuances within the Hispanic community is crucial because it is not monolithic. Mexican traditions may differ significantly from Cuban or Puerto Rican ones, just as the customs in Venezuela vary from those in Spain or Argentina.
Legends of Caribbean Music and Culture
The Caribbean music world suffered a profound loss in 2024 with the passing of two of its most beloved icons: Dave Martins, the Guyanese calypsonian and frontman of the legendary Trade Winds band, and Roy Cape, the Trinidadian saxophonist and bandleader who brought calypso and soca to life. Both men, who passed within weeks
of each other—Martins on August 19th and Cape on September 5th— left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of the Caribbean, each in his own distinct way. Though their styles were different, Dave Martins and Roy Cape shared a common love for the Caribbean, its music, and its people.
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Samuel J. Roberts Owner/Publisher/Editor
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The Heart of Economic and Community Empowerment -
In an era of global commerce and large retail chains, the significance of buying local and supporting small businesses within our communities cannot be overstated. Local businesses are the backbone of our economy, fostering growth, creating jobs, and driving innovation at the grassroots level. By choosing to support these enterprises, we not only boost the local economy but also strengthen the social and cultural fabric of our communities
One of the most compelling reasons to support local businesses is the "local multiplier effect." When consumers spend money at a locally owned business, a larger portion of that money stays within the community. This is because local business owners are more likely to purchase supplies, services, and products from other local businesses, hire local employees, and reinvest their profits locally. This creates a ripple effect that amplifies the economic benefits for the entire community.
In contrast, large corporations or online retailers often siphon money out of local economies, as their profits typically flow to corporate headquarters or distant shareholders. By buying local, we ensure that more dollars circulate within our neighborhoods, contributing to better schools, infrastructure, and public services.
Small businesses are the leading source of job creation in the U.S., accounting for nearly two-thirds of new jobs over the past two decades. Local businesses are deeply invested in their communities and are more likely to hire locally, providing employment opportunities that foster economic stability. Additionally, small business owners tend to offer better working conditions and are more flexible in tailoring jobs to meet local needs, including providing part-time or flexible employment for students, caregivers, or retirees.
Supporting local businesses also helps diversify the local economy. Rather than relying on a few large companies, a community with a vibrant network of small businesses is more resilient to economic downturns. A diverse local economy can better adapt to changes in consumer demand, industry shifts, or global events, reducing the risk of widespread economic hardship.
Small businesses are often hotbeds of innovation. Unlike large corporations that may be slow to change, local businesses are agile, quickly adapting to market trends and consumer needs.
Many small businesses offer unique, customized products and services that cannot be found at larger chain stores. These innovative approaches can fuel local economic growth by attracting customers from outside the area and encouraging entrepreneurship within the community.
Moreover, small businesses play a crucial role in shaping the identity and character of a community. The cafes, boutiques, restaurants, and local service providers contribute to the unique flavor of a neighborhood. When you support local businesses, you’re investing in what makes your community special—whether it’s the familyrun diner that’s been serving breakfast for decades, the bookstore that promotes local authors, or the artisan shop that showcases handmade crafts.
Supporting local businesses is not just about making purchases; it’s about investing in the future of our communities. The economic, environmental, and social benefits of buying local are vast, from job creation and innovation to reducing environmental impacts and strengthening community ties.
By choosing to spend our money at local businesses, we contribute to the well-being and vitality of our neighborhoods. We help create a thriving local economy that benefits everyone, ensuring that our communities remain vibrant, resilient, and full of opportunities for generations to come.
For Media Information email: Publisher: sroberts@caribbeanamericanpassport.com Info: .Info@caribbeanamericanpassport.com
Should you desire to review past copies of the publication go to http:// caribbeanamericanpassport.com and click on the 'Print Archive'.
Guenet Gittens-Roberts
The Importance of Embracing and Understanding All Cultures: A Celebration of Diversity
By making the effort to immerse ourselves in Hispanic culture, we open the door to understanding the values, struggles, and aspirations that shape this vibrant community. In doing so, we also recognize the profound impact Hispanic people have had on the broader American experience. From art to politics, from science to education, the Hispanic community has enriched the country with an indelible legacy.
Understanding Hispanic culture is also vital to building a more inclusive and equitable society. By recognizing the historical and cultural contributions of Hispanic people, we help dismantle stereotypes and foster an environment where diversity is celebrated, not just tolerated.
While events like Hispanic Heritage Month give us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of one culture, the journey of cultural understanding is ongoing and extends beyond designated celebrations.
We need to educate ourselves, whether through reading, attending cultural events, or engaging in meaningful conversations, education is the foundation of cultural understanding. Delve into the history of different cultures and understand their unique contributions.
Every community is diverse. Attend local Hispanic festivals, art exhibitions, or food markets to directly experience the richness of the culture.
Economic empowerment is key to supporting marginalized communities. By shopping at Hispanic-owned businesses and supporting Hispanic artists, we strengthen the community’s role in our local economy.
Learning a language—even basic phrases—opens doors to deeper cultural connections. Spanish, spoken by over 500 million people globally, can provide a powerful way to engage with Hispanic culture.
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Advocate for policies and practices that promote diversity in schools, workplaces, and media. The more we see diverse cultures represented in everyday life, the better we understand each other.
In embracing all cultures, we become global citizens, capable of seeing the world through a lens of compassion and interconnectedness. Celebrations like Hispanic Heritage Month remind us that cultural awareness is not confined to a specific time of year; it is a lifelong commitment to better understanding and honoring the rich diversity of the human experience.
The Faces of our Culture
At: Annie’s Island Breeze Restaurant in Metro West On: Sunday September 22nd
From: 3pm - 7pm
Admission is Free
The Annual Caribbean Health Summit is here again, an initiative by the Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention, Inc. (CMWP) to inspire positive lifestyle changes within our community. This year's theme, "Making Your Health a Priority," reminds everyone of the importance of incorporating wellness into their daily lives.
The health summit serves as a vital platform to emphasize the importance of early detection, offering free health screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, PSA, BMI, HIV/Syphilis, and mammogram tests
On the 21st, take the opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals and make informed decisions about your well-being. Prioritize your health it could be the first step to living a longer, healthier life!
The Guyanese American Cultural Association invites you to a meet and greet where they RESTART the association It will be held:
The Annual Caribbean Health Summit: Making Your Health a Priority
Legends of Caribbean Music and Culture
Their lives were testaments to the power of storytelling through music, and their legacies stand as pillars of the region’s vibrant cultural heritage.
Dave Martins: The Storyteller of the Caribbean Born in Guyana in 1935, Dave Martins was the quintessential Caribbean storyteller. As the frontman of the Trade Winds, he became a voice for the region, blending humor, social commentary, and infectious melodies that resonated with audiences across the Caribbean and its diaspora. Through iconic songs like “Not a Blade of Grass,” “Cricket in the Jungle,” and “Boyhood Days,” Martins captured the everyday experiences, struggles, and joys of Caribbean life. What made Martins special was his ability to infuse his music with the soul of the people he represented. His songs told stories of identity, pride, and unity, often with a touch of humor that made them accessible to all. Whether he was singing about national pride or the quirks of island life, his lyrics painted vivid pictures of Caribbean culture, making him not just a musician but a cultural ambassador.
Roy Cape, born in Trinidad in 1942, was one of the Caribbean’s most revered musicians. A master of the saxophone and a tireless bandleader, Cape’s music became synonymous with the sounds of calypso and soca. His band, Roy Cape All Stars, was a staple of Trinidad’s music scene, and his saxophone was the soundtrack to countless Carnival celebrations, parties, and concerts across the region.
Cape’s contribution to Caribbean music went beyond performance. He was a mentor to generations of musicians, a quiet force of humility and dedication who always sought to elevate those around him. His passion for calypso and soca was matched only by his love for the people and the communities his music celebrated. To see Roy Cape on stage was to witness not just technical brilliance but a deep emotional connection to the rhythms and stories of Trinidad and Tobago.
Two Lives, One Legacy -
Though Dave Martins and Roy Cape came from different musical backgrounds, their lives were intertwined by a shared mission: to celebrate and preserve Caribbean culture through music. They were chroniclers of their times, weaving the essence of the Caribbean experience
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into songs that touched the hearts of people from all walks of life.
Martins, with his sharp wit and clever storytelling, gave voice to the region’s collective identity, speaking to the humor, resilience, and pride of the Caribbean people. Cape, with his soulful saxophone and endless dedication to the calypso and soca traditions, was the heartbeat of Trinidadian music, carrying its rhythms to every corner of the globe.
Both men were giants in their fields, yet they were also known for their humility and generosity. Martins and Cape understood that music was not just a performance, but a way of building bridges between people, fostering a sense of community, and keeping the spirit of the Caribbean alive.
A Lasting Legacy
The passing of Dave Martins and Roy Cape is a tremendous loss, but their legacies will continue to inspire future generations. Through their music, they preserved the stories, traditions, and soul of the Caribbean, ensuring that their cultural contributions would endure. They were more than musicians; they were custodians of Caribbean history and heritage.
Dave Martins’ voice and humor, woven through the fabric of calypso, and Roy Cape’s saxophone, flowing through the melodies of soca, will forever echo in the hearts of those who loved their music. Their work reminded us of who we are as Caribbean people—proud, resilient, joyful, and deeply connected to our roots.
As we celebrate their lives, we honor not just their musical genius but the love and dedication they had for their culture and people. Dave Martins and Roy Cape may be gone, but their music, their stories, and their spirit will live on, continuing to shape the sound and soul of the Caribbean for generations to come.
Rest in peace, Dave Martins and Roy Cape—legends of Caribbean music, storytellers of our lives, and ambassadors of our culture. Your contributions will never be forgotten, and your legacy will remain as vibrant and enduring as the rhythms you created.
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority’s (GOAA) Small Business Development Department is excited to host “MCO Means Business,” a premier networking event. This event provides small business attendees with an opportunity to meet GOAA decision-makers, prime contractors, consultants, vendors, and concessionaires working at the Airport. Joinustoexploreideasandstrategieson how small businesses can Celebrate, Collaborate,andSoar!
“MCO Means Business” connects the small business community with one of the region’s largest economic engines. This one-day event has become the leading event for small businesses seeking to learn about airport opportunities. In addition to aviation industry representatives, the program willincludecityandcountygovernment agencies and community organizations, offering resources to small businesses. WeencouragetheparticipationofSmall, Minority, Women, and Local and Veteran-Owned businesses that are part of the Authority’s longstanding relationship with the Central Florida community. This is the annual event all smallbusinessesmustattend!
Affordable Care Act Enrollment: Why You Should Sign Up Before the Deadline
With the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment deadline fast approaching, it’s crucial to act now and secure health insurance coverage for the upcoming year. Health insurance offers essential financial protection from unexpected medical expenses and ensures access to necessary healthcare services. Whether you're uninsured or considering changing your plan, here’s why signing up before the deadline matters.
Without insurance, medical bills can quickly spiral out of control. Health insurance helps cover the cost of doctor visits, treatments, and hospital stays, protecting you from devastating financial burdens.
The ACA covers essential preventive services like checkups, screenings, and vaccinations at no extra cost. This helps you stay healthy and catch potential health issues early before they become serious (and costly).
Financial assistance is available through the ACA marketplace to help lower the cost of premiums and out-ofpocket expenses. Thanks to expanded subsidies, more people qualify for affordable plans.
While the federal insurance mandate is no longer in place, some states still impose penalties if you don’t have health insurance, adding an extra incentive to enroll.
Enrolling is simple. Visit HealthCare.gov or your state’s marketplace to compare plans and see if you qualify for subsidies. Make sure to select a plan that fits your health needs and budget.
Without health coverage, you risk facing high medical bills in case of emergencies and missing out on preventive care. Medical debt is a leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the U.S., so going uninsured can have severe financial consequences. Act Now Before the Deadline
The open enrollment period ends soon, so don’t wait. Missing the deadline could leave you uninsured for the next year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to major life changes like marriage or job loss. Take advantage of this opportunity to secure your health and financial future—sign up today!
Pumpa captures the prestigious “Impact Award” at the Caribbean Music Awards
Dennis "PUMPA" Liburd, the celebrated soca star born in St. Kitts and Nevis and raised in the Virgin Islands, has been honored with the prestigious Impact Award at the Caribbean Music Awards. This accolade recognizes Pumpa's significant contributions to the music industry and his undeniable influence on the Caribbean music scene.
The award ceremony, held at Brooklyn's Kings Theatre, brought together prominent figures from the Caribbean music industry. For the past six years, Orlando Carnival has had the pleasure of hosting Pumpa, whose electrifying performances have made him a standout talent. Even before his hit song "A-List" became a major success, his captivating stage presence left festival-goers in awe.
In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Pumpa thanked his supporters, saying, "I want to say thank you to everybody who has been supporting me through this journey. Big up the whole VI massive, all the small island massive, and of course Trinidad and Tobago. This one is for SOCA right now!"
Following his win, social media erupted with congratulatory messages from fans and entertainment platforms. A St. Croix-based entertainment site shared, “Congratulations to our very own PUMPA for winning the Impact Award (Soca) 2023 at the Caribbean Music Awards,” while others praised his dedication and remarkable talent.
Representing the US Virgin Islands, where he grew up, Pumpa has become a powerful ambassador for soca music. His distinct style, showcased in his hit "A-List," transcends borders and reintroduced BRAM as a key element in the genre. With this prestigious recognition, Pumpa's rise is solidified as he cements his place among the Caribbean's most influential artists.
Pumpa was quoted as saying "I'm looking forward to another successful year. I'm truly grateful, none of this would have been possible without the support of the fans, supporters, and the Caribbean community".
Roberts of Orlando
and publisher of Caribbean American Passport reflected on Pumpa's impact, saying, "It's not often we witness the rise of an artist like Pumpa. From the first time we booked him at Orlando Carnival six years ago, we knew we could never take him off the card. He brings a unique energy to the stage—with or without a recent hit song, he could deliver. We expect Pumpa to become a legend in soca. Many of our attendees come to Orlando Carnival just to see him, and many attendees have asked who he was. He's special, and now the world knows it!"
On behalf of the Orlando Carnival Downtown committee "Congratulations, a well deserved award for your hard work and the energy you bring to our OCD stage".
Sam
Carnival Downtown
Economic Impact of Mass Deportation
The economic impact of deporting all undocumented immigrants from the United States would be profound, with wide-ranging effects on multiple sectors of the economy. Such an action would significantly disrupt labor markets, reduce economic growth, and likely increase costs for consumers and businesses alike.
Roughly 22% of American farm-workers are undocumented migrants, while 15% of construction workers and 8% of care workers are also undocumented. Undocumented immigrants make up a significant portion of the workforce in several critical industries, including agriculture, construction, hospitality, and food services. These industries rely on low-cost labor, and many undocumented workers fill positions that are difficult to fill with U.S. citizens or documented immigrants.
The agricultural and aconstruction industry heavily relies on undocumented workers for both skilled and unskilled labor. Removing them from the workforce would cause increase food prices and farm produce shortages, delays in projects, drive up construction costs, and exacerbate labor shortages already present in this industry.
Hotels, restaurants, and other service businesses would face difficulties replacing their workforce, potentially leading to higher costs and less service availability for consumers.
The American economy would likely experience a contraction in GDP if all undocumented immigrants were deported. Estimates suggest that undocumented immigrants contribute billions to the U.S. economy annually. A mass deportation would not only remove these workers from the labor force but also reduce consumer demand, as undocumented immigrants spend their earnings on goods and services within the U.S. economy.
According to a report from the Center for American Progress, deporting all undocumented immigrants could reduce U.S. GDP by $434 billion annually. Over a 10-year period, this could result in a cumulative loss of more than $4.7 trillion.
Undocumented immigrants contribute to tax revenues at the federal, state, and local levels, despite not being eligible for many government benefits. In fact, many undocumented workers pay income taxes using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), and they also contribute through sales, property, and payroll taxes.
estimated that undocumented immigrants contribute approximately $11.74 billion in state and local taxes each year.
A negative impact on Social Security. Undocumented workers often pay into Social Security but do not collect benefits. Deporting them would remove this source of revenue while not alleviating the long-term financial pressures on the system.
Deporting undocumented workers would increase labor costs in industries that currently rely on low-cost immigrant labor. Businesses would likely pass these higher costs on to consumers in the form of higher prices for goods and services.
Restaurants and hotels may charge more to cover higher labor expenses or face difficulty maintaining service quality and availability.
Undocumented immigrants are often entrepreneurial and play a significant role in small business creation. Deporting them would reduce innovation and remove many small businesses from the economy, especially in immigrantheavy communities. This could also reduce job creation, as immigrant entrepreneurs often employ both documented and undocumented workers.
The process of identifying, detaining, and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants would be an extremely expensive undertaking. The federal government would face substantial costs related to enforcement, legal proceedings, and transportation. A 2017 study by the American Action Forum estimated that it would cost the U.S. government approximately $400 to $600 billion to deport all undocumented immigrants, with additional costs related to lost economic productivity and tax revenue.
Amnesty and Immigration reform is the BEST option.
A loss of billions of dollars in tax revenue annually. A study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)
Go Ahead, Make My Day
A man bumps into a woman in a hotel lobby and, as he does, his elbow goes into her breast. They are both quite startled. The man turned to her and said, “Ma’am, I’m so sorry but, if your heart is as soft as your breast, I know you’ll forgive me.” Without batting an eye, she replied, “If your thing is as hard as your elbow, I’ll be in room 221.”
It is like the calypsonian who sang about the woman who promised to give him “some thing, thing, thing”. The joke and the calypso were from an earlier time when having a mix of sex and humour was important, especially in the calypso tents. Here’s another joke that is from that same era. “A man was lying on his deathbed, surrounded by his family - a weeping wife and four children. Three of the children were tall, good looking and athletic. However, the fourth and youngest was an ugly runt. “Darling wife,” the husband whispered, “ please assure me that the youngest child really is mine. I want to know the truth before I die, I will forgive you if ...” The wife gently interrupted him. “Yes, my dearest, absolutely, no question, I swear on my mother’s grave that you are his father.” The man then died happily with a smile. The wife muttered under her breath, “Thank God he didn’t ask about the other three.”
While these are still around, increasingly, they are being replaced by comments and jokes like, “I was in my car driving back from work. A police officer pulled me over and knocked on my window. I said, ‘One minute, I’m on the phone.’” In most of the Caribbean, that driver will never ever bother to stop. Here are two more of what is happening to humour, not just that it is shorter, but the jokes are designed differently: “I always take my wife morning tea in my pyjamas. But is she grateful? No, she says she’d rather have it in a cup.” (Eric Morecambe) and “Crime in multi-story car parks. That is wrong on so many different levels.” (Tim Vine). Here are a few more which I call “down to Trump”. “It takes a lot of balls to golf the way I do.”; “I told him to be himself; that was pretty mean.”; and “Don’t you hate it when some answers their own questions? I do.”
ONE-LINER JOKES
These are all called ‘one-liner jokes’. While they have been around for a long time, it is only in the past few years they have become very popular. They are all delivered in a single line which is punchy, concise, and clever. The ‘jokers’ often make use of the play on words, double meaning, or double entendre. Some of the top comedians, like Milton Jones, Jimmy Carr and Steven Wright, use one-liners for most of their jokes. Interestingly, one-liners are also used in film and TV and these become and remain memorable for years. In When Harry Met Sally, there is, “When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the test of your life to start as soon as possible.” And, in Love Story, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” In Goldfinger, there was, “Shaken, not stirred.” And my favourite from Sudden Impact, featuring Clint Eastwood, “Go ahead, make my day!”
For me, the ‘one-liner’ became famous as part of the Edinburgh International ‘Fringe’ Festival in August 1947, two days before my birth. The early jokes included, “Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could read a book.” (Frankie Boyle); “I’ve given up asking rhetorical questions.
By Tony Deyal
What’s the point?” (Alexei Sayle); and “I’m looking for the girl-next-door type. I’m just gonna keep moving house till I find her.” (Lew Fitz). There are also two that I really like because of the puns, “I wasn’t particularly close to my dad before he died … which was lucky, because he trod on a land mine.” (Olaf Falafel); and “As a vegan, I think people who sell meat are disgusting, but apparently people who sell fruit and veg are grocer.” (Adele Cliff). Now, on to Helm. He won the tournament with, “I need a password eight characters long so I picked up Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.”
One of my favourites, Time Vine, won in 2011 with, “I’ve just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I’ll tell you what, never again.” He then won again in 2014 with, “I’ve decided to sell my Hoover - well, it was just collecting dust.” Vine was followed in 2015 by Darren Walsh with another one-liner which also needed some thought, “I just deleted all the German names off my phone. It’s Hans free.” Then Ken Cheng hit the jackpot in 2017, saying, “I’m not a fan of the new pound coin, but then again, I hate all change.”
PLAY ON WORDS
In 2021, Masai Graham came up with a brilliant play on words, “I thought the ‘Caesarean’ began with the letter ‘S’ but, when I looked in the dictionary, it was in the ‘C’ section.” He got it the next year (2022), as well, with, “I tried to steal spaghetti from the shop but the female guard saw me and I couldn’t get pasta.” Last year, in 2023, Lorna Rose Treen became the first female comedian to win the accolade with, “I started dating a zookeeper, but it turned out he was a cheetah.”
So, not to be a cheetah myself, here are some of the best this year at the Fringe. Lou Wall at Number 13 said, “Gay people are very bad at maths. We don’t naturally multiply.” Then, at Number 12, was Roger Swift with, “I’ve got a girlfriend who never stops whining. I wish I’d never bought her that vineyard.” One I like at Number 8 was by a regular, Masai Graham, “I wanted to know which came first, the chicken or the egg. So I bought a chicken and then I bought an egg and I think I’ve cracked it.” Olaf Famarel, another of the regulars, spoke volumes with, “My dad used to say to me ‘Pints, gallons, litres’, which I think speaks volumes.” Mark Simmons won fifth with, “I love the Olympics. My friend and I invented a new type of relay baton: well, he came up with the idea, I ran with it.” Then Simmons won the first place with, “I was going to sail around the globe in the world’s smallest ship but I bottled it.”
*Tony Deyal hopes that one day he will be there in Edinburgh and, instead of a hearse, he will be on a horse, and, if not in a coffin, he will be buffing around the Fringe.
