Split Society

VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18 2021

CANADA’S LEADING CARIBBEAN NEWSPAPER TO ADVERTISE: 647-722-6298 • ONLINE: TORONTOCARIBBEAN.COM

SPLIT SOCIETY

SEGREGATION, DIVISION, DISCRIMINATION AND ILLEGAL QUESTIONING

SIMONE SMITH/TORONTO CARIBBEAN

“We’re not going to have a split society” Ontario Premier Doug Ford

I am writing this article with a sad heart.

Why? Well, I bring you an unfortunate reality of discrimination, and illegal questioning that is happening right here in Toronto. Before I share with you my experience,

I want to acknowledge the fact that many people have not taken the time to understand some of the by-laws that have been implemented during this pandemic. It has all been very confusing. The media shares only some of the information, usually the part that they are paid to share. It is easy for people to remain ignorant of the laws, and to be thrown into the

chaos of mask vs. non-maskers, and vaccinated vs. unvaccinated.

I get it! What I will not do is stand for it. It is my job to educate and inspire. To share other perspectives and give people an opportunity to make EDUCATED decisions.

Continued On Page 8

PAGE 2

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

SUNNIE MCFADDEN-CURTIS Creating dialogue of healing for the community

“My hope is that Broken Vows: Stories Of Separation, will create a dialogue of healing for its audience members. For those going through a separation themselves—moving through the darkness to the light--I hope they will share this documentary and TheResource as a conversation starter. I also hope they reach out for ’help’ when they need it.”

- Filmmaker & Social Advocate, Sunnie McFadden-Curtis I was first introduced to this dynamic woman, when I received a press release about her multi-award-winning feature-length documentary BROKEN VOWS: Stories of Separation. This gripping and realistic documentary takes you into the lives of women, their personal stories, and tales of those caught in the crossfire of marriage breakdown and separation.

Anyone who has gone through a separation knows that it can be one of the most psychologically exhausting times in a woman’s life.

There is often an expectation to make lifealtering decisions under extreme duress. The pandemic has aggravated issues between couples due to: separation, isolation, from family and friends, loss of income, economic instability, disruption of regular routines, and imposed quarantines. This has forced individuals to stay home together, percolating conditions for marital chaos, domestic violence, and separation.

As a lifelong social advocate for women and children, Sunnie decided to take on this topic, and share the stories of women who have experienced BROKEN VOWS. This film follows the socially conscious producer’s previous projects: Bullying: A Culture of Silence, Cyber Bullying: Where Are We Going Wrong? & Shane r u there?

The filmmaker and her son Brennon were honoured to be invited to the United States Senate to take part in roundtable discussions on ways to make schools safer through anti-bullying education, and as a keynote speaker, McFadden-Curtis has also spoken internationally on anti-bullying, providing screenings of her powerful documentary, Bullying: A Culture of Silence.

Last week I had the honour of sitting down with Sunnie for a one-on-one discussion about her life as an actress, advocate and a filmmaker. She began by sharing with me a little bit about her early life.

“I was born and raised in Toronto.

My father was from St. Louis and retired in California, My mom was English, Irish, and Scottish heritage. My father was a performer and was performing worldwide. He met my mom in Toronto, and he would come back to visit her whenever he could. It was actually during one of his visits that I was conceived.

Life was very interesting. I was raised in Scarborough by my grandmother (mother’s mother), and it was predominately a White environment. I didn’t know the difference between White and Black. It wasn’t until later that I realized I was Black. I was confused, and I wasn’t in an environment to learn more about my Black heritage. To be honest, it really wasn’t spoken of. I was in High School when I began to learn more about my Black heritage. I would go back and forth between groups, but I wasn’t well received by the Black students. I was more about whom I clicked with. I was bullied because of this, but to their defence, they may have felt snubbed.”

Sunnie shares with me that her creative side emerged very young. “I began taking dance lessons when I was six. I invented a toy that was mass-produced (the ballerina swinger, the footsie). My step grandfather was an inventor. I took a knife and put a hole through a ball, and here was the invention.

I would organize clubs as well, and this all happened on Saturdays.”

“No way!” I exclaimed. “You invent-

ed that toy. I remember that toy very well.”

I chuckled. “I also remember tripping and busting my lip playing with it.”

“I am so sorry to hear that,” Sunnie said laughing. “I hope that at least you enjoyed playing with it. Okay, where was I? Yes! I was really interested in dancing. I don’t know how good I was, but I loved it. I would choreograph dances, and I would be part of the plays at the school. It was something that inherently I loved.”

She started acting in her mid-twenties, and it wasn’t easy then. There were not a lot of roles for Black girls, but the good thing was that Sunnie was self-motivated.

“I am not a quitter. It would get discouraging at times, but not enough to give up. Back then, you needed six credits to be part of the union, and they brought it down to three so I could become part of the union. I was modelling during this time, and that was going very well. I would get commercials, but I didn’t get really good roles until later.”

She had done a few movies of the week, and then she landed the role of the lifetime. “Only problem, there was no training for the role, Sunnie tells me. “To be honest, I had to sell myself for that role. I got a phone call from my agent, and she told me the producer of “All my Children” was starting a soap in Toronto. I said to my husband at the time, I am going to get this. I had a chance to visit the studio, and when I got in there and was looking around, something told me that I was going to get that part. I had a chance to dialogue with the producer and it went really well. The next dayI was traveling to Nevis (24 hours away), and this is when I found out that I got the part. I had to get back within 48 hours to do press. 48 hours later, I am heading to Antigua, and from there back to Toronto.

Interestingly enough, it was during a press release that Sunnie found out the name of her character.

“So, I was asked what my character’s name was, and I had no idea. I asked one of the handlers, and they told me that my character’s name is Sunnie. Playing the role of Sunnie was difficult at first. During a break in scenes, I had to go back to the dressing room and pep talk myself. This was one of the highlights of my career and I loved it. When I started playing the role, I found out that I was pregnant, but this didn’t stop me. Since then, I have been in and out of acting for most of my life.”

Filmmaking started for Sunnie in 2003. It was part of the social advocacy that she was becoming a part of.

“My son was getting bullied, and as a parent, I was frustrated. I decided that I had to fill the void with education, so I sat down with my son and said, ‘How would you like to do a documentary on bullying?’ He took three days to answer, and he came back and said ‘Yes.’ I ended up taking the lead on the project, and it took me three years to complete it.”

The first film festival she entered the film in was the Reelworld Festival, and it won an award. When she completed the documentary and film festivals, she decided to develop a program and brought it into schools.

“I grabbed eighteen kids from different backgrounds and put them all in one room, I wrote vignettes based on the bully found at schools. What I loved during my time with students was when I would see the light bulb go off. It meant that something had clicked, and that was the whole point. The program was called “The Ripple Effect!” We looked at how bullying affected everyone involved in their lives. It was recognized by the school board and put in the registry.

I went on that journey for some time and then I began to speak internationally on bullying. It reached 47 cities across North America in universities and libraries.”

“Sunnie, what made you decide to focus on relationships for your current project?”

“Well, Broken Down Separations spawned from the experiences that my friends were having. Many separations are sequestered in the courts, and this can be extremely painful for those involved. I also went through a separation and had my own experience with it.

There was nothing out there like this. I really thought that if we can help the mothers, we could help the children.

There were moments when I stepped away from the project. I must admit though, I am pretty good at separating myself, and compartmentalizing.

The day I had to build my dramatization, I had to live some of what I experienced. I am proud of myself for getting through it. On the second day, I was very conscious not to make people feel uncomfortable, or uncomfortable for me. There were some difficult dramatizations that I had to recreate.

People need to know how to support women during a separation. The film is not just for women even though it is based on women’s stories. There is something in there for everybody.”

Committed to providing hope, McFaddenCurtis has created a digital resource BROKEN VOWS: Stories of Separation “The Resource” to the d o c u m e n t a r y, which offers real resources that she hopes will help women move forward after separation.

The digital Resource will address the gnawing question: When a marriage ends, where do you begin? BROKEN VOWS: The Resource will be available for purchase at: www.brokenvowsfilm.com The resource can be purchased as individual volumes or in

its entirety.

If you want to keep us with Sunnie on social media, you can find her on: INSTAGRAM: @sunniebiz13 INSTAGRAM: @brokenvowsdocumentary FACEBOOK: @smcfaddencurtis FACEBOOK: @brokenvowsfilm TWITTER: @stopthesilence

Photo Credit: Carmen Cheung

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

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NEWS

PAGE 3

Sinking unconsciously to an inferior intellectual level; understanding our current global mass psychosis psychogenic illness remains unknown.

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“Man is wolf to man” ~ Latin Proverb There have been random times during this pandemic when I have looked at what is going on and asked, “Is this whole world going crazy?”

It is not a completely irrational question, especially because a number of mental health experts have expressed concern over the blatant fear and panic mongering that has been seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What we are witnessing is a mass psychosis, an epidemic of madness that occurs when a large portion of a society loses touch with reality and descends into delusions. This phenomenon is not a thing of fiction, and I have provided our readers with some historical examples of this phenomenon: The Dancing Plague of 1518 I didn’t think this was possible, but during the summer of 1518 in France, a large number of people spontaneously began dancing. This behaviour lasted for weeks, and the people “infected” were unable to rest for over a month. Naturally, many of the people ended up dying due to stroke, exhaustion, and heart attacks. Within just one month, this dancing plague spread from one woman to over 400 people, and to this day the cause of this mass

The Laughter Epidemic of 1962 This next example happened on the beautiful continent of Africa. In a small Tanzanian village in 1962, an innocent joke within a boarding school led to a laughing epidemic that lasted for over eighteen months and infected thousands of people. Besides hysterical, uncontrollable laughter, the symptoms included respiratory problems, fainting, pain, and even crying attacks. After a year and half, the laughter finally subsided with no traceable cause ever discovered.

The Terroristic Toxic Gas Incident of 1995 In 1995, a group of religious terrorists released toxic sarin gas into the Tokyo subway system. As a result, over 5,000 people poured into hospitals claiming to be experiencing the symptoms associated with toxic gas exposure, including dizziness and nausea. The interesting thing is that after testing patients, doctors found that more than 70% of the people who fell ill were not even exposed to the gas at all.

As these examples highlight, when a mass psychosis occurs the results can be devastating. Jung studied this phenomenon thoroughly and wrote that the individuals who make up the infected society “Become morally and spiritually inferior” they “Sink unconsciously to an inferior…intellectual level.”

They become “More unreasonable, irresponsible, emotional, erratic, and unreliable.”

What makes matters worse is that those suffering from a mass psychosis are unaware of what is occurring. This is normal. It is hard for an individual who is battling mental health challenges to identify that they are.

But what gives rise to a mass psychosis? Another question is what makes a society susceptible to this devastating phe-

nomenon? What I am going to explain to you is what is meant by a psychosis and what leads an individual into a state of madness.

With this information you can then examine how this process plays out on a mass scale.

Psychosis can be defined as a detachment from reality or the loss of an adaptive relationship to reality. In place of thoughts and beliefs that are factual, the psychotic becomes overrun by delusions which are false beliefs considered to be true despite the existence of evidence that proves the contrary. Delusion can be defined as the loss of an independent, verifiable reality, with the consequent relapse into a more primitive stage of awareness.

A descent into the delusions of a psychosis has many triggers, which include: excessive use of drugs or alcohol, brain injuries and other illnesses. In the case of what is going on with this recent mass psychosis brought on by the pandemic, these physical causes do not concern us here. Our concern is with psychogenic triggers, as these are the culprits of our current mass psychosis.

The most prevalent psychogenic cause of a psychosis is a flood of negative emotions, such as fear or anxiety that drives an individual into a state of panic. When in a state of panic one naturally seeks relief as it is too mentally and physically draining to subsist in this hyper-emotional state for a prolonged period of time. When it is understood that a flood of negative emotions, in conjunction with a weak and insecure sense of self, can trigger a descent into madness it becomes clear how a mass psychosis can occur.

A population first needs to be induced into a state of intense fear or anxiety by threats real, imagined, or fabricated (mainstream media and some alternative media has done an excellent job at this) and once in a state of panic the door is open for either the positive or negative reaction to unfold.

If a society is composed of self-reliant, resilient and inwardly strong individuals a positive reaction can take place, but if it is composed of mainly weak, insecure and helpless individuals a descent into the delusions of a mass psychosis becomes a real possibility. What is sad to admit is that most of our society is composed of mainly weak, insecure and helpless individuals. Please readers don’t take offense to this. For the most part it is not any fault of your own; it is the way that the system has been designed.

What is particularly concerning is the lasting effects this widespread insanity will have on our children as they grow up.

Since the lockdowns began in the first quarter of 2020, we have seen a massive increase in depression, anxiety and even suicides amongst our young people. One of the worst traumas children suffer as a result of all this fear mongering is the idea that they may kill their parents or grandparents simply by being around them. Our children are being taught to feel guilty about behaviours that would normally be completely, well, normal.

It’s not normal for children to grow up thinking that everyone is a danger to everyone else, and hysterical adults are mindlessly inflicting severe emotional trauma on an entire generation.

Here is a very important take away from this article; many of our leaders do not suffer these same delusional fears. They issue stay-at-home orders from their vacation homes in the Caribbean and repeatedly break their own mask and lockdown mandates. They ride their bikes, stroll through the park, have family gatherings (Doug Ford) and dine out without a care.

If you are reading this and you were triggered in any way, that is a GREAT SIGN! Take back control of your mind; find ways to help others gain control of theirs.

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PAGE 5

Youth Research and Evaluation eXchange offers a certificate on Combating Anti-Black Racism •

PAUL JUNOR

Understand the historical roots and context of present-day manifestation of anti-Black racism Engage with research on the impact of anti-Black racism on Black youth and their families Learn critical practices for centering the wellbeing of Black youth and communities Commit to on-going personal, professional and organizational accountability

•

paul@carib101.com

•

TC REPORTER

For the second time in its history, Youth Research and Evaluation eXchange (YouthREX) is offering Centering Black Youth Wellbeing; A Certificate on Combating Anti-Black Racism. According to its LinedIn profile, YouthREX is “A province-wide initiative based at York University with five regional hubs across Ontario that promote the integration of research evidence and evaluation in the development and delivery of Ontario’s youth programs.”

An essential part of the role of YouthREX is www.exchange.youthrex.com, which is an “Online hub where anyone can find youth development knowledge in accessible formats from research practice and lived experiences together in one online space.” It is available to those who are interested in learning about ideas, strategies and practices that will contribute to youth wellbeing.

Funding for YouthREX comes from the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services as well as from York University, Carleton University, Laurentian University, King’s College Western University and Lakehead University. There are five regional hubs located at these universities.

This four-week online certificate will start from August 16th, 2021 to September 26th, 2021 and participants will “Learn transformative practices to challenge anti-Black racism in your organization and beyond.” It “Provides the Ontario youth sector with the foundational knowledge to cultivate practices, policies and alliances that disrupt and combat systemic anti-Black racism.” The overall vision is that “This certificate will support a structural transformation in Ontario’s youth sector that centres the wellbeing of young Black people and their families in our individual practices and organizational policies.”

The certificate includes seventeen lectures and two artistic performances organized around four modules: The lectures are intended to provide Black youth with knowledge and skills to:

•

The four modules in the curriculum can be completed at one’s own pace between August 16th and September 26th. The modules are: • •

The Context of Anti-Black Racism Engaging with Research About Black Youth Critical Practice for Centering Black Youth Wellbeing Ongoing Accountability for Transformative Change

• •

Registered participants can “watch or listen to seventeen video-based lectures, download and read summaries and transcripts of lectures, connect with other learners in a Community of Practice on the REX Virtual Cafe to share your reflections, questions, struggles and strategies.

The teaching team includes: •

Dr. Uzo Anucha, Academic Director, YouthREX Dr,Oyedeji Ayonrinde Dr.Judy Mary Cenat Dr.Andrea Davis Dr. Leo Edwards Dr. Fatimah Jackson-Best Dr.Michele Johnson Dr.Vidya Shah Dr.Carol Wade Nene Kwasi Kafele Kimberley Moore Chantal Phillips Asante Haughton Dwyane Morgan

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Registration opened on July 6th, 2021. At the completion of all four modules, participants will earn a Certificate of Completion and a LinkedIn Badge from YouthREX based at York University.

Registration is at http://lnkd.in/ejS7NJM

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

Guyana’s Government is dancing to “The Injection Passport Drum” after just one year in office MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“This is a pandemic, it’s not a joke and you have to get tough sometimes,” the words of Guyana’s President Irfann Ali as he spoke to Guyanese at an event held at his official residence, State House.

Ali’s government that was sworn in barely a year ago seems to be moving at full speed and in lockstep with The New World Order. In fact, if one compares his speed to that of some other countries it can be said that he is ahead in some ways.

This should in no way be taken as a compliment because there is nothing complimentary about discrimination, segregation, separating a nation and removing people’s human rights.

“My only focus,” Ali said, “And the focus of the government, is to protect the lives of the people of Guyana. There is no price to the lives of the people of this country.”

Ali said that while the government’s job is to focus on getting the injections, the owness is on Guyanese to get injected to protect themselves and each other, but it seems as though Ali forgot a few things in his haste to hustle his people down the injection line.

People’s health both physically and emotionally depends on how they are treated and how welcomed they are in any society; therefore, marginalization is never a barometer to measure a nation’s health.

His government made it mandatory for everyone to show proof of vaccination as he called it in order to enter government ministries, and if you are not injected you must first make an appointment then show proof of a PCR done within the last 72 hours.

Teachers are mandated to get injections and those who want to see a movie can only do so by showing proof of the injection, no injection no cinema, no injection no teaching job and one can rest as-

sured there is more to come from President Ali’s government.

Guyana’s Advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said recently in an interview that, “When it comes to public health individual rights are subdued by the collective rights. No one in any kind of right can exercise a right if in so doing it prevents the other person from exercising his or her right.”

“You have a right to reject the vaccine,” he said, “But if you exercise that right, these are the conditions by which you will have to live, either take the vaccine or get PCR testing every five days at your own expense.”

It is amazing how some brainless politicians push their ideas on the public and just expect them to comply as though the citizens are their children.

Did Mr. Ramsammy ever stop to think that probably most Guyanese cannot afford the cost of a false-positive PCR test every five days, or could he be trying to relieve Guyanese of their lunch money?

Imagine taxi drivers in Guyana are now mandated to get injected or else, cinemas, betting shops, and casinos reopen to injected people only and the list goes on.

When a president calls citizens who would not take his death shots “As deadly as the virus” there is a problem.

“Because vaccines inoculate everyone against this dreaded deadly virus, all of us should be troubled by those who refuse to be vaccinated. The unvaccinated are now as deadly as the virus itself for they are not only susceptible to infection, they will carry it…the government has a responsibility to defend the health of all,” President Ali told the nation.

In closing, the Guyanese people should not lose hope, but remember that there is strength in numbers, if the majority of Guyana’s population rejects this medical tyranny there is nothing that the so-called government can do.

The late Malcolm X once said that whatever your enemy makes attractive, you should make that thing unattractive, so if President Ali and his gang thinks that false PCR test and experimental injections are the “New Normal,” let him count his cabinet and his family members then place his order according to their numbers, nothing more, nothing less.

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

The unfortunate reality of discrimination, and illegal questioning that is happening right here in Toronto Continued From Page 1 -- “Only 28.4% of Blacks in the U.S. have received one dose of the vaccine and only 25.1% have received both doses — that means 75% of Black Americans are being affected more than any other race when it comes to discrimination based upon vaccine status.” Kevin Jenkins/ Joshua Coleman

There is a growing divide happening between the vaccinated and the nonvaccinated, and some might say that segregation is making a comeback. There is a push to get every man, woman and child vaccinated against COVID-19, and countries all around the world are introducing new policies and mandates aiming to separate the vaccinated from the unvaccinated.

There are those who say that this is really no different than a private business establishing rules like ‘no shirt, no shoes, no service.’ According to Health Officials, it is not about curtailing people’s freedoms; it’s about trying to remove the risk that you might pose to other people. This is why they are saying to do screening or testing or have different mask policies for someone who is not vaccinated, because you don’t have the right to infect other people with an infectious disease, and what the vaccine does is remove that threat.

According to a recent Reuters/ Ipsos poll, 62% said unvaccinated people should not be allowed to travel on airplanes. Furthermore, 55% believed that unvaccinated people should not exercise in public gyms, sit in movie theaters or attend concerts. 72% said it was important to know if people nearby (and certainly within six feet) were vaccinated.

What we have to understand is that this is turning into one of the worst discriminatory practices seen since the Jim Crow Era, which lately I have heard being spoken of more and more. For some, just hearing the word segregation in the context of separating the vaccinated from the unvaccinated is triggering, as it should be.

Let us take a look at what Jim Crow was, and then we are going to follow that up with examples of how it has shown its ugly face again, this time it has taken a medical tone to it

From the 1880s into the 1960s, a majority of American states enforced segregation through “Jim Crow” laws. They named it after a black character in minstrel shows (very race driven). From Delaware to California, and from North Dakota to Texas, many states (and cities, too) imposed legal punishments on people for consorting with members of another race. The most common types of laws forbade intermarriage and ordered business owners and public institutions to keep their black and white clientele separated (starting to sound familiar).

Most recently, Boston’s acting mayor Kim Janey likened proof of COVID vaccination documents to the identification papers of slaves and emancipated Black people.

“There’s a long history in this country of people needing to show their papers. During slavery, post-slavery, as recent as what the immigration population has to go through here. We want to make sure that we are not doing anything that would further create a barrier for residents of Boston or disproportionately impact BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and People of Color] communities.”

Well, isn’t that nice of her! Unfortunately, there are not many people who are speaking that message, and if they do, that message is soon altered. Let’s take our Premier Doug Ford for example. 680 News most recently reported that the Ford gov-

ernment is welcoming businesses to use the imminent federal vaccine passports as proof of vaccination. It is being said that the move came in response to mounting pressure from businesses, fearing for their livelihoods along with the safety of their employees and customers as the dreaded Delta variant dominates headlines (a variant that does not have a specific test, and a government that is still using a faulty test that does not test for COVID-19).

Up until now, the Ford government has been steadfast in its opposition to vaccine passports, just like he was with mandatory masking in early 2020. Doug Ford famously stated, “We’re not going to have a split society.” Well, what happened to that?

I most recently read that the Quebec government is moving ahead with their plan to implement vaccine passports, following on the heels of Manitoba. Other provinces and territories including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories have all been contemplating vaccine passports as well.

There are similar programs being pursued abroad, including a new US measure mandating proof of vaccination, face coverings and weekly COVID-19 testing for federal employees and contractors.

Let the segregation begin! ”The government has done very little to proactively push for that vaccination-they have not used all the tools at their disposal.” ~ Marit Stiles, NDP Education Critic

Dr. Kieran Moore (Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario) states that there will be different rules which are conditional on the vaccination status of students. For students who have not been vaccinated they will have to learn remotely if they are exposed to COVID-19. On the other hand, students who have received their two-dose vaccine as well as education staff will have slight interference if for any reason they are exposed to someone who is a “high-risk” carrier and subsequently test negative for COVID-19.

Dr. Moore told reporters, ”Terrific advantage of being two-dose immunization by being able to stay in school and attend sports and participate fully in all of the social activities of the school setting.

On the other hand, if unvaccinated students and staff are exposed they will have to self-isolate for at least ten days with two negative COVID-19 tests being conducted within a seven-day interval before they can go back to school.” Dr Moore adds, “If that test on day seven is positive, you’re off for another 10 days. That is a potential 20 days from schools directly because you weren’t immunized and because you’re infectious to others and putting others at risk.”

Oh wait, there is more…

Businesses are starting to toy with the idea of segregating workers, even though this does raise potential legal risks, as some workers can’t get vaccinated due to health conditions or religious objections. Workers can refuse the inoculation based on disability or religious belief, so employers could then face allegations of bias against those workers if they suffer negative consequences as a result of being segregated.

I want you to read this section over again.

This has been the fear for most people; the thought of losing their job because they will not get vaccinated. This is why it is so important to know your rights and speak on them firmly.

The segregation is even happening at sporting events. In Buffalo, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that Sahlen Field

would allocate half of its seats for vaccinated fans and the other half for unvaccinated fans. The unvaccinated sections will require fans to adhere to social distancing requirements, meaning fewer tickets will be available in this section, and everyone must still wear a mask.

Unvaccinated children will be allowed to attend a game and sit in the section for vaccinated fans if they attend with a vaccinated parent. Some may complain, but they feel that separating vaccinated from unvaccinated people in large crowds is a reasonable step to move us closer to a normal life again.

Now, I would like to take this time to introduce you to my Honey Jam 2021 experience.

I received an email from a well known, and I have to say amazing publicist.

We have done work with her before, and respectfully, I am not going to include her name in this article. I realize that she represents her clients, and she is going to do what needs to be done to ensure that their event goes the way they want it to.

Honey Jam 2021 Kicks Off New Season, New Artists & New Outlook

The unfortunate news is that it seems that if you have health conditions that do not allow you to wear a mask, you may not be able to attend or participate, and apparently they are requiring you to be double vaccinated as well, and they are asking for proof.

I am going to go through a series of emails that show this disturbing and unfortunate truth, and to the organizers of Honey Jam, I say shame on you for not taking the time to learn the laws of Ontario, follow the laws of Ontario, and showing what I want to now label as vaccine discrimination towards those individuals who choose not to get the inoculation.

The 26th Annual Honey Jam Media Launch was on Thursday July 22nd at the iconic El Mocambo, 464 Spadina Avenue at 6PM, where they revealed the seventeen multi-genre artists for the 2021 Honey Jam Showcase.

deny any questions about my personal health information. My reasons are traumatic, and I will leave it at that.

The Media launch highlights included: • The Introduction of the 2021 Honey Jam Participants • Announcement of 2021 season plans • Highlight of Honey Jam Alumni achievements

Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to working with you.”

The Honey Jam 2021 season will be sponsored by: TD Ready Commitment, Slaight Music, Ontario Creates, Bell Media, FACTOR, CBC Music, Canadian Musician, YAMAHA and Exclaim!.

We have covered their event numerous times, so naturally I was eager to share the fact that they would be in person.

Good idea right?

I am respectful of people’s fears and their thoughts on COVID-19, so before I go into a store, or go to an event, I will always let them know that I am mask exempt, and if they have any accommodations for someone who is exempt.

I sent the bylaw info you provided to the organizers. They are fine with you not wearing a mask, however, they would like you to show proof of being fully vaccinated and stipulate that you would have to distance yourself from others.

The email I received back said this:

They have no respect for my concerns or the stance that I have for my body. El Mocombo management, you now have your coverage, but what the coverage is going to highlight is the fact that you illegally asked me to provide medical information that is none of your business.

My people of Ontario, is this what we have to look forward to? Being discriminated against because we have made a choice for our person? Let’s hope not.

Morning Simone, “I’m checking to find out. What is the reason for your mask exemption”?

Very politely I replied, “I appreciate your response. Legally, you are not allowed to ask me that question because it is private medical information. I know you don’t mean anything by it, but it is my right to

I thank you for taking the time to consider my request, and I look forward to hearing from you in the future.”

The reply: “Good morning Simone, I didn’t mean to offend or ask for anything illegally. You said you had a mask exemption, which I let the management know. I don’t think they were asking for your personal health info. We’re all new to this and I figured it was just an official note saying you are exempt - no personal reason or health info explaining why, just like when you present a medical note to your employer.

The El Mocambo is just concerned about a public health inspector coming by and they don’t want to be fined. They have no problem with you not wearing a mask as long as you have proof of exemption.

I hope that makes sense. We do want you to attend and just want to make sure there are no issues for all involved.

Apologies if the request was triggering trauma for you.”

My reply: “Proof of exemption is not needed. I completely understand the anxiety and apprehension. I have attached the bylaw so that you and the prompters can see that I do not need proof. If there are any other questions let me know.

It is good that we can clear this up now, because I love working with you, and I want to be able to cover your events without a hassle.

Please share this with your clients so that when the media is asked to cover, we all have an understanding.

This was the final reply: “Good morning Simone,

Personally, I would like for you to attend and, of course, for Toronto Caribbean Newspaper to cover it. However, this is completely out of my hands and as I mentioned in my earlier email, this is new territory for everyone involved as we open back up again. Hopefully we can figure out something that respects everyone’s concerns.”

PAGE 10

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

An icon in the making; Meet six-year-old Ad’ria, the Carnival Princess!

JANIECE CAMPBELL janiece@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

A model. An actress. A dancer. A gymnast.

When she’s not gracing the runways or starring front-and-center on a magazine cover, she’s freely masquerading in eye-catching colours on the Carnival roads. From participating in Toronto Kids Fashion Week to becoming a brand ambassador for an international clothing brand to being in a Toronto Blue Jays commercial – you name it, she’s probably done it! A six-year-old beam of light, and as of this year, one of Toronto’s youngest newly published authors; intro-

ducing Ad’ria La Pierre!

In Ad’ria’s short time on this planet, she’s fearlessly taken on several roles. Her first introduction into the limelight began at the mere age of two months, where she played Mas at Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival for the first time. A few months down the line, she would also partake in Trinidad’s festivities as well. Her mother, Ria La Pierre believed there was importance in teaching her to take pride in her Trinidadian heritage, especially starting from a young age.

“I wanted her to participate in the parade because of my culture. I wanted her to experience it and keep the culture alive in our family,” says Ria. “She now has her own Mas band in Trinidad called AllStarsMasBand and a section within Tribal Carnival Mas Band in Toronto called PlayMasWithAdria.”

Ad’ria’s thrilling first-hand experiences gave inspiration to pen her first book, Adria the Carnival Princess. With

the help and guidance of her mother, the book was released on April 22nd this year to commemorate her sixth birthday. The story begins on the day of Ad’ria’s first memorable experience as a participant in the parade. She is very excited and slightly nervous to go on stage and show off her fairy princess costume, emotions that rang true in real life. Though she is a little timid initially, little does Adria know that she’s in for an unforgettable adventure!

As the twenty-five-page book is based on real events, Ad’ria recounts what it was like to have all eyes on her in front of an enormous crowd. “I love to be in costume and I love to dance but I was really scared to go on stage,” she says.

Though the anxiety was running rampant through her body, it was the love she received through her supportive family that triumphed all fright. “I faced my fears when I saw my mom and dad. They gave me a lot of hugs and kisses and then I stopped be-

ing scared!” With this book, Ad’ria hopes to inspire others to continue to chase their dreams, regardless of any fears or setbacks.

A fun-filled story that encourages bravery, multiculturalism, and imagination, Adria the Carnival Princess is a perfect tale for all children, schools, bookstores, and local libraries. It helps children to boost their confidence and build healthy self-esteem all while creating an atmosphere of knowledge to give them a personal insight into a culture they may have never heard of.

Overall, this story takes readers through an exhilarating journey that allows young minds and their families to better understand the feeling of attending and participating in a Caribbean carnival.

Adria the Carnival Princess is available on Amazon now! Purchase your copy today and keep up with Adria on Instagram at @adriaadventures along with her shared account with her younger sister Risa, @ thekiddiesclub!

Peel Regional Police install three more “Nets for Neighbourhoods’!

ADRIAN ADORE

adrian@carib101.com

PRP REPORTER

Over the past few weeks, our Divisional Mobilization Unit (D.M.U.) has delivered and installed basketball nets on the properties of three different community organizations, to encourage the development of positive relationships through fun and physical activity.

The first net installation was for the Marjorie Amos Open and Secure Custody Facility

for Female Youth through the Elizabeth Fry Society. Peel Regional Police arranged a barbeque event for the presentation.

“This initiative provided an invaluable engagement opportunity for youth that otherwise have not had many positive interactions with police. The response to this donation was overwhelmingly positive, with the youth very appreciative of having something to do and adding that they’ve never had the chance to speak to police when they weren’t in trouble,” said Constable Peter Grant.

“Through this initiative, DMU has forged a sustainable, on-going relationship with Marjorie Amos Facility in which we proactively attend the facility and provide accessibility to guidance, feedback, and mentorship from police in a forum that would otherwise be unattainable. The Nets for Neighborhood campaign bridges a gap between police and youth in the

community while falling in-line with the Community Safety and Well-being framework.”

The other two nets now benefit women and girls in human trafficking safe houses in the Region of Peel.

‘Nets for Neighbourhoods’ Origin Story The humble beginnings of ‘Nets for Neighbourhoods’ are the sincere and simple act of compassion from a Peel Regional Police officer.

Detective Aaron Meisner attended a theft call in a Brampton neighbourhood.

A basketball net, shared by many of the children in the neighbourhood, was identified as stolen and returned to the owner.

Investigation revealed none of the children were responsible for the theft. Aaron empathized with the disappointed children whose love for the sport was mightily evident and got his platoon to pitch in funds

to purchase one as a replacement.

Since that time, members of the Peel Regional Police Community Mobilization Team gathered community partners, including: The Boys and Girls Club of Peel, Oxford Properties, and Canadian Tire, to provide additional nets for more neighbourhoods in the Region. So was born the ‘Nets for Neighbourhoods’ initiative.

The pandemic put a hold on much of the program along with the engagement work that accompanies it. However, recently, because of the changes in the COVID-19 related restrictions, these three new nets have been installed, allowing the dedicated engagement work to continue.

Thank you to the collaborative efforts of our D.M.U. officers and community partners in moving forward for the health and well-being of the youth in the community.

Virtual Summer Camp held that teaches Black youth the power of financial literacy PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Financial literacy has become important in the elementary and secondary education of students in the Ontario public school system. It is now embedded in the Grade 1- 8 Mathematics curriculum and high school as well. It is important that youth are aware of important concepts such as: handling personal finances, understanding debt, asset management, proper credit use, comparison shopping, building saving accounts and investment funds.

There have been many community organizations that have risen to the occasion to teach youth these essential financial skills.

On Thursday August 5th, it was revealed that there would be an; “I SEE ME “ S.W.O.L.E” project. The acronym stands for the specific leadership skills: Self-respect, Work hard, Overcome adversity, Lead by

Excellence and Excellence. Three organizations participated in this virtual summer camp that ran from August 9th – 13th.

The organizations were: One Voice One Team (OVOT), CIBC Wood Gundy and Brothers Who Care. OVOT is “A non-profit organization providing youth leadership workshops, school assemblies and community service programs in order to empower the youth of today for a better tomorrow.” (onevoiceoneteam.org) It was started in 2005 by Orlando Bowen, and was incorporated in 2008. Orlando, who also serves as Executive Director states in the press release, “OVOT equips youth to see beyond their current circumstances and then act on these possibilities. The S.W.O.L.E virtual summer camp will equip the youth of tomorrow to make educated decisions with money. Camp participants will learn about financial literacy and how to incorporate that knowledge in their everyday life.”

These virtual workshops focused on building leadership skills, rising above adversity and financial literacy. The second organization, CIBC Wood Gundy, is involved in private wealth management. It is a full-service investment firm which offers a comprehensive array of investment and insurance products and services (www.

woodgundy.cibc.com).

Andrew McDonald. First VicePresident and Portfolio Manager at CIBC Wood Gundy states in the press release, “The possibilities that Canada has to offer are boundless. Inspiring, empowering, exposing and teaching our BIPOC community to capitalize on their potential is a personal mandate of mine. A successful life requires that you make smart decisions with your money. The earlier you start, the better your results will be.”

The third organization, Brothers Who Care (BwC) was formerly known as Brothers United Who Dare to Care, was founded in 1996 to “Help Black men take responsibility for their lives, their families and their community.” (brotherswhocare. org). BwC’s mission is “To promote culture, health and success to the community.”

The press release states, “It is a network of 100+ Black men and others who get together every three months and leverage the power of collective fundraising to support charities whose work impact key issues affecting the Black community.”

David Griffiths, President and Founder states in the press release, “Financial literacy can empower youth to break cycles of poor wealth management and poverty.

By sparking an interest in financial literacy,

we are cultivating bright futures for our children ensuring they have everything they need to be an owner than a renter, a lender than a borrower and a leader rather than a follower.”

In my interview with David on Monday, August 9th, I was able to learn more details about the type of activities that BwC is involved in. He states that it functions as a hub and does not deliver services per se but provides partnerships and collaborations with other agencies.

He states that there are three other components beyond the summer camp that they will be participating in.

The first one is a summer campaign in which twelve students from the GTA will be matched with mentors. They will be making a two-minute commercial video to showcase their work. The second component is an investment competition for Grades 4 -6 students in which five winners will receive $1,000. Each participant will be provided with financial advice that will teach them fundamental skills. The third component involves a quarterly fundraising event which will be on October 14th, 2021. Funds will be raised that will be allocated to an organization that aligns with the four goals of the BwC.

NEWS

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 11

The people have the power, and we just have to use it; Putting an end to unnecessary Internet censorship laws police points that will inevitably result in the censorship of lawful and valuable expression. And one of the most dangerous proposals may be adopted in Canada.

It seems that our government is doing what they can to silence speakers of the truth and using the guise of, “We have to target online harms.” I want to be very clear here; there are certain things that need to be censored because it is destructive to the psyche, but we have to take a look at how they are doing it.

First there was Bill C-10. Thankfully, this Bill did not pass, but it was known also as the Streaming Tax before it was introduced in Parliament. It is a piece of federal legislation tabled by Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeaut in November 2020. The Bills primary goal is expanding Canada’s Broadcast Act to apply to all streaming audio or video content on the internet, including Netflix, Spotify, YouTube and other popular streaming services. This would have overturned the idea of free expression on the Internet, and would substitute politicians and bureaucrats to make decisions on the content that you create and consume.

Then there is Bill 336. With this one, the Trudeau government is proposing legal changes intended to curb online hate speech. It includes an addition to the Canadian Human Rights Act that the government says will clarify the definition of online hate speech. They claim that the changes are designed to target the most egregious and clear forms of hate speech that can lead to discrimination and violence.

Another claim that they make is that it will not include offensive language, and excludes content that hurts, humiliates or expresses dislike or disdain. Private communications are also exempt.

The newest proposal has not hit

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“As it moves to create the Great Canadian Internet Firewall, net neutrality is out and mandated Internet blocking is in. Freedom of expression and due process is out, quick takedowns without independent review and increased liability are in innovation and new business models are out, CRTC regulation is in. Privacy reform is out Internet taxation is in.” ~ Michael Geist - Law Professor and the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law Freedom Fighters, we have to suit up again.

Why? Well, the Trudeau government has come up with a new proposal that is meant to regulate online harms. It has not become a Bill yet, so this article is meant to educate, and then provide you with actionable information that you can use to take a stand against this unnecessary censorship.

I was sent a video created by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, and a very knowledgeable Litigation Director Ms Christine V, shared some great insight on what could be coming down the pipeline for all of us when it comes to posting content on social media platforms.

Policymakers around the world are contemplating a wide variety of proposals to address “harmful” online expression. Many of these proposals are dangerously misguided and utilize subjective

the Bill stage yet, and this is what Freedom Fighters really need to pay attention to.

This new technical paper and discussion guide is proposing to regulate content on social media platforms. There are five things that they are proposing to regulate: • • • • •

Terrorism Content that incites violence Hate Speech (This is very subjective) Non-consensual sharing of intimate images (aka, revenge porn, abuse images) Child pornography (abuse images)

They are going to be holding social media platforms accountable for the content that is shown, with penalties that run as high as $25 million dollars. If this doesn’t scare the shit out of social media platforms, I don’t know what else could.

Now what does this mean for us the users?

It means that information that is reported as harmful must be removed in 24 hours, and social media platforms have to have systems in place to do so. Something we like to call algorithms. I want to stop and ask a question here, does this mean that if I say, “I think Prime Minister Trudeau is a weak, and brainless leader, who is willing to sacrifice the life of his citizens in order to get paid, and be part of a larger more destructive agenda.” Does that constitute hate speech? To some it could and this could mean that someone could report me, and then remove that thought.

This goes completely against our Charter rights.

Social media platforms are also being asked to pro-actively search for harmful content (again, algorithms), and this content could be sent to your local police. Yes, you read that correctly. If you post

content that goes against the platform’s standards, the police could show up at your house. This means that a lot of noncriminal content could be seen as criminal, it would be removed, and then “ding, dong” the police show up to your door.

They are looking to have a Digital Safety Commissioner of Canada that would be responsible for holding hearings at their discretion, and they can inspect anyone for online offensive speech, or what they deem as offensive.

There will also be the Digital Recourse Council of Canada who will provide independent recourse through a digital tribunal system, as well as have secret hearings where they will make binding decisions on content removal.

Finally, there is the Advisory Board who provides advice and guidance to both the Digital Safety Commissioner of Canada, and the Digital Recourse Council of Canada.

They are trying, but we have to remember Freedom Fighters, we put these people in office and we can take them out.

The people have the power, and we just have to use it. The government is currently taking feedback from the public about this proposed law. YOU MUST PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO END THIS! You can write to: Digital Citizen Initiative Department of Canadian Heritage 25 Eddy St, Gatineau QC, K1A 0S5 Email pch.inc-dci.pch@canada.ca Telephone - 1-866-811-0055 (toll-free) We have even included a sample letter provided by the Canadian Constitution Foundation if you are having difficulty crafting one. theccf.ca/nogovcensorship

Lemoy Whilby; giving people the tools they need, to fulfill their true calling! people lost their livelihood and hope, which is the key to having a fulfilled life.

This has prompted her to launch Singles Pursuing Purpose, which provides an environment to mobilize, motivate and accelerate people into clarifying and pursuing their purpose to achieve their best life.

It is a community that is focused on giving people the tools they need, to fulfill their true calling. She believes that God has endowed everyone with special gifts, and sometimes it requires an awakening to get into action. Since the inception of Singles Pursuing Purpose, several lives have been positively impacted in Canada and other parts of the world. The mantra that guides Lemoy in her calling is “God, hard work and perseverance will bring successful outcomes.”

“Potential screams for release in the soul of every human being who enters the planet.” ~ Myles Munroe

There is no doubt that Lemoy is committed to achieving her God-given

PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“One of the greatest tragedies in life is to watch potential die untapped.” ~ Myles Munroe

Lemoy Whilby is a global leader; she is the director of Singles Pursuing Purpose Inc. an organization that empowers and equips singles with the tools they need for self-discovery, self-development and to maximize their potential.

The pandemic was a pivotal moment for Lemoy; she realized that many RY 10TH

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purpose and calling in life. As a registered social worker and psychotherapist, she holds a Master of Social Work Degree (MSW) from the University of Windsor and is committed to helping people discover their why, deal with life stressors and advocate for social justice for the marginalized population. Lemoy’s social work and counseling background has served her well as it has enabled her to “Coach, counsel, motivate and inspire others to be their best self.”

Lemoy is a vibrant public speaker and has participated in several conferences and workshops. She was a presenter at the International Federation of Social Work 2020 Global Conference (IFSW) on Social Work. She spoke on The Theme: “Social Work: The Voice of the People, “Strengthening the Black Community Through Social Work.” This presentation can be seen on YouTube. In it, she gave an overview of the Black community and outlined some of the challenges that they

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face in the Canadian context. She identified: education, advocacy, lobbying, selfdevelopment, and community empowerment as five areas that social work can benefit the Black community. Also, she has conducted several free discussion forums on self-empowerment and personal development.

She is a published author and has served in children’s ministry for several years. She wrote the book, “The Unknown Painter” which was released earlier this year. It, “Teaches children about the importance of believing in themselves and not being afraid to share their gifts with the world.”

Lemoy is available for one-onone coaching, counselling, workshops and conferences. She can be reached at her website: www.singlespursuingpurpose. com, or you can email: info@singlespursuingpurpose.com.

PAGE 12

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

To bathe or not to bathe daily; is not showering the new black?

JANIECE CAMPBELL janiece@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Welcome to the dawn of a new, more pungent era. A couple of years ago, many admitted to not washing their legs and feet during their showers, as simply running water on them seemed efficient enough. Just when you thought that conversation was left in 2019, an entertainingly disturbing online discourse that has popped up in recent weeks is how often one should shower.

Hilariously and informally dubbed #Showergate on Twitter, the conversation about cleanliness was initially sparked in late July by Hollywood couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, after they revealed in a podcast interview that they didn’t bathe their children daily.

“I didn’t have hot water growing up as a child, so I didn’t shower very much anyway,” said Kunis, referring to her childhood in the Soviet Union. “But when I had

children, I also didn’t wash them every day.

I wasn’t that parent that bathed my newborns ever.” Her husband responded, adding to her point, “If you can see the dirt on them, clean them. Otherwise, there’s no point.” He also noted that he mainly focuses on washing his armpits and groin area daily, and only throws water on his face after a workout “to get all the salts out.”

It didn’t take long before people weighed in on their hygiene habits, especially other celebrities.

Some Hollywood stars agreed with their stinky stance, such as fellow actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who confessed that he found “bathing to be less necessary,” adding: “I do also think that there’s a whole world of not bathing that is also really helpful for skin maintenance, and we naturally clean ourselves.” Actress Kristen Bell found nothing wrong with what the couple said, stating “I’m a big fan of waiting for the stink. Once you catch a whiff, that’s biology’s way of letting you know you need to clean it up.” Even actor and television host Terry Crews spoke out, commenting “First of all, if you ain’t been sweating, you don’t need to shower.”

On the cleaner side of the matter, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said he was on the opposite end of the argument, often showering three times a day while using face wash, body wash and exfoliating.

Aquaman star Jason Momoa assured that he cleanses daily and is frequently in the water alike his movie role. From Chris Evans to Jodie Turner-Smith to even Cardi B posting her impressive array of soaps, lotions and skincare products, many celebs want to make it clear that there’s an importance in being completely clean every day.

The pandemic is at play for the latest statistics on how regularly people pay attention to their personal hygiene. A government study in the United Kingdom recently found that a significant number of people have changed their shower routines, due to an increase in remote work. A survey found that 17% of people are bathing less, a quarter wash their hair less often, and a third are less likely to put on clean clothes daily. A slight cause for concern for habitual showerers, it makes one wonder, how necessary is it to bathe each day?

Unfortunately, there’s no concrete answer. Though, many experts have varying opinions. Studies from Harvard Medical School say that daily washing and scrubbing removes layers of natural oils and protective bacteria on healthy skin, leaving it prone to becoming dry and irritated. There’s also some concern that the water used for cleansing may contain salts, heavy metals, chlorine, fluoride, pesticides, and other chemicals which have potential to be dan-

gerous. Equally, not showering enough can lead to skin problems. The accumulation of natural oils mixed with salt and dirt can create irritation, leading to flare ups of conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, or cause itchy skin. Also, not to mention the obvious problem – body odour! Some experts say showering every other day is totally fine, though feet should be washed thoroughly on a daily basis because they sweat much more than other body parts and therefore, harbour odour-causing bacteria.

So where is the middle ground here?!

Dermatologist Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal says that in general, it’s important to aim for showering once a day. “We come in contact with thousands of allergens every day. Showering rinses off those allergens, as well as bacteria and viruses,” she says. “You don’t have to overdo it though. Showering too often can strip skin of moisture. Some people shower in the morning, after the gym, then again before bed. That’s not necessary.” She also advises to bathe in warm water, rather than hot, as that can dry out the skin faster, and to use a fragrance-free moisturizer within three minutes after a shower to trap moisture and to maintain a healthy skin barrier.

So, what’s the takeaway? Shower every day, or as close to it as you can. Your skin (and those around you) will thank you!

We must hold them ACCOUNTABLE; Another look at the workings of the Children’s Aid Society SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

This pandemic has proven that our governmental system, the one that we look to for guidance, for protection, has failed us before, and continues to fail us.

In this article, my focus is on a demographic that we are all going to need to move our society in a better direction. I am speaking about our children. The only issue with that is our current society is filled with corruption, both at the grassroots level, and the Federal level.

Thanks to a documentary directed

by Esther Buckareff called “Powerful As God - Children’s Aid Societies of Ontario,” viewers are exposed to the workings of the Children’s Aid Societies (C.A.S.). The film demonstrates how and why people are silenced within the constructs of a democracy and the subsequent injury to person, community and society. She powerfully facilitated a voice for witnesses and experts who had dealt with the agency. It is an eye-opening film that traverses the cause, means and effects of silencing a population. It also investigates how truth can be revealed through collaborative participation between individuals, communities and the greater public.

I was able to watch snippets of the documentary, and what I saw made sense.

Our children, our families are suffering, and it is because they are not getting the help that the family unit needs, instead our communities are being infiltrated by organizations that act like the right arm of the government and are empowered to do so.

In 2018, an Ontario Human Rights Commission inquiry found that AfricanCanadian children and youth made up 32% of those admitted into the care of the Children’s Aids Society of Toronto in 2017. Dur-

ing this time, the Ford government’s Bill 57, “The Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act.” passed, which eliminated a number of offices charged with the oversight of government agencies, including the office of the Ontario Child Advocate that oversees the operation of children’s aid societies across the province.

There is no denying it; statistics are out there that show the disproportionate number of African-Canadian and Indigenous youth in the care of the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST). More and more families from marginalized communities are sharing stories of discrimination in their interactions with frontline workers.

In response to the growing criticism, the agency launched One Vision One Voice, an initiative aimed at addressing the over-representation of Black children and youth in the system. With this new project, they cleverly used (knowingly or unknowingly), a phenomenon called the mere-exposure effect. Dr Robert Zajonc labelled this phenomenon in 1968, and he explains it as a tendency to feel safe with familiar people, as it is likely we know what to expect from them. They put an intelligent, Black woman in the lead position, and with this, we had someone in C.A.S to represent us. They saw it as a necessary intervention on addressing the issues symptomatically, rather than taking an institution-wide approach.

Unfortunately, the mere-exposure effect will not help to silence the many families (of all races, cultures and ethnicities), who continue to come out against C.A.S., and one family who most recently sent me about six documents, and seven videos speaking on law-breaking by C.A.S workers in Ontario who engage in the practice of social work but pretend not to be social workers.

In one of the videos, Former MPP Frank Kless speaks to the unlawful practice of social work by Children’s Aid Society. He took special interest in this topic because he was widely responsible for this legislation.

In 1998, the then Progressive Conservative Government introduced the Social Work and Social Services Work Act. This piece of legislation sets standards across the

province for social work, and it holds workers accountable for their actions.

MPP Kless adamantly states that the Government found a way to circumvent that act by allowing Children’s Aid Society of Ontario to call their workers Child Protection Workers. Well, why is this important you ask?

Calling someone a Child Protection Worker means that they don’t fall under the umbrella of Social Worker, which means that they don’t have to adhere to the same guidelines, a seemingly good loophole if you ask me.

I checked out a recent posting for a Child Protection Worker (Flex Team, 6 Month Contract) position that was posted by the Peel C.A.S. Their deadline was recent (April 30th, 2021), and I was curious what the qualifications were for this position. According to the ad, to qualify for this position you had to have a: BSW or MSW degree from a recognized university, at least one year of related experience in a child protection role, a valid class “G” driver’s license and daily access to a vehicle was required.

I only bring this up at this point to bring understanding as to why the Social Work and Social Services Work Act was put in place. Regardless of your degree, or certification, if you are working for the community (because that is what they should be doing), you are regulated under Section 3.

(2) 1 of the Act.

“Things that are now going on within C.A.S may seem like they are out of the government’s control, but they are not really,” MPP Kless states. “The government does not want eyes on them, so they circle the wagon, and people continue to get hurt.”

I want to take this time to remind everyone that there are good people in government office, and they do speak out. They are usually silenced, and then dismissed, but not before they expose what they have seen, and what we should know.

Anyways, I digress. MPP Kless also shared that C.A.S hires people trained as social workers, then engages them in the practice of social work, but then they pretend that these same workers are not doing social work or are social workers. “That was never the intention of the legislation,” MPP Kless

reminds parliament. “They are intentionally breaking the law.” *Special Note* The law provides that the Ontario College of Social Work and Social Service Workers may fine an individual $5,000 and the organization $10,000 for practicing social work without being registered.

Alfred Mamo, LLB at the time represented C.A.S, O.C.L., and families. In his own words, “The idea that children’s aid societies hire social workers to engage in the practice of social work that are not registered with the college is an abomination of the law.

This requires immediate government intervention. We need to bring back professionalism.”

What you are reading is not new news. A Canada Court Watch Report study revealed that there was massive law breaking by Children’s Aid Society Workers from across Ontario. There have been reports from parents about baby snatching, child farming factories, and the fact that you are presumed guilty, and have to fight the system to show your innocence. There have been reports about workers lying in court about what children said, which some parents claim is why they do not record interviews.

Another aspect of importance brought up in “Powerful As God - Children’s Aid Societies of Ontario,” was the fact that children were being interviewed at school without the knowledge or consent of the parents. The film introduces a couple of children who speak of their experience as being embarrassing, and they noted that the worker would ask them the same questions four or five times, in four different ways.

I encourage parents out there, if you have had to deal with the C.A.S., and this story resonates, please reach out to me, and share your story. The only way to hold large organizations and governments accountable is to SPEAK UP!

We are the voice for the people, and we will not be silenced! C.A.S, and O.C.L., I encourage you to share your story as well. I always say that there are three sides to every story, and our goal is to reach the truth.

NEWS

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

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Incarcerated, but still doing his best; The Lamar Skeete story GLORIA O’KOYE

gloria@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

I have become aware of a disturbing trend. It involves the court playing music in front of juries that consist of demographics that didn’t understand the context in hip-hop culture. Why are lyrics being used as evidence during trials when the artistic expression has been seen as abstract? Should all types of artistic practices be considered reliable evidence during court hearings? Why are lyrics that can easily be misinterpreted and taken out of context even allowed in the first place?

I had an opportunity to get to know a bit about Lamar Skeete on his creative journey and also being a father who is currently incarcerated and trying his best to be there for his family. I want to remind my readers that this may be a heavy read and all I ask is to have an open mind.

I started by asking Lamar to share a bit of his backstory.

“I have been wrongfully convicted for first-degree murder and sentenced to federal custody since 2012. Evidence of a prior case that was withdrawn against me was put in front of the jury as well as inadmissible rap lyrics used at my trial.

My rap had nothing to do with the crime before the courts however my rap lyrics were taken out of context. The Court of Appeal agreed that the trial judge had made an error by admitting the rap lyrics into the trial. But my appeal was still rejected and the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear the national issue of rap lyrics being used in court.”

I wanted to dig deeper, so I asked, “Could you tell us more about the dangers of using lyrics as evidence during trials?”

“In my case, the danger of using the rap lyrics was that the jury would demonize me. The Crown took out one line from the whole rap and played in front of the jury. The line was “real n***** don’t crack to the coppers’, the prosecutor’s position was that I was sending a message to the community stating that the victim had died because he had cooperated with the police which was far from

the truth.

The defense’s position was that the word ‘coppers’ actually meant correctional officers and the rap had nothing to do with the crime before the courts.

The rap was a trilogy based only on the Don jail and that the rap lyrics The Crown wanted should not be entered into the trial. However, if the judge allowed it to be entered in the trial then the defense would have to change our position to show the whole trilogy. But the danger in doing so would be that the members of the jury would not comprehend the culture and would mistake the rap as me glorifying gangsterism instead of taking it for what it was, a social commentary.”

What advice would you give for artists in the same genre as yourself when making music? How do they protect themselves?

“Honestly, there is no way of protecting yourself because the prosecutors will just twist up your words, come up with a theory and demonize you in front of the jury. Someone could make a track four years ago and if something happens today, they would just use that track. It is systemic racism and I am a firm believer in freedom of speech and creative control. I am not going to tell anyone what or

how to say it but just say what you want to say and stand firm behind it.”

Can you share some underlying issues that you would want to bring more awareness to?

“Systemic racism within the justice system, inadmissible evidence being entered into trials, lawyers selling out clients to become judges, favors behind the scene the whole nine, but hey, who am I? To most, I am just another convict.”

How has the pandemic affected your well-being and those around you?

“The pandemic has affected my mental health because I cannot physically be with my family. The people around me are also devastated because they cannot embrace the community’s support.

As tensions rise, there have been a few physical incidents between inmates and correctional officers that have happened during this pandemic.”

What words of wisdom would you want to tell our youth?

“Everything you do comes back to you either positively or negatively. You have one life to live so make the most out of it. Follow your dreams and reach for the stars.”

The Jamaal Magloire Foundation launched a bursary to recognize the contributions of Garth Magloire PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The death of Garth Magloire, father of Jamaal Magloire on April 7th, 2021 has certainly left a void in the Toronto Revellers family. He will be remembered for his dedication to the carnival arts and his devotion to the Toronto carnival community. Undoubtedly, his children will feel his death profoundly: Wayne, Natasha, Jamaal, Justin (deceased), Karlon and his wife Marion.

His impact and influence extends beyond his immediate family and touch-

es many who are part of the Toronto Caribbean community. The Jamaal Magloire Foundation launched a bursary in his honour to recognize his contributions as a father, mentor and music lover. According to the website: jamaalmagloirefoundation.com/bursary, the Jamaal Magloire Foundation has been making a major impact in the lives of youth since it was launched in 2017. It focuses on “Improving the lives of youth who live in underserved areas by helping them improve their academic and social skills through the arts, sports and motivation.”

Equality, diversity and inclusion are the three core principles that drive the foundation. The website states, “We are committed to eliminating barriers and providing development opportunities for underrepresented and racialized youth. Our organization fosters an environment where everyone can be their authentic selves, with equal opportunities

to contribute and thrive.” Over the years, the foundation has engaged in diverse fundraising efforts and has received donations from major sponsors and provided volunteer opportunities for youth from marginalized and at-risk communities. In order to qualify for this bursary the individual must satisfy the following criteria: • • • • • •

You are a Canadian citizen.

You are a resident of the Greater Toronto Area (Toronto, Durham, Halton, Peel and York Region) You are between the ages of 18 - 24 years.

You self-identify as Black, Indigenous, person of colour or a member of a racialized community.

You are enrolled in a music-related program at a post-secondary institution (College or University).

Current GPA: 2.7 (70 %) or higher.

•

•

You fulfill the financial need criteria as defined by lack of sufficient resources to meet the educational costs for the year(tuition, books, transportation, equipment, etc).

You have applied for funding elsewhere (OSAP, scholarships. etc).

The Garth Magloire Music Bursary will be $2,000 in value and will be offered annually to a music student. The deadline for submission of application form was August 9th, 2021, and the award will be announced on September 1st, 2021. The fact that college and university expenses are so high means that this bursary will go a long way in offsetting a music lover’s educational costs. The BIPOC community is indebted to the Jamaal Magloire Foundation for continuing to invest in the lives of youth.

NEWS

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Conquering mind control - Freedom Fighter Edition

BY JOHNATHAN FREELANCE REPORTER People have been conditioned through schooling, media, authority figures, etc most of their life to have a certain set of beliefs, which includes beliefs that acting a certain way will have certain results.

It’s called “programming”. Many freedom fighters are a lot more ‘awake’ but may still have a couple blind spots. This article will teach you how to recognize those, and then re-program yourself to become an incredibly more effective freedom fighter in order to preserve your God-given rights and freedoms, for you, your children, and your children’s children.

Effective Protests Most people have been conditioned that “protests” more specifically walking the streets chanting “rah rah rah give us our rights” is an effective way to effect change.

It is not. First of all, you already HAVE your rights. You are DEFENDING them. Secondly, while a few ‘asleep’ people may join the cause, the media selectively chooses which “protests” it will promote in order to try to sway public opinion.

You’ve probably noticed that most people that show up to protests don’t wear masks. They are ALREADY

‘awake’. They KNOW something is wrong.

They want to know WHAT to do to EFFECT MASSIVE CHANGE. So, you TEACH them.

For EFFECTIVE protests, this is what you do: • Each speaker MUST provide a SPECIFIC ACTIONABLE solution to the audience. Have the speakers submit their written solution before speaking. It must provide step-by-step instructions and describe desired outcomes.

People already know “the virus” is fake, and that the “infection” is CAUSED by the “injection.” They need step-by-step instructions on how to stop the tyranny, form community groups, communicate with business and church leaders to effect change, and so forth. Ideas such as: homeschooling, and removing children from indoctrination camps, as well as bartering networks.

• Use protests as NETWORKING events.

The purpose of “social distancing” is to try to isolate people. Do the OPPOSITE. NETWORK. Have protestors set up FUTURE meetings amongst themselves to strategize and share information. Have the M.C. do 2-3 “networking games” in between speakers.

Such as “Say hello to the person on

•

your left, now to the right. Now exchange contact info.” People need to meet NEW people, STRATEGIZE, and take ACTION. Focus on the BIG plan. Specify goals with deadlines. One month from now, doctors speak out against injections.

Two months from now, communities begin self-governing, rejecting external oversight, etc.

Small changes. BIG results.

Effecting Influencers Many people treat those that are perceived as having “more education”, “more money”, “more power”, are completely differently than ‘regular’ people. I have spoken to executives and CEO’s of multimillion to multi-dollar corporations. I have conversed with those with high social status, and powerful individuals.

Guess what? They aren’t that different. They eat, poop and sleep just like you do. Granted, they may have more people clamoring for their attention, but they are still just people.

You can communicate and work together with these types of people to effect massive change. Doesn’t matter what your education level is, your job title, or how much money you have.

If you have something IMPORTANT that BENEFITS an influencer DIRECTLY, then generally speaking, they are willing to listen to you.

So, make sure you have something WORTH listening to. Helping a business owner save their business, educating them that Covid is a five-year PLAN of CONTINUOUS lockdowns designed to permanently shut them down. THAT is valuable information. Educating them to use legal resources like the JCCF or constitutionalrightscentre.ca. That is important information.

Helping Christian pastors, priests and preachers save souls - that is important information. Putting them in touch with leaders who have successfully fought back tyranny, like at libertycoalitioncanada.com, that is important information.

WHEN you get in touch with an influencer - respect their time. Politely ask them if they have a few minutes to discuss an issue. When they ask what it is - in 2-3 sentences describe the issue. If they have time, spend five minutes HELPING them save their business and their church. They will appreciate it.

Conclusions Meditate. Reflect. Reprogram yourself.

This will effect MASSIVE change.

Study explores the transfer experience of Black post-secondary students from University to College PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

For many years, Dr Carl E. James, Professor of Education at York University and Chair of the Jean Augustine in Community, Culture and Diaspora has conducted pivotal research that impacts the Black community. He along with Lana Turner conducted the Race Equity in Education, which was released in 2017.

In a CRECS’s Ten Minute Window he states that in his work he strives to look at the notion of equity and equitable responses to students .He distinguishes between equity and equality. He states, “Eq-

uity for me means not treating students the same, paying attention to their differences, taking into account the gendered ways in which they come and understand the world, racial, ethnic, linguistic ways.”

Furthermore, “Equality tends to be where we treat them the same because all the students are in the same classrooms.”

Dr James in Research Impact Minute states that his research is with the community. “Research can inform policy, advocacy and it can inform and bring out policymakers and governments so everyone has the necessary kind of information that can make life better. If you are going to move toward an equitable society then this information that we are getting will serve to make that the case.”

Professor James is currently seeking Black participants to share their transfer experience from university to college.

According to surveymonkey.com, “The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing the transfer of Black Post-

Secondary Education (PSE) students from university to college in Ontario. The project aims to provide insight on the nuances of the decision to transfer from university to college from a community that has been historically marginalized in the education sector.”

The results from this study will go a long way in ensuring that policies and best practices are put in place to provide maximum support for Black PSE students. In addition, it will provide valuable information about what motivated these students to make that decision. In addition, information obtained will be used to increase the chances that the educational outcomes of Black students will be better.

Results of this study will be shared at conferences, in scholarly journals and with the community. Individuals who agree to participate in this study will: be involved in a focus group interview, an individual interview and will have to respond to several survey questions that focus on

their experiences as they transition from university to college. The focus groups will take 1- 1.5 hours. It will be held in a public place that can be reached by public transportation. Individuals will have to consent to being recorded. This recording will be subsequently transcribed in order to ensure that all the ideas, words and information are accurately translated. Individuals who consent to participate in this study should be aware that in sharing their PSE it could be triggering. If that occurs and they are not comfortable, they can withdraw from the focus group at any time. Participants can choose not to answer certain questions during the focus group interview.

According to the information provided in the description, “We hope this study will help to inform parents, significant others, educators, and guidance counsellors about issues pertaining to postsecondary education for Black and other racialized students.”

NEWS

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 15

Long-term survival after heart attack; Dr W Gifford-Jones shares his wisdom W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES TC HEALTH REPORTER

Diana Gifford-Jones: You were seventyfour when a coronary attack nearly killed you. A short time later you had a coronary bypass. Readers often ask what you have done to prevent another coronary for so long?

W. Gifford-Jones, MD: I have no single answer. I’m convinced it’s been a combination of factors.

Diana: What’s your personal routine for heart health?

G-J: I was lucky to interview Dr. Linus Pauling years ago. He believed that heart disease is partially due to a deficiency of vitamin C. This causes microscopic cracks in the

inner lining of arteries. A blood clot results in the possibility of death. I didn’t want to pop handfuls of vitamin C tablets, so I formulated Medi-C Plus, a powder form of C in combination with lysine, and I’ve been taking 10,000 milligrams (mg) for 24 years without using cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Many doctors disagree with my approach.

Even if doctors insist on CLDs, adding vitamin C in combination with lysine is a good idea. Since vitamin C is water soluble and therefore lost in urination, it should ideally be taken three times a day.

Diana: Should everyone be taking such a high dose?

G-J: Only those who have suffered heart attack or are at high risk. For others, 2,000 mg twice a day is a good prevention strategy.

Why? Because long-term high doses of C keep the inner lining of arteries “rubbery” and help prevent the build up of blockages. If high doses of C result in diarrhea, cut back on the dosage, as bowel tolerance varies from person to person. Be patient to find the right balance. Remember, it’s better to sit on the toilet than to lie under a tombstone.

Diana: Dr. Sydney Bush, a U.K. ophthalmologist, showed that over many years of use, high doses of vitamin C reversed hardening of arteries. Sample retinal images of his patients are posted on our website. What else do you take to protect your health?

G-J: I take 500 mg daily of magnesium – nature’s natural vasodilator that helps to expand arteries. Narrowed arteries cause a lack of oxygenated blood to various organs creating a pile of trouble such as Type 2 diabetes, all its complications, and eventually coronary attack.

Diana: You’ve also been taking one tablet of NEO40 daily for years. Why? G-J: Nitric oxide is produced by the inner lining of arteries, but production gradually decreases with age. I take NEO40 to keep arteries healthy and decrease my risk of another coronary attack.

Diana: Any others?

G-J: Actually, several more. I take natural vitamin E. I recall a 70-year-old patient who stopped playing tennis due to leg pain from poor circulation. After supplementing with

1,200 mg a day he was back playing tennis in two months. Vitamin E increases the oxygenation of blood cells.

Diana: You and I recently took an Omega 3 blood test revealing ratios of good and bad fatty acids in the body.

G-J: Omega 3 EPA and DHA fight inflammation while omega 6 fatty acids cause inflammation linked to heart attack. Studies show 97% of Canadians have poor ratios. A U.S study showed similar results. Researchers also found a stunning 90% of those taking fish oil supplements did not score well as they are hard to absorb. But Canadian researchers have developed a fish oil called MaxSimil contained in Certified Naturals Clinical Omega3X. It’s three times more soluble than standard fish oil supplements, and that’s why I’ve recommended it and taken it myself.

Diana: You are in your 98th year, and it’s been twenty-four years since your coronary attack. Some luck, yes. But you couldn’t have done it without a healthy heart. Keep on ticking!

Communities across the country serve, support, help and heal those in need AMANDA WILLIAMS amanda@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Since March 2020, communities have suffered in varying degrees through forced isolation and restrictions due to COVID-19.

Some individuals may have found total isolation relaxing, meditating, and rejuvenating, but unfortunately, this is not everyone’s experience. Immigrants, marginalized groups, and older adults have the highest risk of experiencing isolation.

A substantial body of research and evidence demonstrates that isolation and loneliness are linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, a weakened immune system, and even death.

While such health issues existed well before the world was ordered to lockdown, they

may have worsened if you lost your job, had to shut down your business, got evicted, lost loved ones, experienced divorce, abuse, or suffered from mental health issues, etc.

Without access to gyms, treatments, services, support groups, and the freedom to gather with loved ones, health and wellness have been on the decline, even for those who consider themselves healthy. As restrictions lift, some people are eager to reconnect and gather again, while others are resistant, anxious, and fearful for various reasons. Thankfully, some incredible individuals, groups, and organizations are doing their part to tackle these issues and provide safe spaces to help, support, heal and connect people in more ways than one.

Actify City identifies as a selffunded Black-owned technology company made up of yoga instructors and top engineers that provide high-tech solutions for wellness centres across the globe to stop transmissible diseases like COVID-19. Actify City brings people together safely with noise-isolated technology and provides volunteer opportunities, website design, blogs, SEO, career development, collaboration, and more for marginalized communities.

Bryan Allan, the founder of Actify City, got an idea when he was fifteen years young while at a neighbourhood fight that inspired his health journey and passion for wellness and community. Bryan grew up in a lower-income community, and throughout his journey, he experienced his share of hardships. His sexuality was questioned, there was a lack of support from family, and he was judged and even called names for practicing yoga. It wasn’t “cool” or “normal” for a Black heterosexual man to practice yoga in the hood.

Today, Bryan’s vision is unfolding before his eyes because he chose not to limit himself to other people’s perceptions of who he was or what he was capable of.

While Bryan understands the adversities that BIPOC are subjected to, he refuses to fall victim to them. “If you’re good at caring about what people think, eventually you’ll master it,” says Bryan. “You get to choose whether you doubt yourself or believe in yourself.”

Bryan has been a yoga instructor for over ten years, is a certified RMT, and currently facilitates yoga sessions, guided meditations, and dance workouts at secret locations throughout the city of Toronto weekly.

As Acitify City expands across Canada and the United States, Bryan has big plans still in the works; connecting people through activities, exercises and magical moon ceremonies is just the start. You can visit their Instagram page @ActifyCity for more details.

According to the CDC and other sources, humans are social by nature, and high-quality social relationships can help us live longer, healthier lives. Communities provide opportunities to connect with people and make us feel safe and secure.

They provide a space to learn new things, make new friends, share passions, and get inspired. Strong communities can boost our self-esteem, our willingness to take on the world and make our dreams happen and can increase our contentment in day-to-day life.

It’s important to know that there are hundreds of communities being birthed across the country to serve, support, heal and help those in need and those with specific interests. Try your best to find a community that supports your hobbies, interests, well-being, and future. If you have difficulty finding one, maybe it’s time to start your own!

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Warren Salmon and hosts help Toronto professionals shake off the Isolation Blues SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

As the cool night air hit my face, I realized in that moment just how much COVID-19 had taken away from all of us. I refused to stay focused on this thought because good music was playing, the vibes and energy was high, I was sipping on a cocktail, and I was staring at the Toronto skyline, which at night is a beautiful thing to behold.

The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper had been invited to the 14th Annual Summer Groove Yacht Cruise, held on Sunday, August 15th, 2021. A group of Toronto professionals had the pleasure of relaxing and vibing on the On-board the Enterprise

2000, where we cruised from 8:00 pm - 1:00 am. It was hosted by 1st Fridays, Warren Salmon, Carl Lyte, Eddie Williams, Kerry Lee Crawford, Dwight Samuels & Friends. Keeping us dancing all night were DJs Mark Anthony, Nigel B, Ron C, Smooth B.

1st Fridays founder Warren Salmon has always been respected for his business savvy, and networking know-how, and he took it a step further by offering to Toronto professionals a way to shake off the isolation blues, connect, network and vibe for a few hours. As I watched the attendees, I saw looks of elation, satisfaction, and enjoyment. For some of them, it had been the first time that they had been out and among people in months. It just goes to show that Mr Salmon not only knows how to throw an amazing party, he has some insight to the human psyche, and what was necessary to get people going again.

There are countless negative effects that social isolation and extreme isolation can have on our minds and bodies.

Loneliness is damaging to both our men-

tal and physical health. This pandemic has made people less able to deal with stressful situations, and this has brought on depression as well as problems processing information. Many of us don’t even realize that isolation and loneliness has made us even more susceptible to illness. Researchers found that a lonely person’s immune system responds differently to fighting viruses, making them more likely to develop an illness.

Another brilliant aspect of this cruise was the fact that for four hours, unknown to many on-board, simply being around water increased their levels of “feelgood” brain chemicals (like dopamine) and lowered levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Research shows that people who live along coastlines tend to be happier and healthier than people who don’t (European Centre for Environment & Human Health).

The physical stimulation of everyday life is enormous. We are always processing, filtering, and calculating every sound and movement around us. Just being on the water in

good company was therapeutic.

The most important element of any party is the music, and if you’ve ever released stress by dancing around your room, cleaning the house to your favourite tunes or enjoying a good cry with the help of a touching love song, you know how powerful music can be. Music has the amazing ability to lift you up when you’re low and calm you down when you’re anxious. It is also a powerful tool for mood regulation and stress.

As the boat headed back to dock, I looked around the boat and stared at all of the happy faces, tired and ready to go home, but you could tell that all attendees were happy that they had spent some time on the water, enjoying food, friends, and family.

Another successful Annual Summer Groove Yacht Cruise! All had a good time! Thank you Warren Salmon and hosts for making our Sunday night an excellent, and unforgettable one.

The trickery of big tech, the Government and your cell phone information MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“Once your phone is hacked, what is in their hands is not simply a device, it is your future.

They are selling our future, they are selling our past, they are selling our history, our identity, and ultimately they are stealing our power.” These are the words of Edward Snowden as he spoke about what the government and the tech giants are doing to us the people.

Just in case anyone is wondering who this man is? Edward Snowden is an American intelligence contractor who in 2013 revealed the existence of secret wideranging information-gathering programs conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA).

Many people think that just because you power off a cell phone, computer

or tablet that’s the end of the life of their data, wrong, it keeps on communicating even though it is turned off.

“The screen may be off as it is sitting on your desk,” said Snowden, “But the device is talking all the time, the question is who is it talking to.”

Snowden, being the tech-man that he is, has a ritual that he does before using any cell phone, “If I get and need to use a smartphone, I open it up, I perform a kind of surgery on it to disconnect the metal connection that holds the microphone, then I remove the camera from the phone, and I then seal it up.

If I need to make a call, I would attach an external microphone. Now this is extreme, most people do not need this, but for me it’s about being able to trust our technology, my devices can still be hacked and if it is hacked, they can do anything with it that I can do.

They can read your email, look at every document, see your contacts, turn your location services on, they can see anything on that phone instantly and send it back home to the ‘Mothership,’ they can do the same with laptops, better still they can simply ask Google for a copy of your email box” Snowden revealed.

These social entities are deputized by the government and are actually miniature arms of governments. Just look at the level of censorship faced by the public at the hands of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and the list of culprits goes on and on.

Before 2013 some people suspected that the masses were being spied on, but when people spoke about it, they were called conspiracy theorists. After 2013, it is a known fact that the masses are being spied on there is no doubt about it. When bigtech companies are confronted about their actions, they simply say, well you’ve signed up for this, therefore, it is very important to read and blow up the fine prints before signing anything these days.

Big tech and governments hoard your information all the time and store it indefinitely until the right time comes when it becomes valuable and useful to them, like right now for things like tracking and tracing and controlling your every move, sound familiar?

Now the architects of The Great Reset are using all the stored information that they illegally collected without your knowledge and are creating what they’re called a Social Credit Score just like China. They plan to use this method to elevate or demote you

based on your online performances, now isn’t that something.

In the earlier times, the first cell phones had removable batteries which allowed the owners to remove the battery that then rendered the device non-traceable, however, now big tech have built in the batteries into the devices very conveniently and in their best interest.

It is now in the interest of the public to decide how much of their lives they allow the government and big tech to steal. Here is a bit of advice for folks who still value their privacy.

Before you go to bed or if you are not using your devices, burn the batteries down to zero; a dead device cannot be monitored. Avoid excessive apps, only install those you are certain to use and make sure to take the notifications, locations, access to microphones and cameras off, button off your cell phone data and WIFI too before bed time, unplug the modem in your house when not in use, and make sure you cover all cameras period.

Remember, just like “fire” technology can be a good servant, but a very bad master as we all have learnt in this last year and a half.

Romane Thomas is using music to shape Jamaican Communities EUGENE PITTER eugene@carib101.com

ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER

The creativity of recording artists worldwide has been tested the past eighteen months when the deadly COVID-19 coronavirus surfaced. Both established and emerging artists are carrying the banner of social distancing, sanitizing and the wearing of masks to back governments’ effort to reduce the millions of lives that have been lost in this pandemic.

According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O), just over four million deaths have been recorded since the virus emerged just less than two years ago. Some of the hardest hit countries being: the U.S.,

Brazil, and India.

On the Caribbean leg some twenty-five countries, including Jamaica (which has recorded some 1,250 deaths) are targeted to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. There have been several centres where this inoculation has been administered with some air of speculation that the vaccine is not the answer. However, Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica has reiterated that taking the vaccine is important to prevent death.

But, there is hope as the musical vaccine continues.

For Romane Thomas (a singjay from Kingston), Jamaica entertainers are messengers who should help and shape society. As such Stryka Dan (his stage name) is hoping to go down in history as one of those entertainers who speaks on national and international issues.

Last week, for example, the deejay got a solid feature in the Jamaica Observer newspaper, recommending that the government find ways to reduce the number of persons murdered each year adding that the

island ranks as the most violent in the English speaking region.

“I want to be seen as a great force in the fight against not only crime but COVID19. So I dug deep to come up with a golden song that will shine across the globe.”

Stryka’s creative reservoir brings out the lines: “Right now di place lock down/Nah lef mi mask not even mi spray gun.”

“This lockdown is not that of Grammy winner Koffee lockdown which speaks of a relationship, instead it is the COVID-19 restriction with curfew hours now extended, which seeks to reduce the number of positive cases in Jamaica,” the deejay says.

In a sweeping statement Stryka Dan grabbed the attention of his fans more power-pack lines: of his song “Stryka Dan versatile, full a flames like kerosene.”

This is a universal warning that just as how COVID-19 came and devoured, he is on the rise not to destroy but build mankind and to deal with any form of destructive elements.

He reminds the world that his song is not to confuse but educate and calls for as much support to get his message across the world.

“Dah song yah hot like a fever Ready fi di media Mi brains full a words a weh do encyclopaedia.”

Romane was born on Maxfield Avenue, Kingston, attended Donald Quarrie High School (Quarrie, a former Olympic 200 metres gold medallist). Romane’s musical roots and his passion set him apart from many emerging acts. “A number of my close relatives such as uncles and cousins were musicians,” he recalls

As a teenager he was writing above his level and has recorded over thirty songs. These include Braffing (2020) COVID -19 (2021), Time Right, a collaboration with Daddi-P (2020), Zesser (2020) and Money Gone Up (2020).

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PAGE 18

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021 Photo Credit: Murphy Ceaser @mceaserphotography

SDHToronto Inc. What we wear is who we are!

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Her designs have been seen on Keedron Bryant, the thirteen-year-old singer who went viral last year after posting a smartphone-shot video of himself singing, “I Just Wanna Live,” a song written by his mother in response to the police killing of George Floyd. He wore it in a surprise interview with Kirk Franklin.

Tyrone Edwards was also seen wearing one of her designs (SDHToronto popular B.L.A.C.K. t-shirt) while interviewing Spike Lee.

The clothes that she makes are to empower the Black community and Black community supporters. They are a way to represent the greatness of Black achievement. Her goal is to encourage Africans living in the diaspora to support brands that are made by our community. Instead of spending our money on Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, and Nike, she wants us to understand that we can be using our spending power to uplift Black entrepreneurs instead of investing in another community.

“We are still mentally enslaved,” Sandra shares with me at the beginning of our dialogue. “The vision is to inspire consumers to use their purchasing power! We inspire and empower through our designs.

We need to invest massively in the Black community so that we have a stronger political position to make actionable changes. We are also all about encouraging the youth to aspire to ownership. SDHToronto will continue to produce empowering designs to help foster much needed change.

With your help, we will empower lives all across the globe.”

What made Sandra Hamilton want to take on such a task? Well like everything else, her experiences have led her to her purpose. I would like to introduce to the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper readers, Sandra Hamilton, founder of SDHToronto Inc.

“I was born in Walsall, England, and moved to Canada when I was three years old,” Sandra begins. “Interestingly enough Simone, for a long time I didn’t like my name because when people would say it, the name sounded very Anglosaxon.

It is now that I realize that because it is an English name, it is pronounced differently

over there.” I could completely relate with a middle name like Jennifer, so I chuckled at the similarity.

“My parents are both Jamaican, and they decided to move to Sudbury, Ontario. This was during the time when nickel mining was the thing, especially for immigrants. I am one of six children, and in Sudbury, everyone was an immigrant. I grew up with a whole bunch of ethnicities. This is where I started playing basketball. Out of this came many things.”

Sandra was ranked one of the top two guards in Canada. This is when she first saw the covert face of racism. “I tried out for Laurentian University, and I didn’t make it.

I believe there was a cap on Black people or something. Why wouldn’t they want to have someone ranked 2nd in the country playing for their team? Very weird.”

She decided to take up track and field, and became skilled at shot put. She ranked 6th in the country, and had a moment of satisfaction when she saw that same coach who had rejected her at a banquet, and here she was receiving an award.

“She was pissed to see me there,” Sandra said laughing.

She ended up going to Sheridan College and it is because of her that they have a women’s basketball team. “I asked them if they had a team and they said no.

So I asked what it would take to start a team, they told me, and I got it done.” The first year was a trial year; the second year she had the highest points scored. She then got a call to go play pro in England.

When she came back to Canada, things were different. As she watched the mainstream media, she continued to see negative portrayals of Black men, and this did not sit well with her. This is what inspired her next project and that provided her with the opportunity to work with: Darryl Walker, Donavan Bailey, and Isaiah Thomas.

Basketball was still not out of her system, and Sandra ended up going to France to play basketball there. “I dealt with a lot of racial discrimination. I played well, and ended up in the first division. Winning is not top of mind for racist. They would rather lose than play with a Black woman.

The girls were getting jealous; they kept talking about me behind my back.”

She left France, and ended up in Wales. “I was on a team that was finally accepting of me, but when I would walk around stores with my brother (who came with me this time), people would look at us shamelessly. They would follow us around the store, and just stare at us, cars would slow down and look at us. After more of these disturbing events, and one major one, I ended up leaving, and found out that there had been an article written about me

called, We are Sorry Sandra.”

Sandra decided to do one more run, when she got a call to play basketball in Spain; again, racial profiled, but she was playing the game she loved so she looked past it all, but never forgot it.

After Hamilton’s basketball career came to a close, her life exploded with joy when she had the opportunity to work with Isiah Thomas at the Toronto Raptors.

One of her many job requirements was to bring the Raptor players to Toronto schools, and work as community relations.

On one of her trips to the schools she met an administrator who promised her a job in teaching when she was ready to move on to her next chapter. A few years later, Hamilton took her up on that offer and began teaching. Hamilton soon began writing and illustrating children’s books about ninjas learning phonics, currently available on Amazon.com.

Life has a way of testing us, and for Sandra this was no exception. Within five to six years, she was in three accidents. Many years into teaching, Hamilton was feeling depressed. “The last accident, I started spiralling out of control. I had so many questions. I was in a lot of pain. It was frustrating for me. I was contemplating life, and I started drawing. When I looked at my work, I began to fall in love with my drawings and I was like, these are things I would love to wear.

I shared it with friends and family, and they thought my designs were cool as well, and that was the beginning of it all.”

She knew these inspiring designs would never be found in a Canadian store, so she thought of making her designs available to the Black community and Allies online. Hamilton wanted everyone around the globe to have access to her positive streetwear, so she opened SDHToronto, an online store with “...designs that speak 2U and 4U.”

“My sons, Shanon, and Daniel have been a huge help with SDHToronto.

They have helped shape my business, and without them, I would not be here today. I am so thankful for their ingenuity, and willingness to help me.”

Sandra Hamilton found a way to turn her emotional, physical, and mental pain, and turn it into products of power for her community. How can we not support that? Let us continue to support Black owned businesses in Canada, and we can start by checking Sandra out at: SDHToronto INC | CEO www.blackintelligenceofficial.com IG: @blackintelligenceofficial www.sdhtoronto.com IG: @sdhtoronto

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PAGE 20

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

ROMAIN VIRGO The man providing music for the soul

“Baby I want to be your soul provider, baby I want to stay that way for the longest time Baby, I want to be your soul provider.”

Lord! When a woman hears a song like this, she is instantly whisked away into a world where she envisions a man pampering her, taking care of her every need, and fulfilling her in ways that she never thought possible. This is the power of music, and more specifically the power of love songs.

From the first hint of romance, to the devastating pangs of heartbreak, love songs have a way of putting emotions into words, and music. It has become a core part of our lives. For thousands of years, humans have put into music the most intense yearnings of their souls, and the love song remains a core part of our lives, an essential at all stages of romance.

Do you know that it has been estimated that more than 100 million love songs have been recorded, some of the best coming straight from the island of Jamaica. I want to introduce to you an artist who takes love songs to an entire new level. Romain Virgo (also known as the Rume Ram Kid) has become a household name in Jamaica with chart topping hits that include: • • • • • • • • • • •

Mi Caan Sleep Love Doctor Wanna Go Home Altons Medley Who Feels It Knows It LIVE MI LIFE Murderer love doctor SOUNDBOY FALLING Feel Good/Riddim Mi Caan Sleep Dub Plate and

Virgo is now one of the most successful artists coming out of Jamaica, and has made it big internationally. In 2011, the

Jamaica Reggae Industry Association named him artist of the Year.

“I will never forget how my love for music began and my humble beginnings.”

Romain remembers growing up in rural Saint Ann. He emulated his cousin Bryan Art, an established singer and musician who specializes in Lover’s Rock and Roots Reggae.

“I was born and raised in St. Ann Jamaica,” Romain began. “I grew up poor, but I didn’t know that I was poor.

The community built me. There was such great energy there.

One day, I was singing in church, and a member noticed my talent. The person told me that I could sing. This was enough encouragement for me to continue. In high school (2006), I was the leader in my school choir, and we came in 2nd. In competitions we did very well, so I entered the Digicel Rising Star. The first time they rejected me, and said I was too young, so I entered it again in 2007, and I was the youngest to ever win the Rising Star competition at the age of 17.”

Just like that, a star was born. He then had the opportunity to work with Donavan Jermaine, the man behind the sounds of the biggest names in reggae at the time (Buju, Wayne Wonder, Barris Hammond). “With him I wrote a song called “Can’t Sleep.” Based on his reaction to the song, I had a feeling that it would be a song of significance. He told me to stay focused and keep working hard. He reminded him that it doesn’t matter how well I am doing I have to keep creating. I knew it had an impact on him, and would have the same on people who heard.”

Romain shares that everyone was very happy for him. Music became how he took care of his family. “My mother and my wife are very supportive of me. They are behind me 100%.

I began working on other music. I put out an album in 2010 self-titled “Romain Virgo.” I had the opportunity to go on tour for the first time. I did a U.S. tour with Cappleton. Now people are getting to know me more. I produced my second album, “The System,” (2012), then my third, “Lovesick,” (2018).”

The album “Lovesick” did so well he received a plaque from Billboard for his album, which made its mark on the Reggae Album Chart when it debuted at No. 1. The album, released by VP Records in March 2018, sold 296 copies in the first week. Nicholas Browne produced several of the songs on the 16-track set (Lifeline Music). Standout entries were: “In This Together,” “Sweet Liar,” “Caress Me,” “Face to Face.” and a cover of Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me.”

“Both albums showed the progression of my growth; growth in my writing, my experiences. A lot of people still have my first album as their favourite, and I get that. They just connect with it. They don’t want to let go of it.

It was refreshing to see the love people were showing to my new material.”

The creative and music world took a hit when the pandemic struck in 2020. I am always curious how this has affected people, so I asked Romain about his experience.

“For sure, we were affected as artists. We couldn’t go on stage and do what we love. This is how we push our music, big stage, big crowd. That couldn’t happen. The pandemic did allow me to become more creative. I recorded so many songs, and as the months go by I am releasing them slowly.”

His most recent song, “Beautiful to me” took my breath away when I heard it. Again, Romain had created a masterful piece of art that focused on women. “Romain,” I queried, “What was the driving force behind this song?”

“This song was written two

years ago. It was not a song that I was going to put out. It was written for my wife. We were supposed to go on the road, and she was spending a little more time putting on her make-up. I went in and started joking with her. Whether she is wearing makeup or not, she is beautiful to me. She loved it right away, and I was encouraged to record it. It took two months to complete the song, but at the end of the day, my wife wanted all women to know that they are beautiful, so we did a music video for the song. We released it, and the love we have received for the song, amazing. It was very uplifting.

Where I am from, a lot of people would say, you wouldn’t come to anything at all. Whatever you want to do, don’t let where you come from determine your future. Believe in what you want to do, work hard, stay committed, one day, you will reach your goals. You will become successful.”

He is also thankful to all of his supporters and fans for walking with him on the journey to success. “I appreciate everyone who has been here with me on this musical journey. Thank you for the continued love and support over the years… Nothing at all is taken for granted. One Love! The work continues.”

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

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Monday-Friday 9 am to 9 pm Saturday 9 am to 9 pm Sunday 9 am to 7 pm

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Store Hours

Mond-Thurs 8:30 am to 8 pm Fri.-Sat. 8:30 am to 8:30 pm Sunday 9 am to 6 pm

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Mond-Thurs 9:30 am to 9 pm Fri.-Sat. 9 am to 9 pm Sunday 9 am to 6 pm

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 27

Retirement homes should include a lively bar W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES COMMON SENSE HEALTH

What is the greatest loss to aging seniors? It happens when a loved one dies, and loneliness consumes the surviving partner. As the great composer Chopin lamented, “I feel alone, alone, alone.”

Retirement is another benchmark for the onset of loneliness. Retirees often miss day-to-day contact with colleagues. The impact of social isolation can lead to physical and mental health decline.

A move to a retirement residence may also be a time of misgivings.

So, when weighing the options, you may wish to ask, “Is there a bar?”

In an expansion forty-five years

ago, Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital in Toronto opened an English-style pub called the Boar’s Head. Hospital management at the time was convinced that “pub therapy” helped patients cope with convalescence better than most medications.

A visit to the Boar’s Head was unforgettable. Sheila was its jovial barmaid.

She didn’t have a degree in psychology, but she was savvy in the treatment of bored or depressed patients. She served them laughter and the permitted one drink a day.

It was obvious how much pleasure the pub and Sheila provided. She listened to and charmed those suffering from a variety of illnesses. Of course, they enjoyed an alcoholic or soft drink.

But the drawing force was the conviviality of the pub and the ability for patients to escape the boredom of their hospital rooms. Glowing letters from former patients showed how much the pub was appreciated.

This column has asserted the health advantages of moderate alcohol consumption. Nurses and other medi-

cal colleagues may not always approve when the doctor prescribes an alcoholic drink for patients a few days following surgery to those who normally enjoyed a pre-dinner drink. It is not a crazy idea. Alcohol oils the blood and dilates arteries, making it less likely to clot following surgery causing a fatal pulmonary embolus.

It also increases good cholesterol and improves the appetite of those confined to bed. It reassures patients they’re getting better.

So, why the argument for bars in retirement residences? These are the long-term settings where people often live for years after losing their life partners. Let’s never forget the penetrating loneliness and depression that follows the death of a spouse. It’s little wonder after years of sharing meals and habitual banter of family and friends.

Retirement residences offer many activities, like bingo, shuffleboard, and exercise classes. What do they offer for those who enjoy the camaraderie of a social drink in the evening?

Some retirement facilities do not

have bars, considering them not suitable to the setting. How disappointing, when there is a bar, to find it sterile and void of any resemblance of the décor, warmth, and relaxing atmosphere found in an English pub.

Probably few seniors ask if a bar is available during a retirement home tour. They may worry the question would label them alcoholics, and therefore the source of future trouble.

Dante, the philosopher, wrote, “There is no greater sorrow than to recall happiness in times of misery.” He could have added that this grief is magnified when you find yourself alone in an empty home.

No one enjoys saying goodbye to home, but newfound friends and friendly staff in a retirement residence can help to temper the loss of a loved one. A cozy bar helps. You won’t have Sheila to listen to your cares, but where there is a bar, it won’t be too long before someone joins you.

Orthorexia during the pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of many people. For some, the circumstances have prompted or aggravated eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and the lesser known but increasingly common condition called orthorexia. If you’ve been increasingly pre­occupied with healthy eating, here’s what you should know.

WHAT IS ORTHOREXIA? With so much information about nutrition readily available, people who want to adopt a healthier diet may feel guilty about eating food with too much salt and sugar or not enough nutrients.

How­ever, for people with orthorexia, healthy eating is an obsession. Among other things, it can cause them to develop behaviours like: • Banning specific foods or ingredients, such as gluten, without medical justification • Planning meals in great detail • Feeling guilty about eating unhealthy food, even on occasion

• Thinking about food for several hours a day • Eating purely for the sake of nutritional intake rather than enjoyment • Spending a lot of time analyzing and comparing product labels at the grocery store For many people with orthorexia, the pandemic worsened their obsession with healthy eating, either by preventing them from going to the gym, giving them more free time to research the topic or simply making concerns about their health a higher priority.

In a society that highly values healthy eating, this disorder can be particularly insidious. People often take pride in being able to control what they eat, and they’re frequently praised for their discipline.

If you think you may be struggling with an eating disorder, or you want to improve your relationship with food, take advantage of the free re­ sour­ces available online and consult a psychologist or doctor.

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COMMUNITY

PAGE 29

Before you save the world, you should take care of your family DAVID ANDERSON d_anderson@carib101.com

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

As an entrepreneur, it is very easy for you to miss out on precious family moments, memories that can last a lifetime. Many successful entrepreneurs do not even spend the time to raise their kids. This is a very controversial topic.

People believe that they do not have time to spend with their family because they are working so hard to put food on the table, provide them with opportunities, or they are simply unable to. Oppor-

tunities such as: paying for their children’s school tuition fees, being able to send them to reputable schools, buy expensive gifts on special occasions, financially supporting their spouse and taking family vacations to name a few. In many cases people are unable to spend the valuable time that they want with their family because they need to go to work to simply put food on the table every day, ensure there is a roof over their heads, make sure the bills are paid and that clothes are on their backs. Everything else is a luxury in life. We all have priorities and it’s up to us to manage them correctly. There is no reason why your family should suffer based on your lack of time management and effort.

Getting what you want in life will take more time, hustle and effort. Everything we desire is at the top of the mountain. It is true that we have to push and sacrifice for success. This doesn’t mean that

we have to forget or neglect the people we love, but find ways to show gratitude and appreciation for them. It will be hard, but communicate with your family constantly so they understand your goals.

They need to know why you are not physically and emotionally present.

Don’t assume that anyone can read your mind. Being vocal allows your family and friends to give you the space you need to grow. This also holds you accountable and you will actually have to deliver on your promises. Never make promises you can’t keep because children remember that forever. Honesty is the best policy especially when it comes to family.

Don’t fall for the hustle non-stop trap, because it does not have a happy ending. In the end you will hit a wall of progress. The wall represents physical and mental fatigue due to overworking. Family time is up there with self-care and many people

utilize it as therapy for their stressful jobs and careers. Coming home to a loving family that continuously feeds your soul allows you to build strong relationships with them. Setting time aside daily to interact with your family will help you leave work at work.

Sadly enough many of us take work home and think about work in our peaceful moments. I used to find myself thinking about work and my next move before I got to work. This allows me to have an edge on the competition, but also breaking my own boundaries. Work stays at work and as soon as I clock out I move on. Because of my ambition I am learning to take this day by day. Before you save the world, you should take care of your family. Thank you for reading entrepreneurial minds.

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Strategic foresight Why companies and individuals missed big opportunities DANIEL COLE

daniel@carib101.com

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

At their peak in 2004, Blockbuster had sixty thousand employees, nine thousand stores worldwide, and annual revenues of $5.9 billion. At the time, only 4% of homes in America had a broadband connection. But that number skyrocketed to 68% in 2010. In other words, the game changed, and the name of the game was video streaming.

Blockbuster ultimately filed for bankruptcy, but it didn’t have to end that way.

If only they hadn’t turned down the opportunity to buy a DVD mailing company called Netflix for $50 million in 2000. That might

seems like a steep price tag, but it represented three days of Blockbuster revenues. Netflix’s value now stands at $228.60 billion, exceeding the value of CBS.

Blockbuster missed an opportunity, and they have plenty of company. Yahoo turned down the opportunity to acquire Google, and Friendster turned down the opportunity to buy out Facebook. It’s the loss of potential gain when an opportunity isn’t seen and seized. But it’s not just a forfeiture of possibilities; the collateral damage can be devastating.

In 2008 four students set out to revolutionize the eyewear industry by offering fashionable frames at a fraction of the price, online. Adam Grant was offered an opportunity to invest in Warby Parker, but he turned it down. Why? If it was a good idea, it would have already been done! Plus, who is going to buy prescription glasses online. Today, Warby Parker is valued at $3 billion. Adam Grant said, “It was the worst financial decision I’ve ever made.” It didn’t cost him one penny in actual cost. It did cost him millions in opportunity cost.

The key to success in business and success in life is an eye for opportunity. And despite the old aphorism, opportunity rarely knocks. You have to knock on it. And you’ll probably have to knock more than once or twice. Generally speaking, we see only what we are looking for. If you are looking for excuses, you will always find one. But the same is true for opportunities. If you look for them, you’ll find them all around you all the time.

Your ability to see things beyond first appearance and initial presentation is critical.

Develop a foresight for success and excellence in everything. We don’t see things the way they are; we see things the way we are. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell had sent speech down a gadget he called the telephone. Now he wanted to commercialize it and offered the patent to Western Union for $100,000 – the equivalent of $2.4 million (£1.8m) today.

He told them he wanted to install telephones in every city in America. They said no and described the device as “idiotic”. In 2014, the world reached a point where there are more active mobile phone devices than people on the planet, according to GSMA Intelligence.

“Idiotic” devices indeed.

While an idea or a product is still in its infancy or developmental stage, your ability to see its potential or the lack thereof in the long term will position you for success and profitability. Missing opportunities either corporately or individually is not only about failing to adopt ideas with huge potential returns, but also knowing when to transition from an idea that no longer serve its purpose as a result of technological innovation. Kodak is a typical example.

Kodak. Once the king of camera film, and then digital arrived. It must be particularly galling given that it was its own invention.

Back in 1975 one of Kodak’s engineers, Steven Sasson, developed an early concept for the digital camera. He told his employers, assuming they would be delighted. They weren’t.

Kodak saw it as a threat to its main business of making traditional film, so it suppressed the technology and hoped it would never see the light of day. Unfortunately, it did, and the rise of digital meant the company only narrowly escaped bankruptcy.

LIFE

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

My situation could change, even though I couldn’t change the situation as a whole; reliving my past trauma SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

The entire day was spent cleaning up. We had to first pick up all the clothes and personal items that had been strewn across the floor and subsequently trampled on by the officers and all the women when they came back into the house.

First we all had to take turns washing our clothing, and hanging it to dry. I had mentioned earlier that after the riot, I had walked around the yard and saw women wearing articles of clothing that belonged to me. That day, I saw more of my clothes on clothing lines around the yard as I found a place to hang mine.

While I was walking, I was secretly devising how I was going to steal my clothes back. It was only after remembering my situation did I rethink that ridiculous idea. It wasn’t worth it. I was going to just have to let them go.

It was about 7:00 pm when we finally finished cleaning up, and I was extremely tired. I didn’t have much to clean up, so I helped Andrea and Angela

clean up, and do their laundry. We got dinner together, and sleep greeted me with open arms. As I drifted off to sleep, I thought to myself, is this my life? Should I just get used to all of this? A tear slowly crept down my cheek, and I allowed myself to be swallowed up by the darkness of the night.

The next day, it was back to normal. I had become accustomed to the first risers; they were the ones that worked in the kitchen and tended to the yard. They were up before anyone else was to prep the prison for the day. Usually when they woke up, they made just enough noise to stir me out of my sleep. I would then lay there and watch the light as it became brighter and brighter, welcoming the day.

Slowly, the other girls were waking up, and going about their daily routine. I had created a routine for myself that consisted of: waking up (painfully; my hips had taken a beaten from lying on concrete for three weeks), rolling up my thin mattress, taking a shower and brushing my teeth, eating whatever they rolled out for breakfast that day (sometimes not eating depending on how disgusting it was), and then I began to read whatever material I could find. I had picked up a little Spanish, just enough to communicate with some of the girls, and this meant that at the end of the night

when girls were relaxing, playing games, I was invited to be a part of it.

It was weird to say, but I was starting to get used to my new life. There were many times that I fought it because in my mind, if I got used to it, then it would remain a part of my reality. I also knew that the only way to truly get through a situation was to accept it for what it was and adapt yourself accordingly.

Research shows that viewing something as a challenge helps you to mobilize your resources. At the beginning, I had been viewing the situation as a threat, and that led to me feeling stressed out, and I shut down. I began to choose where my focus lay; I became aware of my habitual thinking patterns.

I came to terms with the fact that aspects of my situation can change, even though I couldn’t change the situation as a whole. I had learned to maintain a positive attitude and it made dealing with my short incarceration easier. It was this positive attitude that helped me form relationships during my time in Panama, which led to me having social support while I was there. This helped me to feel good, even when things around me were not great.

It is this positive attitude that allowed me to make it to that day that I received a message that would end this part of my experience.

Are you willing to grow past your comfort zone and take a risk for your freedom?

GARCIA AKUA

garcia@carib101.com

COSMIC CORNER

Greetings Cosmic Gems! I hope you are all staying safe and hydrated in this heat!

As we discussed last time, we are in the midst of Leo season and the Sun being the ruling planet of Leo, is right at home now. We are definitely feeling the heat!

We spoke about being brave enough to stand on our truths and be brave enough to go after our heart’s desires. Often fears begin to creep up to talk us out of what we are really seeking out of life. Whether it be family/friends projecting their fears, to being scared of being judged, we are all faced with a time when these fears surround us. It’s not a good place to be in. If we are not confident in our truths then when these doubts surface, we are likely to give in. It happens to the best of us. So, what can we do when we feel like this? Remember our why and follow our heart.

This week we are preparing for another retrograde. As I have explained before, retrogrades are when a planet begins to move slower and appears as if it’s moving in a backwards direction. When this happens, it’s an indication for us to

also slow down and begin reviewing that area the retrograde is happening in. In this case we have Uranus retrograde in the sign of Taurus.

Uranus is the planet that represents freedom, where we rebel to protect those freedoms, sudden changes and our awakening. Taurus is the first earth sign of the zodiac. It represents our values, worth, comfort and finances. With this retrograde we can look at reviewing what freedom means to us. What do you value? What is worth your time and money? Luxury is an extended state of comfort however nothing grows in the comfort zone. Uranus’ electric pulse and characteristic of sudden changes in an earth sign, things like landslides and earthquakes are also prevalent during this transit which takes us to December.

We have already had a massive earthquake in Haiti and Alaska. Things are being shaken up both spiritually and physically to awaken us and for us to get clear on what freedom means and how much value it has to us.

When we are stuck in fear, freedom seems like a far-fetched concept.

However, freedom is what you make it.

Where are you feeling restricted in your life? Are your daily routines keeping you trapped in comfort or are you willing to take risks to go after what you want?

These next couple of months will give us an opportunity to think about what freedom means to you. We can unpack the layers of our fears and make the changes

that support our new-found definition and awakening. Sometimes we have been feeling the need to make changes, but we may not know where to start.

When we intentionally start reassessing what we really need it brings clarity. With that clarity we can start to make changes. To those on the outside it may appear that the changes have happened suddenly or come as a shock. These changes are usually more on a larger scale, which in turn supports our awakening and results in feeling a better sense of freedom.

With the Uranus going retrograde we can look to see more pending restrictions as our freedoms go under review. Now more than ever, we need to lean into our heart space and truly analyze what the world means to us? What do we truly value, how can you define your freedom as the collective defines theirs? Are you going to compromise your values? Are you going to discount your self-worth out of fear? Are you willing to grow past your comfort zone and take a risk for your freedom? Let’s use this time to really get to the source of your fears. Shadow work helps us identify our triggers and clarify our traumatic experiences. This is something you can explore.

We will get into the details and benefits of shadow work in our next discussion, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, remember your why and stay true to what the world means to you. Wake up and be free!!

PAGE 31

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Announcement of back-to-school plan for September 2021 receives mixed reactions •

PAUL JUNOR

•

paul@carib101.com

•

YOUTH EDUCATION

•

On Tuesday, August 3rd the Ontario government finally released its long awaited back-to-school plan. The 26-page plan is titled, “Health, safety and operational guidance for schools (2021 -2022)” and can be seen at ontario.ca. The plan expects that all students in Ontario will return to in-person learning while remotelearning will still be available to parents, guardians or caregivers who opt for it for their children. A summary of the plan by the Ontario Federation of Public Education includes: •

•

•

Students will be back in school fulltime. Elementary will have a regular school day and secondary will be limited to two classes per day for all of the first semester.

Masks are mandatory for students in grades 1 to 12 and recommended for kindergarten. Masks are NOT required outdoors.

All school boards must provide a remote learning option for students

• • • •

who want it.

All staff and students must do the daily self-screening.

As much distancing as possible is required with no grouping of desks, desks will be in rows, facing forward.

Students can eat in cafeterias and other common spaces.

School buses can operate at full capacity with mandatory masking for grades 9-12.

Schools may resume extracurricular activities.

Assemblies may resume.

For schools without mechanical ventilation school boards must place HEPA filter units in all classrooms.

Details about testing and quarantining haven’t been released yet.

In a report it notes “It did not provide parents with answers to some of their key questions, like how schools will deal with COVID-19 outbreaks or whether there will be different rules for vaccinated children.”

Colin D’Mello of CTV News tweeted, “This document doesn’t answer key questions: rules for unvaccinated, threshold for unvaccinated children, vaccination rates needed to reopen with no restrictions.” He notes further that. “This document also doesn’t have any funding attached-but we’ve been told the minister will be announcing funding details tomorrow.”

On Wednesday, August 4th, Ontario Minister of Education Stephen

Leece announced that funding will be made available to purchase HEPA filters for school at a press conference. Questions posed to him: •

• • •

Do you guarantee school boards will have enough money to ensure the high air quality standards medical health has set?

There are other required vaccinations, why not this one?

What about lowering class sizes to help support struggling after last year?

Why is it okay to allow full classes into classrooms in four weeks, but to limit reporters, live in this school library (where the press conference is today)?

Minister Leece responded “We have provided $600 million dollars to ensure schools are safe for students and provide students with the support needed to succeed.”

Karen Littlewood, President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) has expressed grave reservations about cohorting. She is concerned that while high school students will be cohorted in their classrooms they are freely able to interact outside schools and in shared spaces in the schools. She states, “We know this is an airborne disease or virus, so there are still lots of questions.”

Sam Hammond, President of the

Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is not happy with the plan.

In a prepared statement he states, “Educators want schools to stay open all year even as we combat the variants we know will threaten reopening and recovery for some time. The Ford government’s consistent and reckless disregard for the seriousness of this pandemic will not keep students, staff and their families safe.”

The four teachers unions: AEFO, ETFO, OSSTF/FESSO and OECTA, wrote a joint letter titled, “Ontario’s Teachers Unions Responds to Ford Government’s Inadequate Back-to-School Plan.” The letter notes that the Minister Leece’s announcement of $25 million for ventilation is not enough. The letter states, “Why wasn’t this investment made eighteen months ago? It’s clear that they do not know what schools need, how schools operate or how to keep students and education workers safe. They’ve ignored our calls to create the illusion for an advisory table and dismissed front-line education workers, but our offer to be consulted stands.”

The letter concludes, “The plan, which is similar to last year’s reopening plan and loosens some protective measures, ignores the need for on-going funding to ensure a safe and sustainable return to school. The government continues to download its responsibility to school boards and local public health agencies without providing adequate direction, time or funding.”

LIFE

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 33

Mellissa has the POSH lifestyle; Positive Overcomer Strong-Willed Happy LA SHAWNA GRIFFITH lashawna@carib101.com

SPOTLIGHT FEATURE

If you have never met Mellissa McPherson, then you are missing out on an amazing experience. This thirty-eightyear-old is a bright ball of energy and has a smile that would warm anyone’s heart.

McPherson is the owner of The Posh Lifestyle which is a business that offers coaching in the areas of: mindset and branding, brand identity creation, graphic design services, social media management, and marketing and business training to female entrepreneurs.

Her business name POSH is an acronym for Positive Overcomer Strong-Willed Happy, which she believes will inspire female entrepreneurs on their journey. She said that when she created her business three years ago, she wanted to have a business that focused on beauty, elegance, and empowerment.

“Working with female entrepreneurs aligns with my passion for creating beautiful things and spaces and more importantly, I am able to help other female entrepreneurs on the journey as I am on the same journey, therefore, I understand their struggles, pain points, and desires and I am better

equipped to cater to their specific needs.”

Despite this McPherson decided in 2020 that she wanted to offer her client’s more than just social media marketing services, she wanted to provide a more holistic service that would have a greater impact on entrepreneurs.

Thus, she decided to add mindset and branding to the list of services she offers.

“In 2020, I made the decision to pivot my business towards providing a more holistic approach to the services that I provide for my clients. I did not want to provide solely graphic design and marketing services, I wanted to be more impactful. This came about as a result of me working with a coach who helped me turn things around in my business. I had reached a roadblock in my business, and I truly felt like giving up, however, my coach helped me to get a renewed vision for my business where I had more confidence to show up for my business and start going after my goals.

I now focus on offering that kind of support for my clients because I understand that the journey is hard sometimes and we as entrepreneurs feel as though we want to give up. Sometimes we need someone to hold us up, hold us accountable, and push us forward. I now focus on the client and their brand as a whole in order to elevate their winning mindset and brands,”

The former graduate of the Barbados Community College (with an Associate Degree in Arts-Office Administration and Management with

Art is a powerful tool that can stir up societies and influence communities GLORIA O’KOYE

gloria@carib101.com

CREATIVE SPEAK

Art has been a powerful tool that has stirred up our societies and influenced our communities. It had prompt revolutions and backed up movements for as long as mankind has remembered. It has been the stepping-stone to take those in less fortunate upbringings and brought hope to those whose voices have been ignored for far too long.

Art can be used as therapy. It can be used for affirmations and passed down wisdom. It can be used in a positive light however; it has a darker side to it.

Art had also been used to establish dominance, propaganda, and a way to go back and forth with rivals in different walks of life. Over the recent years, there seems to have been a rise in normalizing disrespect through art especially in the form of music and me-

dia art. Clips and music videos mentioning the deceased in inappropriate manners are shared throughout different platforms.

To add more salt to injury, they don’t recognize how this behaviour affects grieving loved ones. The comments flooding into these posts continue on the open wound that is being inflicted. Unfortunately, those who do not understand the depths of these politics that go on within some neighbourhoods, they view it as entertainment.

A music video can go very far which leads to more tragedies.

As our younger generations grow up in a world that is quickly evolving into a technology-filled world, and witnessing how powerful media is, it can be alarming when not used with good intentions.

To my creatives, there is a lot of pressure from society to lure you into the trends, and you may feel that sometimes you have to go out your way to be successful in your arts. But please be mindful of how powerful your words and thoughts are in your art, no matter what art practices you may be perfecting and/or pursuing.

Distinction) said that she believes a small business must have the correct mindset when entering the world of entrepreneurship.

“Mindset is everything! It affects how you see yourself, how you see your business, your dedication, and your constituency. It affects everything! Therefore, having the right mindset is key to showing up confidently and consistently on social media.”

McPherson became passionate when she noted that small businesses in Barbados need more opportunities for funding.

“Small businesses need more opportunities for funding! This is the one area that keeps coming up when I speak with small business owners. We need more people who are willing to invest in small businesses. There are a lot of entrepreneurs with great ideas, and some are struggling to get their businesses off the ground due to a lack of funds.”

The owner of The Posh Lifestyle said that she is seeking to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP) this year in order to continue to be relentless in her pursuit of her dreams as a business owner. She shared that since becoming a business owner she has learned that having a positive resilient mindset and passion is the key to longevity in the business sector.

“I have learned since starting my business that your passion will get you started on your journey, but you need to have the correct mindset as that will keep you going. I started my business utilizing my passion for designs however, I had to develop a positive, resilient, and growth mindset to keep me going strong today especially with all that is happening in the world.”

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PAGE 34

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

We are in an inflation tsunami JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com

REAL ESTATE PRO

Saddled with student loans and other debts, it is becoming increasing difficult for our children to buy a home. The dream of homeownership is evaporating exponentially. Folks living in rental properties are caught in a situation where they may never afford to buy a home.

Owning a home is a blessing in many ways. Over the years, the value goes up and the mortgage comes down. Our home is a shelter, not for us to live in but against poverty.

Prices are still climbing. As we can see with the pandemic, we are experiencing an inflation tsunami. From food in the supermarket to gas at the pumps, everything is going up. Construction materials are almost double compared to two years ago. For every ten families in Canada, less than five own a home.

The demand for housing is big and this is pushing house prices skywards. As a practicing realtor, I am at the forefront of the housing skirmish. Last Sunday, I stood in line waiting with my buyer client to view a few homes. An average freehold townhome in the GTA is fetching $900,000. Income hasn’t gone up that much. It means that we are taking on bigger debts.

Homeowners, help your children to buy a home. Many families have small mortgages and sit on a plethora of wealth. Increase the mortgage and use some of the equity to assist your children to buy a home. It gives them a reason to press forward and they will appreciate it.

Another idea is to use some of the equity to invest in a second home. You can add an adult child to the title. Over time, the value will increase, the mortgage will decrease, and you will quantum leap to the investor orbital.

For folks who are under finan-

cial stress and might be on the verge of selling, look for other options. Consider renting a portion of your home. Rooms in the basement are good student rentals. There are a growing number of students who are desperately looking for a place where they can rent. Many of them are new to Canada, hoping to graduate, get a job and then apply to be a permanent residence. If this is your alternative, ask for professional help. Another notion is to increase your mortgage and pay off all the existing debts. Ask your lender to recalibrate your amortization and lower your mortgage payment.

If you are renting and feel despondent about becoming a homeowner, remember that everything begins with a plan. The first thing to do is to save.

Try to invest at least one pay cheque every month. Buy an RRSP to reduce the amount of income tax you are paying.

Later, you can withdraw from your RRSP to buy your first home. It is best to buy a self-directed RRSP. This way, you can choose to invest it in a vehicle that gives maximum return. Money in a saving account is a lost opportunity. One of my millennial clients said that every month she would buy REATS. Her rate of return was about 6%. Over a few years, the value of her portfolio tripled. This was her ticket to ride the rocket towards homeownership. You do not need a ton of money to buy your first home. Buy what you can afford. Owning a one-bedroom condo is still better than paying rent.

Retirement is a golden age. For many homeowners, who are planning to sell their property, rethink your strategy.

Maybe you can manage after all. Some sell their expensive GTA homes and relocate to smaller towns where they can live mortgage free and stress free. Others choose to take a reverse mortgage and receive a monthly supplement to sustain.

A reverse mortgage is paying interest on interest but it is a way out.

The pandemic triggered evolution in every field. The fittest shall survive. Financial fitness is essential for our survivorship in this harsh terrain. The key is to have a goal. Inch by inch, saving be-

comes a cinch.

If you have multiple properties, then start planning on transitioning.

While we may have wealth, our time remaining on earth is depreciating. One idea is to add your children as joint tenants on your properties. A will is good to have but it is better to execute your desire while you are still kicking.

We are fortunate to be in Canada. The infrastructures are here for us to succeed. Don’t be despondent during tough times. The storm will pass, and the sky will clear. Keep investing in real estate because it is one of the best ways to beat inflation. As the saying goes, “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.”

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

5 considerations when buying WIRELESS HEADPHONES Whether you’re listening to your favourite music, watching TV or playing video games, you probably want to enjoy superb sound quality without the hassle of a cord getting in the way. Here are five things to think about when shopping for a pair of wireless headphones.

1. Comfort. On-ear headphones are lighter and smaller than their over-ear counterparts, which makes them more portable.

However, since over-ear headphones are larger than on-ear models, they tend to have more cushioning and are typically more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

2. Quality. On-ear headphones are less efficient at low frequencies, whereas overear headphones offer better sound quality. You may want to look for a noise-cancelling model to block out any ambient sounds that could interfere with your listening enjoyment.

3. Battery life. Whether you plan to use them outdoors, on long road trips or for video conferencing calls, the battery life of your headphones is an important factor.

Some headphones can last up to 25 hours before needing a charge.

4 tips for purchasing A VIDEO GAME CONSOLE Video game consoles pro­­vide hours of fun for peo­ple of all ages. Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect model.

4. Compatibility. Make sure the headpho­ nes you want to buy are compatible with your smartphone, computer, video game console or other device you wish to use them with before you purchase them.

5. Convenience. If you’ll primarily be using your headphones when you’re on the go, you may want to opt for a foldable model. If you need headphones with a microphone, look for a set that has this feature.

When shopping for wireless headphones, it’s a good idea to try on several models first to ensure the pair you select is comfortable.

The benefits of FIBRE OPTIC INTERNET TECHNOLOGY Fibre optic internet is becoming increasingly available for homeowners. If you want to learn more, here’s a brief overview of everything you should know.

data to travel from a transmitting element to a receiving end extre­mely quickly. Fibre op­tic cables can be installed directly to and from your home or connected to a copper network.

WHAT ARE FIBRE OPTICS? Optical fibre is a thin, flexible plastic or glass cable that allows light to be transmitted over very long distances with­out losing any speed. The cable is wrapped in a protective sheath which cap­tures light and sends data to a specific destination.

REASONS TO OPT FOR FIBRE OPTICS Fibre optic internet is the future of broad­band. The cables use light signals to send data to and from your computer up to 1,000 times faster than copper alone. This allows you to instantly down­load large files, seamlessly play online ga­mes, participate in online forums and enjoy high-quality graphics.

HOW DOES IT WORK? Optical fibre uses the principle of light refraction. The protective sheath around the cable has a highly reflective interior which causes light to ricochet in all directions. This allows

PAGE 35

To find out if you can take advantage of these benefits in your home, contact the internet providers in your area.

1. Backward compatibility. If you own several old games or want to purchase re­ tro games, make sure they can be played on your new con­sole.

Some models allow you to use old discs, while ot­hers only let you purchase digital co­pies of older games.

2. Exclusive games. Every console has its own exclusive content, so make sure the video game console you purchase supports the ga­mes you en­joy most.

3. Graphics. Depending on what type of screen you’re playing on and how crisp you want the graphics to be,

you may want a console that supports a 4K, HDR gaming experience.

4. Online play. If you enjoy playing online multiplayer games, you should ask your friends which consoles they own so you can meet up and play on the same server.

If you don’t know much about gaming consoles, don’t hesitate to ask the sa­les staff at your local electronics store for help.

4 things to consider when choosing AN INTERNET PLAN If you want an internet plan that truly meets your needs, here are four things to keep in mind when shop­ping around.

1. Cost. Price is a key factor. If you want a better idea of how much you’ll have to spend, calculate the cost of the equipment, delivery, installation and activation fees, as well as the monthly payments.

2. Network speed. The more devices that are connected to the network, the faster it needs to be to ensure a smooth and stable connection.

3. Download limit. If you regularly use streaming services to watch movies and TV, it’s best to opt for an internet plan that offers unlimited downloading. This way, you won’t be charged any fees if you hap­pen to go over your limit.

4. Promotional offers. It’s a good idea to be aware of the latest promotional offers available for more than one internet provider. This will allow you to negotiate the best price.

To ensure you get the best value for your money, make sure you weigh your options and speak with several service providers.

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Covering up a ceiling: materials you can use Do you want to give an old or unsightly ceiling a stylish new look? Here are some of the materials you can use to get the job done.

GYPSUM BOARDS Commonly known as drywall, this cost-effective material is fire resistant and relatively lightweight. However, installing gypsum boards generates a fine dust that can be hard to clean up and risks irritating your eyes and lungs if you don’t wear protective equipment.

CEILING TILES Available in a variety of materials such as mineral fibre or natural wood fibre, a dropped ceiling can be used to conceal ducts and pipes without restricting access. Plus, these lightweight tiles are easy to install and in­expensive to replace if one gets damaged.

ALUMINUM This shiny material is sure to catch the eye.

It’s also low-maintenance, recyclable and re­

sistant to fire, moisture and mildew. These metal sheets can be either suspended from the ceiling or glued directly to the surface.

PANELLING Typically made of wood or PVC, panelling can be glued and nailed in place or installed as a dropped ceiling, provided you have ade­quate insulation. This ceiling material can add warmth and character to a room, but it might also make the space feel smaller.

STRETCH CEILING Made of either fabric or a glossy PVC film, this ceiling type is ideal for a modern design. Plus, it’s resistant to fire and moisture.

Although stretch ceilings last a long time, they can be quite expensive and require professional installation.

Keep in mind that something as simple as a fresh coat of paint or a bold wallpaper pattern can give new life to an old ceiling.

For more ideas, consult an interior designer.

How to choose between horizontal and vertical blinds If you’re looking for a window treatment, blinds are a practical choice because they allow you to control how much light enters your home. Here’s some advice to help you choose between horizontal and vertical blinds.

HORIZONTAL BLINDS Classic and timeless, these blinds are well suited for square or rectangular windows that are either small, narrow or high up.

They’re easy to maintain and come in various styles, materials and colours. Plus, the slats can be tilted upward to provide privacy while still allowing light to filter into the

room.

VERTICAL BLINDS The long slats of vertical blinds are ideal for hanging in front of patio doors and large windows. Unlike horizontal blinds, they can be easily opened on either side or in the middle, depending on the model. They’re also virtually effortless to clean and resistant to both heat and moisture.

Visit a local home improvement store or blind retailer to find the right window treatment to complement your decor.

FUN

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 37

WEEK OF AUGUST 15 TO AUGUST 21, 2021

ARIES

The luckiest signs this week: ARIES, AQUARIUS AND PISCES

You might decide to plan an intriguing getaway. You need a vacation, and you’ll need to prepare for it well in advance to make it happen and ensure it’s an un­forgettable experience.

TAURUS

Big projects always come with a bit of anxiety, but perseverance is the key to success. Don’t be afraid of change; it’s good for you. Your emotions will be run­ning high, so remember to take a step back and calm down.

PUZZLE NO. 742 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 742

HOW TO PLAY :

GEMINI

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

Before making a decision that affects several people, it’s important to consult them and get their consent. At work, you’ll likely reach a beneficial agreement after a long negotiation process.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column, or 3x3 box.

It’s time to take care of yourself. By chan­ging some of your habits, you’ll have more energy and be able to share your love of life with others. However, some effort will be required to restore your health.

CANCER

LEO

You’ll find yourself in the spotlight. You’ll take charge of a group or stand up for your community. You’ll prove to be an im­p ortant figure to those around you, which will do wonders for your self­e steem.

PUZZLE NO. 32

ACROSS 1. Glided 5. Small insect 9. Lump 12. Compassion 13. Hurry 14. Epoch 15. Prayer finale 16. Musical group 18. Mexican dish

20. Pencil end 21. Horror-movie star 23. Rifle attachment 26. Broom’s relative 29. Needle aperture 30. Dirt

33. “Much ____ About Nothing” 34. Obtain 35. Fastened 37. Estimated 40. Applaud 43. Floats 47. Women’s sleepwear

49. Larry, Curly, and Moe 50. Pick 51. Chinese staple 52. Profit 53. Casual shirt 54. Plant beginning 55. Changes colors DOWN 1. Petty dispute 2. Certain bean 3. Part of a list 4. Energetic person 5. More lush 6. Convent dweller 7. Investment 8. Neither here nor ____ 9. Chews the fat 10. Peer 11. Pub drink 17. Damage 19. Yearn 22. Moves 23. Ask earnestly 24. Pro vote 25. Up to this time 26. Small rug 27. Poem 28. Seed coat

31. Offense 32. Eternally 36. Revised copy 37. Band booking 38. Consumers 39. Bizarre 40. Parcel 41. Full-grown 42. Poker word 44. Ravel 45. Exhaust 46. Male heirs

48. Drink chiller

VIRGO

If you have young children, you’ll be fo­cused on the back­to­school season. You might end up moving or make major chan­ges to your home. If you’re single, it’ll be love at first sight.

LIBRA

You won’t hold your tongue, and you’ll give voice to opinions that others are keeping to themselves. This will end up correcting an unpleasant situation. You’ll find solutions when faced with a preca­rious financial situation.

SCORPIO

Career­wise, there’s a good chance you’ll be courted by the competition. You’ll likely run around trying to help a family member. As for matters of the heart, some­one close to you could make a declara­tion of love that leaves you stunned.

SAGITTARIUS

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 32

It’s time for a fresh start. A new job or a new direction in life is on the horizon. You’ll be excited about all the oppor­tunities that come your way. In your love life, there won’t be a shortage of romance.

CAPRICORN

You’ll need a second cup of coffee before you start your workday. If you’re dealing with health issues, you’ll find the right treatment to give you the quality of life you desire. Stress can be a source of energy at times.

AQUARIUS

You’ll have no choice but to confront the obstacles in your path. You may have to negotiate with several people at once, which could be stressful. You’ll develop new friendships and expand your social network.

PISCES

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

Either at work or elsewhere, things will feel urgent and like they needed to be done yesterday. A few people close to you will get you to take a step back. It’s a good idea to set a long­term goal for yourself or your relationship.

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PAGE 40

FINANCE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

One size does not fit all when it comes to retirement plans CLEVE DeSOUZA

•

cleve@carib101.com

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

There’s no one-size-fits-all option for retirement planning. Each person has different goals and different needs.

A 2016 survey of Canadians over sixty-five showed their average living expenses are around $60,000 a year. Averages don’t always tell the full story. You’ll need more if you plan to travel to exotic locations and live in a low-maintenance, highend condo. You may need less if you want to stay in your current home and babysit the grandchildren.

Don’t let those variations frighten you. Strategies exist to make sure you know what you need. No matter how old you are, it’s time to talk to a good financial adviser to talk about your plans.

When you’re a few years from your ideal retirement age, take these simple steps to ensure your bank account is ready for you to retire.

•

•

•

Decide if you’ll work part-time. Even if you don’t need the income, remember that work boosts your mental wellbeing. The best part of working in retirement is you can choose something you love instead of worrying about the size of the paycheck.

Take care of major, predictable expenses while you’re still working. If you know you’ll need to replace big-ticket items - a roof, appliances, or vehicle, for example - it’s easier to budget for those expenses while you’re still working.

Create a written retirement budget.

Keep in mind that some of your expenses may shrink (you likely won’t need dry cleaning services as often) while others may grow (travel expenses may rise). Try to live on the budget for a month or two so you can test if it’s realistic. If it doesn’t work, then adjust it now and consider if you should work a few more years or pick up a part-time job.

If you’re thinking about traveling (or living) outside of Canada for long periods of time, then research the tax, pension, and insurance implications. Good planning with the help of a financial adviser now spares you from unfortu-

•

• •

•

nate surprises later.

Decide when to apply for public pension benefits. Most of us are eligible to receive money from Old Age Security (OAS), the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), or the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

In each case, the age at which you apply affects how much you receive, so talk to a qualified adviser before applying.

Review your insurance to make sure it’s adequate as your lifestyle and needs change.

Review your will. What you set up at forty years old probably doesn’t reflect your current desires. (Don’t have a will?

Get an appointment with an attorney and create one now. I promise the process is not as daunting as you think.)

Talk to an adviser about your postretirement taxes. Some seniors qualify for tax credits. Pension income splitting or sharing might minimize your tax burden.

The bottom line is there is much to consider as you approach retirement. The earlier you start, the easier it is to reach your goals.

Even if you’re nearing the traditional retirement age, it’s not too late to start considering your options.

Managing your finances during a pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the financial well-being of households across the country. While some people lost their jobs, others received wage increases. If you need advice on how to get out of debt or want to invest your money wisely, several professionals can help you manage your finances.

Debt help A licensed insolvency trustee (LIT) can assess your financial situation and provide personalized advice to help you get out of debt. If you need to file for bankruptcy or submit a consumer proposal, this profes-

sional can assist you. In addition, an LIT can deal with creditors on your behalf, so you’ll no longer have to deal with phone calls from debt collectors or worry about wages being garnished.

Financial planning A financial planner can provide you with a complete picture of your assets and help you evaluate your investment options.

Consequently, they can guide you toward a financially stable life and assist you in developing a plan to reach your goals.

However, it’s important to specifically work

with a certified financial planner (CFP), as these professionals are the most qualified.

Only they have the requisite knowledge, skills and experience to provide you with sound financial planning strategies and solutions.

In addition, depending on your needs, it may be a good idea to get assistance from a financial adviser, portfolio manager or investment broker. Just make sure you do your research. If you require help managing your cash flow or saving for your retirement, it’s important to choose the right professional for the job.

PAGE 42

SPORTS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Canada’s impressive Summer Olympics performance at Tokyo 2020 MARCEL MARIAK marcel@carib101.com

TC JUNIOR REPORTER

With the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo wrapped up, there’s a lot to talk about when it comes to Canada’s performance.

When people think of Canada in the Olympics, they usually imagine a hockey player gliding down the ice or a freestyle skier doing flips through the air. What many people don’t perceive is Canada as is a formidable competitor in the Summer Olympics. Historically, our nation has been a mediocre competitor at the summer games – usually placing somewhere in the middle of the pack when it came to the number of medals won.

Despite this, Canada made a significant and impressive impact in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. We did everything from setting new records to revolutionizing how the world views women in sport. Here’s a breakdown of our historic performance at this year’s Summer Olympics.

Athletics & Weightlifting: 7 Medals (2G/1S/4B) When the first Olympics were held in Greece over 2,000 years ago, the variety of disciplines that athletes could compete in were limited. Most historical records claim

that events such as running, jumping, discus, and other forms of athletics were the main focus of the games.

Millenia may have passed since the original competition, but athletics continue to be a focal point in the modern Olympics. This year, Canadian athletes made a statement when they put on impressive performances in multiple events.

We won three bronze medals in the Men’s 100m Sprint, Men’s 4x100m Relay, and Men’s 50km Walk. We also took home a silver medal in the men’s 5000m race. In terms of gold, we won the Men’s 200m race and Damian Warner put on a classic performance when he won the most demanding athletics event: the decathlon.

His victory also earned him the honour of being Canada’s closing flag-bearer.

Maude Charron from Quebec won Canada another bronze medal in Women’s 64kg Weightlifting.

Aquatics: 7 Medals (1G/4S/2B) This year, Canadian women took to Tokyo’s Olympic swimming pools with their eyes set on gold. They put pressure on the competition, winning bronze in Women’s 200m Freestyle and Women’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay. An outstanding athlete in these performances was Penny Oleksiak, a 21-yearold Torontonian who made both literal and metaphorical waves in the water.

Canada also won three silver medals, with two runner-up performances in the Women’s 100m and 200m Backstroke and another in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay. When it comes to aquatic gold, Maggie McNeil from London, Ontario, brought home a gold medal in the 100m Butterfly

event.

Our singular, silver medal in diving was won by Jennifer Abel and Melissa Citrini-Beaulieu in the Women’s 3m Springboard Synchro.

Rowing & Canoe: 4 Medals (1G/1S/2B) Canadian women didn’t just put on a show in indoor aquatics. They were equally impressive at outdoor water sports. We won two medals in Rowing and two in Canoe Sprint.

For Rowing, Caileigh Filmer and Hillary Janssens took home bronze in the Women’s Pair, and we won gold in Women’s Eight. For Canoe Sprint, our bronze came from Laurence Vincent-Lapointe and Katharine Vincent’s performance in the Women’s C2 500m, while Laurence Vincent-Lapointe won another medal in the Women’s C1 200m – this time it was silver.

Cycling: 2 Medals (1G/0S/1B) Canadian cyclists took to the Tokyo velodrome track and the ladies, once again, put on an impressive performance. Lauriane Genest won bronze in the Women’s Keirin and Kelsey Mitchell won gold in the Women’s Sprint.

Judo: 2 Medals (0G/0S/2B) Canada isn’t usually known for its prowess in judo. But Canadian women were on a mission to change that when they won two bronze medals in the discipline. Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard placed third in the Women’s 63kg, while Jessica Klimkait did the same in the Women’s 57kg division.

Team Sports: 2 Medals (1G/0S/1B) Canadians aren’t just great individual athletes. We are also excellent team players, and we proved it in the Olympics. On the softball diamond, Team Canada defeated Mexico 3-2 to take home bronze. When it came to soccer, the Canadian Women, led

by Christine Sinclair, fought tooth and nail for a heart-pounding penalty shootout victory against Sweden. This victory marked both the first soccer gold medal ever won

by Canada and also the first Olympic soccer final to be decided by a penalty shootout.

There you have it! A rundown of all of Canada’s medals and highlights in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

Total Medals: 24 (7G/6S/11B)