Issue 19
Miss Universal Carnival UK
August 2013
Carnival is one of the binding elements that gels the Caribbean Diaspora together wherever Caribbean people migrate and call home. No matter how small or large the community, Caribbean style carnival has the potential to infiltrate and flourish in the furthest corners of the earth, bringing all other cultures in their environment under the umbrella of carnival. London is no exception to this culture of carnival, now in its 49th year it has weathered many obstacles and is now hailed as the biggest of its kind outside of Trinidad. As carnival people in all its arenas prepare to transform the grey backdrop of London with its hues of the Caribbean, lets pause to remember those who are no longer with us. The pioneers, who shaped, nurtured and cultivated the stimulus of carnival culture into the younger generation who now hold the future in their hands. People such as Vernon „Fellows‟ Williams, Rhuane Laslett, Larry Ford, Selwyn Baptiste, Claudia Jones and Lawrence „Stretch‟ Noel are just a few names of a long list that provided the adhesive to bind the Diaspora in the unique revelry that brings every creed, race and culture to move in unison to one rhythm. On carnival day when a samba beat touch your soul and the sound of a steel band making you move or the pulsating rhythms of a Soca song rocking your body line, take ah wine, jump and wave, bounce and palance yuhself because the „stage is we‟ and its C-A-R-N-I-V-A-L.
Production and concept: D.T. Kalloo
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…Contents…
Miss Universal Carnival UK Black Behaviour, White Behaviour: Is There Such a Thing? Test-Tube Burgers
D.Kalloo Who Vex Lost Interview with Jameson Juwily, owner of MYJ Beauty 1973 Remembered
The UK Crowns its first Universal Carnival Queen Miss Tobago, Sureya John, Miss Universal Carnival Queen UK 2013 carnival costume was designed by Simone Williams-Watson of Genesis Carnival Band. Steel Pan Diva,
Miss Tobago, Sureya John, Miss Universal Carnival Queen UK 2013
Set against a backdrop of amazing colours, stunning carnival costumes and environmentally friendly inspired Scavenge couture, Saturday 10th August 2013 saw the crowning of the UK‟s first Miss Universal Carnival Queen, in front of a full capacity audience at the UK Centre for Carnival Arts in Luton.
Debra Romain, The Muraldo Dance Company and The Caribbean Quadrille Dancers and singers included Konata Alleyne and Germaine Murray. The smoothly run show was compered by a fabulous duo Greta Mendez and Nigel Hall all which contributed to a successful inaugural event. The star-studded judging panel had a tough job to select the winner as all 16 contestants, representing European, African, Caribbean and Latin American countries, performed magnificently and brought a truly carnival atmosphere to Luton. They were judged in four categories, carnival costume, carnival inspired evening gown, scavange couture and question and answers. Miss Tobago secured the top prize which included prizes donated by Orlando Gittens of Musical Therapy, Flowers from Tamara Event designs, Books by Hansib Publications, trophies sponsored by JLM Consultancy and goodie bags from Chinara Enterprises, Design Essential, Sleek and Western Union.
The inaugural Miss Universal Carnival Queen UK competition was won by Miss Tobago, 21 year-old Sureya John of Canterbury Christ Church University. “Winning Miss Universal Carnival Queen has been a great achievement for me, as it was my first beauty Pageant. I love playing mas at Carnival and winning this title is a great honour. I want to thank everyone who supported me”.
Miss Nigeria
Miss Universal Carnival Queen UK competition organised by Carivog International was being staged for the first time this year, attracting over 200 patrons and 16 contestants. Sheanna Alleyne, The producer of the Show, stated: "This show opened the Carnival Season in the United Kingdom and the creativity and levels of artistic excellence displayed auger well for the rest of 2013. On the Carnival runway there were excellent examples of design, fashion and performance to delight everyone. The audience went away not only delighted but enlightened about the multi-disciplinary art forms that make up Carnival Arts. We are all looking forward to 2014." The night was herald a success by Mr Franklyn Walters of Western Union and other sponsors Palola, Chinara Enterprises Ltd, Design Essential, KBell Cosmetics, Soca News and Kissed Lashes. The event featured tasteful yet creative tribute to the culture and art of Carnival. Patrons were entertained throughout the evening with great performances by The South London Samba Band,
Miss Brazil
The event organisers are now busy making preparations for Miss Universal Carnival UK 2014!
Miss Tobago Miss Trinidad
The Results 1st runner up - Miss Venezuela, Mercedes Roberts 2nd runner up - Miss Nigeria, Flora Nabena Miss Photogenic - Miss Vincent, Harmony Murton-Edwards Face of Universal Carnival Internet - Miss St Lucia, Kimhia Toussaint Miss Popularity- Miss St Lucia, Kimhia Toussaint Best costume - Genesis Spirit of Carnival - Miss Tobago, Sureya John Best Evening Gown- Bacchanalia Best Scavenge Kouture- Bacchanalia The Gold sponsors are Western Union. Other sponsors include: Palola, Chinara Enterprises Ltd, Design Essential, KBell Cosmetics, Soca News and Kissed Lashes. Carivog International is an organisation that has worked for over ten years in the UK promoting beauty and fashion; particularly among the countryâ€&#x;s diverse communities. All its activities have been underpinned by its support of local charitable organisations. Text and photos courtesy Carivog International Photographs by: BQuavs & Ben Black Photography
Miss Nigeria
Miss Antigua
Miss Poland
New venue: The Refinery Bar 1 minute from Monument tube station
Black Behaviour, White Behaviour: Is There Such a Thing? By Akilah Holder During my tenure at Bishop‟s Centenary College, a student in my form one class had asked me if I had ever found her behavior to be “white.” I told her no and that she should dismiss the statements of anyone who said so. This young lady is a particularly well-behaved and well spoken young woman. I had not left the issue there, however, for at the time I had been studying V.S. Naipaul‟s Miguel Street with my class (I taught Spanish and literature at Bishop‟s Centenary College and the student of whom I am speaking was a part of my form 1 literature class). Given that Naipaul addresses the issue of internecine fighting in his text (for in the end, the question of “black behavior”, “white behavior” is a question of internecine fighting), though implicitly, I thought it would be a good idea to raise that student‟s concern with the class. What I discovered during this discussion with my class on internecine fighting is the impetus for this article. I am not sure if I had realized the pervasiveness of such thinking in Trinidad and Tobago until I had that discussion with my class. While a couple of other students had confessed to feeling the same way, that is, as if they were “white” or behaving “white,” (I should add here that the student who asked me if I found her behavior to be “white,” along with another student among those who had later confessed to feeling this way, are both fair in complexion with long hair, though the former‟s hair was less curly than the latter. Moreover, the latter student is of mixed heritage and told
me that she is often deemed white because of her light brown complexion and curly hair. It seemed and still seems to me that one is reviled even more for certain behaviors in the black community when one is of a lighter complexion) many others admitted that they felt that certain behaviors were exclusive to Caucasians and others were exclusive to Africans/those of African descent. For instance, one student commented that in response to her mother‟s pleas for her to speak well, she often replies, “but mummy, only white people does talk like dat.” Many others in the class, as noted before, had and perhaps still have this young woman‟s perspective. The way in which one walks, dresses, sits, speaks, self-presentation, if one shows interest in the aesthetics of life or if one has an affection/passion for learning, I found out, all qualify one as “white.” Significantly and evidently, this attitude of some behaviors are “white” and others are “black” extends beyond the classroom. Just recently, while on my way home from work I had noticed a taxi cab with the phrase “black attitude” painted to the side of it. My own mother, during her youth, was called “white” by those in her neighbourhood because of how she carried herself – she kept to herself a lot and shunned behaviours that are considered “black.” Interestingly, while working on my master‟s thesis, I discovered that many of the behaviours that are considered “black”
have their roots in American chattel slavery. I often wonder, for instance, how many black men in this country (and elsewhere) realize that the way they dress and carry themselves (their affection for “bling-bling,” their “hanging out” on street corners and their affection for ignorance) is actually a white stereotype of black men called the black “Zip Coon,” a minstrel character developed by the white plantation class to justify their enslavement of Africans. The black male “Zip Coon” is described in the following way by American author James H. Dorman in Shaping the Popular Image of Post-Reconstruction American Blacks: The “Coon Song” Phenomenon of Gilded Age: “a black dandy, sporting his flashy attire and projecting a slick, urbane persona, (this of course, within the overall demeanor of the ignorant black buffoon mimicking the manners of sophisticated white folks).” Their way of dressing, with regards to their pants falling below their buttocks, is also reminiscent of how inmates dress (for inmates are not given belts so their pants usually end up falling below their buttocks) as Judge Greg Mathis points out in his article The Sad Truth about Saggin’ Pants: Emulating Convicts can Lead to Prison Mentality. Also, how many black women in this country (and elsewhere) realize that the lascivious clothing many of them wear result in their upholding of the white stereotype the “black jezebel,” the oversexual black temptress who seduced white men during slavery? This stereotype was and is not only a misunderstanding on the part of white Europeans about black cultural practices, but developed in an attempt to justify the rape of black women by their white masters. In this way, white
men were no longer culpable for raping black women, but black women had seduced white men. Historian Deborah Gray White highlighted this point in her text, Ar’n’t I a Woman? How widespread this way of thinking is in Trinidad and Tobago leads me to believe that while the physical chains of slavery have fallen, the mental chains remain in place. Blacks have internalized white stereotypes about themselves and act in accordance with those stereotypes. Quite frankly, true emancipation will only take place when those mental chains have fallen. In brief, there is no such thing as “black behaviour, white behaviour.” There is, however, what may be considered the “right behaviour.” Moreover, the idea that some behaviour are “black” and that others are “white” emanates from racism/racist ideology; and such thinking only limits and cripples the (black) individual.
akholder22@aol.com
Test-Tube hamburger anyone? Like it or not in the near future most of us, if we are still alive, will be eating meat that did not come from an animal in the field or farm, yes, you read right. Maastricht University have recently cultivated beef by using stem cells. Scientist at the university created the meat by taking muscle cells from a cow and growing them in a laboratory. The meat was cooked in front of a live public audience in London and offering volunteers to taste the burgers made from what is dubbed test-tube hamburger. The scientist behind the project, Professor Mark Post said the new advances technology could see the burgers on supermarket shelves within 10 years. The research took five years and at a cost of £216,000 and with just a chosen few having the opportunity to taste the lab burger. The burger is made of pure protein and has no blood or fat which creates flavour. Producing stem-cell meat is not cheap by any means and, a large scale production of the lab burger is very much many years in the making. The Food Standards Agency said „any novel food using novel production process must undergo independent safety assessment before it is placed on the market. The FSA confirmed that no application to the effect has been made.
Who vex, lost! The proverbial glass ceiling has been broken and women no longer belong to the home looking after the family. She can go out and earn her own dollar to maintain the family and herself. Clearly, somewhere along the line the African woman has been misguided by what this term means. For many of them it means usurping the authority of the man as head of the household. Since the beginning of time the man was created to lead and, the woman to play a supportive role. So when the glass ceiling had been shattered and women had an equal opportunity to gain employment to help provide for the family, when she returned to the home environment the man remained the head of the family. It mattered not if she earned more money. The East Indian women used the same „proverbâ€&#x; as a means to educate themselves and today are Lawyers, Doctors and Politicians with many holding senior managerial positions in large corporations along their male counterparts. They have never allowed the glass ceiling era to blind them of the role the father should and must play as head of the family. Not so with the African woman, she is doing a minimum wage job by the Chinese businessman and suddenly she feels that she is the head of the household, and before you say Jack Robinson indiscipline steps in resulting with police at your doorstep. She sees her new-found empowerment as an opportunity to bling for her son and
encouraging attitudes where daddy cannot intervene and do anything about, because she earns her own money. If he dares say anything that she and her son objects to it could result in a restraining order being taken against the father and out of the house he goes. Or, she and her son (which is his child) would take matters into their own hands to beat and throw him out of the house. Next thing you know mammy dressing up like a teenager and cavorting in the same manner, often finding a lover the same age as her son. This cycle continues for soon enough the culture starts rubbing off on her daughter. Women to a very large extent are the reason why the black family is in the situation that we are in today, they need to go back to the principles of the bible to keep the black family together.
Who vex, lost! Juliet Davy
Interview with Jameson Juwily, owner of MYJ Beauty Communications, to understand the business and learn in marketing. In October 2011, Jameson started MYJ Beauty business. NM - Please give us a brief description of MYJ Beauty. JJ - MYJ is an abbreviation for makeupbyjames. The company was set up in October 2011, a UK based company. Jameson Juwily, was born in North Borneo, Malaysia, a small village called Tuaran with a view of Mount Kinabalu, the highest Mountain in South East Asia. Living with his parents, two brothers and three sisters, his father was a teacher at a local school. His mother was busy raising the family. At 16 he went to boarding school and then went onto to finish his studies in Computer Science with distinction in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Though he was really interested in the internet, it did not feel like the right path for a career and living in the capital was hard. In December of 2003, he decided to leave Malaysia. Selling all of his belongings he moved to London England. His first job was working in restaurant for a few months before landing a permanent position as a civil servant with a prominent government organization. Jameson always wanted to work behind the counter as a makeup artist and began working part time in several famous London department stores. He attended London college of Fashion to learn fashion and beauty makeup techniques just after his first job as a beauty consultant to learn and build confidence. In 2011, Jameson graduated from University of Greenwich and awarded Second upper class BA (Hons) Advertising and Marketing
NM - What made you want to do make up and get into the beauty business? JJ - Make up and beauty is my passion. I want all women to look beautiful and to be able to supply a beauty products which their can afford to buy, my brand is a quality products without having to think of and expensive. Good quality ingredients as well as classy packaging without the embarrassment of a cheap looking product.
NM - What led you to the decision to create your own Lipstick and Lip-gloss Line? JJ - When I was working in departments stores in London, 99% of women looking for lipsticks and lip gloss something for everyday use so they can use for work and everyday life without an expensive investment (quality at an affordable price). It took me nearly 2 years to get everything in place . NM - What is the key difference between your range and other cosmetic range?
JJ - The key difference with all MYJ Beauty products is a new formula mineral ingredients containing Vitamin E and not tested on animals. All lipsticks are named after famous London streets and the lip glosses named after famous London bridges crossing to river Thames. NM - What do you hope to accomplish with your business? JJ - I would like to expand MYJ products in the future and to be able to supply quality products at competitive prices. NM - What advice would you give to anyone who wants to start his or her own company?
NM - After months of planning and sleepless nights and hard work have gone in to making this vision a reality; are you nervous or just excited about the entire project and where next for MYJ Beauty? JJ - I feel amazing about the company with little sleep, continuous problems and tasks to overcome and hard work to introduce MYJ products to the retail sectors. NM - Finally, where can we get hold of MYJ Beauty products? JJ - At the moment only online – www.myjbeauty.com. Anticipating that the website goes live after launch. But I actively keep updating MYJ Beauty on facebook www.facebook.com/MYJBeauty
JJ - Run with your heart and dreams do not let others that have failed or not tried put you off. You must carry out thorough research before you invest too much time and financial commitment. Make a checklist to avoid disappointment and have a comprehensive business plan. NM - What would we surprise to know about you? JJI - was working with no experience in the cosmetic industry. I had to fight to gain a position behind the counter in well-known department store. I then went to London College of Fashion, learning fashion and beauty make up techniques. I decided go to University to have a solid understanding in marketing for business. After I graduated in summer 2011, I set up MYJ Beauty in October 2011. Everything starts in London. NM - What are the key trends for Autumn/Winter 2013 makeup? JJ - A natural look with the wow factor. NM - Any hints or comments on any upcoming new products? JJ - Something to look flawless, wait and see.
Jameson thank you so much for giving us an insight into MYJ Beauty as well as yourself and sharing your beauty tips here at Culturepulse Magazine, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on launching your MYJ Beauty products, I wish MYJ Beauty lots of success and many satisfied customers.
“A dream really becomes a dream when you make it a reality” – Nichola McDonaldBy Nichola McDonald
Evelina offers hope for children who suffer stroke
UK Africa Aid
By D. Kalloo When we think of people affected by stroke we often think of an older person, however according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Strokes (MINDS) 5 out of every 100,000 children have a stroke in the UK and, up to 5 children a day are suffering with undiagnosed stroke. The Evelina London Children‟s Hospital offers a unique service for young stroke sufferers. It is the only one of its kind in the country that offers this service for children and young people. In the UK, at least 400 children and babies have a stroke each year with strokes occurring at a rate of 1 in 5000 in new born babies. Most hospitals are not adequately equipped to treat or facilitate after care for children who has suffered a stroke. Dr Anne Gordon who leads the specialist child stroke surveillance centre said, „the service at Evelina provides young patients with medical care when they first come to the hospital having had a stroke. The care they receive includes physiotherapy to strengthen weak limbs and occupational therapy to enable the children to be as independent as possible.‟ There is also an outpatient clinic offering support for those needing further care when they leave hospital. Given that between 1979 –2000 there have been 1,500 deaths as a result of strokes; the new stroke surveillance unit at Evelina could be a beacon for other hospitals to pioneer similar schemes to care for children and young people who suffer a stroke. Dr Gordon said, „most of our patients are from the south east of England but we welcome patients from across the country.‟
A £10million donation by Britain to Africa has been agreed to help vaccinate over 6 million people against the outbreak of polio in Kenya and Somalia. The World Health Organisation fear that the epidemic could spread across east Africa. The International development secretary said, „We must act now to stop this deadly and debilitating disease.‟ At present there is no cure for the highly infectious virus and can only be prevented from spreading through immunisation.
Invitation The Maroons Restaurant invites you to share the historic moment in convivial company on the 50th anniversary of the date on which Martin Luther King delivered the „State of the Nation Address‟ of the „poor and powerless‟ people of the USA. Such was the power of his delivery that it has seared itself in the memory of every living African-American citizen and across continents. Marc Matthews, the Guyanese man of letters will present the text of the speech. We celebrate the power of words and, the life of Martin Luther King. Wednesday 28 August 7pm – 10pm The Maroons 514 Coldharbour Lane Limehouse London E1 OHY Website: www.themaroonsrestaurant.co.uk
Ebony Blocko in pictures
Leslie Palmer celebrated his 70th birthday in a fitting tribute to Notting Hill Carnival under the heading „1973 Rememberedâ€&#x; at Portobello Green, London. It was 40 years ago that Leslie Palmer took up the mantle and gave shape to what is known today as Notting Hill carnival. Up until 1973, carnival had no direction and no coherent order, Leslie changed this when he attended a meeting organised by Anthony Perry, a director at the North Kensington Amenity Trust. Leslie Palmer never looked back from that day in 1973 and so Notting Hill Carnival saw its first full costume band by Lawrence Noel called Head Hunters, signalling the true tradition of a Trinidad carnival here in London cementing its roots deep into the fabric of British society.
1973 Remembered encompassed everything that Leslie had set about 40 years ago, the involvement of the community and a marriage of cultures. The event was well attended by all strands of community, something that mustâ€&#x;ve made Leslie very proud. Invited guest included Mr Anthony Perry Westminster and RBKC Mayors along with Caricom High Commissioners and other distinguished guest such as Horace Ove, Mustafa Mathura and Margaret Busby were among the notable invitees. Caribbean rhythms echoed through Portobello Green as guests were treated to a rum punch reception and Caribbean food before watching a series of films on carnival at scheduled intervals.