Caribbean American Passport News Magazine - Nov 2021 by caribbeanamericanpassport

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Nov/Dec 2021

Barbados set to become a Republic

Thanksgiving is the time to be thankful, to remember good times, and embrace those who enrich our lives. We are thankful for a lot of things, but we are most thankful for you. Our advertisers, our subscribers, our readers. Happy Thanksgiving to your family from ours at: Caribbean American Passport News Magazine GGR Marketing & Public Relations & Roberts & Roberts Management Services. We have survived a pandemic so far, let us remain vigilant and continue to stay safe while living as fully as we can. We have survived upheavals in our business, and professional lives, let us continue to pivot and grow. We have survived changes in schooling our children and we have learned to embrace different ways of learning. Last year this time, we were in lock-down, this year, while we are still not completely past the Covid-19 risks to ourselves and our family and friends, we can certainly see light at the end of the tunnel. Let us truly be thankful this season for our continued blessings.

The move is largely symbolic, as Barbados has been a sovereign nation since 1966. But the transition underscores the growing independent streak in the Caribbean -- home to nine of the 16 commonwealth realms, sovereign countries that have Queen Elizabeth as their head of state.

Barbados is set to become a republic

The discussions about Barbados becoming a republic is not new, on Nov. 30, the 55th anniversary of its however the time has come where independence from Britain. the majority of Barbadians are now It will now usher in a new era either in favor of the republic or are changing from a once British less concerned about it. colony and constitutional monarchy to a parliamentary In September of 2020, the then republic with the removal of Queen Governor General, delivered a speech declaring that Barbados Elizabeth as its head of state. would “take the next logical step Sandra Mason, who has been toward full sovereignty.” serving as the queen’s representative in Barbados, in the role of Although Barbados established its Governor General, was elected by independence from Britain almost the Barbados Parliament in October 55 years ago, their governmental to be sworn in as President. structure maintained the Queen Elizabeth as the constitutional monarch of the country and therefore the Queen maintained the title “The Queen of Barbados.”

Dame Sandra Mason, 72, will be sworn in on 30 November as president of Barbados

The Queen is currently head of state of nine Caribbean countries including Barbados, and therefore has a similar kind of position that she has in the United Kingdom, which is as a ceremonial figure.

The Queen maintains represe“The time has come to fully leave ntation in these countries through our colonial past behind,” Mason the governor general within each said. “Barbadians want a country. Cont'd pg 4 Barbadian head of state.”

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L I F E S T Y L E

Guenet Gittens-Roberts Owner/Publisher/Editor

Being Thankful and Embracing Contentment Samuel J. Roberts

Owner/Publisher/Editor

"The grass is alway greener on the other

side" We've all been there, looking at someone else's life and thinking of how good they have it, without wondering about their personal cost to get it. Along my life's journey I've met many people living their own version of their best life. And honestly, there have been times when, I was much younger, I would sometimes envy the 'Grass' on the other side. However, with time and deeper understanding I've realized that we all are blessed to live the best life we got, with what we've got.

We have the ability to be content with our life if we choose to be thankful and have gratitude. There is nothing wrong with wanting more and striving to While the 'Grass' may look greener there are other factors achieve more, that is basic human nature but remember that come with the greener 'grass'. In some cases the that we control our own 'grass'. If you don't know all 'Grass' is actually artificial turf (fake grass), in other cases the trials and tribulations that your neighbor may be the 'Grass' was chemically enhanced (nuff nuff drugs), going through to keep his or her 'grass' green, then there are cases where all the person has is their 'Grass' and don't envy the greener 'Grass' on the other side. therefore they put their full resources into the 'Grass' to over compensate for the emptiness or sadness they may Personally we may not have all the riches and material have somewhere else. things that we think we need but we love our life, our family and our friends...and that's the most important I've had people look at my life and say you have really green 'grass' to us. Happy Thanksgiving from our family to and good 'Grass', without realizing that I had many times yours! when the 'Grass' just wouldn't grow, or the 'Grass' was real patchy patchy and even dead 'Grass'. We've had to start all-over from scratch, start over with a plow, a rake, and buy new 'Grass' just to get it to grow and look green. The moral of this column as we go into Thanksgiving is that we all have our basic struggles in life and we go through our own trials and tribulations to survive how we see best. Our grass is what we make of it. This Thanksgiving season, remember the ones who aren't here to celebrate with us. Be thankful overall for life - and the opportunity to take care of your 'grass' and create the best kind of 'grass' for your own mental, spiritual and financial health.

1969 Alafaya Trail • Orlando, FL 32828 Office: 407-427-1800 Fax: 407-386-7925 Toll Free: 877-220-8315 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'. Publisher & Editor................................................................................... Sam Roberts Publisher ............................................................................. Guenet Gittens-Roberts Editor & Contributing Writer................................................................Aleia Roberts Contributing Writers: ................................................................................ Tony Dyal Contributing Photographers ............ .......................................................Ted Hollins ....................................................................................................................Dillia Castillo Central Florida Distribution......................................................... .Danielle Browne South Florida Distribution .............................................................Norman Williams North Florida Distribution ...............................................................Kadeem Roberts Tampa Distribution ...................................................................................Julian Pina Copyright (C) 2016 GGR Marketing & Public Relations. All rights reserved.

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Barbados set to become a Republic Cont'd from pg 1

Barbados has outlined in their Constitution (Amendment) Bill passed earlier in 2021 that any prerogative or privilege from the queen or the Crown will be transferred to the state. Any rights, powers, privileges, duties or functions that once belonged to the governor general will now transfer to Mason as president, who will be head of state, while Prime Minister Mottley will continue to serve as head of the government.

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The only issue that still needs to be made clear is the type of republic that Barbados is going to have, since there are several different types of republics. Congratulations to our brothers and sisters from Barbados and the current administration, we shall all celebrate together on 30th of November 2021.

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Why You Shouldn’t Wait Till New Year’s to Start Working On Your Fitness Goals by Aleia Roberts Research

conducted by Statistic Brain Institute found

that in 2017, only 9.2 percent of people felt that they were successful in achieving their resolution. Even more disappointing? The 42.2 percent of people who say they fail in achieving their resolution every single year. The Statistic Brain Research Institute also found that 21.4 percent of people cite losing weight or eating healthier as their New Year's resolution. With that in mind, waiting until January 1 can actually set you back, making it harder to achieve your goal. Why? If you start building healthy habits now, you'll have strategies in place to avoid or minimize unhealthy food choices during the holidays. By doing so, you can stop bad habits from pushing you farther away from your goals - and continuing to make healthy choices will be that much easier come January, when holiday temptations are no more. Wait until after January 1-when the excitement of the holidays has died down-and your mood might take a dip too. It can certainly feel harder to create positive change in your life while battling "bleh" feelings.

But if you implement new fitness habits before the onset of those "winter blues," you'll be more likely to stick to your plans and may even fight off those depressive feelings. In a study published in “Perceptual and Motor Skills”, researchers found that depression mood scores were significantly reduced after exercise sessions, and other researchers even found that exercise coupled with meditation can significantly decrease depression (and quickly!). Start your new workout routine now to get a head start on those feel-good chemicals, and establish a new fitness habit before winter really begins and has the chance to de-rail your resolution. Aleia Roberts - MPH candidate at George Washington University - Milken Institute of Public Health

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Crist’s “Justice for All” tackles Florida’s judicial inequities Criminal Justice Reform Top Priority

Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Congressman Charlie Crist pledged to bring equal justice to Florida’s judicial system as he traveled to communities throughout the state. “We have to deal with the reality that our system is not fair and just; that our system treats different people, differently,” according to Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell. Worrell joined Crist, Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, former gubernatorial candidate Chris King and criminal justice reform advocates in presenting ways to repair a broken court system.

It was a life changer for Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill. “I was able to turn it around because of Governor Charlie Crist. Charlie Crist automatically restored my rights.” Crist restored the civil rights of over 155,000 Floridians. No governor has matched his record. In fact, Governor DeSantis continues to undermine the new constitutional law at every turn. Crist said that when elected he will restore that process and ease the community transition for returning citizens. Reform advocates and Tampa State Attorney Andrew Warren also support the effort. “The reality is giving people opportunities doesn’t lead to crime,” said Warren. “We need to begin putting these secondchance stories to the forefront.”...Cont'd on Page 14

Crist, Worrell, Commissioner Hill, and former gubernatorial candidate Chris King discuss ways to fix Florida’s judicial system

Crist, is the leading candidate in the race to unseat Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. He continues to beat DeSantis in public opinion polls because of his record on a variety of public policy issues. The retortion of civil rights to non-violent felons is one. Crist did that when he was governor in 2007.

Crist announces Equal Justice for All policy with Tampa State Attorney Andrew Warren, gun violence prevention activist Maress Scott, and attorney Sean Shaw

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Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker return to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker return to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Walt Disney Theater on Saturday November 27, 2021. This year’s holiday production will feature 150 children and youth from Central Florida. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the members of the cast showed true resilience by attending their weekly rehearsals at their perspective dance studios, and this year’s production will

provide these youth high quality performing arts access on one of the largest stages in the region. Jere’ James, founder of Inez Patricia School of Dance provides the artistic direction along with a host of professional trained choreographers, many of whom have trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

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The 4th Annual FusionFest Returns To Downtown Orlando In Grand Style On Thanksgiving Weekend, November 27 & 28 Terry Olson and Managing Director Thali Sugisawa. “What we’re planning will really show the excitement and innovation that can happen when a diverse community like Orlando comes together.” They continued, “FusionFest has become a mainstay of Orlando’s Thanksgiving calendar. It’s a kaleidoscopic fusion of aromas, sights, sounds, tastes, textures and fascinating short films that represent the diverse origins and heritages of our community. It’s a colorful bazaar of live performances, music, food, displays, interactive exhibits and other experiences crafted to demonstrate Guests this year will experience the all-new Opening the richness and depth of our area’s many ethnic Spectacle, a fully staged presentation under the traditions, which we can’t wait to present this year on direction of Joshian Morales taking place not only on another level.” the OUC/Massey Stage in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, but all around the New at FusionFest this year is the Family Village audience that will gather to watch. A specially featuring a Cardboard Village of the World, the Fun & Cultural commissioned fanfare by composer Keith Lay will Games Tent and the Family Art Tent. announce to one and all with brass and musical Displays, Faiths Displays and FLY with FusionFest, in “sounders” made from train horns from surrounding partnership with Caribbean American Passport rooftops that FusionFest is open for a day of fun and Magazine, who are sponsoring a raffle for two air tickets fascinating cultural exchange. Dancers representing from Caribbean Airlines are also new this year. Orlando's multitude of cultures will celebrate with music and song provided by drummers, trumpeters FusionFest guests will enjoy festival favorites: International Marketplace, screening the MYgration and flags from around the globe. Films in partnership with Global Peace Film Festival, “We’re excited that our new Opening Spectacle is Diversitastic! Choir, Visual Arts Gallery, two stages going to represent what FusionFest is all about from featuring music, dance, spoken word and fashion, the very first minute,” says FusionFest Chief Instigator exciting prizes, community panels and Fusion contests. Cultures from all across the world will fill the Frontyard Festival™ in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, following Frontyard Festival guidelines, for the free, two-day, multicultural festival, which draws people from more than 1o0 different cultures to experience music, dance, food, visual arts, spoken word, games and interactive activities and features over 1,000 local artists, who will perform and showcase their work on the stages, gallery and interactive installations at FusionFest.

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Electric Daisy Carnival - 2021

On 14th November 2021 I attended the EDC in Orlando for the first time and, to be honest, finding the right words to describe the celebration and experience through my, some-what, conservative eyes is a challenge. In one word it felt like - FREEDOM. A special 'Thank You' to Kevin Brown from the City of Orlando Venues for allowing us to see what we could grow Orlando Carnival into and 'Thank You' to Maria Chainez from Bacardi Rums for allowing us experience the event in VIP style!

grows. Every day is a chance to make new connections, strengthen existing ones, and keep growing within ourselves. Every single one of us has a place in this world and a role that we play, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others. EDC gives us the opportunity to come together from anywhere in the world, from any background or culture, without fear of prejudice or judgement. Living in the moment as our truest selves, collaborating with one another, and expanding our minds through our love for music is In a statement, the organizer of Electric Daisy Carnival, what it’s all about. Thank you all for sharing your energy Pasquale Rotella said, "With each gathering, I’m always blown with me and helping me become the best version of away with the way the energy builds and our community myself."

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Florida Classic 2021 The Florida Classic is not only about football, congrats to the Rattlers but it's about a whole lot more. Florida Classic weekend is about the pre-pre-pre-game gatherings of friends, family, alumni, and many others to celebrate. It's about the battle of the bands at half time. It's about the reunion parties and socials. Its about the fraternities and sororities showing the colors and the Greek letters. It's about the cars, the trucks, the SUV's and the bikes. It's about the foods, the BBQ, the smoked meats...it's about all the things that give life meaning!!!

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The deadly consequences of gun violence Maress Scott of Tampa is a tireless fighter against gun violence. His son Maurice Scott was shot and killed while riding his bicycle to a friend’s house. In the two years since his death, Scott has become an outspoken activist against gun violence which is a major component of Crist’s justice reform plan. As governor, Crist plans to ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, require universal background checks for all firearm purchases, and increase resources for affordable housing, healthcare, education, and jobs to communities impacted by gun violence.

It is easier for young people and children to get their hands on guns but harder for everyday Floridians to exercise their right to vote - especially Black Floridians. “For too long we have focused on incarceration when we should be focusing on rehabilitation, forgiveness and restoring and rebuilding,” Crist said. “My Justice for All plan is a promise to communities across Florida that the Crist Administration will usher in a new era, one where our state will not turn a blind eye to injustices, but tackle them head-on.”

Crist again criticized Florida’s last two governors, Republicans Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis, whose policies have done tremendous harm to communities of color.

Here's some of what's in the bipartisan infrastructure package

President Joe Biden has signed the $1.2 trillion And it contains $1 billion to reconnect communities -- mainly infrastructure bill into law, finalizing a key part of his disproportionately Black neighborhoods -- that were divided by highways and other infrastructure, according to the White economic agenda. House. It will fund planning, design, demolition and It will deliver $550 billion of new federal investments in reconstruction of street grids, parks or other infrastructure. America's infrastructure over five years, touching everything from bridges and roads to the nation's broadband, water and energy systems. Experts say the money is sorely needed to ensure safe travel, as well as the efficient transport of goods and produce across the country. The legislation calls for investing $110 billion for roads, bridges and major infrastructure projects. Included is $40 billion for bridge repair, replacement and rehabilitation. The White House says it would be the single, largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system, which started in the 1950s. The investments will focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians. Also in the package is $11 billion for transportation safety, including a program to help states and localities reduce crashes and fatalities, especially of cyclists and pedestrians, according to the White House. Broadband upgrade The legislation provides a $65 billion investment in improving the nation's broadband infrastructure and making it more affordable.

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What is Miya’s Law? Miya’s Law is a proposed bi-partisan legislation in the State of Florida (HB426/SB426) that endeavors to ensure an elevated expectancy of residential security and personal safety on residential properties in the State of Florida. In this light, stricter governance such as the implementation of higher levels of background checks and limitations on the use of master keys will ensure protection of all tenants and aid in strengthening the relationships between landlords and tenants.

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Enticed by Tax Breaks, Disney Begins Shifting 2,000 Employees From California to Florida The Walt Disney Company is transferring 2,000 employees from California to Florida to take advantage of the state's tax laws, and it appears that a number of these staffers have already begun to explore housing options. The entertainment conglomerate announced in July that it would be transferring the employees to Lake Nona, Florida, an Orlando suburb, to set up a new regional campus 20 miles from Walt Disney World. Local real estate agencies have reported that a small number of the employees have already purchased properties. Included among the 2,000 employees that will soon call Lake Nona home are reportedly high-level Disney executives, with the Orlando Sentinel reporting that average salaries would start around $120,000.

FIND OUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE CENTRAL FLORIDA REAL ESTATE MARKET SCHEDULE A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION: @kw.com

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Blind Mice and Monkey Business - By TONY DEYAL In 1994, American writer James Finn Garner wrote "My Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life and Times" satirising "Political Correctness". It was translated into 20 languages and sold 2.5 million copies. Now, 27 years later, there are new words for "politically correct" one of which is "multi-culturally sensitive." My regional column in today's Barbados Nation, Jamaica Gleaner, Caribbean News Global, Caribbean News Now, Toronto Independent etc. In Trinidad, unlike the other Caribbean countries, a “mopper” is not “a person employed to clean surfaces with an implement consisting of a bundle of thick loose strings or a sponge attached to a handle”. Lise Winer, in her Dictionary of English/Creole of Trinidad and Tobago, says that a Trinidadian mopper is “a person who likes to get free drinks”. What other English-speaking countries know as a scrounger, bum, mooch or cadger is a “mopper” in Trinidad because he begs for free liquor and then wipes or cleans out the last drop of rum in the bottle and, when he arrives home “drunk and disorderly”, as the Mighty Sparrow would say, his wife mops the floor with him. In fact, it is Sparrow who, in his calypso "Well-Spoken Moppers", led me into the language of ‘mopping’ and its global consequences. He sang, “Half the trouble in the world today/ Comes from people who don’t know what to say/ They like to use words that big and long/ And they ain’t know when they using it wrong.” For example, having enjoyed the hospitality of their host and mopped up all the liquor, the Mopper ends his farewell thanks with this parting blessing and intended praise , “May his friends bring him joy and frustration/ Impose on him and lift him to degradation/ He’s a jolly good fellow and a kind reprobate/ Unscrupulous and always inconsiderate.” In his own way, even though (one hopes) there is a huge gap between what he sings and what he means, the “mopper” is a “sesquipedalianist” or a person who is such a lover of very long words that he, she or, to be politically correct, the "person" uses them instead of small, more understandable and, most times, more appropriate words. There is a theological joke by a Jesuit priest who was teaching a university New Testament class. He said, “Jesus was walking alongside the Sea of Galilee when he turned to Simon Peter and asked him, “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered him, “Why you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus was so pleased with Peter’s answer that he promoted Peter to lead the disciples. Then Jesus turned to the modern-day theologians and asked, “Who do you say I am?” And they replied, “Why you are the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being, the kerygma which finds its fulfillment in interpersonal relationships.” And a stunned Jesus responded, “What?” FOUR-LETTER WORD Fortunately, unlike me and others of my ilk, Jesus stuck to one four-letter word. I would definitely have used more, not like a drunken mopper when the rum runs out but because I love the English language. For me, the best example of its power is the King James Bible which exemplifies what in the communication business we call the ‘KISS’ principle – Keep It Short and Simple. Unfortunately, new stresses on the language, political correctness and political obfuscation, are changing it way beyond recognition and even logic. In the new world of political correctness, ‘a person of colour’ is someone who is not considered ‘white’.

It is wrong to say ‘fat’ unless it comes from beef, pork or edible animal. The politically correct term when applied to people of substantial substance is not even ‘corpulent’, it is ‘horizontally disadvantaged’. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ is now ‘Everybody’; ‘lost’ is ‘geographically disorientated’; a ‘man in the street’ is an ‘average person’; and ‘manpower’ is ‘workforce’. What used to be a problem is now an ‘opportunity’, a ‘challenge’ or both, and a ‘sex change’ is Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS). Even if you disagree with me, what I have just stated here is not ‘wrong’, it is just ‘differently logical’. I can no longer scratch the few strands of hair left on my balding head until I come to terms with the fact that I am now ‘folically challenged’ and if I thank the Almighty at all it is not as an ‘elderly person’ but as a senior citizen. Not everyone has taken to, or accepts, this new environment of political correctness. English actor and comedian John Cleese believes, “The idea that you have to be protected from any kind of uncomfortable emotion is what I absolutely do not subscribe to.” Lee Kuan Yew, the former president of Singapore, seems to think, like us in the Caribbean, that “correct is not always right”. He acknowledges that he always tried to be correct but not politically correct. Chris Rock, in an interview with Vulture magazine, explained why he stopped doing shows at colleges. He considered them “too conservative” not in their political views but “in their social views and their willingness not to offend anybody”. He stressed, “You can’t even be offensive on your way to being inoffensive.” RESORT TO OBFUSCATION I believe that pretty soon we will have to resort to obfuscation even when telling tales out of school. For example, a human female, extremely captious and prone to opposed and ambivalent behaviour, was interrogated as to the dynamic state of her cultivated tract of land used for the production of various types of flora. The tract components were enumerated as argentous toneproducing agents, a rare species of oceanic growth, and pulchritudinous young females situated in linear orientation. All it comes down to is the answer to the question posed in the Nursery Rhyme, “Mary, Mary, quite contrary/ How does your garden grow? / With silver bells and cockleshells/ And pretty maids all in a row.” These changes, demands and insecurity in plain English remind me of a story I once read in my first year at elementary school and then, 40 years later, saw this politically correct version. A triumvirate of murine rodents totally devoid of opthalmic acuity was observed in a state of rapid locomotion in pursuit of an agriculturalist’s uxorial adjunct. Said adjunct consequently performed a triple caudectomy utilising an acutely honed bladed instrument generally used for subdivision of edible tissue. In other words, “Three blind mice/ See how they run/ They all ran after the farmer’s wife,/ Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,/ Did you ever see such a thing in your life,/ As three blind mice?” Tony Deyal was last seen saying that political correctness reminds him of Three Blind Mice looking for Three Wise Monkeys to teach them how to see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. www.caribbeanamericanpassport.com