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PRESSING RESET

SIMONE J. SMITH/TORONTO CARIBBEAN “If no one power can enforce order, our world will suffer from a global deficit” Klaus Schwab

I get it! Some of you reading the paper right now could care less about the political nature of this pandemic. All you want is for things to go back to normal.

I am sure that you are sick and tired of going on social media, and seeing something new about this COVID-19 pandemic. It is enough to drive you

mad and make you want to bury your head in the sand.

The sad thing about that is; we are not going back to normal. Regardless of whether you get the vaccine that they plan to roll out early next year, the world as you have known it is over, and what is being ushered in must be understood whether you want to accept it or not.

I want to take a moment to address two ways of thinking that have

evolved throughout this debacle: the conspiracy theorist, and the complicity theorist. One cannot be considered right or wrong, but it is better to overstand how someone looks at life; this way you can find a way to communicate with them without it turning into a “You’re right,” and “You’re wrong,” argument.

Continued On Page 8

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FEATURE

PAGE 2

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

KATRINA COOMBS The Autobiographical Artist “In attempting to understand the self in relation to the Other, it becomes an enterprise in conflict. My artwork manifests such emotional conflicts, especially given that the level of impact of the Other, guides the direction of the artworks produced; and perhaps, make the works autobiographical and confessional.”

Her conflict began the day that she was born. She was ten days late, and while in the womb, the umbilical cord had wrapped around her neck. According to her mom, this was the beginning of her journey as an artist, intricately weaving her way into the world

The moment I saw her artwork, my spiritual antennae went up. Brampton’s distinguished art gallery (Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives) had once again outdone themselves with the opening of “when night stirred at sea: Contemporary Caribbean Art Exhibit,” a brilliant partnership with the Caribbean Art Fair and the Black Artists’ Network in Dialogue.

Toronto Caribbean Newspaper had been invited for an exclusive viewing of the exhibit before it had opened to the public, which made us privy to some of the beautiful pieces that would be shown to the public on their opening night.

I must admit that I was very impressed by all the work that I had seen, but there was something about a set of pieces that captivated me to the point that I had to return to look at them several times during my visit.

“As it Breathes Life, Life is Taken, 2020.”

It was the piece that had intrigued me to the point that I had to speak to the artist who was responsible. It was a mounted piece made out of textiles and fibre. I was unsure how to describe my visual experience, and it was only after speaking to the artist that I understood my initial intrigue.

Katrina Coombs was born in St. Andrews, Jamaica, and has lived in Stony Hill all of her life. She will tell you that she was drawn to fibre, threads, and yarns from a very young age. She has always had sensitivity to the touch and feel of threads and fabrics, which she now uses to create unique designs and sculptural forms.

This brilliant artist has been featured internationally. Her work has been displayed in exhibits

in Kingston, Manila, Berlin, New York, Bogota, Miami, Chicago, and Washington. It was during our discussion that I learned the depth of this young woman’s soul.

She has taken the pain that she has experienced in life and poured it into her work. It is because of this that her work seems to pull at your soul and make you want to ask questions.

“I had felt rejected for a long time. Even though the general may not accept there are people who will.”

Her journey started in high school when she began to experiment with macramé. Creating seemed to come naturally to her, but she never thought about making a career out of it. “I never thought about the arts,” Katrina began. “I originally wanted to do landscaping design, but they told me that I would have to take physics in school, and I was like no, no!”

Her mom saw something in her daughter, so she sent her to art school. It was here that Katrina first realized that she truly had a love for fibre. Although the school offered applied arts, Katrina would not subscribe. She wanted to make art that made a statement. When it came to fibre, the only offered the typical fashion design, but Katrina was not having that either.

“People would want me to stitch clothes, and I was like no, I am not doing that. I wanted to get into installation-based art, and really dive into material fibre. Believe me when I say that this was a fight because at the time, fibre art was not seen as art. For a while I was forced to create within a box that I was not comfortable with. I felt limited and forced myself to fit into the Jamaican art scene. When I would try to do my thing, people wouldn’t pay attention to my work. They would see it and say, ‘That’s nice,’ but that was it.”

It was in 2013 that she applied and was accepted in the Masters of Fine Arts program that her eyes were opened to the possibility of creating pieces in a way that inspired her. Geniuses are rarely understood, and Katrina was no exception.

“After my Master’s program, my eyes became open to the possibility of stepping outside the box that had been created for me. I knew that I had to push my practice; push the concept of using fibre to create beautiful pieces of art. I will never forget when the National Gallery of Jamaica denied my work. One

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of the panellists told me that my work was ‘unresolved.’

She couldn’t quite explain why she didn’t like it. That remained with me for a while, but then I realized, this is just one person’s perspective. Maybe they were just not ready for my vision.”

“Interestingly enough,” Katrina giggles softly, “I was interviewed about that piece not too long after, and the panel there fell in love with the same piece that was denied by the National Gallery of Jamaica. I exhibited that work as it was, and the same woman who had said that my work was unresolved, came over and gushed, ‘You did it! You did it!’ I had accepted gracefully, but just shook my head. I had not made any changes to the piece, but somehow, now it was unresolved.”

After multiple rejections from the Jamaican art scene, Katrina took it upon herself to begin to curate her own pieces and put on shows to showcase her work. It was then that her work began to shift.

“Absence was the first piece that I ever sold, and it was to a Canadian woman. It made me feel like yes! There is a place for my work. Now it was time to make a move. I was encouraged to step outside of Jamaica more. They liked the work, but will not invest in the work. Most of my work has been sold to people outside of Jamaica. I learned how to network outside.

I reached out to Galleries in New York, Manhattan. I decided to do residencies. One took me to Columbia. Being away from the scrutiny. I was able to dive into my practice. What am I doing, and why am I doing it?

It was during my time in Columbia that I began to truly bond with my work. I had gone through the process of losing my child, and it allowed me to show this through my work. My friend says that I silently protest, and I have to agree somewhat.”

Her work became autobiographical in nature. The piece that I had been drawn to “As it breathes life, life is taken,” had been created during this time, and why I had been drawn to it now made sense. She began to explore the womb, and the female’s need to separate from the womb. In her work she was able to explain the fact that women externalize their wombs, especially when they get their periods.

“Society forces us to separate ourselves from it. I investigated it and came to the realization that we need to

celebrate our womanhood, not disassociate from it.”

Her practice then evolved and focused on the impact of the Other on the “I” and the role and existence of the woman. Her artwork then began to engage the ambivalent and stigmatizing ways that society engages the female persona.

“I began to perform with the fibres itself. I was always interested in doing it. If you look up ‘Wandering womb’ on YouTube, you will see how I use fabrics and my body to express the existence of oneself. How our womb shapes who we are. It tears itself apart, and then heals itself. That is so powerful.

This experience was followed up with residencies in upstate New York, and then one in Miami. It was here that she came to an impasse. She had worked through her pain during her residency in Columbia, so now she was uncertain of where to go with her work from there. This is when her work took on a spiritual nature.

It was after her grandmother’s death that she was introduced to Yoruba spirituality and the goddess Oshun. She began to look at herself intergenerationally especially after her grandmother died. She turned her grandmother’s room into a studio, and the pieces that I fell in love with were made in that room.

There is so much to be said about this creative soul, and although I would love to say more, I think that hearing from her directly would allow you to capture the intensity of her passion. You can check out Katrina Coombs at her intricately designed website https://katrinacoombs.wordpress.com/, and definitely look out for her on Thursday, January 28th, at 6:00 pm for P.A.M.A.’s Artist Talk.

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

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PAGE 3

Ontario! We are no longer under a STATE OF EMERGENCY And we haven’t been for a while!

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Regardless of your views regarding this pandemic, one thing that I think everyone can admit is that they wish that things would go back to normal. This new normal idea has become a scary reality, but what if I told you that we could have gone back to normal a long time ago?

What if I told you that Premier Doug Ford has set things up so that we are living like this for another two years; would you be okay with that?

I want to take this time to introduce to you another piece of information that has been barely talked about on mainstream media, but that we should all know about. WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

We entered a state of emergency on March 17th, 2020. Do you remember how that felt when you heard that? I remember certain things very clearly: public libraries, private schools, childcare centres, recreational facilities, theatres, cinemas and concert venues were ordered to shut down. Bars, restaurants were ordered to close their doors and had to rely on takeout delivery services. We were not allowed

to visit our friends or family, and anything that looked like an event was prohibited.

We were all scared, so we followed suit. For many of us, we had never experienced a state of emergency, and just the thought of it was terrifying. The conditions for what constitutes a state of emergency were in place. They are defined under the Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA) as “a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property.” A state of emergency also requires that the government’s normally available resources (including legislation) may not be reliable or may be insufficient.

What are our rights under a declared state of emergency? Rights of mobility, privacy, free association and free assembly are limited, and this is justified under the balancing test set out in section 1 of the Charter. Premier Ford was able to impose laws that limited large groups, and limited public exposure. During the height of the pandemic, this made sense.

What many of us don’t know is that on July 24th, 2020 the state of emergency was declared OVER! What happened next is the part that many of us missed.

On the day that the state of emergency ended, Premier Ford introduced Bill 195 Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act 2020. What this Bill did was end the state of emergency, but then introduced a new power that allows the Ford Cabinet to extend and amend some of the emergency orders without the involvement of Ontario’s democratically

elected Provincial Parliament. It allows the provincial government to extend powers given to them under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act indefinitely in thirty-day increments.

The Bill also allows the Cabinet to invest one single Minister with the power to amend emergency orders unilaterally.

Guess who has that power? You know it, Premier Doug Ford. Here is the scary part; this dreaded existence that we are currently experiencing could go on for the next two years, and the only person who has the power to end it is Premier Ford.

That means until June 2022, under this proposed legislation, restrictions on the size of gatherings, or orders that keep businesses closed and override collective agreements for the redeployment of workers, are all extended and can even be amended. Orders allowing the sharing of personal health information and which allow for police to demand identification (carding) are also extended but cannot be amended.

“Bill 195 is an important piece of legislation that protects each and every citizen during the pandemic.” Premier, Doug Ford To some, Bill 195 is unconstitutional, and they are speaking up about it. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (www. jccf.ca) has denounced the Ford government’s unconstitutional passage of Bill 195.

Bill 195 outrages The Ontario Federation of Labour. They strongly believe that workers have the right to bargain col-

lectively with their employer under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but Bill 195 allows employers to bypass collective agreements in the workplace; deny vacation; and contract out jobs.

Premier Ford took it a step further when he punished an elected legislator for disagreeing with the transfer of power away from representatives to the provincial cabinet. Belinda Karahalios was democratically elected by the citizens of her Cambridge riding, and believes that Bill 195 is contrary to the Constitution, the rule of law and the best interests of her constituents.

She was removed from the party’s caucus for voting in opposition to Premier Ford.

There seems to be a common theme here. If you speak out against the government you are either ignored, or silenced, but this is only the beginning. If we continue to allow the government to intrude on our rights, we may begin to see longer lockdowns, and more limits to our rights. They have already been given the power to make sweeping business closures that led to the loss of 1000’s of businesses.

They were given the power to deny Ontarians the right to work and provide for their families. They even denied some people the right to see their families.

Knowledge is power, and we will continue to provide the knowledge to our people so that you can exercise your power. There are more of us then them; remember that. It is time to take a stand community. WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY!

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PAGE 5

Removal of Officers from Peel Schools is finalized PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The School Resource Officer (SRO) program has been a significant part of Peel schools for the past twenty years.

The SRO program, which involves the presence of Peel Regional Police in schools, has been heavily criticized and attacked over the years. It has been announced that the program will come to an end.

PRP released a statement on Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 titled, “Dissolution of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program� which revealed that after a pause of the program, “The program had not changed over twenty years, and therefore required significant review.�

The statement notes that, “While there was support for the SRO program, there are also long-standing concerns about systemic racism and the disproportionately punitive effects of this type of traditional programming can produce.�

There have been many community groups that have expressed opposition to this SRO program. Parents of Black Children (POBC), an advocacy and community group, have been highly critical as well as the Toronto Youth Council (TYC).

Peel Regional Police decided to conduct a review of the program with an emphasis on police and their encounter with students. This led to the formation of a community-facing committee that worked alongside PRP to obtain first-hand information from those who are directly impacted in these communities. The released statement observes, “It was evident during the consultation phase that the current SRO program has caused a negative impact on segments of our student population. As a result, the

first order of business was to dissolve the SRO program and acknowledge publicly that change was necessary.�

Mississauga News reported that Peel District School Board (PDSB) is supportive of the dissolution of the SRO program. In a statement on its website, interim director of PDSB, Colleen Russel-Rawlin wrote, “Peel Regional Police’s decision to dissolve the SRO program is a necessary change to disrupt systemic racism in our school communities. Collaboratively, with students, their families, trusted community partners and staff, we commit to creating learning spaces where all young people feel safe and respected.�

In addition, the DufferinPeel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) has shown similar approval for the termination of the SRO program. Spokesperson for the DPCDSB, Bruce Campbell states, “DPCDSB supported the pause of the Peel Regional Police School Resource Officer program and actively participated in the subsequent consultation process.

DPCDSB will continue to advocate in all manners to ensure environments that are safe, welcoming and inclusive for all students.�

The dissolution of the SRO program does not preclude PRP from working with the community. The statement notes, “We are committed to action and working in partnership with the community to effect muchneeded change. Based on recommendations made by those most negatively impacted by this programming, the SRO program no longer exists. Moving forward, PRP will continue to work with our community regarding student engagement and programming.�

There are still opportunities for PRP to be active in the community as it seeks to, “Fulfil our role in the Region of Peel’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, which includes a specific commitment to partner with our community and advance the social development, safety, and overall success of our youths.�

CANADA’S LEADING CARIBBEAN NEWSPAPER Selina McCallum TC REPORTER selina@carib101.com

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Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

“We have to embed blackness!”

The road to cultivating black food sovereignty in Toronto JANIECE CAMPBELL janiece@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Did you know that nearly 30% of black households in Canada experience food insecurity?

A recent study from the University of Toronto revealed this alarming figure, which also happens to be more than twice the national average. In fact, black households are 3.6 times more likely to be food insecure than their white counterparts, illustrating the challenges that African, Caribbean and black (ACB) families face in accessing healthy and cultural-specific foods.

Ready for another shocking statistic? According to a 2019 study by the Daily Bread Food Bank, 24% of ACB households in Toronto were food insecure prior to COVID-19. The pandemic has only exacerbated this already difficult crisis.

For at least 25 years, though often under-resourced, a community effort working towards black food security has made its imprint on the city – Afri-Can FoodBasket.

Afri-Can FoodBasket is a community-based, non-profit organization that has been at the frontlines, fighting for food justice and food sovereignty for Toronto’s ACB communities since 1995. According to the organization, their mission is to provide leadership in urban agriculture, and foster collaboration to advance food justice, health and social enterprise in the AfricanCanadian community. Founded and directed by Anan Lololi, who has since been appointed to a Research Associate role in the studies of Food Security at Ryerson University, Afri-Can FoodBasket now seeks to lead the development of a Black Food Sovereignty Alliance to address the evergrowing inequalities affecting Toronto’s ACB communities.

On November 27th and 28th, AfriCan FoodBasket hosted Toronto’s very first Black Food Sovereignty Conference, a free online event exploring the cultivation of food sovereignty in Toronto’s black communities. The two-day cultural affair gave an array of black domestic and international community developers and professionals a platform to highlight intersectional issues concerning the governance of access to food and plans to better these communities that are already structurally disadvantaged within Canadian society.

“The government has a responsibility to its people. It’s a social contract, and that’s why we can hold them responsible.

They have a responsibility to dismantle and recreate institutional systems, policies, regulations and laws,” said Aina-Nia Ayo’dele, a Director of Community Resources and manager of the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit in the City of Toronto.

She continued to speak about her work within the city and actions taken in order to combat the ever-present antiblack racism. On December 5th, 2017, Toronto City Council unanimously passed the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, a plan built on forty-one years of black-focussed research and in-depth conversation with the black community.

The five-year action plan focusses on five sectors: children and youth development, health and community services, job opportunities and income support, policing and the justice system and community engagement. Though seemingly wellthought out, many spectators in the event questioned the ability to conquer racism in a span of five years.

“I’m not delusional. This process is 400 years of undoing. five years is not going to get rid of anti-black racism, but in five years, the plan is to embed a different way of being black in the city of Toronto,” Aina-Nia Ayo’dele affirmed.

Baltimore-residing member of the National Black Food and Justice Alliance in America, Saché Jones, also spoke about colonialism’s destructive effect on how we eat today and the generational aspect of how it continues.

“The process of colonization has not only deteriorated our bodies but also our knowledge of food. As we were forced into places of indoctrination, we were fed greasy, salty, sugary foods, none of which had been in our diets before. When we look at the African, Caribbean and Indigenous true native diet, the experience of salt and grease are not present,” says Jones. “Parents were forced away from growing, children were removed from the communities, and natives were left a future of food dependence and ill health. Our dependence on the corporatized colonial food system is based upon slave labour and detrimental practices to the earth. Our poor health is a direct reflection of the earth’s poor health.”

The evening wrapped up with a final call to action towards the black community by Aina-Nia Ayo’dele.

“We need to hear your voices. I’m asking you all to get involved. As black people, I understand why we don’t get involved in these decisions, a big portion of why is because of trust. But if we don’t take part, then there’s no voice. We have to get on those boards. And even if you’re applying and not getting in, we are working from the inside to make sure that shifts. We need to hear you in council. Get on those lists and be heard!”

NEWS

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NEWS

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

The initiation of total world control dictated by a central government SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Continued From Page 1 -- First, let’s deal with the more popular frame of thought; the person labelled a conspiracy theorist.

A conspiracy theorist is someone who believes in a conspiracy theory (the idea that an event or situation is the result of a secret plan made by powerful people, Cambridge Dictionary). Some infamous people labelled as conspiracy theorists are: David Icke, Dr Buttar, Alex Jones, Del Bigtree, and Jesse Ventura.

Let’s move on to the second frame of thought; the person labelled a complicity theorist. A complicity theorist is someone who accepts the political narrative of the day unquestionably, and consumes mainstream media like it was 1980. They are prone to submissiveness, outbursts of irrational fear, and public shaming of free thinkers (Urban Dictionary).

Again, I want to distinguish between the two frames of thought so that when reading this, you are able to identify how you view the world. It is important, especially during this time, to have a firm innerstanding about who you are, how you feel, and how you perceive the world. Now that we have reviewed the two frames of thought, it is time to jump into a topic that has become popular in alternative, and mainstream media; The Great Reset.

“We have a golden opportunity to seize something good from this crisis — its unprecedented shockwaves may well make people more receptive to big visions of change. It is an opportunity we have never had before and may never have again.”

Prince Charles

If you are an advent watcher of mainstream media, you may have heard the phrases, “Build back better” and “The new normal” from the mouths of leaders worldwide. If these phrases do not ring a bell, I would suggest you watch, “The Awakening World Truth Summit” video on MyTCNTV Network (www.ExposeTheGreatReset.com).

These phrases are all speaking about a concept that is not new, but has been re-branded and marketed by the global elite to advertise what is known as, “The Great Reset.” The people did not elect these elite groups, but yet they seem to have a heavy influence on how we live our lives.

The Great Reset is a plan that was set out in the book written by Klaus Schwab. It outlines a vision of the public consenting to a new dictated style of governance in the sake of saving the planet and for personal safety. This system is being promoted as the only way that humanity will be able to move forward without conflict or plague. It is also being promoted as the “Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

Klaus Schwab is Founder and Chairman of The World Economic Forum and is at the forefront of the Great Reset plan and marketing campaign. Klaus has partnered with many elite and influential people worldwide. The World Economic

Forum’s annual conference in Davos Switzerland sees over 2,000 of the richest and powerful people on the planet.

Large corporations including: Apple, Microsoft, AstraZeneca and Bayer have partnered with the World Economic Forum.

Bill Gates is also a huge contributor to this great reset. His money and foundation is spread across various aspects including the live simulation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Event 201. If you are not familiar with what Event 201 is, I would also recommend you read my article

“What is Event 201, and why should we as a community know about it?” It will clarify exactly how Bill Gates is involved with the creation of this new system.

In the book (COVID-19: The Great Reset, 2020), Klaus Schwab speaks to the fact that the COVID-19 lockdowns may be gradually easing, but anxiety about the world’s social and economic future is intensifying. He explains that there is good reason to worry: a sharp economic downturn has begun (thanks to the pandemic), and that we could be facing a depression much worse than the one experienced in the 1930’s.

According to Klaus, in order to achieve a better outcome, the world must act jointly and swiftly to revamp all aspects of our societies and economies. Every country must participate, and every industry must be transformed. In short, he believes that we need a “Great Reset,” in order to bounce back from our current situation.

The vision for the Great Reset is actually not a reset but a transformation from: democracy, ownership, individuality and freedom of speech, to a system of total control dictated by a central government and monitored via: AI, digital, and biometrical surveillance.

This plan is so grand, and every detail has been so thought out, it’s hard to even get into the depths of all that is tak-

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ing place and all that is involved in bringing this “reset” into fruition.

The Great Reset is being implemented worldwide, most directly through the COVID-19 pandemic plan. Leaders around the world including: Justin Trudeau, Prince Charles, Boris Johnson, Joe Biden, Donald Trump have all been using the phrases “Build back better,” “Reset,” and “New normal” when addressing the public to market this Global Reset on a united front.

“There is an urgent need for global stakeholders to cooperate in simultaneously managing the direct consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. To improve the state of the world, the World Economic Forum is starting the Great Reset Initiative.” (www.weforum.org/great-reset/)

The elite are using the pandemic to usher in a new way to control the population.

They are using a fear-based system in order to get the general public to give up their rights for the sake of order under a one world governing structure. The elite have a financial stake in the creation and the outcome of the pandemic. It is unfortunate that we the people are only pawns in this game.

This is transforming our current natural system, which still recognizes democracy, individual rights and sovereignty to one that socializes and tries to eliminate individual rights and freedoms. The Great Reset is the elimination of privacy, less individuality, and less freedom if any is left at the end of this world transformation.

PAGE 10

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

The Caribbean; A tropical paradise in the winter TVISHA MISTRY

tvisha@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The Caribbean travel industry continues to be heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of postponed travel plans. Many countries just like the Carribeans, finance their GDP by advertising their unique geographical features, raising capital through their tourism sectors. Low tourism has caused the economy of such places to drop. Having consequential impacts on both its residents and the country as a whole. Let’s take a short trip together through the islands to see how they are living, and what some of these islands have in store for some lucky visitors.

Bahamas during pandemic Pack your bags, we’re going to the Bahamas! The island re-opens its doors to visitors who seek haven from the winter. Being the perfect tropical paradise during the winter, the country plans to reopen hotels. Baha-

mas Antalis Paradise Island is scheduled to reopen on December 10th, 2020. Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and Exuma’s Grand Isle resort & Spa are both scheduled to reopen on December 17th, 2020.

Additionally, the Exuma International Airport is getting a massive upgrade.

Expanding the airport terminals from 20,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet.

The project is expected to be completed by March 2022.

Dominica to be published in the National Geographic Traveller (UK) list for adventure National Geographic Traveller UK announced that Dominica will be the first Caribbean island ever to be featured in their Jan/Feb 2021 edition of “Best of the World List for Adventure.” According to National Geographic Traveller UK, the list highlights destinations that demonstrate: resilient communities, innovative conservation efforts, and thrilling opportunities for future explorations.

“We are delighted at this recognition from National Geographic Traveller UK, of our efforts to develop and promote adventure tourism in Dominica,” said Hon Denise Charles (Minister of Tourism, International Transport and Maritime). “This niche is one of our key pillars for develop-

ing a resilient tourism product in close collaboration with community partners. This is a testament to the hard work of our many stakeholders who continue to provide experiences in concert with our natural elements.”

After taking a direct hit from Hurricane Maria in September 2017, the government resolved to make Dominica the world’s first climate-resilient nation in the world. The island’s tourism sector contributes vastly to secure hurricane-proof buildings, aiding in the overall goal of creating a climate-resilient nation.

The island holds weathered mountains running down the spine of the island forming a natural shield. Largely protecting the island, Dominica is often called “Waitukubuli”; ie. tall is her body. Known best for active volcanoes, rivers, towering waterfalls, and black sand beaches; the list will additionally highlight Dominica’s leafy rainforests and its unique geothermal boiling lake.

St. Martin and the St. Maarten partnered initiative The Department of Tourism of Saint Martin and St. Maarten Tourism partnered together to launch a destination video, intended to promote visitors. The short clip captures the beauty of the islands highlighting places to visit, activities, and the uniqueness of both

the island cultures.

“Keeping visitors inspired and engaged is crucial in keeping the destination on the forefront, and having a captivating video is an effective way to spread awareness and capture the attention of viewers that are online,” said Aida Weinum, Director of the St. Martin Tourist Office. “With this video, we hope to inspire future travellers to choose our island as their preferred destination to vacation.”

St. Kitts and Nevis St. Kitts & Nevis officially opened its international borders for tourists on October 31st, 2020. Since the opening, the federation has welcomed 183 travellers to shore, greeting them with a festive performance (St. Kitts Masqueraders).

The federation has set strict precautionary guidelines to allow safe travels for all visitors. The outline is as follows: All international travellers are required to submit proof of a PCR- test, 72 before arrival.

Visitors staying seven nights or less are required to take a PCR test 72 hours prior to their departure.

For efficiency purposes, these tests will be conducted on the hotel property. If the test results are positive, the traveller will be required to stay in isolation at the cost of their respective hotel!

Positivity, ambition, creativity, and passion are the words that describe Matt U Johnson JONELL PANTLITZ jonell@carib101.com

TC JR. REPORTER

“You can do everything and anything that you put your mind to.” Matt U Johnson A few months ago we featured Matt U Johnson as our Classic Man Feature.

Matt U Johnson is of Jamaican descent born and was raised in Staten Island New York. At the tender age of thirteen, he decided to pursue a career in music. His father, who was a spoken word and reggae artist, heavily influenced him. All the concerts that he attended had an impact on his sound and love for music. He then joined a group called Mixed when he was

fifteen years old; The group was musically and ethnically diverse, they did shows around the city but Johnson eventually would outgrow the group. His reasoning was to pursue his musical career more seriously.

That is precisely what Johnson did later in his career. He has made appearances at the Madison Square Garden’s film festival, the famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem and MTV’s total request live show. Apart from that, Johnson had the opportunity to open for artist Buju Banton, Lil Wayne, Hip Hop artist Man, Cash Out and Pop/EDM group the Cataracs.

“I just wanted to be independent because a lot of people didn’t want to be locked down to a 360 deal, or they didn’t want to be locked down to a label, telling them what to do. And I kind of said, you know, what? Let me start my own thing and see how it takes off. And maybe I could just get distribution to a bigger company,” and that is exactly what he did.

Johnson has now released his first single for 2020 called “Gwan Get It” the

single features multi-platinum Juno winner Choclair and Latin Grammy-nominated Sito Rocks. The song is now sitting at almost 100,000 streams on Spotify.

Johnson writes all of his songs; he explained the process to Toronto Caribbean Newspaper reporter, “I always start with writing the chorus first, because the hook is the most important part of the song, and then I go into the verses. I always like to take from personal experience and things that are going on, around the globe, like, you know, certain events. I key these events in.”

He is currently working on an album and an EP for year. One of the producers he is working with worked with sixtime American singer-songwriter Grammy Award nominee Khalid. He is definitely an artist we have to look out for in 2021.

Matt U Johnson is sponsored by local Toronto international black-owned brand SDHtoronto. According to Matt U Johnson, “I just wanted to support the black community by helping her and I love her clothes, her clothes are awesome.”

Johnson most recently started a web-series that is available on his YouTube channel. He explained how the series came about. “So, it came about with just me wanting to bring the Jamaican American culture to El Paso because I was living here for around eight or nine years before I left to come to Toronto.

When I went to Toronto, I was like, you know what, I have to bring some of that cultural, the Caribbean cultural vibes back. What better thing to do than create something that shows my music and also the acting side.” Johnson is now using his platform on YouTube to spread awareness about the Coronavirus.

Johnson’s overall goal is to become a household name, make his mark in the world, and to be someone in the music industry that spreads positivity and ambition.

You can find Matt U Johnson’s web-series on YouTube at Matt U Johnson aka MUJ and check out his website at mattujmusic.com.

NEWS

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 11

1 out of 2 food bank visitors are worried about facing eviction or defaulting on their mortgage in the next two to six months SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“Our survey revealed that over 93% of respondents are navigating the financial challenges created by the pandemic by borrowing money from friends or family, accessing payday loans, or using credit cards to help pay bills.”

Carolyn Stewart (Executive Director, Feed Ontario)

There has been a long history of housing insecurity for African/Caribbean’s living in North America. Most of this is due to racially targeted policies and widespread discrimination, particularly within the rental housing market.

What can be said is that this pandemic has highlighted the disparities experienced in the Afro-Caribbean communities, and once again all that has occurred during this dreaded pandemic disproportionately

affects us. It has exacerbated past inequalities, and is setting the stage for worsening inequality. Many of us have less confidence in our ability to pay rent, and are experiencing greater difficulties than other communities.

Feed Ontario released its 2020 Hunger Report, which included a special feature on the impact of COVID-19 on food bank use and vulnerable populations across the province. The revelations are startling; this pandemic has severely affected how people live their daily lives and their ability to afford even their most basic expenses, such as rent, heat, hydro, transportation, and food.

More than 537,000 people accessed a food bank, visiting more than 3.2 million times, in the year leading up to the pandemic.

Over 85% of food bank visitors are rental or social housing tenants that spend the majority of their monthly income on housing.

This naturally leaves very little for all other necessities, and makes it near impossible for low-income people to establish savings or a financial cushion to help offset income loss or unexpected expenses during times of emergency.

To gain further understanding on how this looks, let us review some of the numbers gathered from the report, and then we can examine the suggestions that have been provided to handle this increasing issue.

2020 Hunger Report Highlights and Trends • Ontario’s food banks were visited over 3,282,500 times throughout the year, an increase of 7.3% over the previous year, and 11.8% over the last two years • The primary drivers of food bank use are: Ontario’s insufficient social assistance programs, precarious employment, and unaffordable housing • 65.7% of food bank visitors cite social assistance as their primary source of income • 86% of food bank visits are rental or social housing tenants who spend the majority of their monthly income on rent • 1 out of 2 food bank visitors are worried about eviction or defaulting on their mortgage in the next two to six months • The top three expenses that caused a survey respondent to miss a meal were rent, utilities, and phone/internet “Prices have gone up. My hydro bill has almost doubled since last year this time.

Choosing to pay bills and put food last has been happening for me.” Survey Respondent The report details that people in vulnerable communities are incurring more debt. Many adults and families have no choice but to go without food in order to afford monthly expenses, with rent, utilities and phone/internet

being the most common expenses.

Government intervention and support like CERB and the moratorium on evictions have played a significant role in helping families avoid financial devastation, however, many of these supports have come to an end, and food banks are starting to see an increase in the number of people turning to them for assistance.

What can be done? How can we best support these people who are in silent need, and remain unnoticed?

Feed Ontario is calling on the Government of Ontario to provide immediate support to low-income adults and families impacted by the pandemic, including the development of a rent relief or payment program for tenants facing rent arrears or eviction due to COVID-19. They are also asking the government to reinstate the Emergency Benefit for social assistance recipients.

They are calling on the provincial government to align Ontario’s social assistance rates with the national standard set

by CERB, and to invest in strengthening the workforce by developing strong labour laws and policies that benefit hard-working people.

Reinstate paid sick days. Create quality job opportunities that provide liveable wages. More can be done to support our vulnerable communities. We have to do more!

Chris Campbell is the new representative for The Carpenter’s District Council of Ontario MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The Carpenter’s District Council (CDCO) of Ontario recently appointed Chris Campbell as their Union’s new Equity and Diversity Representative.

The Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario (“CDCO”) is composed of sixteen affiliated Local Unions, including 3,000 members of HOPE Local 2220 and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners across the province.

In total, they represent over 30,000 women and men working in a wide range of skilled trades.

This organization realizes the importance of backing community-building initiatives in our industry and championing diversity and inclusion. This draws them closer

to creating a safe and equitable industry for Ontario’s more than 30,000 tradesmen and women.

As professionals in the construction and building department, the CDCO continues to support all apprentices who are looking to pursue a career in the trades, regardless of race, sex, or ethnic background.

The organization said that the construction industry is becoming more diverse and they are learning valuable lessons along the way about the importance of creating safe and inclusive workplaces.

They are also learning, growing and looking for great people who are interested in a fulfilling career in the trades.

As he assumes his new position as Equity and Diversity Representative, Campbell will help the relationship between the CDCO and members of the community to encourage all Canadians to get involved in the trades and provide mentorship for the duration of the apprenticeship process.

Campbell will also work diligently with the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN), where he now sits on the Board of Directors. Everyone, in particular young people from troubled backgrounds, deserve access to guidance, opportunities and the tools necessary to excel in the trades.

Here is a little taste of Mr. Campbell’s working experiences.

As a veteran of diversity, Campbell understands the importance of being an active member of his community. He has been a Business Representative of Locals 27 since September 2003, but dedicates his free time to being involved in many community-building initiatives.

“I have been volunteering in the local community for many years during evenings and weekends while working for the CDCO full-time,” said Campbell. “I’ve worked with the Toronto Police Service, the Jamaican Canadian Association, Helping Hands Jamaica, and many others Carpenters’ Union community outreach projects.”

Canada’s largest Caribbean newspaper (Toronto Caribbean Newspaper) spoke with Mr. Campbell about his present and future plans to ensure that equity and diversity is front and center in youth development.

“One of the things that I have been trying to do in Toronto,” Campbell said, “is to work with the Toronto Community Benefits to reach urban youths to start a career in the construction industry.”

We are trying to reach out to the different sectors representative within my union. I want to see if I can integrate some of

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these youths in the industry working on the massive infrastructure projects like: the Finch LRT, the Eglinton Cross Links, The West Park Hospital, Peel LRT and a lot of major City of Toronto projects.”

Campbell told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper. “I am trying to work with my colleagues with the support of my management to get that up and going within my union. Then I will be reaching out to competing unions or other trade unions to convince them to give these youths an opportunity so they don’t follow the path that we have been seeing in the media over and over.”

When asked what are his plans in the near future, he said, “First I have to be optimistic. I am going in several directions and since this is going to be my full time gig, I am familiar with the youth side of things, and the contractor’s side of things.

I am going to do a survey on these associations, reach out to them, ask for their support and hear their sentiments on integrating black youths,’ indigenous youths,’ female’s, and LGBTQ. It is not that they are not doing it now, but I want to enhance what they are doing a little bit more.”

For more information on this organization: www.thecarpentersunion.ca

NEWS

PAGE 12

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Prime Minister’s Award winner for Teaching Excellence; Rachel Luke cellence.

According to Ms Luke, she is honoured to be selected as a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2020. She said, “I am also grateful to God for this blessing and to my colleagues and students for nominating me.�

During Ms Luke’s eighteen years of her teaching career, she has helped her students accomplish a lot. She mentioned, “In our world of ever-advancing social, economic and technological changes, my goal is to empower students with the skills and knowledge they require to achieve success.�

Rachel Luke is a role model for many students and empowers at-risk students; she co-chaired boys-at-risk committee; created clubs for marginalized youth; helps at-risk students with financial literacy, and also partnered with Raptors 905 Team to provide opportunities for students to earn their forty hours that is required to graduate high school.

This excellent teacher fosters leadership skills and sense of responsibility among student participants in multiple extracurricular activities some being: newspaper, talent shows, theatrical productions, drama club, ambassadors for change club, Black History Month as-

JONELL PANTLITZ jonell@carib101.com

TC JR. REPORTER

We here at Toronto Caribbean Newspaper are invested in our community, and we are here to help in building it. This is why we must shed light on magnificent people such as Rachel Luke who has been awarded the highest honour of Teaching Excellence.

The Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence is awarded annually to elementary and secondary school teachers in all disciplines. It is the most prestigious prize awarded to a teacher in Canada. Over 1,600 educators to date have received this award since its inception in 1994.

We are proud to announce that this year’s winner of the prestigious award is Rachel Luke; she has been teaching at the Peel District School Board for eighteen years and has now recently received Canada’s highest honour for Teaching Ex-

semblies, Remembrance Day assemblies and more. She has also created and developed engaging multimedia-infused online learning courses for international students, which are accessible anywhere in the world.

Ms Luke’s endeavours to give a voice to the voices that have too long been silenced and implement a culturally responsive program that ensures her students see themselves and their experiences reflected in the material in which they engage.

According to Ms Luke, “I teach culturally responsive pedagogy; holocaust, Indigenous, and anti-black racist education, encourage my students to come to the realization that each one of us has a responsibility to not only stand for social justice, but to also confront injustice. They engage in their learning and become more empathetic and compassionate because they not only connect what they learn to their own lives and experiences; they also relate their learning to other tragic events happening in our local and global communities today.

Most importantly, my students feel empowered to be the change they want to see.�

Her students have learned the importance of having a positive racial iden-

tity and how to recognize and dismantle racist beliefs and attitudes in themselves, in others and in societal institutions. She mentioned, “Through the medium of theatre, my students have gained a deeper understanding and have spread awareness about the horrors of war, the Holocaust and other genocides, residential schools and the history of blacks and the Indigenous peoples in Canada as well as mental health and illness.�

Rachel Luke is also an advocate for culturally responsive and anti-black racist education; she supervises the Black Student Association, organizes activities and assemblies for Black History Month.

She invites black leaders to school as guest speakers and takes students to community events hosted by black organizations.

She is also currently collaborating with Indigenous residential school survivor, Theordore Fontaine, to write a play based on his memoir Broken Circle.

Rachel Luke believes a good education is about more than academics; it also involves developing a strong character, self-respect, respect for others, and engagement in the world beyond the classroom.

Declining quality of post-secondary education after transitioning to online learning models occurred. According to a poll commissioned by OCUFA and conducted by Navigator Inc, between 2,700 Ontarian students, it has been revealed that 62% of students have experienced a negative impact on their education quality after adjustments were made to transition universities online. 76% of the faculty members and academic librarians have supported and resonated with this statement.

“These results demonstrate that meaningful engagement between students and faculty is fundamental to the learning process,� said Rahul Sapra, President of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations. “As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the scramble to move courses online, we have lost that human connection and educational quality has suffered.�

Additionally, there has been a notable increase in mental health issues in students and faculty members due to isolation, stress, and a lack of institutional support. The majority of students are concerned about their financial security as they are having a hard time balancing their work and study life in order to support themselves and others financially after the adjustment in university learning models.

TVISHA MISTRY

tvisha@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

This year has been unpredictable, and COVID-19 has made life-altering changes for everyone, modifying all our routines.

It has affected the economy, companies, employees, parents, and the education system, especially students.

The current conditions have made it clear that most students and faculty members will not be returning to campus any time soon. The pandemic has caused a shift in education models, transitioning teachers, and students towards a remote learning approach. While it is the ideal approach during such times, there have been several consequential impacts on both the students and faculty members due to the modifications.

There has been a significant decline in the quality of education since the transition of the remote learning model RY 10TH

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When students were asked about the impact of the pandemic, the majority said they are concerned about their education quality and academic performance alongside their financial security.

As a result of high tuition fees and the declining opportunities to earn an income, students have felt stressed and pressured causing an impact on their mental health as well as their overall performance.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic students have raised concerns about the quality and affordability of their education,� said Kayla Weiler, Ontario Representative of the Canadian Federation of Students. “These results further indicate that universities and the Ontario government must take action to improve learning and working conditions.�

Without immediate action from universities and the Ontario government to resolve these concerns, it is likely that education will degrade even further. Ontario universities can take steps to resolve these concerns. Lowering tuition fees will help students struggling financially, now and after the pandemic. Additionally, reducing class sizes and hiring additional faculty members will ensure students receive a better educational experience.

Finally, investing in better resources for students and faculty will improve educa-

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Without additional support from the provincial government, Ontario’s universities will struggle to make such comprehensive changes. The Ford government has displayed a pattern of behavior by consistently ignoring the efforts and importance of Ontario’s education system by making substantial cuts to postsecondary education funding, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Throughout the pandemic, the Ford government has stood on the sidelines and watched as university students, faculty, and academic librarians struggle,� said Sapra. “Even in the middle of the pandemic, the top concerns for students and faculty are fees and funding. It is time for the provincial government to step up, set an example, and invest in Ontario’s underfunded universities so that they can improve the educational experience and help students and faculty succeed.�

It is not too late to reform and prioritize the education of generations to come. Reversing cuts to education by investing in smaller classes, good jobs, and lower tuition fees will help Ontario universities during the pandemic and will eventually allow for a smooth transition to the in-person educational experience.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

PAGE 13

Measure your coronary risk with the Omega-3 Index W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES TC HEALTH REPORTER

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in North America. Almost half of all U.S. adults have some type of cardiovascular disease, and in Canada, a woman dies of heart disease every 20 minutes. Heart disease is not often a disease of chance or bad luck. For the most part, it is a lifestyle disease. There are things we can do to prevent it.

We write columns every week to help readers avoid becoming a statistic. The fact that omega-3 fatty acids can help make the difference between life and death has been a frequent topic. But don’t take our word for it. Take a test and

find out for yourself. That’s exactly what we are doing.

The Omega-3 Index is a scientifically validated test to check your risk for heart disease. The test measures the amount of EPA and DHA, both omega-3 fatty acids, and expresses them as a percentage of the total amount of fatty acids in your red blood cells. Anything less than 4% indicates high risk. Between 4-8% signals moderate risk. Above 8% means low risk.

EPA and DHA are “good” fatty acids. They promote cardiovascular health, and are also needed for brain function, mood and joint health. There are other fatty acids in our blood, too. Omega-6 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.

Too much omega-6 can elevate your blood pressure and risk of blood clots that cause heart attacks and stroke. While omega-3s fight inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease, omega-6 fatty acids are proinflammatory. The goal is to have ample omega-3 without an ex-

cessive amount of omega-6.

Nearly all of us are failing. A Statistics Canada survey shows that 97% of Canadians are below the desirable 8% level and the average Canadian adult is at 4.5% – barely above the high-risk zone.

Even when eating fish twice weekly, 93% of Canadian are below 8%. Researchers found that 95% of participants in an American cohort suffered even lower levels of omega-3s. A stunning 90% of those taking fish oil supplements didn’t score well either. Why? Fish oils are hard for our water-based bodies to absorb.

These results should be alarming. North Americans have become careless about what they eat. For instance, people say no too often to green beans, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale and nuts.

They rarely eat fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sea bass and oysters. A good diet would be a good start.

Even if we all consumed more omega-3 fatty acids in our diet, there remains that problem of absorption – the same problem most omega-3 supple-

ments face. Our liver and pancreas help convert fish oils into monoglyceride fats for our bodies to absorb them. Not all of us do this conversion well, especially if we are health compromised.

Researchers in Canada have developed a solution, pre-digested monoglyceride fish oil that is three times more absorbable than standard fish oil supplements. It’s called MaxSimil, and studies have shown it to result in higher Omega-3 Index scores than other forms of fish oil.

We are putting ourselves to the test. Our baseline Omega-3 Index scores are in: Diana at 5.47% and Giff at 5.56%. This is barely acceptable. And this result despite good diets plentiful in fish!

We’re now on a firm regimen of “the perfect omega” containing MaxSimil.

We’ll let you know the results of our follow-up tests soon. Learn more about the Omega-3 Index and how to get a test kit at www.docgiff.com/omega.

Speaking up is crucial!! Domestic violence virtual discussion MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

• •

TC REPORTER

• The Caribbean Voice invited Toronto Caribbean Newspaper to have a representative cover a Zoom and Facebook live discussion on domestic violence in the Caribbean and the Caribbean diaspora on November 29th, 2020, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

This program was part of an observance of sixteen days of activism against gender-based violence that will be ongoing from November 25th to December 10th each year.

The people taking part in this program came from a number of Caribbean nations as well as the Caribbean diaspora in the US and included: • •

Dr. C Ashley John – St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Social activist/advocate Christine Perumal – USA, lead attorney at Safe Horizons, an NGO fo-

• • • • • •

cused on empowerment of domestic violence victims, social activist and advocate Dr. Karen Carpenter – Jamaica, Head, Institute for Gender and Development Studies, UWI, Mona Campus Anthony Ganness - Trinidad & Tobago, Mental Health Unit, Ministry of Health.

Krisnan Hurdle – Barbados, therapist, life coach, clinical psychology student, lead consultant at Insight Counseling Mrs. E. Laurie Shiell-Smith – Bermuda, Executive Director, Center Against Abuse Dr. Bindu Babu – USA, domestic violence survivor, author and women’s empowerment activist Judith Narain – USA, TCV member, social activist and advocate.

Dr. Lorraine Barnaby – Jamaica, TCV member, psychiatrist, social activist and advocate Dr. Keshwar Ramkissoon – USA Pandits Parishad, medical doctor, social activist and advocate Bibi Ahamad – Guyana, TCV member, psychologist, social activist and advocate

Annan Boodram and Neela Naraine of The

Caribbean Voice hosted this conference, while Bibi Ahamad was both a discussant and a co-host.

Although this is one of a number of programs being organized by The Caribbean Voice, the aim is to bring together people across the Caribbean and its diaspora who are involved in suicide and abuse prevention at various levels.

This particular program is also aimed to arrive at strategies for domestic violence prevention that are viable, pragmatic and doable.

Such strategies will be shared with all governments, NGOs, FBOs, CSOs and individuals who are involved in domestic violence prevention.

Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was present at the virtual conference and interacted with some of the participants in live video time.

The first question of the evening went out to Dr. Karen Carpenter of Jamaica Head Institute for Gender and Development Studies, UWI, Mona Campus.

The question was how does emotional, psychological or verbal abuse affect the victim?

“One of the first things,” Carpenter answered, “that happens to the victim is the loss of self-esteem. This happens even before they come to the point of re-

porting that they have been victimized.”

“They begin to blame themselves feeling that they have somehow done something wrong. Maybe the way they look, the way they stood, the way they sat, and this keeps them from reporting the matter until it becomes a second and a third attack,” she said.

“Most victims,” she said, “don’t report the abuse in the first instance and the ones who do are the ones most likely to fight back.”

Dr. Bindu Babu who is a domestic violence survivor, author and women’s empowerment activist in the U.S.A also spoke on this sad subject of domestic violence.

“In some cultures,” Bindu said, we are taught to stay in a marriage no matter what. If not, it is considered a very negative impact on society, your family and the culture. This creates fear of being ostracized by society and your culture.”

Bindu also spoke of how cunning these abusers can be, “A narcissist,” she said, “is a person who always comes to you and says, you know I did this because you did this to make me do this to you. This is called (gas lighting) but there comes a time when you have to break out of that barrier and it takes a lot of guts.”

PAGE 14

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Judgment of the Tribunal in the matter of Crimes against humanity by 5G-pandemic perpetrators SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Last edition, I introduced the community to a group of professionals and experts who had come together in a series of virtual hearings under Articles 6 and 7 of the “International Criminal Code.” Together this group has formed a tribunal, which is defined as:

“A branch of the court system that deals with disputes between the citizens and the state, or between two individuals. They are composed of a legally trained chairperson along with two laypersons who are experts and specialize in their field.”

On Sunday, November 29th, 2020 after approximately eight hours of trial testimony and deliberation, the Tribunal Judges found allegations in the Indictment to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Tribunal Judges approved the Emergency Injunctions and Writs of Mandamus as set out in the Indictment and Amendments and handed out Incarceration sentences to Named Defendants in the Indictment, by Majority Aye vote, with 1 abstention and 1 nay vote.

Some of our readers may be think-

ing, there is no way that a group of individuals like you and I could hold people like Bill Gates and Anthony Stephen Fauci accountable for their actions. In actuality, under the Universal Jurisdiction using the International Criminal Code, individuals become answerable for crimes defined and prosecuted regardless of where they live, or where the illegal conduct occurred.

Since the end of the Second World War, over fifteen countries including: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Senegal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, have conducted investigations, commenced prosecutions and completed trials based on universal jurisdiction for genocide and crimes against humanity.

Definitions of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity Genocide is defined in Article 6 of the International Criminal Code, as any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group: (a) Killing members of the group (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group (Slavery) (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part (COVID-19) (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group (Eugenics) (e) Forcibly transferring children of the

group to another group (Residential Schools)

•

Crimes Against Humanity As defined in Article 7 of the International Criminal Code, crime against humanity means any of the following acts when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack:

•

(a) Murder (b) Extermination (c) Enslavement (d) Deportation or forcible transfer of population (e) Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law (f) Torture (g) Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity (h) Persecution against any identifiable group (political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender) as defined in paragraph 3 (i) Enforced disappearance of persons (j) The crime of apartheid (k) Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to the body or to mental or physical health.

Judgment and Verdict Below is a list of the emergency injunctions to ban:

•

•

•

•

•

Any and all allopathic vaccinations including COVID vaccinations, and any and all uses of Aspartame under any of its names for human consumption worldwide Any and all 5G and above installations and activations worldwide Genocide Pandemic Social Control Methods like mandatory lockdowns, masking, quarantines, detention centres, concentration camps, etc.

Any and all intentional disinformation and misinformation by media and Social media concerning the Genocidal Technologies Pandemic as defined in the Indictment Any and all financial abuse or fraud by Financial, Banking or unjust enrichment entities or individuals regarding the Genocidal Technologies Pandemic as defined in the Indictment Any and all abuse by sentient and/or strong or other AI artificial intelligence around the Genocidal Technologies Pandemic as defined in the Indictment Any and All 2009-2020 and beyond criminal co-conspiracy around the Genocidal Technologies Pandemic by named and unnamed Defendants in the Indictment.

If you are interested in learning more about the verdict and the continuation of this proceeding, you can do a web search for “Judgment of the Tribunal in the matter of Crimes against Humanity by 5G-Pandemic Perpetrators.”

NEWS

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 15

American Medical Association recognizes racism as a public health threat •

PAUL JUNOR

•

paul@carib101.com

•

TC REPORTER

• In an historic move, the American Medical Association (AMA) has seen it fit to adopt a new policy that recognizes racism as a public health threat as reported in a press release on November 16th, 2020 (AMA-assn. org). This adoption came after its Board of Trustees met in June 2020 and, “Acknowledged the health consequences of violent police interactions and denounced violent racism as an urgent threat to public health, pledging action to confront systemic racism, racial injustice and police brutality.â€?

This came after the death of George Floyd on May 23rd, 2020.

The approval of this policy, which is directed at all manner of racism, mandated that the AMA initiate specific steps to fight against racism: •

racism and unconscious bias within medical research and health care Identifying tactics to counter racism and mitigate its health effects Encouraging medical education curricula to promote a greater understanding of the topic Supporting external policy development and funding for researching racism’s health risks and damages Working to prevent influences of racism and bias in health technology innovation

The AMA has taken a proactive approach to looking at structural and systemic racism prior to 2020. In a press release on June 13th, 2018 at its Annual Meeting, it revealed a bold plan towards health equity. It presented a strategic framework, which focused on accomplishing maximal health and adopts a holistic approach focusing on mental and behavioural health. This framework includes the following: • • • • •

Acknowledging the harm caused by

Advocate for health care access, research and data collection Promote equity in care Increase health workforce diversity and cultural awareness competency Influence determinants of health Voice and model commitment to health

equity In addition, the AMA announced on May 14th, 2019 in a press release that it had appointed its first health equity officer, Dr Alethia Maybank who is responsible for, “AMA Center for Health Equity which will work to embed health equity across the organization, so that health equity, becomes part of the: practice, action, innovation and organization performance and outcomes.�

The press release also stated that, “AMA is committed to collaborating with stakeholders to confront the issue of racism within our society. We continue to urge others leading health organizations to also take up the mantle of intolerance for racism as it pushes upstream to dismantle racism across all of health care driving the future of medicine toward anti-racism.�

In a press release on November 16th, 2020, AMA Board member, Willarda V. Edwards states, “The AMA recognizes that racism negatively impacts and exacerbates health inequities among historically marginalized communities. Without systemic and structural level change, health inequities will continue to exist, and the overall health of the nation will suffer.�

He adds that, “Declaring racism as an urgent public health threat is a step in the right direction toward advancing equity in

medicine and public health, while creating pathways for truth, healing and reconciliation.�

The adoption of this new policy by the AMA is essential because, “Studies show historically marginalized populations in the U.S have: shorter lifespans, greater public and mental illness burden, earlier onset and aggressive progression of disease, higher maternal and infant mortality and less access to health care.�

The effects of racism have serious, pernicious and long-lasting effects on mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.

The new policy describes the various forms of racism as: •

• •

Systemic racism: structural and legalized system that results in differential access to goods and services, including health care services Cultural racism: negative and harmful stereotypes portrayed in cultural shared media and experiences.

Interpersonal racism: implicit selfexplicit racial prejudice, indicating explicitly expressed racist beliefs and implicitly held racist attitudes and actions based upon or resulting from these prejudices.

“How are you doing? No Really! How are you?�

Institute for Advancement in Mental Health steps up to support those in need I learned that since the pandemic hit, the Institute for Advancement in Mental Health (IAM) saw calls to its mental health support line jump up nearly 500% (most related to COVID-19), and nearly 60% of these calls were from people who were caring for family members or friends with mental health challenges.

In response to this, IAM quickly moved all of their on-site, in-person and telephone support onto digital platforms.

This has allowed them to respond to the increase in volume, but that in itself has been a challenge. With us now entering the second wave of this pandemic, IAM is again noticing an increase in support needed, and even though they have served over 1,000 families and individuals this year, they are often faced with requests that outpace their current capacity. This of course has not deterred them from offering caregivers and people in need of care the help they deserve.

The institute of Advancement in Mental Health (formerly the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario) is a community mental health organization with an over 40-year history in mental health services. Their goals in 2020 have been to help more people impacted by mental illness and expand their service offerings beyond schizophrenia and psychosis. They have successfully become Canada’s first community-based mental health innovation platform that has the ability to co-create services to improve the quality of life for people dealing with mental health challenges.

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“When COVID-19 hit, we stepped up to the plate right away to deliver uninterrupted services. We recognized that now, more than ever, continuity of care is critically important to the people we serve and to many more who may not have another option right now.�

Mary Alberti, CEO (Institute for Advancement in Mental Health) When was the last time someone asked you how you were doing? No, really! When is the last time? I think that it is time that we really come to understand how important that question is to ask, and to be asked?

I had the opportunity to speak with Jack Harding, a representative for the Institute for Advancement in Mental Health, and during our dialogue, I learned about some information that made my heart hurt. Why? One of the reasons is because I know that many of us in the African-Caribbean community know someone who is suffering, or are personally struggling with mental health illnesses. These are challenges that many of us face alone, and with no reprieve.

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From my own personal experience, I know that when someone is living with a mental illness, it is often a friend or family member who has to act as his or her caregiver. Let’s be honest, sometimes trying to navigate the system to get the support you need can be difficult and can leave caregivers feeling emotionally or physically drained.

“Caregivers were asking for support Simone,� Jack told me. “We have heard many stories of burnout, especially during these extended lockdowns. We know that caring for those with mental illnesses is essential; it has become critical that we build and protect a caregiver’s resilience and knowledge.�

What IAM has done is create special programs specifically targeted at supporting those who selflessly support others.

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due to heightened anxiety brought on by the loss of support networks or vital activities. Many who care for others are calling in distress, feeling overburdened by the extra responsibilities and lack of respite that being shut-in during the pandemic brings,�

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collective shared experience Thematic Webinars: Targeting a broad audience on timely issues related to COVID anxieties or other stressors such as festive holiday season Skills Development: Specialized areas for advanced caregiver training Expanded Services: Recognizing the changing dynamic within families experiencing shared isolation; they are planning a new support group for siblings in the New Year.

If any of these services are of interest to you, or if you know of anyone who could benefit from these services, reach out confidentially to one of IAM’s counsellors at 1-855-4499949 or email IAM at support@iamentalhealth.ca. The line is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays, with expanded hours until 7 pm, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As noted earlier, challenges have come with the increasing influx of calls from communities across Canada. Like many other charities, IAM’s operations have been impacted by the pandemic. They are 70% donor-funded, and IAM needs support to continue to service some of the most vulnerable communities across the country.

This holiday season, IAM encourages you to help them help the untold heroes of mental healthcare and provide invaluable support and relief to caregivers in need.

You don’t need to have a diagnosed mental illness. Reach out. Having someone else to talk to is important.

PAGE 16

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

“You are under arrest!” Bill C26 allows you to stand up for your family and your children when the law will not SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

What a year this has been, and it looks like it is revving up to be a more disturbing 2021.

This year, my work as a journalist has taught me quite a lot about how this world works. I have watched the fall of journalism. I have seen how easily a person’s mind can be manipulated to believe what they are told. I have seen the people on this planet acquiesce to rules and laws that are detrimental to our livelihoods. It has been an overwhelming, terrifying experience that will live in my mind forever.

It has not been completely negative. I have seen groups of people come together, from all religions, cultures, races, and beliefs to fight for what they believe in. I want to introduce to the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper readers, a group of freedom fighters who are actively defending the most vulnerable and defenceless group affected by the pandemic; the children.

The organization Stand4THEE has come together to stand strong against the iniquities that are plaguing people here in Canada. Their mission is to use lawful, peaceful and effective action to end the tyranny of the criminals (government officials) who are actively attempting to take away our rights

and freedoms. They are determined that together; we can hold the government, and those who impose their will accountable for their actions using truth and facts.

Their focus is on children because our young ones cannot defend themselves against the criminals that are dictating our lives. As parents you are legally responsible for protecting your children. This legal responsibility is expressly stated under Section 215(1) of the Criminal Code. Bill C26 allows you to stand up for your family and your child (ren) when the law will not.

I want to take a moment to introduce you to the team at Stand4Thee who have decided to assist us in waging this war against the inhumane treatment of the people here in Canada.

Cullen McDonald Cullen can speak from personal experience when it comes to the devastating affects of vaccines. He has had to overcome several health problems and autoimmune disorders that are a result of vaccines he received as a child. He joined the movement in April 2020, and since then he has successfully launched a national letter writing campaign directed at elected political leaders of Canada. He is the co-founder of Hugs over Masks, and has helped build one of the largest grassroots truth groups in Canada.

Rebecca Sheppard A certified nutritionist, project manager and wife, Rebecca’s life was put on hold when these lockdowns began. She continues to work tirelessly for the freedom of every individual, and chooses truth over fear, action over complacency and empowerment over

victimhood.

Dan Oke As a noted student of the Classic Martial Arts Centre since 2008, Dan has worked with children, youth and adults with and without special needs throughout the City of Burlington Diversity Department and Autism Ontario.

To Dan, everything that has happened in his life has led him to this moment. Now he is able to teach people how to sand up and become the best version of themselves.

Now that we know who they are, let’s talk about the message they are hoping to share with the Toronto Caribbean community.

First, let us talk about what a citizen’s arrest is and what needs to be considered when taking this type of action.

A citizen’s arrest is a very serious and potentially dangerous undertaking. Unlike a peace officer, a private citizen is neither tasked with the duty to preserve and maintain public peace, nor generally speaking, properly trained to apprehend suspected criminals. As you know – or have seen shows like COPS – arresting someone usually involves using force to detain them physically. You can also use words that will cause a person to submit. If not done carefully, a citizen’s arrest may have serious unintended physical or legal consequences for those involved.

Under section 494A(1) of the Criminal Code, anyone may arrest a person whom they find committing an indictable offence or a person who, on reasonable grounds, they believe has committed a criminal offence and is escaping from and freshly pursued by persons who have lawful authority

to arrest that person. The law requires that when a citizen’s arrest takes place, the individual must be delivered to a peace officer without delay. Also, a person is not entitled to use excessive force in a citizen’s arrest.

When you get a chance, I would definitely recommend you visit their website https://stand4thee.com/. Here they go over details on certain laws pertaining to: Self-defence and defence of property Defence of Self and Defence of Others Under sections 34 to 37 of the Criminal Code, states that distinct defences are provided for a person who uses force to protect themselves or another from attack depending on whether they provoked the attack or not and whether they intended to use deadly force.

Defence of Property Under sections 38 to 42 of the Criminal Code, multiple defences for the “peaceable possessor” of property exist. The use of deadly force is only permitted in very exceptional circumstances — for example, where it is necessary to protect a person from death or grievous bodily harm.

Now, there are specific steps to follow when making a citizen’s arrest. The thought of doing this might be intimidating to some, and for good reason. When you visit https://stand4thee.com/ there is a link that takes you through a step-by-step process, as well as a script you can use once you are ready to make the call.

The thing to take away from this is that you are not alone. There are people who know the laws and are ready to help you; all you have to do is ask.

The Jamaican culinary experience - Once you go, you know NOEL CUNNINGHAM noel@carib101.com

CULINARY REPORTER

In late October I took a trip home to Jamaica as I usually would for the past five years around this time of year. My entire trip was packed with food from cooking on the Mega Mart infomercial to preparing a massive thanksgiving spread for the Best-Dressed

Chicken to restaurant hopping across the city. One of the things I can appreciate since leaving is how developed our food scene become and we now enjoy eating out more than ever before. Growing up for me eating out was really once in while and maybe on special occasions but since of late, I think the food scene evolves where eating out is the new thing from different theme nights, restaurant specials or just checking out a new spot. In Jamaica, we have a boxed food culture because we like value for our money and buying a boxed food can keep you full for a quarter of the price compared to going to a seated restaurant.

Each trip to Jamaica I spend most of my time restaurant hopping checking what’s new, what’s hot and what’s trending.

I must tell you COVID-19 and the curfew ain’t

slowing down most of the spots. The food scene is still buzzing. I visited the R Hotel in New Kingston enjoyed the patio view overlooking new Kingston, mainly had cocktails and wings. My cocktail special was 2oz of white rum on the rocks with tonic water, a splash of angostura bitter and lemon or lime, I went twice in one week.

My next spot was Irie Flava Restaurant Bar and Grill in Greenwood Montego Bay. I had the oxtail with rice and peas and a rum punch and let me tell you everything was Irie. The rum punch had the right punch, and the food was spot on. Good ambiance, price and service.

Heading back into Kingston I visited Trio Wine Bar which is Kingston’s newest restaurant, bar and lounge located at 64 Hope Road. Again, I only had drinks, but my

table gave the food great feedback. I loved the quiet and chill atmosphere.

During this time, I stopped at my usual Usain Bolt Tracks and Record, Devon House for the curry patty and the most anticipated M10 Bar and Grill which is known for its elevated Jamaican boxed food.

My last restaurant hop was at the AC hotel, I enjoyed my beef burger but most of all the french fries with truffle salt.

I enjoyed the music and ambiance, and the menu offerings are different, I would highly recommend it.

What I would love to see though is that more restaurants offer quality meals, for the price. The price, quality and quantity should always be together. If you are in Jamaica or heading to Jamaica soon make sure to give one of these spots a try.

Ontario schools in hot zones will be receiving asymptomatic testing PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in schools across Ontario, the provincial government has shelled out $13.6 million to school boards in four “red” zones.

The extra funding is intended to add more workers and provide asymptomatic testing for students and staff.

Schools located in hotspots regions such as: Durham, Halton, Hamilton and Waterloo will receive these funds as part

of provincial COVID-19 framework. Premier Ford states, “We know schools in red control zones need more support to keep teachers and students safe.” With this additional funding, it will add to the $35 million that Toronto, Peel, York and Ottawa have already received.

Premier Ford and Education Minister, Stephen Leece agreed that there will be changes made to the COVID-19 testing in these four hot zones so that school staff and students can receive asymptomatic testing.

This will be running for the next four weeks in order to get a sense of how the virus is moving across Ontario.

As of the end of September, asymptomatic testing was only available if it was connected to a case that was known. Those who wanted one had to book an appointment at pharmacies that were designated by the government.

Premier Ford, when asked about

the possibility of system-wide testing of teachers, responded affirmatively that he was in favour of it. He states, “If the teachers’ unions wanted it, we would do it, but I just don’t think that will happen.”

DHS News reported on Sunday, November 30th, 2020 that the Ontario government recorded 2,855 student COVID-19 cases since the reopening of schools in September, which have resulted in several school closures. The government data shows that: 86 of the cases were student-related, 15 staff related and one unidentified.

The Ontario government’s coronavirus tracking website which was updated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2020 revealed that there has been 5,024 school related cases, 3,234, school related student cases and 702 school related staff cases. 1,088 individuals have not been identified.

The four teachers unions have been

asking for additional funding of over $3 billion to deal with safe and proper reopening of school. The provincial government has spent $460 million on school plan plans and an additional $381 million that it received from the federal government. The Ministry of Education has encouraged boards to tap into approximately $400 reserve funds to ensure that schools are able to meet with on-going and current issues.

The NDP is critical of the extra funding, which it described as “Half-measures.”

On Monday, November 30th, 2020 NDP MPs asked Premier Ford to ensure that there is wide scale COVID-19 testing at all schools in the province that are considered hotspots. They are requesting that the government ensure that voluntary testing centres are in place immediately in neighbourhoods, which are hardest hit.

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PAGE 18

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

A family-owned business that will leave a legacy for others to follow LA SHAWNA GRIFFITH lashawna@carib101.com

BARBADOS TC REPORTER

BARBADOS -- Quality Performance Systems Inc. is a Barbadian information technology business, which has been operating since 1990. The business is a family-run operation that has at its helm Belnando Weekes who is preparing to hand over the reins of the business to his twenty-two-year-old son Kyle in 2021.

In an interview Griffith Belnando said he began the business with a mere $453.00 and the help of three life-long friends.

“When we started there was a mere $453.00 in the bank and that served as our capital base. Fortunately, there was a life-long friend Shelstone Lorde of Integrated Computing who allowed us to share an office. Another friend Mervin Watson of Computer Science Clinic gave us our first computer, and yet another friend James Inniss placed his car at our disposal every day until we could get our

own.

We were also fortunate to have Juann Greene onboard to ensure that the office was properly managed, creating stability for the company in its early years. We did have great support from a few friends, and this served us well for the years that followed. Thirty years later the company is still here, and we are looking to be around for another 120.”

Reflecting on the three decades that he has successfully run one of the leading IT companies in Barbados, he said one of the main things he tried to do was to ensure that their clients were always on the cutting edge of technology, keeping pace with the developments in the first world.

“We were successful in serving in most of the islands of the Caribbean for more than two decades. We have also done work in Florida and Georgia, all of these adding up to many successful years in business,” Belnando [CEO] stated.

Barbados celebrated its 54th year of independence on November 30th, 2020 and it is not uncommon to hear of these Barbadian success stories, but for QPS it is a bit different as Mr. Weekes is handing the company over to his son who is only twenty-two-years-old.

What led to his decision? Belnando told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper

that from the company’s inception, it was his goal to have a family-owned business that would leave a legacy for others to follow.

“From inception, we always wanted to leave behind a legacy and such the company was built around that concept. It is not uncommon for families to carry on legacies for generations and it is expected that Quality Performance Systems Inc. will follow that pattern and continue for generations to come.”

The major question I am sure is on everyone’s lips, “Is his son ready to lead a company which has such a rich and vibrant family history?”

The answer to that question is yes, as his father Belnando has trained Kyle. He is already managing the company’s finances and social media accounts.

“He has met all of our clients and they know that he is in training to be the new face of Quality Performance Systems Inc. He enjoys management more than information technology and is working along with our accountant to better understand accounting practices and financial management. His training is in place and will continue long after he takes over the operations of the company,” Belnando said.

On the issue of retirement, Belnando stated, “Retirement is not in my

DNA because I am very passionate about what my business does. I intend to keep going for as long as I can. Kyle will become the new face of the company, being more youthful and probably more in tune with the latest technologies but I will return to what I enjoy the most, building and developing new products/services for the market. I will also serve as a technical consultant.”

Kyle is very excited about this new opportunity and has plans to take the business throughout the Caribbean and beyond, with: IT training, network design, implementation and management, data security and cloud computing services.

“I want to take the company throughout the region and also tap into international markets such as Canada and the USA. Quality Performance Systems Inc. has the products, services and the expertise that we can play on the world stage with the bigger companies. Needless, to say, it will take some time to get established and be directly competitive, but we will get it done,” Kyle tells me.

For more information about Quality Performance Systems Inc. you can send an email to sales@qpstech.com or kyleweekes2016@gmail.com

Reggae Sunsplash pays (Nuff Respect) to Crown Prince Dennis Emmanuel Brown MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Reggae Sunsplash made a massive return to the stage on Friday November 27th and 28th, and this time it went virtual.

Ever since plans began for the festival’s return, staging in St. Ann at the Grizzly’s Plantation Cove, the organizers announced a tribute to the crown prince of Reggae Mr. Dennis Emmanuel Brown.

This virtual event featured clips of Dennis Brown’s performances, messages from the artistes, and a twenty-

minute set with performances from a number of his musical friends and a video from members of the Dennis Brown Family.

Executive producer Tyrone Wilson stated, “We had to salute the Crown Prince of Reggae Dennis Emmanuel Brown for this virtual staging.

Dennis helped shape Reggae Sunsplash, becoming one of the first performers at the festival in June 1978 when he joined headliner Jimmy Cliff, Third World, Inner Circle, and Toots and the Maytals.

He was an advocate for living life with love and unity. His ability to pull his musical peers on stage with him for an amazing set made the audience stand and watch him into the morning. That made him one of the most loved performers. We are pleased to acknowledge him this year.”

In response to the tribute Marla Brown, daughter of the late reggae and lover’s rock icon, said, “I am genuinely overjoyed and humbled that Reggae Sunsplash honored my father, The Late Great Dennis Emmanuel Brown CD, in this year’s celebration.

My father connected with music lovers on such a beautiful and organic scale through this platform and continues doing so through memories and his timeless musical content. Dad was one of the most anticipated performers of Reggae Sunsplash, and boy, he made everyone come alive upon his entrance and full show.

Thank you, Reggae Sunsplash, for acknowledging my father’s great work, and again, what an honour it is to witness this celebration during this time.

His legacy truly shines on.”

The Dennis Brown tribute formed

part of the Friday night experience. Dennis Brown was not called the crown prince of reggae for nothing. Almost every song he sang was a hit with the people, and he had an unusual way of delivering his songs with his exceptionally soulful voice reggae-style.

Bob Marley once called him his favourite singer. That is how good the crown prince was at his game. Turning out hits like (Money in My Pocket), (If I Had the World) and (How Could I Leave).

The night featured performances from: Ras-I, Tanya Stephens, Richie Stephens and Capleton.

Night two featured: Romain Virgo, Jesse Royal, Masicka, Agent Sasco and Dexta Daps.

Reggae Sunsplash was streamed live through the official YouTube page @goreggaesunsplash

PAGE 20

FEATURE

the the poetic poetic word word Passion

BY GLORIA O’KOYE Passion is like the seed That you may not get a chance To see it grow

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020 Photo Credit: Javon Martin

KICK DECK

A quarantine-friendly way for young athletes to stay active

It may be growing its massive Underground networks, But you may lose hope Without the flowers Singing its growth song

JANIECE CAMPBELL

Passion may be the late bloomer, Watching others gain fame As a sapling That won’t reach for the skies Like its kinsfolk

TC REPORTER

Passion Will come and go, And make its comeback More stronger Unexpected Passion will get annoyed When the movement Puts it on the spotlight Because passion will ask Where was the love?

When the trend turn their backs To admire Other sunshine’s Passion may Go through burnouts And Hiatuses But passion will Always return Sooner or later Because true love Is never far, From the sacred place It rests its head in.

Passion can be the lowest In the ecosystem But it’s the most vital Any disruption Will cause waves Of extinctions If those on top cannot be adaptable And even If the surroundings evolve, It will never be the same.

Passion is like the great coral reef, Multitasking to sustain all things Mighty or overlooked Passion is like an atom, May be unseen But life will come to cease, If it explodes Passion is what motivates An exhausted soul Passion brings in light, Into a world that doesn’t know where it wants to go.

janiece@carib101.com

“I absolutely love these cards. They make for a different, fun training session, or a fab game for baller friends. Wish I’d bought them sooner!” Robin F. “This is awesome! It is such a fun way to train; I have been doing a lot more training since I got it. I have noticed a huge difference on the field. I can take it anywhere I go and it’s not the same drills every single time.” Ashlyn F. These are just a few of the abundant fivestar recommendations for Kick Deck, an innovative deck of cards meant for youth athletes to construct their own custom workout routines from the comfort of their homes.

Created by Scarborough native and professional soccer sensation, Skylar Thomas, his ultimate goal is to provide an opportunity for young athletes around the world from any sports background to better themselves and succeed.

“I know there are a lot of kids out there that don’t necessarily have the opportunity to continue to progress and to be involved in sports. I think Kick Deck gives them that chance, especially in communities where teams aren’t available, they can’t afford to play, or they don’t have the proper equipment to take their game to the next level,” says Skylar.

“I look back on my career and see that I had so much support from my friends, coaches and my parents. I had so much support and I want to make sure, as best as I know how, the youth today have support and opportunities just like I did.”

Skylar’s love for soccer came at a young age, particularly after moving to the city of Pickering at five years old. Subsequently, his father told him to pick any sport and enjoy being a part of a team.

Due to limited availability, he chose soccer, which was an odd choice in the eyes of his family. Out of Skylar’s immediate and extended basketball-loving family, he was quite frankly the only one to choose soccer.

But as soon as he set foot on that turf, he referred to his initial connection to the sport as “love at first sight.”

Officially omitting basketball, volleyball and track and field from his other

options, he fully dedicated his time and focus to soccer by the age of 13. Eventually going on to attend Syracuse University on a four-year full athletic scholarship, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 2015, a major that he would put to great use about four years later.

“During my 4th year, while I was in Charleston, South Carolina, I started my own soccer training business. Kids would come to me for individual training while they would also do team training. But in between that, they didn’t know how to continue developing. They were struggling to develop at home. I just so happened to have some really ambitious kids that wanted to take the game to the next level which thankfully, that pushed me. So, I sought out to solve that problem – how can kids train on their own at home?

I began making homework cards, and I’d write down different exercises on the cards – which were really just sheets of paper. I’d write down these exercises, but I didn’t explain it too well. And obviously it wasn’t fun for them to do homework. So, one day while I was playing cards with my teammates, I had the idea of throwing 52 different at-home exercises on a deck of cards. With that idea, I bought a blank deck of cards and started scribbling on them, writing down different exercises. I started testing it on my players, making adjustments and making sure the exercises were right and measuring the difficulty. About after a year of testing and creating a product that worked Kick Deck was born.”

An outstanding idea created back in 2019 has been sold across the globe to over 15 different countries to date and has gained several partnerships, including digital sport media company First Touch Football Canada and renowned brand ambassador and four-time MLS cup champion, Dwayne De Rosario.

On November 9th, 2020, Kick Deck unveiled their latest addition – Kick Deck ABC. This new product is geared towards young aspiring players, specifically ages four and up, looking to stay active and develop their physical literacy.

“The original 52-card deck is for ages eight and up. During quarantine, I was doing online sessions with a group of kids that were looking to stay active and get their touches on a ball while at home. I realized that some of the exercises in Kick Deck were too difficult for the kids that were eight or younger. It made me realize that I needed to cater to another demographic.

Kick Deck ABC is the 26 fundamentals that a young soccer player needs to master in order to take their game to the next level. On each card, there’s a letter from A-Z. I’m super excited about this because I think it gives kids the opportunity

to learn the alphabet, how to read and how to count all in one deck.”

Nearly unfazed by COVID-19 from a business standpoint, Kick Deck is the perfect remote training regimen. With very little training equipment, precisely just a soccer ball and a small amount of space, the deck is sure to give young trainees unlimited challenges while cooped up in the house.

“I think that the pandemic has affected my business positively. It’s definitely tragic that we’re still restricted, and how the pandemic is damaging homes and taking away jobs. I’m very understanding that it’s been a difficult time for a lot of people.

However, people are at home and no longer training with their teams. They’re looking for opportunities to grow at home, and I think Kick Deck is an at-home product. It was built to assist youth development at home and it serves a purpose during quarantine for sure.”

Kick Deck has made their mark worldwide and strives to assist young players from all over the planet to achieve their greatest potential through training. Skylar Thomas notes that this is only the beginning, as his team has many future endeavors in store.

“An app is something we’re thinking about but I’m very worried about the repercussions of that. For anyone with the app, of course you’d need a device, Wi-Fi and a few different things that Kick Deck doesn’t need. All you need with Kick Deck is a ball and a little bit of space. It also takes kids away from their phones/tablets, which I’m a fan of and I think parents are too.

Right now, we’re just focussed on diversifying into different sports. I think the concept has been proven and I’d love to see how the basketball market would respond to a basketball deck and so on and so forth for other sports.

We’re also looking to put on a virtual camp. I’m really excited about that because we’ll be providing opportunity for the kids who usually wouldn’t be able to participate in sports for whatever reason.

We’ll be able to provide the kids with a Kick Deck, a ball, a shirt and give them all the tools they need to continue to develop or at least be introduced to the game all while being at home. For the kids that want to participate past the camp, they’ll have the chance to enroll in a club that we’ve partnered with in the area, that will allow them to play during the spring season. I love that I’ll be able to give back to the community and introduce soccer to kids. I know how much it can provide, and how much opportunity you can have if you’re connected to a sport that you’re passionate about and willing to grow within.”

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PAGE 22

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

DWAYNE WINSTON HOLNESS AKA “DUKEY DUKES”

Setting the example and being that example “The camera gave the power to travel the world. I was able to connect with my art.”

When he walked into the office, his charisma was infectious, and I liked his energy right away. When we finally had a chance to talk, he had just finished shooting five documentaries in ten days.

I happened to be one of the documentaries that he had shot. Our very own Selina McCallum, who happened to be the director of my documentary, introduced me to Dwayne Holness.

Even though he was tired, Dwayne took some time to share with me how his last ten days had been.

“I like being able to share the information that I have received over the years with younger filmmakers I was teaching a few years ago, but I haven’t really been in a position to be hands on, so this was great. People ask for advice, and to spend two days with them, and to be a part of their journey, with it being their first documentary, it was interesting.

It is about leaving a good memory with people. I am always trying to impact, set an example, and be an example.”

Dwayne Winston Holness was born in Spanish Town Jamaica. He came to Canada with his mom at five years old.

She wanted a better life for them, so she did what she could to provide this for herself and her son.

She started working as a nurse, and her work schedule took her away from Dwayne for long periods of time.

She would work 7am – 3pm, or 3pm – 11pm. This meant that Dwayne spent a lot of time alone. “I had to navigate a new country, a new space,” and as you can imagine, this was not easy for him.

They lived with his grandmother for a couple years at Jane & Wilson, and then he moved to Jane & Finch.

Dwayne tells me that here is when life really started. He attended Firgrove Public School, Oakdale Public School, and Beverley Heights Middle School, and during this time Dwayne was introduced to multiculturalism that many experience if you live in Canada.

Dwayne admits that he was bullied when he was younger. Sometimes he didn’t want to leave the house. He would pray for the bullying to stop, and it was during this time that he was introduced to the idea of fair-weathered friends. It was lonely sometimes for Dwayne, and when he attended middle school, he began to act out. His mom moved him from Oakdale Public School to Beverley Heights, and this is when his first shift began.

The crowd of people he hung around changed, and he met a friend whose mom introduced him to the world of acting. This was the beginning of his artistic journey.

“A friend of mine, his mom was taking him to meet an acting agent. I went with them and signed up with him.

My first acting opportunity was on Soul Food. I got paid $46.00 for eight hours. I was like, What was this?

I did this a couple more times, and then I was invited to Hamilton to be on the set of Street Time. The director one day pointed at me and said, ‘Come.

I want you to say a line in this scene. In the scene I was supposed to talk to my friends, and then someone was supposed to get shot. It was cool because I was actually the centre of attention. Everyone was watching, and that gave me a sort of high.”

That was it. The acting bug had bitten Dwayne, so naturally he began to take it more seriously. ACTRA Union was the next part of his journey. There was something about acting that made him feel special. At sixteen years old, he signed his first autograph. “I wanted to explore acting a little more, so I got into theatre.”

The industry opened up for Dwayne, and slowly his resume began to fill up. “I was in Degrassi when Drake was still on there. I used to be on set so much and would actually skip school sometimes. I was getting paid $21.00 per hour. I became the fly kid, I had all this stuff. I felt like my life was special. I was getting some crazy opportunities.”

Being on set taught him about life, especially proper etiquette and how to conduct himself professionally. It was such a contrast from his everyday life.

Dwayne admits that it was like having one foot in the hood, and then another foot in the acting world.

“I learned about time and time management. Call time was at 6:30 am in the morning, and this meant that I had to be in bed on time so that I was able to get up and take the bus across town.

It kept me away from the street life, but of course, I got caught up at times. I got expelled from school, and that brought on another shift in my life. The friends I thought had my back, didn’t. I noticed that I didn’t hear from people anymore.

My mom told me I was stressing her, and that hurt me. I knew I was hurting her and seeing the pain in her eyes woke me up. It became clear at that time that besides my family, I knew no one was going to be there, so I had to be there for myself. I felt alone again. I knew I had to make something of myself so that people knew I was worth it.”

Dwayne ended up attending Emery Collegiate Institute, and somehow he became the popular kid. People wanted to know who he was. They had heard about his acting career, and this is when he finally met someone he could count on; his best friend Femi Lawson.

“I learned a lot from him. He was completely different from me. He showed me a different way to look at life, and it wasn’t the street way.”

Dwayne’s house became a creative hub because with his mom being a nurse, she wasn’t home a lot. “I was the computer guy. I had all the latest gad-

gets and software. I could edit videos, engineer music. At that time no one was making videos and putting them online.”

It was during this time that the man we know as Dukey Dukes, began to establish his roots.

He met another young man that would change his life forever.

He was a young kid with swag and style who went by the name of Redway.

“I went to Mississauga to meet him, and we clicked right away. I introduced him to Femi, and this is when the magic began.

We all had unique skills, and together we were able to develop them.

We created a group that went by the name High Class. It was about our mentality. We always wanted to represent quality. The group became solidified when Dwayne Facey joined us. He had an entrepreneurial mind. It could not be denied that our group had the recipe for success. We had this ability to spot talent coming out of the city.”

People began to hear about Dwayne’s work, and would come to him to shoot music videos. They decided to make their mini corporation official, and that was the genesis of Corex Creative. The team experienced a tragic loss when their beloved Redway died in a horrific car accident, on August 1st , 2015. The loss hit Dwayne hard, and his perspective on how to live his life changed drastically.

With a new outlook on life, and an intensified work ethic, Dwayne’s star has risen, and his popularity has drawn the likes of Jr. Reid, Chronixx, and the late Hodan Nalayeh. He was presented with an award from the YMCA for employing youth in the community, and is known for his motivational morning #calculatedsteps. This was an initiative to motivate success driven individuals. For 150 days straight, he would shoot videos at 6:30 am in the morning from wherever he was in the world.

What would Dwayne say is the most important lesson he has learned on his journey?

“The most important aspect of success is having a team. I know how powerful a team can be.”

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WHO ELSE WOULD YOU TRUST?

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www.danforthfoodmarket.com We’re simply the best West Indian store in town.

Supligen Instant Breakfast Beverage Vanilla ONLY 290 ml

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NuPak Butter Beans

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Store Hours

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

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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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PAGE 26

FOOD

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

BOOZY

HOMEMADE EGGNOG A Festive Holiday Cocktail Recipe and give it as a homemade gift for friends this season. I must add that this boozy mixture can last in your NOEL refrigerator for a week. So, making CUNNINGHAM this boozy mixture ahead of time is your best bet. I made this drink noel@carib101.com recently on a television show in Jamaica and everyone was loving the CULINARY EXPERT difference and how the eggnog was elevated. For this recipe, I enjoyed making my own eggnog because Just when you thought you I got it really creamy and flavorcouldn’t improve on homemade ful just the way I like it. I’ve added eggnog – here is a boozy eggnog how to make your own eggnog, but that is perfect for this festive sea- you can always use store-bought son! The flavours of eggnog, white eggnog if time is of concern. But rum, whipped cream, caramel and I’m sure if you give this homemade cinnamon all shake together to cre- recipe a try you’ll never buy storeate this refreshing cocktail that will bought eggnog again! have everyone asking for another glass.

Ingredients

This festive holiday cock- • 6 egg yolks tail is a dessert-like milkshake for • 1/2 cups granulated sugar adults. What a great way to kick • 1/2 cup milk off your Christmas party this year. • 1 cup heavy cream Or bottle this luxurious libation • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• • •

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Pinch of salt

For the cocktail • 1.5oz Rum/Bourbon • .5 Kahlua or a shot of espresso • .5oz caramel syrup • Whipped cream • Shaved chocolate, optional Directions 1. Combine the egg yolks and sugar in a large container. Whisk until completely blended and creamy. In a saucepan over medium heat add remaining ingredients and allow to simmer while stirring constantly.

2. Add a big spoonful of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking vigorously. Repeat, adding a big spoonful at a time, to temper the eggs. Once most of the hot milk has been added to the eggs, pour the mixture back

into the saucepan on the stove.

Whisk constantly for just a few minutes, until the mixture is just slightly thickened (or until it reaches about 160 degrees F on a thermometer). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.

3. Pour the eggnog into a pitcher or other container and cover with plastic wrap.

4. Refrigerate until chilled. It will thicken as it cools.

5. Prepare your glass: Rim glass with cinnamon and sugar then drizzle inside with some of the caramel syrup.

To build the cocktail : Add ice to a shaker then pour the eggnog, rum or bourbon if used along with the Kahlua or espresso shot and shake vigorously for 30 seconds and pour in a chill prepared martini glass.

Top cocktail with whipped cream, caramel sauce, a sprinkle of cinnamon and shaved chocolate.

FOOD

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 27

Rendezvous with Chef Raquel Fox, “The Island Gurl!”

HRISHIKESH DAS GUPTA hdg@carib101.com

CULINARY REPORTER

The Bahamian celebrity chef Raquel Fox, also known as “The island gurl” strongly believes that notable cooking comes from the heart. A few years ago, she published her best-selling cookbook “Dining In Paradise” with over 150 soulful and authentic island recipes. This year, Raquel launched her “Island Gurl Foods Sauce Kit” with three delicious sauces: Bahama Steam Sauce, Mango Jerk Sauce, and Island Flavour Pepper Sauce. The low sugar, low sodium and gluten-free sauces are prepared with highquality ingredients too.

Raquel is also one of the famous hosts of Hyr Live and brings us phenomenal dishes every week. Her creativity in: comfort food cooking, swag in food styling, and enthusiasm for life made her an inspiration to her friends, families and audiences.

Raquel believes in the inspiration of dance and incorporates these moves while preparing her comfort food recipes.

Raquel likes to interact with her social media followers to improve the overall taste experience. She figured out from the majority of food lovers about missing flavors in the sauces. Therefore, she incorporates

their ideas to make sure that the sauces are not overly spicy and prepared with fresh fruits, spices and vegetables.

She is also donating 10% of the proceeds to A Different Booklist Cultural Centre (ADBCC), a physical space for the well-being of the African and Caribbean Canadian community (https://adbcc.org/).

I had the lifetime opportunity to speak with Raquel Fox about her life as a chef.

She mentioned how her grandmother and mentor Mary Campbell influenced her to be the best version of herself. I was really curious to learn more about that, so she shared a childhood memory about her grandmother, Mary.

When Raquel was in grade school, she used to bring all the delicious dishes prepared by her grandmother, Mary for lunch. The lunch box was filled with chicken salad or curry chicken sandwiches, with cookies, cakes and juices. The moment she opened her lunch box, the fragranced meals grabbed the attention of her classmates. They used to take the majority of the meals from her.

These ongoing incidents made her upset, so she decided to quit school.

She shared all the incidents with her grandmother and Mary promised she would take care of everything. On the next day, Raquel assumed Mary would teach a lesson to the classmates. During lunch, Mary arrived with two big baskets and Raquel pointed out her classmates. Mary started to distribute sandwiches and desserts to Raquel’s classmates.

Raquel was surprised to see that, and asked Mary why she was feeding all

her classmates. Mary said, “Raquel, have you ever shared your food with them? Have you ever asked their side of the story? Food is not only for consumption, but also a norm that brings everyone together. Food is a celebration of life. Have a conversation with your friends, share your story with them, listen to their part and be friends by sharing some foods.”

Raquel learned the value of giving from Mary in a unique way. The next day, she observed her friends welcoming her with open arms. That incident inspired her to be more humble to others. She also started to create recipes with a difference with the help of her grandmother.

Raquel mentioned that the life-

long lessons from her grandmother helped her to become the best version of herself.

Raquel mentioned when she sees people from her community are going through a challenging time; she prepares their favorite meals and presents it to them with her delightful smile. She prays with them and requests to open up about their anxiety.

Raquel mentioned her comfort foods with the Caribbean twist always cheer them up.

Chef Raquel proudly represents Caribbean cooking on her live show. It was such a beautiful moment for me to meet such a wonderful woman at this challenging time. I wish her success in everything she does with her unique style.

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Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 29

People in pain need protection from false pot promotion W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES COMMON SENSE HEALTH

What’s the worst kind of pain? At the top of the list is debilitating chronic pain that, despite painkillers and other treatments, is unrelenting day after day. Chronic pain gradually destroys the soul. A study of sui­ cide cases between 2003 and 2014 found evidence that as many as 10% of cases in­ volved chronic pain. Now, with the avail­ ability of marijuana for medical treatment in Canada and most US states, is new hope being corrupted by false advertising?

No one should suffer pain that can be safely managed. The addition of medi­ cal marijuana as a treatment option has helped many. But despite heavy regula­

tion, there are unscrupulous entrepreneurs ready to make a quick buck, and they are banking on your trust. What hurts, is that they are taking your money while also be­ traying your hope for pain relief.

People enduring chronic pain have probably heard their doctor say, “You have intractable pain and there is no cure.”

Given new availability of medical marijua­ na, it should not be surprising that many have wanted to try it.

Chewable gummies are particu­ larly attractive because they are so easy to take. You can find dozens of products on­ line marketed as “300mg CBD Gummies.”

CBD is short for cannabidiol, derived from the hemp plant. Hemp contains less THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana plants. While research continues, there is substantial evidence that CBD can help with both musculoskeletal and nerve pain.

Unfortunately, the marketing and labeling of these gummies is a despicable mess.

Let’s focus on the dosage. Get­ ting the dosage right for any medication is important, and for hemp or marijuana it can be tricky, so it’s good advice to consult

Make daikon part of your diet Daikon is a sweet, mildly spicy root vege­ table that resembles a plump white carrot.

Also known as a white or Japanese radish, daikon is popular in many types of Asian cuisine and a great addition to your win­ ter meals.

BENEFITS This crunchy cruciferous vege­ table is an excellent source of vi­ tamin C, folate and antioxidants. In addition to being low in calories, some studies indicate that eating daikon: • Helps protect against certain cancers and chronic conditions like heart disease • Slows cognitive decline by helping to protect cells against oxidative damage • Increases satiety and promotes a healthy body weight HOW TO EAT IT Daikon can be served raw or coo­ ked. Often, it’s thinly sliced for pickling or to be used as a garnish.

However, it also makes a tasty ad­ dition to a variety of hot and cold dishes and can even be used in ba­ ked goods. This winter, try daikon pan fried or roasted. Additionally, the greens can be used in salads, soups and stir-fries.

HOW TO STORE IT Keep daikon in a perforated plastic bag or wrapped in a damp towel in the fridge. It should last for several weeks. Store the greens separately.

your doctor. Don’t rely on the misleading information found on websites promoting these products. Typical dosages for CBD can range from less than 10 to more than 300 milligrams daily. That’s a big range.

Finding the dosage that meets the needs of different people usually means starting with a low dose and gradually increasing by about 5 milligrams daily until the de­ sired effect is achieved. Most research to date suggests it’s safe to take up to 1,500 mg daily.

Let’s get back to those CBD gum­ mies. It is very important to know what dose is in a single gummy. We shopped around to find out.

Misleading and downright fraud­ ulent information abounds. Dozens of products mislead consumers into thinking there are 300 mg of CBD per gummy. Not true. This is the total CBD in each bottle of 30 gummies. Other products falsely state on the label “300 MG Per Gummy” when in fact there are only 10 mg in each gummy.

Indeed, a single gummy at 300 mg of CBD is an extremely high starting dose! Just two gummies would be 600 mg of CBD.

It’s absurd. A phone call to these produc­ ers confirmed the outright error, and yet, these products remain on the market.

Some companies have received warnings, but seemingly with no consequence.

For unsuspecting consumers seeking pain relief, this amounts to gross negligence by producers and regulators alike. Product websites show people cured of pain. But there’s scant information to clarify dosages and guide consumers on how to use this kind of medication in the treatment of pain. How can this be allowed by health authorities?

P.T. Barnum, the circus promoter, said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”

Entrepreneurs make a lot of money with such deceptive slick promotion. How many people in chronic pain with limited funds are fooled by ads about quick relief of pain and are still suffering. It’s shameful, and people in pain deserve better.

If readers have experience in eas­ ing chronic pain with CBD gummies, feel free to reach out to us.

Dry January: 4 health benefits of abstaining from alcohol After a busy holiday season, the new year presents a great oppor­ tunity to renew your commitment to a heal­ thy life­style. One increa­ singly popular health and fitness resolution involves abstaining from alcohol for an entire month. Here are four benefits of having a dry January.

1. YOU’LL SLEEP BETTER Alcohol might help you fall asleep, but it can also disrupt your sleep cycles. This can have a ne­gative effect on your memory, mood and over­all health.

2. YOU’LL GET SICK LESS OFTEN Alcohol can suppress your immune system.

This leaves your body more vulnerable to pa­ thogens and makes it less capable of fighting off an illness or infection.

3. YOU’LL LIKELY LOSE WEIGHT Alcohol is packed with calories, and you’re more likely to eat junk food when inebriated.

Plus, abstaining can make you feel more ener­ gized and motivated to exercise.

4. YOU’LL HAVE RADIANT SKIN Alcohol is a diuretic, which facilitates de­hydra­

tion and can dry out your skin. Ad­di­tionally, alcohol increases inflammation and hormone levels, thereby triggering breakouts.

Keep in mind that you can enjoy the benefits of Dry January even if you slip up. Don’t let one drink undermine your goal to make heal­ thier choices.

CHEERS TO ALCOHOL ALTERNATIVES! If you still want to raise a glass on special occasions, opt for sparkling water infused with orange and ginger, cucumber and mint or strawberry, basil and lime. Kombucha is also a tasty alternative with a delightful fizz and tangy taste.

The solution to COVID-19 is right in front of your nose.

• Wear a face covering.

• Keep 2m apart from anyone outside of your household.

• Limit your close contact to your household only.

• Wash your hands often.

Stopping the spread starts with you.

Visit ontario.ca/coronavirus to learn more Paid for by the Government of Ontario

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

COMMUNITY

PAGE 31

How to make the holidays more affordable While it’s almost impossible to avoid spending money around Christmastime, the festivities and gift-giving shouldn’t put you in debt. Here are a few tips for an enjoyable and affordable holiday season.

5 tips for doing your holiday shopping online Online shopping is often a convenient alternative to visiting stores in person. If you’ve decided to purchase your gifts online this year, here are some tips to keep in mind.

1. Start early and check for delivery delays If you want to ensure your gifts will arrive on time without having to pay for express shipping, don’t wait until the last minute.

You should also make sure you place your order before popular items sell out.

2. Read product descriptions carefully Check for details such as the dimensions of furniture, the size guide for clothing and the language spoken in movies and video games to make sure you order exactly what you want.

3. Compare prices and shipping costs Once you’ve settled on a gift, browse several online shops to find the best deal. Since re-

tailers usually waive the delivery fee if you spend more than a certain amount, it might be worthwhile to group your purchases.

4. Check the return policies To avoid unpleasant surprises, find out whether your gifts can be easily exchanged or returned. Confirm how long you have to request a refund and whether the packaging must be unopened.

Create a budget Write a list of all your holiday purchases including presents, food, drinks, decorations and new outfits. Then, determine how much you can afford to spend on each category. To ensure you respect your budget, place the allocated money in an envelope and use that instead of your credit card.

Stagger your purchases Start shopping early and spread out your purchases over several weeks. This will help you avoid paying for everything at once or accumulating interest on a large outstanding credit card bill. You’ll also have more time to look for deals and stock up on items like gift wrap and non-perishable food when they’re on sale.

5. Shop on secure websites Before you enter your credit card information, make sure the company is legitimate. Its contact information, including a telephone number and address, should be clearly listed on the website.

Buy local If you purchase as much as you can nearby, you’ll save on gas and time.

If you prefer to shop online, you’ll avoid exorbitant shipping fees. Additionally, sign up for newsletters from local stores as these sometimes contain exclusive offers.

Finally, if you order a present for someone who lives with you, make sure you’ll be home when the package arrives. Alternatively, you can have it gift-wrapped or delivered to your workplace.

Limit your expenses There are plenty of simple ways to spend less during the holidays without missing out on the magic of

the season. Among other things, you can: • Gift your loved ones with memorable and affordable outings rather than pricey toys or gadgets • Make certain presents by hand (personalized calendar, gourmet goodie basket, etc.)

• Wrap your gifts in items you have on hand such as newspaper or reusable shopping bags • Organize a clothing swap with friends to refresh your holiday wardrobe • Host a potluck holiday meal At the end of the day, the holidays are about spending quality time with loved ones, which is truly priceless.

LIFE

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 33

Relationships, collaboration and the power of community interaction gap, as we observe physical or social distancing, but still, the reality is, as humans we need physical interaction to be functional and remain sane.

I have always adopted a worldview or perspective that every dark cloud has a silver lining. In retrospect, as I take an inventory of the year, I am reminded of things that ordinarily I wouldn’t have attempted, but now I do. Significant connections or relationships I may never have formed, but now I do. Projects I may never have embarked on, but now I have. Life and unexpected circumstances have a way of adjusting our ‘default settings’ and moving us to a new paradigm if we are not overly focused on the negativities of the contingent issues.

In any of life’s endeavors, to move ahead, you need to move and work with people. You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together. Sometimes, the only thing wrong with your dream is you are trying to do it alone. It takes collaboration to scale new heights. In the words of Alexander Graham Bell, “Great discoveries and improve-

DANIEL COLE

daniel@carib101.com

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

As we all brace ourselves for the festive season, it is important we don’t lose sight of one of the critical lessons we’ve all have learnt during this pandemic and lockdown, which is the power of community; the awakening and subtle realization, that in difficult circumstances; people will always be our first and last resort. The reality is, irrespective of our individuality or personality type, we all need community, especially in times like these.

We appreciate the ingenuity of Eric Yuan, the founder of Zoom, and all other inventors who have provided us platforms or Apps to help bridge the communication or

ments invariably involve the cooperation of many minds.” There is power in collaboration if it’s properly harnessed.

Most global corporations or inventions have a history of being founded by two or more people. Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the WhatsApp App by Jan Koun and Brian Acton. Apple by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin and others. The Wright brothers (Wilbur Wright and Orville) were the pioneers of the first successful motor-operated airplane. Oftentimes, the dreams that will outlive you are the dreams you work with others to accomplish.

I often hear people say when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Well, maybe that is true to some extent, but I think when the going gets tough, the tough should seek collaboration. It is useless to keep doing what is not working or serving you. Don’t bother about who gets the credit as long as the goal is accomplished.

Relationships: The lockdown has put to test and exposes the efficacy and the authenticity of so-called friendships, relation-

ships or even mentorships. You see, when the dust settles and when it’s all said and done, we won’t only remember how we survived this difficult season, but we will also remember those who care enough to say, how are you keeping up.

You need to understand where people belong in your life, their role and your expectations of them, and how you appropriate your time, energy, and resources to those relationships.

Most people are loyal to their need of you, not necessarily to you, and once those needs are met, the “relationship” has run its course. Relational maturity and intelligence are critical, especially in times like these, so you don’t dissipate your energy unnecessarily.

In a few weeks, we will all bid 2020 goodbye, as you take time out for self-inventory, kindly ask yourself, what held me back this year, apart from the pandemic? What relationships should I have leveraged that would have given my business or company significant exposure? What can I do differently next year?

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LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Fried chicken, rice and vegetables; the beginning of what was to come Three ways writing has helped me improve

BY MAKAYLA B. 12 YEARS OLD TC JUNIOR CONTRIBUTOR “You may not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” Jodi Picoult I’ve been writing for quite some time, probably around a year, and it’s done a lot for me. Over that time, it has continued to teach me how to improve my writing. I think that writing in the newspaper has helped me improve in more ways than just improving how I write; it also has improved how I think and look at things.

Writing in the newspaper has improved my writing immensely due to the fact that my writing before I started doing this would be like a level three, or two point five. Now it’s gone to three point five, or even a four if I’m really lucky!

Due to how much I’ve been writing, it has changed the way I think, causing larger words to be found in my thoughts, though I still struggle to use them as I talk. Being that writing has changed the way I look at things, I see different perspectives and helps me to better describe my drawings and other things around me.

Oh yes! One more thing; I have a much larger vocabulary now. Now I use words like: mundane, dull, drab, enthralling, and mind-boggling.

I will admit that sometimes I would rather be painting, or doing crafts, but now I am starting to see writing like art.

It allows me to take words and paint a picture for the reader.

Writing did that for me.

EMPOWERING OUR YOUNG MINDS OF TOMORROW TORONTO CARIBBEAN NEWS INC.

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

As I sat there, I tried to figure out what to do next. Women were walking back and forth through the room, and I took that time to take in my surroundings.

I gazed at the colourful displays that I saw in front of me. Each bunk was dressed with pictures; artwork, personal affects, sheer material, and some even had plants. I could see that in some way, these women had found a way to make this building a home.

The thought terrified me. Would I end up in one of these bunks with only pictures reminding me of my past life?

I tore my eyes away from the decorative displays, and decided to pay attention to the rumbling that was happening in my stomach. I made my way back to the kitchen looking for Andrea. As I walked through the small house, I saw some of the women looking at me curiously. I will tell you this; it was not at all like they show in prison shows.

Women were not leering at me. They were

not shouting profanities, or doing anything to make me feel uncomfortable. They just stared at me, trying to figure out who I was.

As I was walking, I heard laughter, and dialogue coming from behind me. My nose caught a whiff of something savoury. I turned the corner, and there was Andrea, frying chicken.

“How are you doing Simone,” she asked. “Feeling a little hungry?”

“I am actually,” and I was. This was the first time in days that I actually felt hungry. I am not sure if it was the smell of fried chicken, or the fact that for some reason, I was beginning to feel comfortable in these strange surroundings.

“Well,” Andrea said. “Give me a few minutes and I will make you a plate. They usually serve dinner around 6:00 pm, but I don’t eat it. It is not very good. Most of the girls here cook because they know how terrible the food can be. Don’t worry! You will see what I mean when the time comes.”

I looked around the makeshift kitchen and saw some of the other women cooking and chatting. I was curious as to how they got food into the prison, but I would learn all about that in the next couple of weeks. I noticed that women were starting to line up by the door that I had entered in earlier.

“I guess it is almost 6:00 pm.” Andrea’s words jolted me from my thoughts.

“You are going to have to get used to that.

Lining up I mean. We have to line up for everything: to eat, to use the bathroom, to take a shower, to get searched. We are also going to have to get you a cup, plate and utensils.

Don’t worry girl. I got you.”

I was barely listening to Andrea. I was too busy watching the busyness of the room. Many of the women who had been outside were now coming in, and the once empty main room was filling up. Everything seemed so systematic. There was an established routine that I knew that I would have to learn. I have always been an observer, so this was my crash course into living in a Panamanian prison. It didn’t seem so bad.

“Here Simone.” When I turned around, Andrea was handing me a plate that had two small pieces of fried chicken, some white rice and what looked like vegetables.

“Thank you Andrea,” I said smiling.

“Girl, eat up and enjoy because tomorrow, you are going to have to eat whatever it is they are serving. I don’t want to tell you not to get used to this, but cooked food is a luxury around here. Most of the girls can’t afford it, so they eat what they can get.”

I found a corner on the floor not to far from the kitchen and sat down to eat my first meal in prison. I have to say, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I savoured every morsel, and for a moment, I put all thoughts of tomorrow away.

Can you see clearly now?

What are you going to do with your 2020 vision?

GARCIA AKUA

garcia@carib101.com

COSMIC CORNER

Happy December Gems! Can you believe we have made it to the last month of 2020?

Regardless of the year we have had, we have much to be thankful for! As we have discussed, 2020 was not a year to be cancelled, it was a year of revelation. 2020 has brought us 2020 vision.

We started the year with fires and rumours of war with Iran. The world felt the devastating loss of Kobe and his angelic daughter, then we were ushered into a pandemic that we are still in the midst of. Protests, Black Lives Matter, elections and political fallouts have all happened before our eyes this year.

Adjusting to lockdowns, social distancing and the “new norm” has not been an easy feat. Many people lost their lives and livelihoods during this process, we were taught new lessons about change, grief and letting go. It was not an easy year to say the least, but we are here.

What have you learned about yourself? It was easy to get so caught up in every-

thing that was happening this year that we haven’t really had the opportunity to process.

Now that we have come to the closing of the year, many of us are still left with questions of uncertainty; still have unprocessed feelings and unresolved situations. This is the time to take some time for you and feel through your year.

We are still in Sagittarius season; Sagittarius is the sign of higher learning, optimism and calculated risks. We can use this Sagittarius energy to process our lessons and apply them at a higher level of learning. We can take our experiences and form our truth, our own personal philosophy for moving forward. Sagittarius is a fire sign as mentioned before, we can use this fire to fuel our new found inner strength and also burn away the pain, illusions and things that no longer serve us.

2021 is going to be a year of standing on and speaking your truth. It is a year of reclaiming your power. December 21st, we will experience a cosmic event called The Great Conjunction. Saturn and Jupiter will both be leaving the sign of Capricorn and into Aquarius. With this transit, we will definitely feel the shift in energy. There will also be a strong influence from Gemini and Sagittarius. You must be saying, what does all this mean Akua?

Aquarius is the sign of the humanitarian, it is an air sign, full of knowledge and innovative thinking to progress the collective. Saturn is the planet of boundaries, restrictions and time management. Saturn

spent some time in Aquarius this year back in March and we saw lockdowns start around this time, we may have a similar experience for late December/early January as here in Toronto we are currently under a 28 day lockdown, we can look for that to be extended.

Saturn isn’t all about the lockdowns, it applies restrictions and boundaries for a balanced flow of energy. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and luck; Jupiter brings a fresh energy to the collective. Based on the lessons learned this year, it is time to expand our thinking.

Look at situations and life from a new perspective. It’s time for some calculated risks.

The Gemini/Sagittarius energy encourages us to move forward in truth. If your integrity will be compromised, that is not a risk you should take. If the energy is not based on truth, you shouldn’t be moving in that direction.

Take the lessons you have learned this year and make next year your best year.

You now have 2020 vision; use it! The Great Conjunction will open our eyes to new possibilities, but we have to be ready to stand and speak our truth to reap the benefits.

We are closing out cycles, tearing down old foundations and paradigms so we can create something new, something innovative, something based on truth and love. As you reflect over this last year, what have you learned about you? How have you grown?

What else do you need to release to birth something new? We are almost at the end of the year, can you see clearly now? What are you going to do with your 2020 vision?

LIFE

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 35

Toronto Public Health emphasize the importance of fresh air as a strategy to combat COVID-19 PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

YOUTH EDUCATION

The Toronto District School Board has followed the recommendations of the Toronto Public Health to emphasize the importance of fresh air as a strategy to combat COVID-19.

In a press release on Thursday, November 26th, 2020 titled, “Fresh Air in Schools in Colder Weather,” the TDSB revealed that it has, “Checked all mechanical HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems to ensure they are operating as designed, increased the frequency of filters changed, adjusted systems to increase the amount of

fresh air, added portable HEPA air filters in classrooms where mechanical ventilation is not an option, and opened windows where possible.”

The TDSB has been able to obtain $6.9 million, which it has used to buy almost 6,000 commercial HEPA units to place in classrooms that lacked mechanical ventilation or with reduced ability to get fresh air.

On the advice of the TPH, TDSB recognizes that air purifiers are ineffective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 but may be an aid to mechanical ventilation if there is no gas exchange in the room.

Facility Team leaders at the TDSB were able to audit all its schools with respect to the status of their mechanical ventilation (partial/ all/no mechanical). Those schools that have partial mechanical ventilation or are lacking in mechanical ventilation will get newly purchased HEPA units.

In a revised pamphlet from the Toronto Public Health dated November 4th, 2020 notes that it is essential that there is regular maintenance of HVAC systems in or-

der to ensure that there is: • • • •

Increased air -exchange settings on the HVAC Use the highest efficiency filters that are compatible with the HVAC systems Keep areas near HVAC inlets and outlets clear Arrange furniture away from air vents and high airflow areas

It is based on the TPH’s recommendation for airflow and ventilation, which states, “Open windows and doors in rooms without HVAC systems, does not pose a safety risk. If a room doesn’t have ventilation (i.e. no windows or HVAC system), a portable air cleaner/ purifier can be considered, but make sure the air exhaust is not blowing directly at the people in the room. If a ceiling fan or portable fan is used, make sure airflow is upward, away from people.”

It is important that parents/guardians/caregivers who have children who attend TDSB schools prepare them properly for

the colder months of winter. The press release further states, “We recognize it is very much a balance between introducing more ventilation at various times during the day and maintaining a comfortable indoor air temperature in classrooms. Please keep this in mind as your child gets ready for school each day by considering an extra layer of clothing to ensure comfort throughout the day.”

There has already been vocal criticism levelled at this recommendation.

Parents are now caught between a rock and a hard place. The directive from the TPH is the driving force for this strategy.

The letter notes, “As we head into the colder months of the year, open windows will continue to be an important step to increase fresh air in classrooms and schools. TPH is recommending that windows in classrooms should be opened for a period of time, at different points of the day to introduce fresh air into the space and increase airflow. While heating systems will be turned up, we will expect that schools will be cooler than normal.”

The boy who would be King Part I - Tutankhamun the world’s stage, Jesus The Christ.

DAVE RANKIN dave@carib101.com

AFRICAN HISTORY

Prior to the discovery of his tomb in 1922 by the famed Howard Carter, which catapulted him to an immortal status, the life and times of Tutankhamun was barely known. His records are very sparse. This is something that you will notice while reading about him in our latest entries. He had come into power during a tumultuous time in Kemet’s history and although his reign may have been cut short, his impact during this period would label him in the hearts of historians all over the world as “The Redeemer.” A familiar title bestowed upon only on one other figure on

We know for a fact that Tutankhamun was born in the city of Akhetaten or El-Armana.

What we don’t know, is who his birth mother was. I have reported that Akhenaten and Nefertiti had six daughters. So, the most likely assumption is that Tutankhamun was born of a lesser wife. Or probably one of Akhenaten’s concubines. However, the Egyptian scholar Moustafa Gadalla presents a different picture.

From the book Historical Deceptions: The Untold Story of Ancient Egypt, he writes the following about Tutankhamun’s birth mother. ‘Before the birth of Tutankhamun, Nefertiti had three daughters and three afterwards. No evidence of other sons has been found. Hiding the identity of sons was the prudent thing to do.” He continues on to elucidate the following: “From the remains of Armana’s northern palace, it can be concluded that Nefertiti remained there with her son…, before and after he came to the throne. This ratifies the maternal relationship.”

Interesting points are made here.

Number one, if this is true, then the discovery of Nefertiti’s maternal relationship with Tutankhamun is something that should be explored by the contemporary world. The second is if we were to examine the first part of this statement where he points out that ‘hiding the identity of sons was prudent’ it would make some sense.

As we have highlighted in our previous entries, Akhenaten was a man who marched to the beat of his own drum and definitely turned the normal Kemetian way of life around through the worship of the deity Aten. His actions upset many powerful people during his reign. These powerful people would have had some ulterior motives towards the royal family and probably would want to harm the crown prince. Again, speculation, yet we cannot rule this point of view out.

Around the age of either nine or ten, Tutankhamun came to the throne after the passing of Akhenaten and his older brotherin-law Smenkhare. This would have been around the year 1361 BCE. Having Nefertiti on

side to assist him with his rule, the aged vizier Aye on his other side and the marriage of his wife, and probably his sister Ankhesenpaten.

He seemed to be in good hands.

Tutankhamun’s coronation ceremony included another interesting fact. He was anointed with crocodile fat. I make this reference because the Kemetian word for crocodile is ‘MeSSeH’ which is similar to the word ‘Messiah.’ I would remind the reader that I’m in no way advocating that Tutankhamun is in fact Jesus The Christ. I am only pointing out what some of our scholars have relayed as information over the years. Considering this point, I would be remiss not to mention it as valuable information for our followers.

While we have yet to scratch the surface on the reign of the ‘Boy King’, it should be noted that I will be emphasizing the events that justify the name of ‘The Redeemer’ which historians have called ‘King Tut.’ This will go along with his untimely passing and the ever growing presence of the Hittites should make our next entry just as important as this week’s.

PAGE 36

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Mental health is a luxury we must afford RALPH BRYANT

ralph@carib101.com

BLACK MINDS MATTER My name is Ralph Bryant, and I am excited to be joining the Toronto Caribbean family writing about black people and mental health. Thanks to the COVID-19 and uncertainty about the U.S. election, reflecting on our own well-being and self-care could not be happening at a more critical time. The most unfortunate reality is that for far too many of us, striving for mental wellness is becoming a commodity for the rich and middle class.

Living as a black person in North America is hazardous enough to our physical health. There are unique health issues that we are forced to confront like: diabetes, high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia, not to mention the impacts of systemic racism (e.g., over-incarceration, under-employment and education, economic instability). Is it any wonder why, according to conservative estimates, that black people are 20% more likely to suffer through a serious mental illness in their lifetime.

In addition, black folks are also much more likely to avoid seeking out mental health resources even in the case of a traumatic event. This leaves our community with a complex dilemma that must be addressed: how can we develop resources that help black families, while also removing the stigma associated with asking for help.

This leads to an unfortunate circumstance - mental health is only for rich, privileged people. This certainly should not be, nonetheless remains the case. Poor families, especially those run by single mothers, do not have time to heal their minds; they are too busy: healing their families, putting food on the table and keeping everyone alive. Then you add in a global pandemic that is forcing all of us inwards, literally and figuratively, where all of our demons lie. For many of us our friends, family and social networks are our

only resource, and they are all dealing with their own households and are unequipped to objectively provide the help you need.

At the same time, there are discussions of mental health, but mostly in white spaces - and isolated are the unique needs of our communities. Social media is particularly awful at this; we are bombarded with images of (mostly white women) in fields of daffodils, at a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, describing how important it is to take time for “healing” and talking about how they “found” themselves.

Meanwhile, many of us are deciding which bill to pay, or which protest to join, or how to take care of our basic needs.

So instead of finding a therapist, we numb ourselves with alcohol, binging Real Housewives, swiping on Tinder, and overuse and abuse drugs. We will do anything, everything to avoid dealing with our inner fears, but how many Netflix shows can you watch before at some point you have to look in the mirror and face the thing that is the scariest in the world; you!

We have to remove the financial obstacles from mental health. We have to reclassify struggles with the mind from a “want to have” (like dealing with trauma is equal to getting a breast job, liposuction, or removing a tattoo) to a “must have” because mental illness is a long-term burden of care, not dissimilar from suffering with cancer or diabetes. It should be covered by provincial insurance (or the Affordable Care Act in the U.S.). It should be considered a preventative service, in the same way that we can get our eyes checked or our blood drawn.

Resources should also be increased for children and youth. According to Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, access to counselling and therapy can take a long time - in Ontario, wait times of six months to one year are common.

If you are suffering in silence with your mental health struggles, you do not have to do so any longer. The good news is that non-profit organizations in our community are filling the breach. Black Mental Health Canada, Black Women In Motion and The Therapy Fund for the Black Community are three Canadian organizations that provide no or low cost treatment, amongst others, as well as advocacy and research efforts.

How to improve your sex life Regardless of your age, gender, preferen­ces and relationship status, here are a few basic tips to help you enjoy a healthier and more fulfilling sex life.

Explore what feels good Knowing what turns you on can make it easier to communicate your needs to your partner and have more pleasura­ble sex.

One safe and healthy means of self-exploration is masturbation, which can also help boost your body confidence and make you feel more sexually empowered.

Adopt healthy lifestyle habits In particular, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep reduces stress, thereby increasing libido. You’ll also have more energy for sex, and keeping fit can improve your stamina and flexibility, boost your self-confidence and improve your body image, all of which contribute to your enjoyment of sex.

Focus on the present moment Studies indicate that mindfulness me­ ditation can significantly increase sexual desire, arousal, satisfaction and orgasms, particularly among women. This is because being mindful encourages you to let go of distracting thoughts, tune in to your body and focus on sensations.

Communicate with your partner In addition to letting your partner know what feels good during sex, it’s important to have conversations in a neutral setting about your expectations, preferences and concerns. This will ensure you feel comfortable with your partner, which can lead to better sex and a stronger emotional connection.

If you have questions or concerns about your sexual health, don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor. You can also reach out to a sex therapist for help with a variety of issues.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

Be a nice human TARA MYSHRALL tara@carib101.com

COMPELLED TO CHANGE I headed to Blue Mountain this weekend with my mother to enjoy the holiday lights and the crisp air of November. I wanted to support the local businesses while I was there.

I got some great little gifts for the people that spread so much joy in my life. I was pulled out of my blissfulness when the lady serving me at one of the stores was rude. I asked her to keep some items behind the counter and then added to my pile. When it was time for me to cash out, she was speaking to the associate beside her, telling her how to ring in purchases that she had already started.

“Do you have the scarves and oils?” I said with a large grin, “And I also have a second bunch of items that I gave you.” I said this in one form or another three times. Finally, when she was about to charge me, I explained again that I have more items and the “other people’s stuff” that she had bagged was all mine.

I found myself getting frustrated but calmly agreed to two transactions as she had packaged everything up as two clients. I noticed how overwhelmed and stuck in her own head she was. How many times do we get so caught up in our internal voice that we stop to listen to the other person’s point of view?

Next, I went to a restaurant only to discover my reserved table had been given away. I waited and eventually got to go in out of the cold. “Wash your hands, scan this menu, and follow me” she said sharply as she darted off. I was scrambling to get my phone out of my purse and scan the bar-

code while washing my hands and stumbling over my gloves. She sat me at the table and walked off.

I felt this anger brewing in me.

Why am I spending money when they are treating me like they don’t respect my business? Service is an energy exchange, I pay for it, they provide it, and in return, they get paid for it. For any service, there are a multitude of other options, some more expensive, some less expensive but nonetheless, lots of options. I continued to go round and round as I bit into my pizza.

Now the pizza was starting to suck too.

Finally, I stopped myself. I was witnessing this unfolding from my own source of experience. First, I have been in service and sales for many decades and I used to train people on how to provide outstanding service. From this place I was observing all the ways that the associates were not providing the best service and I was angered for the owners of the business who would never know why I no longer wanted to come back.

But then, I realized I was witnessing these situations from a sense of self-absorption. Who knows what is going on with those individuals? They may have had a fight with their partner, they may not have had the correct training on how to deal with clients, and they may have just been overwhelmed with the clients of the day and worried about COVID. There are so many things that are at play that I know nothing about and by me returning the bad energy that would only make it worse.

So, I felt the anger and I released it and smiled, enjoyed my pizza and my company, and went on my way. I decided to be a nice human and look at the individuals serving me with compassion instead of a need to be right or self-absorbed with how their actions affected me.

This holiday season, please remember to be a nice human. When you feel yourself wanting to react, take a minute, and breathe and imagine all that might be happening with the other person.

Winter safety tips: coats and car seats Did you know that wearing a puffy coat or snowsuit while sitting in a car seat can put your child in danger? Here’s what you should know about keeping little ones safe and warm in the car this winter.

fitted layers such as a thermal knit sweater and fleece jacket. Once your child is fastened in the car seat, you can cover them with blankets or their coat. Just be sure to leave their face uncovered.

The risks A thick winter coat gives the illusion that a car seat’s straps are snug and that your baby is securely fastened. However, that bulky material will compress upon impact in a crash and create a gap between the harness and the child’s body. This space is large enough that your baby can easily slip through the straps or be thrown from the seat entirely.

For a baby, you can use a car seat cover, but only if it doesn’t have a layer that goes underneath the infant.

To find everything you need to keep your child safe and warm in the car, visit the stores in your area.

How to test the seat Place your child in the car seat while they’re wearing the coat, and tighten the harness until it’s snug. (You shouldn’t be able to pinch the strap at their shoulder).

Next, unfasten the straps without loosening them, remove the coat and place your child back in the seat. If the straps need to be tightened more, it means the coat is too bulky.

Safe alternatives To keep your child warm in the car without compromising their safety, dress them in

LIFE

PAGE 37

PAGE 38

HOW TO

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

How to be greener at the office

USE LESS ENERGY Program your computer to go into sleep mode after 15 minutes of inactivity, and remember to turn it off completely at the end of the day. Since email servers consume a lot of energy, regularly sort through your inbox and delete what you don’t need.

EAT ZERO-WASTE LUNCHES Prepare your meals at home and package them in reusable containers. If you do opt for take-out, many restaurants are happy to use washable dishes provided by the customer. Keep metal utensils, thermal mugs, silicone straws and cloth napkins at the office to avoid relying on single-use items.

Finally, if you want to help implement widespread eco-friendly changes at work, consider forming a green committee.

A brief purchasing guide for the eco-conscious parent If you want to give your baby the best while upholding your commitment to protect the environment, there are a number of purchasing decisions you can make that will allow you to do so. Here’s what to buy.

NURSING PADS AND BOTTLES Use washable nursing pads made of cloth and high-quality bottles made of recycled plastic, glass or stainless steel that can be reused by your second child or donated to another family.

NURSERY FURNITURE For the crib, changing table, rocking chair and dresser, opt for locally made pieces. Alternatively, look for furniture made of recycled or sustainable materials.

BEDDING AND CLOTHES Look for curtains, blankets and other linens made of recycled or sustainable materials such as hemp.

Dress your baby in locally made clothing or cute thrift shop finds.

PAINT AND DECOR Choose non-toxic paint made of renewable resources for the nursery, and decorate the space with handmade creations from local artisans.

To ensure you have everything you need before your baby arrives, visit the shops in your area or join an online group for parents looking to buy, sell and trade second-hand items.

DIAPERS AND WIPES Stock up on washable diapers and reusable washcloths. For your baby’s delicate skin, purchase a mild soap sold in bulk at a zero-waste store in your area.

From high-quality food to luxury grooming products, many doting pet owners want to make sure their dog gets the very best. But did you know there are ways you can promote the health of both your pup and the planet? Here’s how to minimize the environmental impact of owning a dog.

FOOD Opt for dog food made with natural, organic ingredients. While more expensive than low-grade options, this type of food has more nutritional value. This means you can feed your dog less while still meeting its health needs and satisfying its appetite. Look for products sold in bulk or packaged in recyclable or biodegradable materials.

Many companies are ta­k ing steps to become more environmentally conscious. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint at work, here are some ways you can get started.

AVOID USING PAPER Only print out documents if a paper copy is absolutely necessary. If you do need to print something, customize your settings to reduce the margins and font size as this will allow you to use fewer pages. You should also make sure to print on both sides of each piece of paper. Even small changes like writing your todo list on a notepad application rather than on a sticky note can make a difference.

How to reduce your dog’s carbon pawprint

TOYS Cheap, low-quality pet toys can be dangerous for your dog because they often contain toxic substances. They also tend to break more easily, which makes them a choking hazard and means they need to be replaced more often. By investing in durable toys recommended by veterinarians, you’ll protect your pup and avoid waste. If they’re made locally, even better.

WASTE Picking up after your dog is a common courtesy, but using plastic bags that get tossed in the trash does a disservice to the environment. Instead, opt for biodegradable pet waste bags. Alternatively, to prevent your pet’s poops from ending up in a landfill where they’ll take a long time to decompose, you can compost them yourself in a specialized bin.

Many small-scale pet boutiques also offer eco-friendly shampoos, accessories, treats and more. Find out what sustainable dog care products are available in your area.

FUN

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 39

WEEK OF DECEMBER 6 TO DECEMBER 12, 2020

ARIES

The luckiest signs this week: SCORPIO, SAGITTARIUS AND CAPRICORN

Various projects with lots of de­tails will take a long time to sort out.

You should let loose more often so that you can appreciate the present moment. You’ll de­velop a new outlook on life that aligns with your values.

TAURUS

HOW TO PLAY :

You’ll be the focus of everyone’s attention. You’ll be the only one capable of completing a certain task, which will garner you a lot of praise from a senior manager at work.

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

It’s a good idea to take a break from your routine, both in your day­to­day life and your relation­ship. Don’t hesitate to accept invita­ tions to go out with your friends, especially if you’re sin­gle.

They’re sure to surprise you.

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.

If you have any real estate dealings, the steps you take this week could prove to be quite profit­able. You’ll also be tempted to redecorate your home before the holidays to impress your guests.

PUZZLE NO. 724 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 724

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

PUZZLE NO. 14 43. Full-grown 45. Makes mistakes 49. Barking sounds 52. Bumper ____ 53. Oaf 54. Petitions 55. Memorable time 56. Motionless 57. ____-jerk reaction 58. Earth’s upper atmosphere 59. Intense

ACROSS 1. Rowing blades 5. Stereo component 8. Woeful exclamation 12. Fib 13. Tell an untruth 14. ____ tie 15. Certain bean

16. Traveler’s stop 17. Unattractive 18. ____ India Company 19. Go to see 21. Utilize 23. Job or story 27. Black-ink item 30. Write hastily 31. Rarer than rare

32. Owl’s question?

33. Contest site 35. Mine yield 36. Young chap 37. However 38. Piggy-bank fillers 40. Formed 42. Pigpen

25. Game missile 26. She-sheep 27. Piercing tools 28. Iranian prince, once 29. Baking ingredient 30. 707, e.g.

34. Marks down 39. Facial feature 41. Old-fashioned 42. Wander 44. Songbird

46. Went by bus 47. ____ of thumb 48. Tread 49. “____ Me No Questions” 50. Gallop 51. Professional charge

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 14

DOWN 1. Stare 2. Vocal solo 3. Borders 4. Sculpture 5. Breathing 6. Skirt type 7. Retiree’s income 8. Borders on 9. Type of cabin 10. “____ That Jazz” 11. Nutritious bean 20. Unbroken 22. Remained 24. Branding tool

You certainly won’t keep quiet this week. However, it’s impor­t ant that you have all the facts before you speak up.

You may need to translate a message now to avoid confu­ sion later on.

VIRGO

You’ll be tempted to purchase an expensive luxury item. You’ll li­ kely spend a lot more on Christ mas gifts than you planned. You’ll also need to exert more energy than anticipated.

LIBRA

You’ll give yourself time to re­flect on an important decision. You’ll want to explore your spi­ritual side. A pilgrimage of some kind would be a good way to reconnect with your beliefs and values.

SCORPIO

If you plan to spend time with people, don’t forget to follow basic hygiene rules to protect yourself against germs. Your im­ mune system will feel fragile. Get plenty of rest so you can re­main strong and healthy.

SAGITTARIUS

Time will be in short supply, and you’ll need to choose between fulfilling your various obligations and taking part in leisure activi­ ties. To maintain your well­being, be sure to balance the different facets of your life.

CAPRICORN

A vacation is on the horizon. Even if it’s still a few months away, you’ll start making travel plans now. You might need to renew your passport or get vaccinated to avoid issues later on.

AQUARIUS

A few minor annoyances are to be expected this week. You can no longer procrastinate on the projects you’ve been putting off.

Once you finish, you’ll be able to celebrate without carrying that weight on your shoulders.

PISCES

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

ICHF BabyHeart Trip to Guyana TCCF works with three international partners to treat poor and critically ill Caribbean children at four treatment centres. At Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, it works with the Herbie Fund to treat children su ering from most major ailments. In Austin Texas, it works with SpineHope to treat children su ering from spinal problems such as scoliosis.

In Guyana and the Dominican Republic, it works with ICHF/BabyHeart Foundation to treat children su ering from congenital heart disease. The modus operandi at the two Caribbean centres is that TCCF assists with sending medical mission teams consisting of cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists and paediatric intensive care unit nurses to deliver treatment and also train local sta in post-operative care.

@tccfangels #tccfangels | to donate www.tccfangels.com

You’ll reach an agreement that will turn your life upside down. Per se­verance will allow you to achieve the highest level of success, even in your personal life. Your fighting spirit will be in full swing.

the free

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SALES REPS WANTED

FOR SALE WORSHIP SUNDAY SERVICE: Fountain of Truth Ministries Pastor: Reverend Maxine Campbell Worship Address: 2170 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke Percy Johnson School – Cafeteria Sundays: 10.am – 2. pm Teaching, Worship, Ministering For info call: 416 748 0211 MISSISSAUGA: Mississauga Missionary Baptist Church invites you to join us at 1620 Dundas St West, each Sunday at 10am for praise, worship and in-depth Bible teaching with Pastor Sean, 416-219-9137

We are in the process of expansion and constantly looking for the best of the best!

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PAGE 42

REAL ESTATE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Ontario’s most affordable cities to raise a family JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com

REAL ESTATE PRO With the pandemic, families are moving away from the GTA to smaller communities. This trend will continue as more people are able to work from home. Many are leaving the confined space of condos and relocating to detached homes outside of the GTA that are more affordable to raise a family. These out of town homes are spacious and have generous land size.

Thunder Bay is one of the most economical cities to live in Ontario with an average house price of $265,000. The population is around 110,000 and the city is about 328 square kilometres. The award-winning Lakehead University is a magnet for students from everywhere. This makes Thunder Bay an ideal investment hot spot. This city has a dynamic work force in health care, business and educa-

tion. According to MoneySense, “In the last five years, real estate prices in this Northern Ontario city of just over 100,000 have appreciated faster than in any other city in Canada.”

Greater Sudbury has an average house price of $310,000 with a household income of $80,000. The population here is 165,000. Sudbury is located in northeastern Ontario and in the vicinity of 390 kilometres from the GTA. If you are looking for a place with clean air and fresh water, there are 330 lakes. Employment opportunities such as mining, tourism, education health care, research, film and television are tremendous. Sudbury has a large Francophone population which plays a central role in building and keeping their traditions. The average rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $1700.00. Most of the population is centred around the downtown core, leaving lots of land space for social distancing.

Windsor is located in southwest Ontario on the bank of the Detroit river. It is 365 kilometres from the GTA. Countless Canadians work in Detroit but live in Windsor because of the low cost of living. The average house price is $431,000 and property tax, $3,000. You can rent a 3-bedroom apartment for $1600. The population here is touching 336,000 and the median

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Peel District School Board is seeking external consultants to support the Board’s equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression

household income is $85,000. It is an ideal spot to raise a family in a mid-size town with all the amenities and cross-border shopping. The University of Windsor is well known and attracts students globally. Windsor is one of the most diverse cities after Toronto, with over 25% of visible minorities.

You can buy a home in Kingston for $480,000. An average 3-bedroom property rents for $1600. This city is on the eastern end of Lake Ontario and is about 267 kilometres from Toronto. It is a great city to live in and has one of the lowest unemployment rates. Known as the military city, it caters for about 10,000 military personnel. The population is around 600,000 so you won’t miss the big city lifestyle. There are tremendous job opportunities in areas such as transportation, research, manufacturing, tourism and higher education at the Queens university.

Coburg has a population of around 41,000. It is located about 95 kilometres east of Toronto. The average home price here is $561,000. Considering the proximity to Toronto, it is affordable. Coburg has been in the spotlight

by MoneySense Magazine as “One of Canada’s Best Places to Live”. This town is blessed with an educated and skilled workforce, a diverse com-

mercial sector and a helpful hand from the municipality.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a lovely town with a population of about 18,000. The median house price is $550,000 and property tax, $3,800.

This town has a large work force of about 60% while retirees makes up another 23%. Niagaraon-the-Lake is a favourite spot for tourism and is home to one of Canada’s largest theatres, The Shaw Festival. Real estate in this town is on the upswing. The rental market is above average.

This is a great town to invest.

It is worth the drive to Orillia. Commuting can be done in an hour and a half, a distance of 144 kilometers from the GTA. The city has a population of 31,000 residents. Home prices in Orillia are on the rise and in the past three months prices have shot up by 21% to a new record of $666,000. Orillia is the home of Casino Rama and is a destination for tourists.

Real estate in the GTA is getting out of reach for many. However, there are many beautiful towns outside the city that are affordable.

With the promise of vaccines, the pandemic will subside. However, the effects of the pandemic are creating new tidal waves for real estate.

More families are relocating out of town and soon prices in these towns will swell. Act fast!

We’ve got your

BACK

work that is connected to the Ministry of Education’s Report on the Peel District School Board and the corresponding Directions to the Board (March 2020).

The one (1) Request for Proposal opportunity has been posted on the Bonfire Bidding platform.

To review the documents and/or submit a proposal by the closing date and time, please visit the Bonfire link below: 1. Bid No. RFPD20-4549: The Provision of Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Oppression Writing Consulting Services.

Upload your Submission at: https://peelsb.bonfirehub.ca/opportunities/36582 Closing Date & Time: December 18, 2020 @ 3:00 p.m. EST.

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647-499-1444 • info@intelligenthealthgroup.ca

The staff and members at Carpenters & Allied Workers Local 27 would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas!

222 Rowntree Dairy Rd Woodbridge, ON L4L 9T2 T: 905-652-4140 www.ubc27.ca @carpenters27

PAGE 44

FINANCE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

7 Tips that will lead to reaping benefits in 2021 CLEVE DeSOUZA cleve@carib101.com

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Building a successful future requires working hard today. Don’t get discouraged by that statement. Working hard may be easier than you think.

For the final quarter of 2020, we’re focused on achieving more. It’s proven that in order to have more, you must be more and do more. This week, we continue a three-part series focused on that equation. In the first article, we explained how to be more. This week, we focus on how to do more. Our final 2020 article later this month will explain how to have more.

Doing more requires discipline, which is an intimidating concept for many.

Relax, though. Here are seven tips to help you start building discipline. If you start following these tips today, you will reap the rewards in 2021.

1. Stop procrastinating. Do it now. Suc-

cessful people do not procrastinate.

Think back on the times you’ve procrastinated. Experts say as many as 95% of us procrastinate at least some of the time. There are tips to help you overcome this fatal flaw. Some of the top tips include creating (and using) to-do lists or schedules. It also helps to tackle boring jobs first thing and then move onto the tasks you enjoy. Whatever you do, find a method that works for you.

2. Leverage failure. You read that right. If you’re going to succeed, you will experience failures along the way. When you fail, you learn. Successful people learn from their failures and do better the next time around. Unsuccessful people let failures stop them. So don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Instead, accept them as an important part of the learning process.

3. Keep learning. Ignorance is not bliss.

If you want to try something, then immerse yourself in learning everything you can about the topic. This takes time and energy, but when you’re learning about something you enjoy, it won’t feel like work.

4. Plan to succeed. Every successful business begins with a plan. Every successful household operates with a financial plan (also called a budget). Whatever you’re trying to achieve, you must be-

gin with a written plan for the steps you will take to reach your dreams. If you can, share your plan with someone else. Then ask them to check in on you. This type of accountability can help overcome procrastination too.

5. Make bold decisions. If you want to change your life, you’ll need to be decisive and committed to taking difficult steps. Bold decisions lead to bold lives.

6. Listen to experienced advisors. You don’t have to do this alone. Surround yourself with experts who can help guide you along the way.

7. Make decisions based on data, not emotions. You can get objective data from trusted advisors. You also can look up statistics or information online. As you grow, learn who is willing to challenge you. If your family and friends always agree with you, it will be much harder to grow and learn.

None of these changes will be easy to implement. But one side benefit of committing to the hard work of self-improvement is you may find yourself enjoying your life more.

In the words of Andrea Bain, television host and author, “Pay attention to yourself. Build on who you are. Become a whole person. Enjoy life.”

5 tips for improving your credit score Whether you’re looking for a car loan, submitting a rental application or applying for a mortgage, it’s important to have a good credit score. If your current credit score is suboptimal, here are five things you can do to rebuild it.

1. Pay your bills on time. Always pay bills in full before the due date. If you can’t pay the total amount, at least make the minimum required payment.

2. Don’t max out your cards. It’s best to use no more than half of your available credit (for example, don’t put more than $500 on a credit card with a $1,000 limit).

If you always max out your card, lenders will consider you a high-risk loan candidate. Also, never surpass your credit card

limit.

3. Be a loyal customer. Don’t switch credit cards or financial institutions unnecessarily. The age of your credit history impacts your credit score.

4. Get credit checks infrequently. If a lender or company files a request to view your credit report, which is known as a hard inquiry, it’ll impact your credit score.

Conversely, checking your credit yourself, which is known as a soft inquiry, won’t affect your score.

5. Have multiple types of credit. Using more than one type of credit (for exam­ ple, a credit card, line of credit and mort­ gage) tends to improve your credit score.

Just be sure that you’re able to pay back

everything you borrow.

To get more advice about building up your credit score, reach out to a qualified financial adviser.

How to safely lend money If you plan to lend money to a family member or friend, it’s in the best interest of both parties to have a clear, legally binding loan agreement. Here’s how to go about it.

DRAWING UP A LOAN AGREEMENT YOURSELF If you’re loaning a small sum of money, you may choose to draft your own loan agreement. In addition to the loan amount, this contract should include the following: • The full name, address and phone number of both the lender and borrower • The loan repayment schedule and whether the amount will be returned in a lump sum or in multiple payments • The interest rate on the loan, if applicable • The terms for late or missed payments • The signature of both parties, the date and, ideally, a witness’ signature

The loan agreement should be written in plain language. If you aren’t confident about drafting the document yourself, consider looking for a template of a loan agreement online.

GETTING HELP FROM A LAWYER Drafting a loan agreement yourself carries certain risks. If important information is left out, or if either party’s obligations are unclear, the agreement may not be legally valid. Alternatively, you may unwittingly agree to adverse terms simply because you aren’t familiar with contract law. If you want extra assurance, or if you’re loaning a large sum of money, always have a lawyer draw up your loan agreement.

A lawyer can be counted on to create a comprehensive, airtight contract. In addi-

tion, they can provide legal advice about how to handle the more delicate aspects of the loan, such as the procedure for handling missed payments.

By entrusting a lawyer to draft your loan agreement, you may spare yourself some frustration if a dispute arises.

October 29, 2020 – February 21, 2021 Virtual Programming Highlights • October 29, 7 pm:

Exhibition Opening Reception • November 26, 7 pm: Art & Book Club • November 28, 2 pm: Artist Talk – The Photographers • January 28, 2021: Artist Talk – Painting and Textiles Owen V. Gordon (Jamaican/Canadian, 1946-), Extreme Social Distances, 2020, oil on paper, 55.8 x 76 cm, Courtesy of the artist, Nicholas Metivier Gallery and BAND

Visit pama.peelregion.ca to learn more

PAGE 46

SPORTS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Tyson VS Roy Jones Jr. Two boxing legends clash in the ring MARCEL MARIAK marcel@carib101.com

TC JUNIOR REPORTER

In the combat sports world, the only thing cooler than seeing two world-class fighters stepping into the ring is witnessing legendary retired warriors walk back into the arena for one final battle. Unfortunately, with the high-impact, high-risk nature of combat sports, these types of events rarely happen. Usually, older retired fighters are more than happy to stay out of the ring and let the younger athletes prove themselves. Only once a decade or so will two retired legends be willing to go to war with each other in front of thousands of spec-

tators. Luckily, on November 28th, boxing fans around the world were blessed with the opportunity to witness Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. enter the ring for a stunning battle.

While the bout was set up as an eight-round exhibition match, fight fans were still anticipating a remarkable performance from both boxers. With over 100 years of age between the two fighters, it was nearly impossible to predict who would reign victorious or how long the battle would last. Still, the bout raked in over 1.2 million pay-per-view buys with fans from around the world tuning in to watch the spectacle unfold!

The fight With both Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. being over 50 years old, fans weren’t expecting a fast-paced war. Instead, they were anticipating a slower, more strategic boxing match that would go the distance. With both fighters being aged boxing veter-

ans and the bout being an exhibition, the battle was much more tenacious and tactical than fiery. Both Tyson and Jones Jr. respected each other’s power and were cautious about getting into long or damaging exchanges. Instead, they focused on landing fast, accurate strikes, and they would often tie up in a clinch. Although both boxers looked strong in the bout’s opening rounds, Tyson seemed to have the upper hand - landing a number of his signature left hooks and looking much more energetic than his rival. Despite becoming more tired with each subsequent round, Roy Jones Jr. stayed in the fight and continued to reply with some powerful strikes of his own.

As expected, the battle went the distance. After 8, 2-minute rounds, the final bell rang, and the fight went to the judges’ scorecards. Sadly, for fans expecting a decisive victory, the judges decided to call the fight a draw by split decision (although many in the boxing community believe Ty-

son was the obvious victor). Surprisingly, Tyson was much less disappointed with the draw than his opponent who commented that “I wear draws, I don’t do draws.” Tyson, on the other hand, was much less focused on the outcome of the fight than he was in the future of his reignited boxing career. In a post-fight interview, he mentioned that he looks forward to competing in more exhibition fights and donating the proceeds to charity.

Tyson even mentioned that he would like to run back his fight with Roy Jones and settle the rivalry once and for all.

If what Tyson and Jones said is true, and it wasn’t just the fight-adrenaline talking, we could be seeing a lot more of these two legendary boxers in the new year. Also, there’s a great chance that we could witness even more famous fighters coming back from retirement to perform in the ring! Exciting times are on the horizon for the combat sports world.