Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 136 by IQ INC.

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ISSUE 136 VOLUME 22

October 21, 2021

SERVING THE CARIBBEAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES!

Dame Sandra Mason Is First President-Elect of Barbados BY SHARON AUSTIN BARBADOS GIS

he Joint Sitting of the Barbados Parliament was held on Wednesday, October 20th, 2021. The House and Senate came together to elect the first President of Barbados, another historic milestone on the road to the Republic. As Barbados prepares to transition to a republic in a few weeks, Dame Sandra Mason has been announced as the

Colin Powell, Son of Jamaican Immigrants: Patriot and Black Man....22

Dame Sandra Mason, Barbados’ First President-elect. (FP)

continued on page 10

Four Signs You Are Ready to Purchase a House ....8

Murky Immigration Reform, at a Crossroads

Knowledge is Power when you use it! Get a FREE Consultation! Ask the Lawyer:

Despite Disasters and Chaos, Haitian Immigrants Most Likely to Be Denied U.S. Asylum ....9

Call 855-768-8845

BY MARIBEL HASTINGS AND DAVID TORRES, AMERICA’S VOICE

he proposal to grant only work permits and protection from deportation to some seven to eight million undocumented immigrants is the most recent alternative that the Democrats are trying to include in the Senate’s budget reconciliation, after the rejection of measures that contain a path to citizenship

Marriages: Is Love Enough? ....7

President Biden. Editorial credit: Nick_ Raille_07 / Shutterstock.com

continued on page 13

5 Reasons to Become a Paralegal ....12

Brian Figeroux, Esq., Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association

The Emotional Side of Estate Planning ....17

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke Discusses Immigration Reform at www.pppradio.nyc

For the Caribbean, Relations with the US and China is not One or the Other ....2

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CARIBBEAN SPECIAL REPORT Caribbean Consulates Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200 Antigua & Barbuda 305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117 The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-421-6420 Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325 Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-593-0999 Dominica 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400H New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853 Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-599-8478 Grenada 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301 Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119 Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767 Jamaica 767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000 Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887 Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200 Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450 St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521 St. Lucia 630 Third Avenue, 7th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278 St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272 For more Consulate information go to www.cawnyc.com/directory

For the Caribbean, Relations with the US and China is not One or the Other BY SIR RONALD SANDERS

n October 12, more than a dozen representatives in the US Congress sent a letter to the US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, asking for immediate attention to what they describe as “the growing influence of the Chinese Communist Party in both Latin America and the Caribbean trade and economic development”. The US Congresspersons have come to this realization years after Caribbean representatives in Washington – me included – have been saying to successive US Governments and Congress that the US has been absent as a meaningful contributor to the Caribbean development for almost two decades. The vacuum that the US left has been filled by the Peoples Republic of China, and it would be unreasonable for the US government or Congress to expect Caribbean countries to defer or delay their urgent development needs, waiting for the US to refocus its attention on the region. Further, the terms of China’s loans to many Caribbean nations have been far more concessionary even than World Bank and IMF loans to lower and lowermiddle-income countries, and China does not use per capita income as a criterion for disqualifying high income but vulnerable and underdeveloped Caribbean countries, from eligibility for loans and grants. US Congresspersons and US government policymakers should take these realities into account when they say, as they did to the US Trade Representative, “Economic prosperity and solidified trading relationships is slowing, becoming a matter of national security.” Caribbean countries do not regard the loans and other economic arrangements they have with China as a threat to US national security, and no member state of CARICOM has put any policies or programs in place that affect US national security. Indeed, CARICOM countries have remained faithful to importing goods and services from the US, even though US assistance and investment in the sub-region has steadily declined. Here are a few facts of which the 13 US Congresspersons, who signed the October 12 letter, appear to be unaware. First, with the exception of Haiti (which for the US is a special case), the 14nation independent states of the Caribbean Community have been at the bottom of US official development assistance for decades. In 2019, for instance, total US foreign assistance globally was US$47 billion, of which all CARICOM countries received US$338 million or 0.7 percent. For emphasis, that is less than 1 percent of the global total. Haiti alone received US$268 million of that US$338

million delivered to all 14 CARICOM states, leaving the other 13 to share US$70 million only. For 9 of the 13 countries, the sum provided did not amount to US$1 million. On trade, the US remained the dominant trading partner of CARICOM states, enjoying a trade surplus of US$6.5 billion. So, while it is factual that trade between Caribbean countries and China has increased in recent years, no trade in goods with the US was displaced, and certainly no trade in services. And, on foreign assistance to the region, if China is now delivering more to the Caribbean than the US, it should hardly be a matter of complaint by the US. Among the references made about China is that its representatives use sharp practices in negotiating contracts with Caribbean countries which could lead to seizure of vital infrastructure should defaults occur on repayment of loans. These references suggest that representatives of Caribbean countries lack the skill to negotiate contracts that are in their interest — an assertion most CARICOM governments would reject. It also suggests that CARICOM countries have not encountered similar practices from other countries that have led to uneven contracts – the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union collectively and each CARICOM country individually being a case in point. What US policymakers should regard as undeniable is that China is giving more scholarships to Caribbean students to upgrade their knowledge and capacity than the US. In fact, the US poaches Caribbean doctors, nurses and teachers – trained at great expense by Caribbean taxpayers. In the end, if the US continues this practice, they will have only themselves to blame if the Caribbean professionals and influencers of the future know China better than the US. To be sure, the 13 Congresspersons who wrote to the USTR were more concerned about China’s relationship with the bigger countries of Latin American than they were about the Caribbean. The Caribbean is usually a forgotten

appendage to Latin America among most US policy influencers, including its think tanks. It is that concern about loss of trade benefits and influence over Latin American markets that caused them to say: “We believe that it is of the highest priority for the US to keep its relationships strong with our neighbors in the Western Hemisphere. Before long, China will be significantly positioned to completely dominate Western Hemisphere economics, as China is already the top trading partner for practically all of Asia, Oceania, Eastern Europe, Africa and, as stated, most of South America.” If China comes to dominate Western Hemispheric economics, it will be because of a long period of US neglect and the slow process to recognising that the US must re-engage Latin America and the Caribbean in genuine cooperation and not with one-sided strategies that are long on words, but short on allocation and delivery of funds. In any event, Latin American and Caribbean countries, concerned about improving their economies and advancing the social and economic conditions of their peoples, do not subscribe to a rivalry between China and the US in their region and hemisphere. They would all declare that there is ample room for economic and other forms of mutually beneficial cooperation with both China and the US.l Sir Ronald Sanders is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States and the Organization of American States.

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THOUGHTS

Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Calls on Democrats to Push Forward With Immigration Reform BY AMERICA’S VOICE

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6 ublisher I.Q. INC. Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief

Pearl Phillip Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Kenrick Williams

ith Democrats controlling Congress and the White House, Americans expect Democrats to deliver on just immigration policies, Senator Harry Reid argues in a recent piece in The Hill. The former Senate Majority Leader notes that his 2010 reelection proved that Democrats can fight and win on immigration. In that race, he took on a rabidly anti-immigrant Tea Party candidate and won handily on the strength of a multi-racial majority who rejected appeals to racism and division. Today, Senator Reid put out a statement urging Democrats to “keep plowing forward, as the voting public will not take ‘no’ for an answer on immigration,” even signaling the potential catastrophic results that could occur for Democrats in 2022 if voters don’t see progress on immigration. Reid stresses the urgency, as voters across party lines align with immigration policies such as legal status for millions of undocumented immigrants and reject Trump’s nativism and xenophobia. Below are excerpts from The Hill, on the plans moving forward after failed attempts to meet goals with the Parliamentarian: Immigrant advocates are wary that Democrats could fail to include any sort of immigration provision in this year’s reconciliation bill, essentially leaving the issue at the mercy of 10 Senate Republicans. …The Democrats are crafting a package that cannot be filibustered by Republicans, which will make it possible to get it through the Senate if Democrats are unified around it. But there are specific rules for what provisions can be included in the filibuster-proof measure. The first two proposals, which gave legal permanent residency to millions of undocumented immigrants and immigrants on humanitarian visas, were

TEAM

Feature Writers Linda Nwoke Victoria Falk Contributors Jennine Estes Tarsha Gibbons Janet Howard Mary Campbell Travis Morales Chris Tobias Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

deemed by the Senate parliamentarian as incompatible with the rules of reconciliation. A third, which grants temporary relief but not permanent legal residency — and thus no path to citizenship — for millions of people is currently being negotiated between Senate Democrats and the parliamentarian’s office. Advocates and some Democrats are growing increasingly tired of the backand-forth, which they argue is unnecessary, as the parliamentarian’s ruling is advisory in nature, and the chamber’s presiding officer has the final say on what can and cannot be included in reconciliation. Senator Reid’s statement, which was shared with America’s Voice by his office, is available below in its entirety. As Democrats in Congress work to find a solution for millions of undocumented individuals, Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued the following statement inviting Democrats to keep plowing forward, as the voting public will not take ‘no’ for an answer on immigration. Several polls show voters would blame Democrats as well as Republicans in 2022 if they see no progress on immigration.

If my 2010 reelection to the Senate proved anything, it was that Democrats can fight and win on immigration. It makes policy sense and political sense and not just with Latino voters, but also with Americans of all backgrounds. However, the operative word is ‘win.’ With Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House, Americans expect Democrats to deliver this time on sensible immigration policies. By 3-to-1 margins and across party lines, Americans want legal status for immigrants who have worked hard, paid taxes and made their lives in the United States. After decades of waiting to fix this broken immigration system, the voters that rejected Donald Trump’s nativism, and gave power to Democrats, are not going to give us a free pass if all we come back with are procedural excuses. I have seen the human and economic consequences of this broken system. The current system rips families apart, destroys otherwise prosperous businesses, and keeps millions of hardworking people fearing deportation. We must fix this. This is the year. The time is now.’l

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CIVIL RIGHTS

Congress Must Not Turn Its Back on America’s Families BY WADE HENDERSON

he pandemic has taught us that we can ultimately pull through this difficult time if we do what is best for everyone. Over the past year and a half, too many families and communities across the country lost loved ones, lost jobs or access to their classrooms, and had their lives suddenly upended. But we banded together to face the challenge of adapting and surviving under unprecedented conditions. The strain, however, was felt most strongly by low-income families, especially those in communities of color, who because of systemic racism and decades of structural inequality in almost every area of life were more vulnerable to poverty and economic insecurity — even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. That is why our communities called out the need for the federal government to invest in the type of country we know we can be — one in which everyone can live with dignity and meet their basic needs. As we continue our fight against COVID19 and the economic crisis it brought on, we need a commitment from our elected leaders to deliver a better future for all. The expanded child tax credit (CTC) and the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, passed to address the economic crisis the pandemic exacerbat-

ed, have helped provide much needed relief to families and give them the tools to work, study, and connect with their communities. The expansion of the CTC increased the amount families received and expanded who qualified for the full credit, including those with very little to no income. The EBB provides free or discounted internet service — up to $50 a month ($75 on tribal lands) toward the cost of a consumer’s internet bill for people who qualify. Unfortunately, the expansions to the CTC and the EBB are both temporary. Making the expansions permanent will help ensure everyone can access the same opportunities to succeed. We will not go back to failed policies that perpetuate inequalities and hold our communities back. The devastation communities experienced during the pandemic require us to reimagine what kind of America we want to be. Congress has an opportunity now to reassess policies that have exacer-

bated disparities and injustice and to invest in all our families by making these two federal incentives permanent. With broadband now as important as electricity was in the last century, affordable connectivity is more critical than ever. Through the EBB program, Congress has made it clear that affordable connectivity is a top priority with bipartisan support. The benefit tackles an important racial and economic injustice: About 10 percent of both Black and Hispanic Americans and 13 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives have no internet subscription compared to 6 percent of White households. Without affordable technology, communities of color are unable to access health care or educational and job opportunities. The EBB program is an important watershed moment in helping to connect millions of households to affordable broadband — but it is only the first step. The current bipartisan infrastructure bill includes funding to extend the life of the EBB program under a new name and at a slightly lower subsidy level. A rapid and bold effort to support a permanent broadband benefit and digital inclusion program is necessary to meaningfully address the serious gaps in broadband adoption and ensure all families, no matter their color or zip code, can benefit

equally from advances in technology. Our health, our economy, and our communities of color will not fully recover without it. The expanded CTC and the EBB program are transformative for our society, and they will reduce poverty and increase opportunity for all families — including those who have been fighting against decades of systemic racism and inequality. Already, families receiving monthly CTC payments have used that money to buy groceries and school supplies and to pay for utilities and other essential bills. So far, the CTC has contributed to a 29 percent reduction in child poverty in just two months — lifting more than 4 million children above the poverty line, more than half of whom are children of color. Parents also reported the lowest levels of food insecurity since the pandemic started after receiving the credit. Congress must not turn its back on America’s families. Failure to make the expanded child tax credit and the Emergency Broadband Benefit program permanent would be a callous policy choice forcing millions of children and their families back into poverty — and we can’t let it happen.l Wade Henderson is the interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

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VOTE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 2ND!

IT'S TIME FOR A MAYOR WHO CAN TACKLE NYC'S TOUGHEST PROBLEMS

Eric Adams will fight for all New Yorkers, because he’s one of us. After being the victim of police brutality as a child, he became a police officer to fight for change from within. When he saw the failures in local government, he went to work as a State Senator and Brooklyn Borough President. Eric Adams is the leader we need to make our city work for working families.

As Mayor, Eric will get New York City back on track: END INEQUALITY

CREATE GOOD JOBS

KEEP OUR STREETS SAFE

PROTECT AND EXPAND SENIOR SERVICES

CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROTECT SMALL BUSINESSES

Go to EricAdams2021.com or Scan the QR code to read more about Eric’s plan for New York!

PAID FOR BY ERIC ADAMS 2021

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EDUCATION

How the Next Mayor Can Make Remote Learning Effective BY TOM LIAM LYNCH

or over a month now, hundreds of thousands of children and 75,000 teachers have returned to New York City schools. In that time, families’ resilience has been put to yet another test as Covid-19 cases ebb and flow in communities, with testing for and reporting of Covid cases in schools seemingly far less diligent and transparent than they were last year, and with no proper remote learning option available. Such problems notwithstanding, Mayor Bill de Blasio shows no signs of deviating from his plan to mandate in-person learning for all but a sliver of children with a prescribed list of serious medical conditions. So allow me to focus instead on January 1st, when the new mayor — most likely Eric Adams — takes office. Those who care about equitably educating the city’s kids should call for action by the next administration on two urgent priorities. First, in his campaign’s education position statement, Adams offers key values that will inform his education agenda: a quality education for all, a whole-child approach, and developing young minds from prenatal to career. Specifically, in order to ensure a quality education for all

children, Adams commits, in part, to “create the best remote learning experience in the world.” He correctly views online learning as “a vehicle to desegregate” schools. But creating a world-class online learning experience that also meaningfully counteracts racial injustice demands key, threshold strategic decisions. Paradoxical though it seems, a worldclass remote learning initiative starts on paper. That is, it begins with citywide curriculum planning. Why? Because technology only accelerates what already exists. If the next administration launches a virtual school, for example, without adequate planning and development, teachers will have to design curricula

while teaching in online or blended models (as we have seen). The result will be the exponential replication of existing pedagogical inequity. Because designing quality curricula is really, really hard. That’s why the Adams administration should convene a task force to rapidly design a robust New York City K-12 curricular framework that represents our highest aspirations. Let’s call it, “One City, One World.” Possibly building off the de Blasio administration’s vaguely defined, late-inthe-game Mosaic universal curriculum initiative, an Adams administration’s framework could embody the hallmarks of any high-quality curriculum, including: culturally responsive inquiries at every grade level; alignment to State and international academic and social-emotional standards; vetted resources and instructional activity templates; and signature project-based assignments designed with local and international cultural institutions. Curriculum refers not to standards, resources, or assessments alone. Curriculum is material designed to inspire students and teachers to explore ideas and create artifacts of their learning. And a well-designed framework does so in a way that leaves room for schools to include their existing highquality practices. There can be no equitable, high-quality online learning experiences for children if the City does not demonstrate curricular leadership, confidence, and stewardship in collaboration with schools and communities. Not top-down, but bottomup. Not rigidly imposed, but responsively adapted. Second, a world-class remote learning experience requires a centralized virtual academy model. Since “centralized” might irk some educators, allow me to

explain. While the technical infrastructure for citywide online learning can be designed in many ways, the quality of online learning is absolutely critical. As in physical classrooms, just because teachers teach doesn’t mean learners learn. The next mayor should appoint a deputy chancellor of digital learning dedicated to pulling together an “A Team” of online teachers and instructional designers who adapt the City’s evolving One City, One World framework for online instruction. This team of about 100 full-time teachers will teach students from schools across the city who choose or must learn online for all or some of their classes. After the first year, this A Team can offer a training pathway in which face-to-face teachers can be credentialed to teach part-time for the central virtual academy, either for additional compensation or as part of their brick-and-mortar school responsibilities. I cannot emphasize enough what negative impact the absence of a deputy chancellor of digital learning has had on families and schools leading up to and during the pandemic. This is the 21st century. With no senior-ranking official making informed decisions and marshaling resources, we have witnessed a parade of greatly avoidable (or at least mitigatable) missteps. New York City’s is the only large school district I am aware of that lacks any semblance of a coherent digital learning strategy. In the year to come, Covid-19 will again force many students into online models of learning. But families deserve online options anyway – pandemic or not. A world-class remote learning option has a vital role to play in counteracting racial injustice and educational inequity. And if equity means all students and not some, then remote learning must be driven by a systemwide curriculum that honors the limitless talents and dreams of our children.l Tom Liam Lynch is director of educational policy at the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School, and editor-in-chief of the Center’s InsideSchools project. This is an updated and lightly edited version of an op-ed by Lynch that appeared on September 27th in the New York Daily News.

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FAMILY MATTERS

Marriages: Is Love Enough? BY MARY CAMPBELL

ove suffices for a short term relationship, not for a marriage. Many factors contribute to love’s dissipation after the wedding. Among them are family, money and religion. For the naïve and idealistic swept under by the throes of the love current, any deficits in these three factors are not considered in favor of love. This is a mistake. Marriage is not only a union of two individuals, but a union of two families. If a couple doesn’t like their loved one’s family, chances are this will cause conflict over time. In such a case, a couple may promise to keep a safe distance from their respective families. This is nearly impossible once the first child is born. Usually when a couple has their first child, they realize for the first time how difficult and time consuming raising a child is. Then they realize that they too were once babies, and their parents cared for them the same way they care for their own child. This realization draws people closer to their parents, even if they don’t have the best relationship. Thus, they are likely to want to spend more quality time with them. This causes inner resentment between the couple who doesn’t like their significant other’s family. When two people decide to become each other’s lifelong partners, they give

an emotional commitment to each other. They should also put their monetary affairs in order. Each partner’s financial status should be evaluated and decisions should be made as to who will pay for what and how. Problems arise when those promises are broken, whether intentionally or not. If one does not have financial stability, the other should decide to bear the full financial burden, or move on. If the broke party promises to make money, no commitments should be made until that promise is fulfilled. Finances The financial aspirations of the couple should ideally match. For example if one spends money excessively and lives an extravagant lifestyle, but the other is content living on a modest salary and is frugal, this drastic difference will cause conflicts in the future. My sister’s marriage is a perfect example of how deficits in the family and money part of the package lead to divorce. She married a man who was

financially unstable. She worked part time but did not want to work once they had a child, and made this very clear to him. He promised to be the full provider so that she did not have to work, even though he did not have that kind of money yet. After their child was born, her husband still did not make enough money to support her and the child without her having to work. He was so unstable that he often went through months of unemployment. Forced to put the baby in day care at three months to work and support them, her resentment grew every day. In-laws Additionally, her mother in law had a key to their house and constantly showed up unannounced at any given time of the day. When my sister would come home from work she wanted to spend quality time with her baby. Then her mother in law would barge in, complaining about the untidiness of the house and how my sister wasn’t a good mother for such and

such reasons. Before their marriage, my sister was aware of her mother in law’s negative characteristics. Her husband promised her that he too, was annoyed by his overbearing mother, and that they would keep a safe distance from her. But once their child was born, he was indifferent to his wife’s pleas to talk to his mother about her unannounced visits, claiming, “I feel bad. My mother is all alone. She loves to see her precious granddaughter. It makes her so happy!” My sister eventually left him, embittered by his undelivered promise and his meddling mother. Religion A marriage is the union of two different backgrounds and values. When two people from different religions get married, unless those two people and their families are completely unattached to their respective faiths, it is likely to cause strife. Also, children become confused. Is Love Enough? Having said all of this, even if a couple comes to a financial agreement that is fully executed, their families get along and their religions are the same, without that elusive intangible feeling called love their relationship cannot sustain happily. And even if all three factors plus the love are there, that doesn’t guarantee a harmonious union either. Imagine how much worse off a couple that is in love is without those elements present?l

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HOME OWNERSHIP

Four Signs You Are Ready to Purchase a House BY CHRIS TOBIAS

uying a house is always a good choice. For New American households, buying your first home can be the pathway to stability. Jamaican immigrants have one of the highest rates of home ownership in the U.S., according to a report from the Center for Immigration Studies. Before you go house hunting, consider if you meet the following requirements for buying a house. 1. You Won't Be Moving for Awhile One factor few people consider when analyzing whether they should buy a house is whether they want to move within five years. If you do plan to move within a few years, it's probably not time to buy a home. You might be thinking it will be easy to sell it or rent out your new house when it's time to move but it's not that simple. The market may make a downswing in the next five years and if it does, you could lose money on your home making it impossible to sell and move to a new city. And if you decide to move far away, it can be difficult to deal with renters. Wait until you're confident

you will be settling down in the same location before buying a home. 2. You Make Enough Money Just because you can afford to rent does not necessarily mean you can afford a mortgage. You should talk to a mortgage lender and take a hard look at the numbers to see if home ownership is an option. There are a lot of hidden costs in home ownership. Besides the down payment and closing costs that buying a house requires, you'll be responsible for all upkeep and care for the home. If your boiler stops working, that is a potential ten thousand dollar cost you are now

responsible for covering. In addition to saving for a down payment, you need to have adequate savings for any unexpected housing costs. 3. You Have Good Credit If you don't have good credit, the option to buy a home likely won't be on the table unless you have someone willing to cosign. If you're in your early twenties or younger, you may simply not have a long enough credit history to qualify to buy a home. You'll have to raise your credit score or wait a couple years before you can purchase a home yourself.

4. You Know Exactly What You're Looking For Because you'll be settled in your next home for at least five years, it's important that you know what you want. If you don't know if you want a house or a condominium, it's vital that you do a lot of reflecting and figure out what works best with your lifestyle. The last thing you want to do is become stuck in a condo and soon after you realize you want a dog and a big yard. Find a home that matches your life goals prior to going house hunting. Assistance If you don't think you meet the financial or emotional requirements for buying a new home, there is no reason not to wait. Make sure you are completely ready before you buy a home so that you don't end up feeling trapped mentally or financially. In the meantime, continue to do your due diligence and plan accordingly. We are happy to help and share our insight and experience to help you with the buying process. Schedule an appointment today. Call 888-670-6791.l

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DIASPORA CONCERNS

ICYMI: Despite Disasters and Chaos, Haitian Immigrants Most Likely to Be Denied U.S. Asylum BY AMERICA’S VOICE

n a piece for NPR, Marisa Peñaloza reports on the ongoing racism in the application of U.S. asylum policy and what Haitian migrants face in navigating a broken immigration system. Haitian immigrants are the most likely to be denied U.S. asylum, as thousands have been rejected entry in the past months. Haiti is in a state of emergency after recent natural disasters left thousands homeless, struggling with food insecurity, economic collapse, and a political system in chaos following a presidential assassination. Gangs control much of the country, and killing and kidnapping civilians for ransom is part of daily life. More than 40,000 have fled the violence. Those that reach the U.S.Mexico border are met by a Biden administration that immediately expelled thousands back to Haiti, without even the opportunity to apply for asylum. Despite pushback from diplomats, experts and advocates about the dangerous and deadly conditions on the ground, the Biden Administration has continued

Editorial credit: Luigi Morris / Shutterstock.com

deportation flights to Haiti. Advocates have tracked at least 75 flights in the last 30 days-with some 8,000 people- since horrifying images at the border in Del Rio caught national attention. Despite mounting criticism and escalating protests, the Biden Administration has continued to choose cruel and counterproductive policies over safety and humanity for Black immigrants. Following a national week of action and a new lawsuit filed by Lawyers for Civil Rights on behalf of Haitian migrants who faced abuse from U.S. border officials, the Biden Administration is facing mounting pressure to change how

Black migrants are treated and rescind the previous administration’s Title 42 policy, which relies on a flimsy public health rationale to exclude and expel almost all asylum seekers. The NPR article is excerpted below: “ Like thousands of Haitians, Gibbens Revolus, his wife, Lugrid, and their 2year-old son, Diego, made the treacherous journey to the U.S.-México border from Chile and ended up under the international bridge in Del Río, Texas, last month. Photos from the makeshift camp in Del Río show desperation and unsanitary conditions where almost 15,000 Haitians hoped to apply for asylum. U.S. Border Patrol officers on horseback were seen corralling people, pushing them back to the Río Grande and onto México. I want people to understand the misery,” says Revolus who describes the journey as “hell.” Revolus can’t remember the exact date when his family started the journey to the the U.S. border. “Time blurs,” he says. But it took them almost three months of travel mostly by bus, many days by foot and the family crossed

from Colombia to Panama in a jampacked boat. Revolus says his infant son kept getting sick, constantly throwing up and having diarrhea. Border Patrol officers detained the family in Del Río on Sept. 24 when the makeshift camp was cleared by authorities. They were taken to a detention center in Texas. “We were not given the chance to make our case for asylum,” Revolus says. The family was put on a deportation flight to Haiti on Sept. 27.” …“Many Haitians see U.S. immigration policy as historically racist and antiBlack – pointing to the U.S. occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1934, including the support of a brutal dictatorship and the recent massive surge of migration in Del Río, Texas.” … “The island nation has been battered by natural disasters, including earthquakes and hurricanes. A catastrophic quake in 2010 killed more than 220,000 Haitians, left several thousand injured and about 1.5 million homeless – that was the catalyst for the massive exodus of Haitians to Latin America.”l

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ISLAND FOCUS: BARBADOS Dame Sandra Mason continued from page 1 island’s first President-elect. This announcement came from Speaker of the House of Assembly, Arthur Holder, as he read the Instrument of Election of President, at a joint meeting of both Houses of Parliament at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. The joint meeting was earlier suspended, because of an objection, and the members reconvened in their respective House, where they voted for Dame Sandra. In congratulating Dame Sandra, who received the necessary two-thirds majority vote in the Houses of Parliament, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said the election of a President “is a seminal moment” in the country’s journey. Ms. Mottley continued: “We look forward, therefore, to December 1, 2021. But we do so confident that we have just elected from among us a woman who is uniquely and passionately Barbadian; does not pretend to be anything else; reflects the values of who we are; [and] has been able, in spite of her achievement of many firsts, to maintain a humility that is so admired by our people. “Barbadians do not like boastful people, that is not our nature. But we like confident people, …proud people, … industrious people, …people who fight for the underdog, who believe in social justice, who believe in fairness; that is who we are. I can think, therefore, of no

Prime Minister Mia Mottley

better person at this juncture of our nation who can reflect …those values, and who also, by dint of their life, has shown you that it is not simply about fighting for rights, which is absolutely essential in a post-colonial society, but …recognizing the responsibilities that must go hand in hand with the gift of those rights.” Ms. Mottley said the transition to a republic was also about positioning the springboard that was necessary to undertake the most difficult mission confronting this independent nation. She stressed that Government had not come to this moment lightly, as she stated that it was time to “claim our full destiny”.

10 The Prime Minister told the Chamber: “This is really not about November 30, 2021; this is about December 1, 2021. This is about being able to use this as the springboard that we as a nation need in order to confront a completely different reality.” She noted that the decision to move towards republic status was not meant to be a statement of condemnation of anyone. In fact, she added: “We look forward to continuing the relationship with the British monarch…. “The time has come for us to express the full confidence in ourselves as a people, and to believe that it is possible for one born of this nation to sign off finally and completely.” Leader of the Opposition, Bishop Joseph Atherley, congratulated Governor General Dame Sandra on becoming President-elect. Bishop Atherley continued: “By this vote, Mr. Speaker, we have elevated to the highest office in the land, in this new context, one we consider to be worthy of this signal honor; one who has achieved excellence in her public and professional life; one who has worn all the trappings of her current office with dignity, polished bearing and the requisite mix of pride and humility. “… One who, by manner of service and appreciation of office, constitutes again both symbolically and substantively, a unifying force in the practice of our political and governance model.” l

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MONEY MATTERS

Improving Your Marriage During Hard Financial Times placed on one person. Instead, team up with your husband or wife to help the job seeking process go faster and encourage one another along the way. Working side by side as you strive toward the same goal is a great encouragement to both parties.

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

he current economic recession has impacted virtually every family across America. Many businesses have slowed their production, while others have completely shut down and laid off scores of dedicated workers. When a household’s breadwinner is suddenly laid off, it can be very hard to break the news to the dependent family members. Tension rises within the home as couples struggle to follow an emergency financial plan, and husbands and wives may begin to snap at each other under the stress. Unfortunately, these financial situations are too burdensome for many couples and a once happy marriage ends up in divorce. However, a job loss does not have to have such devastating effects. When both parties are committed to the relationship, a sudden loss of income can actually strengthen a couple’s bond. 1. Review your commitment When disaster strikes, do not panic. As you hear the grim news, do not allow yourself to get overwhelmed by the cir-

cumstances. Sure, you may be in for some lean times, but do not dwell on the negative. Instead, sit down with your spouse and renew your commitments to each other. Hearing your husband or wife reaffirm that they are in it “for better or for worse” and “for richer or for poorer” will help calm your nerves and strengthen the bond of trust. 2. Work as a team It has been said that job seeking is the hardest job that you will ever have. This is very true, because it often takes countless hours of searching and applying for positions before you receive even one response. All of this unfruitful effort can be very discouraging when the burden is

3. Laugh a little When bills are late and you are eating red beans and rice at every other meal, a little laughter can go a long way to improve the mood. During such stressful situations, try finding small things that are humorous to get your spouse to smile. It may be just the pick-me-up that is needed to get through the day. 4. Take advantage of budget cuts Without a paycheck, common luxuries such as lawn care services may be eliminated. This means that there are suddenly a lot of do-it-yourself yard work, cooking, and cleaning projects around the home. Share the workload and use these opportunities to spend quality time with one another. These days, schedules are so demanding that couples rarely spend more than an hour together per day. This

break in employment may be the perfect chance to work alongside your spouse and reconnect. 5. Get creative When money is tight, the weekly entertainment allowance is cut and couples may not be able to afford dinner and a movie anymore. However, this does not mean that date night should be cancelled. Get creative with your entertainment and you may find that you actually enjoy these dates even more. Playing a simple board game by the fire or cooking a meal together involves much more interaction than silently watching a movie, and the marital bond will be strengthened when the focus is on the other person instead of a Hollywood movie star. Financial trouble is the cause of thousands of divorces each year. When times get tough, it essential that husbands and wives make concentrated efforts to keep their bonds strong. These tips will help couples turn to each other for support, encouragement, and friendship that will strengthen the marriage for years to come. l

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JOBS & RECESSION

5 Reasons to Become a Paralegal staff members, clients, and others. The work is varied, and each day brings new challenges.

BY CHAMBER COALITION

career as a paralegal (also known as a legal assistant) can be a wonderfully fulfilling profession. Paralegals perform legal, regulatory, and business-related research for lawyers working at their organization. Most of the time, paralegals work for law offices, non-profits, corporations' legal departments, or courts. These professionals also provide legal support services to attorneys. They assist lawyers in filing motions, memoranda, pleadings, and briefs in various court systems and accompany lawyers to see clients and go to court. Here are five great things about being a paralegal: 1. Rise in Pay Paralegal compensation has risen steadily in the past decade. As paralegals perform a broader and more complex range of tasks (paralegals even represent clients in court in certain countries and administrative tribunals), their earnings continue to rise. The average paralegal salary hovers at around $50,000 per year, but paralegals often make more through bonuses. Overtime hours can also add significant cash to a paralegal's paycheck.

2. Explosive Employment Outlook The paralegal field is one of the fastestgrowing professions on the globe. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, predicts the employment of paralegals and legal assistants by over 25 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations. Among the factors driving this growth is client demand for cheaper, more efficient delivery of legal services. Since hourly rates charged by attorneys are typically double or triple the rates of paralegals for the same task, law firm economics mandates the increased use of paralegals to minimize costs. As a result, a paralegal career is one of the hottest non-lawyer jobs in the legal industry.

3. Easy Career Entry Unlike lawyers who must complete seven years of formal education and pass the bar exam to practice law, you can become a paralegal in as little as a few months of study. 4. Intellectual Challenge Paralegal work is intellectually challenging and involves a range of high-level skills. The most successful paralegals are problem-solvers and innovative thinkers. Paralegals must become subject matter experts in their specialty areas and master legal procedure, research, drafting, and other skills. They must stay on top of ever-changing laws and new legal trends and developments while interfacing with attorneys, opposing counsel, vendors,

5. Rising Prestige As paralegals perform more complex and challenging work, paralegal prestige is rising. Paralegals are no longer simply lawyer's assistants; they assume corporate management roles, leadership roles in law firms, and entrepreneurial roles in independent paralegal businesses. Over the years, paralegals have transcended the image of glorified legal secretaries to become respected legal team members. Ready to Take the Leap? A career as a paralegal can be rewarding professionally and personally and offers a unique opportunity to help others; options vary, depending on the paralegal's practice area. Paralegals in the public interest sector help poor and disadvantaged segments of the population with legal issues ranging from protection from domestic abuse to assistance preparing wills. Ready to take the leap, the next step? Call us at 718-722-9217 or visit www.freeparalegal.org to complete your registration which includes payment and signing up for our orientation on Thursday, October 28, 2021. l

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IMMIGRATION Murky Immigration Reform, at a Crossroads/continued from page 1 by the body’s own Parliamentarian. This new hope for immigration, however, encourages moderate expectations, as it only falls within the realm of the probable, not the definitive. Essentially, the so-called “Plan C” would stop the deportation and grant work permits to people who entered the United States before January 1, 2011. It would be valid for five years and renewable for another five years, for those who comply with the requirements. But taking stock of this now, in fact, is already a type of torture for millions of human beings who hoped for more from the beginning. The proposal would snatch the dreams of those who had arrived in the country during the last decade. Dejection, of course, will enter homes like a shadow over everything. Once again. Still, several questions remain. One of them is whether Plan C will pass muster with the Senate Parliamentarian, who has rejected two previous proposals authorizing a path to citizenship. The third time’s the charm, they say, but given the prior rejection of undocumented immigrants by this one person in a democracy, we don’t hold out too much hope. From there, the next question is what the Democrats will do if Plan C is also rejected by the Parliamentarian. Will they let the issue die, using the ruling by the Senate’s legal advisor as their

excuse? Will they try to advance standalone legislation, even if it’s chances for approval may be low, considering the Republican opposition en bloc and the fears of Democrats in vulnerable seats in the runup to the 2022 elections? Or will President Joe Biden follow the path of Barack Obama and advance some type of protection through an executive order? In this last case—and has been seen in recent years with the Dreamers— the situation has also been a tossup. While it temporarily protected these young people, right now they find themselves in the same immigration limbo that no one would want to go through, especially after having grown up with the idea that this is their country. And it is, by rights. The reality is that the patience of undocumented immigrants and those who support them has already run out. This November 6 will mark thirty-five years since Republican Ronald Reagan

signed the 1986 amnesty, which legalized some three million people. And that, as a political symbol, says a lot. But it seems it has not meant enough for the Democrats, who are now being begged to follow through on their promises, not only with immigrants they claim to defend, but because history will also, of course, talk about them if they don’t achieve all that is possible while they have power. Therefore, it’s incredible that three and a half decades later, there is still no reform, and the undocumented population has almost quadrupled. Republican obstruction and Democratic promises could fill a book. Both sides have used immigrants as a political football, without achieving a favorable solution for this group of people that is one of the axes of our economy and our daily life, but also thoughtlessly discarded. Right now, protest marches are being organized in different cities across the

country to pressure Democrats to follow through, a symptom that shows immigrants do not have to be “wedded” to empty promises, or electoral calculations that only benefit the political class. Immigrants are always asked to continue waiting, and those who support them are always asked to keep voting for Democrats, because “then we can do it.” But if things turn out the way they are looking, and not even a work permit is won, the Democrats will once again dust off the same old refrain: “we tried but we couldn’t do it, we’ll do it next time.” What they don’t understand this time, perhaps, is that not only immigrants, but also voters, have a much clearer perspective about politics and the use and abuse of promises to achieve power. Which brings us to another question: what if the Parliamentarian says yes and the so-called Plan C advances? It’s to be anticipated that the recriminations will begin: that this would be creating a sort of second class citizenry of people without the right to naturalize and then vote. There will be some who take the position of all or nothing and decide that, without a path to citizenship, temporary protection must be rejected. And the Democrats will blame internal divisions in the pro-reform movement for the plan’s potential failure. But without a real possibility that true immigration reform with a path to citizenship could progress before the Democrats potentially lose control of continued on page 14

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IMMIGRATION

T Nonimmigrant Status for Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons

SCIS announced that it is issuing updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding applications for T nonimmigrant status (or T visas) for victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons. Policy Highlights This updated and comprehensive guidance: •Provides updated and consolidated information on eligibility requirements, admissibility determinations, evidentiary standards, burdens of proof, travel considerations, and confidentiality protections for T visa applicants. •Clarifies that the age-based exemption from the requirement to comply with reasonable requests for assistance from law enforcement applies based on the victim’s age at the time of victimization. •Explains how USCIS evaluates the connection between the original victimization and the applicant’s continuing presence in the United States when evaluating the physical presence eligibility requirement •Clarifies how USCIS evaluates involun-

tary servitude claims, including conditions of servitude induced by domestic violence, as well as victimization that may occur during a voluntary smuggling arrangement. •Defines the concept of harboring. •Explains that USCIS is adopting the decision issued by the Ninth Circuit in Medina Tovar v. Zuchowski, a case involving adjudication of petitions for U nonimmigrant status, for nationwide application in T visa adjudication. Therefore, when evaluating a spousal or stepparent and stepchild relationship between the principal applicant and the qualifying family member, USCIS evaluates whether the relationship existed at the time the principal application was favorably adjudicated, rather than when the principal application was filed.

•Clarifies that principal T-1 nonimmigrants seeking to adjust status may present their Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94) reflecting their most recent validity period of T-1 nonimmigrant status, along with the Form I-797 receipt notice, as evidence of employment authorization for 24 months from the expiration date on the Form I-94, unless the Form I-485 is denied or withdrawn. Background Congress enacted the Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 to protect victims of trafficking. T nonimmigrant status serves the dual intent of protecting noncitizen victims of trafficking and strengthening the ability of law enforcement to detect, investigate, and prosecute acts of trafficking. l

Murky Immigration Reform, at a Crossroads/continued from page 13 Congress and the White House, the question is: what would you do? Even more, one would have to ask immigrants themselves what they prefer. Temporary protection now, or wait for another opportunity in the future for broadscale immigration reform to concretize? In that scenario, it’s obvious to say that each case is different, each family has their priorities, each person aspiring to achieve full recognition as a U.S. citizen has and maintains their own dreams. But that’s not what promising to protect eleven million people was about. Now they will have to make new adjustments for their families and communities, starting over once again. And that, on top of being unjust, is simply cruel. Whatever happens, perhaps this whole process will only serve to teach the Democrats a lesson. Undocumented immigrants and the citizens and legal residents who support them are not pawns in a game of political chess. Democrats have spent decades using them as a political football and asking for their support, formulating empty promises they never deliver. The strategy that says the Republicans are the “villain” of the movie is so tired, because the Democrats—as the “heroes” of this same movie—leave much to be desired. And then they complain about apathy among Latinos who don’t vote or who vote for the other party. With Donald Trump threatening to run for president in 2024, Democrats have all the more reason to keep their promises. If not, what will be the excuse this time? l

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nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

Ayesha Curry Loves to Listen to Popcaan & Dancehall Music While Cooking

yesha Curry, a chef & businesswoman of Jamaican heritage and the wife of NBA basketball player Steph Curry, promotes and shares her love of Jamaican culture whenever she can. Her husband is also a fan of dancehall and Jamaica. When Popcaan shared a video clip of Ayesha telling an interviewer, “I’m really into like Popcaan, and I just love to like buss a wine while I’m cooking.” Steph Curry responded with “I see no lies” and smiled when Ayesha said she loves to “buss a wine” while cooking, Popcaan’s 2.7 million Instagram followers laughed along with him. Popcaan posted, “Boss nah laugh @stephenurry30 Chubble.” The video clip endeared Ayesha and

Steph Curry to the local Jamaican community and Jamaicans in the Diaspora. Ayesha often uses her native Patois language when introducing her husband to her Jamaican heritage. Although she was born in Canada, one of her parents is from Jamaica, and the island’s culture has always been part of her life. In 2020, she shared a photograph of her mother and grandmother in a tribute to her Jamaican roots, posting, “Couldn’t let the day go by without showing all my love to Jamaica!!! My roots,” she wrote. “My grandma, my mom, my great aunties, aunties, uncles, my great-grandma… I think about my strong Jamaican family every day, and I’m so grateful for them. From them, I’ve learned to work HARD, love HARD and appreciate the smallest of life’s blessings.” l

nHOROSCOPE

Kitchen Corner

Spicy Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons water 1 cup frozen corn 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com.

BY STAFF WRITER JAMAICANS.COM

nSPORTS

ith flavors reminiscent of Morocco and Mexico, this easy yet richly-flavored stew contains loads of chicken, vegetables, and some surprising spices! If desired, pass lime wedges to squeeze over individual servings. —RCKim, AllRecipes.com Ingredients 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound sweet potato, peeled and cubed 1 orange bell pepper, seeded and cubed 1 pound cooked chicken breast, cubed 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes 2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions Step 1 Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in sweet potato, bell pepper, chicken, tomatoes, and 2 cups of water. Season with salt, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Dissolve flour in 2 tablespoons water, and stir in to boiling stew. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender but not mushy, 10 to 20 minutes. Stir the stew occasionally to keep it from sticking. Step 2 Once the potatoes are done, stir in corn and kidney beans. Cook a few minutes until hot, then stir in cilantro before serving. Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 361 calories; protein 29.1g; carbohydrates 44.1g; fat 7.7g; cholesterol 56.8mg; sodium 876.2mg.l Prep: 25 mins Total: 50 mins Yield: 6 servings

Cook: 25 mins Servings: 6

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GENERATIONS

The Emotional Side of Estate Planning BY LINDA NWOKE

here are two schools of thought in the field of psychology when it comes to discussing emotions. One of the theories argues that emotion causes behavior. Thus, one's emotional state results in action. On the other hand, another argument posits that conscious emotion results from behavior that serves as a source of feedback mechanism. Irrespective of which theories we choose, we know that emotions affect behavior and vice versa. They are interrelated and form part of human life. Definition of Emotions, Causes, and Consequences Emotions form due to the interplay among various chemical reactions that occur inside the body, which regulates the mind and body. They assist us in coping with life, such as during interactions with others, when seeking direction, and making decisions. In particular, emotions significantly affect how we think, see, focus, reason, learn, and solve problems. Our feelings often influence our focus or object of attention, which inadvertently affects the level of motivation and exhibition of behavior toward the object. In all, emotions help us to survive. Going back to the school of thought, we learn that emotions activate fixed behav-

ior "patterns" such as fight, flight, or avoidance actions. This belief works on the premise that while emotions influence behavior, it depends on the person's past experiences and the present context. For instance, when faced with a potential family feud resulting from a decision, the panic you feel may lead you to respond aggressively. If this strategy worked for you in a similar circumstance in the past; or it may cause you to form alliances with other family members to gather support for your decision. What is Estate Planning? Based on judicial decisions, a person's estate refers to the totality of their assets, without liabilities. So, when an individ-

ual, while alive, decides to plan by organizing and distributing their assets in the case of incapacitation or death, it is called estate planning. This concept involves planning the management and allocation of one's estate ahead of any eventuality. Importance of Estate Planning Trusts and Estates are two acknowledged legal means for transferring assets to one's beneficiaries, including heirs. Ideally, every adult who has any form of assets should try to have an estate plan which usually includes a Living Trust. However, while a Trust allows you to transfer your asset in an ongoing manner before and after death, an Estate only

allows a one-time transfer of assets, specifically after death. Trust planning, in particular, helps the family in two ways: one is to help secure a family financially, and the other is for better control and protection of a family's assets. According to an article, a U.S. Bank senior vice president and regional trust manager explain that "Trusts are vital to helping support people throughout their lifetimes and put plans in place for the next generation," says Nancy Hermann. An individual can also decide to draw up a Will that explains their intentions for distributing their estate upon their death. The document must be signed, dated, and notarized or witnessed by two people in compliance with the 'Wills Act.' In some states, parents of minor children use Living Wills to elect guardians for their children in the case of unfortunate circumstances. In contrast, they use a living trust to command how their other assets, including real estate, will be distributed and managed. Realistically, anyone who wants to transfer their assets to one or more surviving loved ones after their death should both consider and set up a formal estate plan. The importance of planning ahead safeguards the family's future, fortune, and legacy and contributes to creating peace of mind. continued on page 18

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18 Avoid Estate Planning Scams

GENERATIONS The Emotional Side of Estate Plannings/continued from page 17 Careful estate planning is achieved by having a Living Will, Living Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and putting financial plans in place for managing financial commitments like taxes, debts, and loans. This essential set of legal documents makes it easier for family members to carry out the wishes and needs of the one who passed away or their wishes met if they are unable to speak for themself. What Prevents an Individual from Engaging in Estate Planning? Despite the apparent merits of planning, why do people still hesitate or downright avoid having such documentation, you would ask. Several reasons can be attributed to the cause; however, fear remains central. This emotional reaction has been discovered as the main facilitator for this avoidance behavior—the fear links to three major areas—loss, cost, and appearing ignorant. The fear of death and giving up control is entrenched in superstitious beliefs and an unrealistic belief in one's immortality. They believe that talking about death is taboo because they feel that they are jinxing themselves by attracting 'negativity' that runs contrary to their belief. They undergo various reactions like anxiety, depression, anger, and sometimes hostility when the issue of death arises, especially when linked to them. Similar responses are expressed when confronted with the possibility of losing control in situations like becoming incapacitated or memory loss. At best, this line of thought is a myth because every living thing must expire or die at a given point. People need to face the reality that death is all part of living and the concept of estate planning is merely an extension of the caring role they have played while alive towards their loved ones. Also, the act of planning their estate ensures that what they have spent a lifetime building serves others, which in return keeps their memory alive, hence protecting their immortality though 'only in memory.' In the case of Trust planning, it ensures things are cared for while alive and, this action gives a sense of control. Sometimes, the fear of potential cost for the services deters people, especially those with low income, who often consider that estate planning is for the affluent and benefits those left after their death. For them, the cost and benefit are not worth the trouble. After all, the assets are not really worth all the emotional energy and time spent sorting things out.

However, for any individual who genuinely cares for the family, estate planning is truly a reflection of the level of love for their family members regardless of how much it is worth. After all, one can argue that the kind of gifts we give members of our family reflects how much we care for them, not in terms of the price tag, but actually in the effort made toward choosing the right gift. Another considerable fear that evokes an emotional reaction like procrastination or denial is the fear of dealing with an attorney. Sometimes, people associate dealing with attorneys with inviting trouble or engaging with the law, so they develop anxiety over how to work with a lawyer without becoming overwhelmed or rail rolled into making decisions that are not consistent with their values and beliefs. Just like the attorney's fees also serve as a significant concern. The estate planning issue also raises some complex and knotty issues, which accompany various family types and circumstances, such as blended families and extended families. Such complexities require tough and sometimes hard decisions that bring on some hesitation. Unfortunately, the consequences of dying without an estate plan mean that any asset or property in your name becomes probate assets, subject to laws of intestate succession. This process is not only time-consuming but also often leads to family feuds and sometimes avoidable wastage. How to Manage Emotions Associated with Planning Your Estate Consistent with anything related to fear, the first step towards addressing any 'fear-filled situation is becoming informed, which is a way of confronting the issue. Therapists often use two psychological methods to treat any anxietyrelated problem- exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. In this case, the best measure of treatment in addressing the fear of death, losing control, meeting an attorney, or cost is the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy. This method employs actively confronting the issue, for instance, in the case of fear of death which is a natural

phenomenon and must occur. Everyone needs to understand that it must happen. One has to face the fact that no one is immortal. Confront the fact that death, dying, transitioning is all part of living. Whether you choose to discuss death or not, it will happen. While it is not advisable to keep thinking of death, planning for when it happens gives one some form of assurance. On issues relating to working with an attorney, finding the right lawyer to work with matters significantly in this case. Investigating and depending on referrals often works in addressing the challenge. What's more, the fear of cost remains unaddressed until one conquers all the other concerns. The cost for service differs from one person to another based on their varying circumstances and dynamics. While some estate planning follows a flat fee rate, getting an estimate requires speaking to an attorney about your unique family situation. Lack of information is also a significant obstacle to be overcome in the long run through education. Indoctrinating financial literacy and values between children and family members remains vital. Parents need to train their children about the importance of money and responsibility early in life. Teach them to respect money by saving and using family games as the monopoly, especially for younger-aged kids. Beyond that, making planning 'integral' as a family value is crucial. It is essential to make sure that planning because part of the family practices so that discussing issues like 'Trust planning' later does not cause any anxiety. In the real sense, estate planning is a gift to your family, a way of showing care for the family. The act of arranging your affairs to serve your family and loved ones, and interests is indeed the most precious gift you can give of yourself now and after. In addition to protecting minor beneficiaries, or adult beneficiaries from creditor problems, debts, change in marital status, poor judgment, and other external influences. After all, life happens!l

nscrupulous actors sometimes try to entice unaware victims into financially crippling scams. One of the most common types of scam deals relates to living trusts. Fortunately, by doing your research and ensuring you are entering a valuable contract, most scams are easy to see through and avoid. A living trust is a written legal document into which you place some or all of your assets. The belongings are managed by yourself or by someone whom you dedicate the responsibility to at the time of death or until a specific date. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, you can choose from two types of trusts. A revocable trust is an adaptive deposit account managed by one or more people designated as a beneficiary who receives the assets upon an owner’s death. It can be revoked, terminated or changed at any time, at the discretion of the owner. An irrevocable trust is when the owner contributes deposits or properties to the trust but gives up power to cancel or change the account. When determining the right plan, keep an eye out for common types of scams. Fraudulent Activity Typically, the beginnings of a dishonest living trust begin with a phone call. Unsuspecting people, often elderly, are solicited to attend seminars or receive an in-home visit to discuss living trusts. Once the meeting starts, trustors are often put under extreme pressure to secure their assets through pushy sale pitches. In most cases, a con artist will play on the worry that your beneficiaries will be unprepared to deal with your death or that a court will decide what happens to your belongings. In most cases, these salespeople are merely attempting to access your sensitive financial information. They will often make illegal withdrawals from your accounts or sell your data to other con artists to pursue more fraudulent sales. Ways to Avoid a Scam Keep these tips in mind to avoid falling victim to an unruly financial trust. • Recruit your own trusted attorney • Never sign documents that you don’t fully understand. • Ensure you have the option to update your trust periodically. • Verify any affiliation or endorsement by a government agency or senior association. l

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HEALTH

Flu Shot Highly Recommended This Year BY BRIAN OWENS WEBMD HEALTH NEWS

ith the Delta variant of COVID-19 still raging in the United States and intensive care units in parts of the country filled with patients with the coronavirus, experts are voicing concern about the added risk of a difficult flu season. Two mathematical models are predicting a big rebound in the number and severity of flu cases in the 2021-22 season after last year's flu season failed to show up when public health measures brought in to control COVID-19 seemed to have the added benefit of stopping the flu. But both analyses, posted to the medRxiv preprint server and not yet peer-reviewed by other experts, have come to the same conclusion: The flu could make a comeback this year. In the worst-case scenario, the U.S. could see an extra 300,000 to 400,000 hospitalizations from the flu -- almost double the usual number -- according to senior study author Mark Roberts, MD, director of the Public Health Dynamics Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. These numbers could be a disaster in areas where hospitals are already filled with COVID-19 patients. Waning natural immunity in the public due to last year's missing flu season could make people, especially young

children, more likely to get the virus. "Usually, a combination of natural immunity and vaccination helps tamp down seasonal influenza," says Roberts. "If we don't have the first part, we'll have to rely more on the vaccine." In a typical year, about half of Americans get the flu shot. The new mathematical models predict that the vaccination rate would need to rise to about 75% to avoid the extra hospitalizations. But even a 10% increase in vaccination rates could reduce hospitalizations by 6% to 46%, depending on what strains are dominant. Usually, the Southern Hemisphere flu season, from February to August, helps show what the Northern Hemisphere can expect over the coming winter. But with

strict COVID-19 measures and limits on international travel still in place in countries like Australia and New Zealand and much of South America, it has been another record low year for flu infections, says Ian Barr, PhD, deputy director of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne, Australia. Australia detected only around 500 cases this year, compared with about 300,000 in a normal year, and recorded no hospitalizations or deaths from the flu. New Zealand recorded just two cases. "I've never seen anything like this," Barr says. In Australia, the mild flu season led to

fewer people getting their flu shot than usual. The rate fell from around 50% to just 33%, says Barr. "If that happens in the U.S., the population will be even more vulnerable because there has been almost no flu for more than 12 months," he says. Both Roberts and Barr say it is vital that as many people as possible get vaccinated during the upcoming flu season, especially children who will have almost no natural immunity to the virus. "The vaccine is our best weapon against the flu, especially for the most at-risk groups," says Barr. Other parts of the world had mixed results. India saw a high number of flu cases, while neighbouring Sri Lanka had very few. West Africa also saw quite a high level of circulating virus. Overall, the flu was detected in 45 countries during the Southern Hemisphere season, less than half of what might be expected in a normal year, says Barr. Despite the overall low numbers, the WHO saw enough in the data to make two changes to next year's Southern Hemisphere vaccine formulation at its meeting on Sept. 24, after changing just one of the strains for the Northern Hemisphere vaccine at its meeting last February. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months or older get the flu shot, with few exceptions. l

Wrong time for the flu. Right time for a flu shot. COVID-19 has taught us that we all need to be protected.

A ﬂu shot helps protect you and your family.

Especially:

Childen under 5

For more information and to find a location to get your flu shot, visit nyc.gov/flu or call 311.

If you are over 65

If you are or may be pregnant

If you have other medical conditions

Bill de Blasio Mayor Dave A. Chokshi, MD MSc Commissioner

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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

When Hell Is At Home: Getting a Green Card Through VAWA Party Rentals for All Occasions

BY CAW STAFF WRITER

ctober is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And, immigrants are particularly vulnerable because many may not speak English, are often separated from family and friends, and may not understand the laws of the United States. For these reasons, immigrants are often afraid to report acts of domestic violence to the police or to seek other forms of assistance. Such fear causes many immigrants to remain in abusive relationships. Immigrants in the US. have the right to live a life free of abuse. Due to the victim’s immigration status, abusive partners have additional ways to exert power and control over their victims. If you are an immigrant or refugee in an abusive relationship, you may face unique issues that make it hard to reach out for help. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a landmark piece of legislation seeking to improve criminal legal, and community-based responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the United States. This federal law provides numerous forms of protection for noncitizen women—and men—who are the victims

of domestic violence or other qualifying crimes. There are three forms of protection: “U” visas for victims of crime, “T” visas for victims of severe forms of trafficking, and “self-petitions” under the VAWA. Any victim of domestic violence — regardless of immigration or citizenship status — can seek help. An immigrant victim of domestic violence may also be eligible for immigration-related protections. If you are experiencing domestic violence in your home, you are not alone. A specialized immigration attorney should always be your first point of con-

tact regarding immigration questions and concerns. You can also listen to Ask the Lawyer Radio Program on WVIP 93.5FM on Thursdays, 10pm-11pm, and Sundays, 11pm to 12am. The program provides excellent information and also an opportunity for a FREE, no-obligation legal consultation. The number to call is 855-768- 8845. You can also visit www.askthelawyer.us Domestic violence is against the law regardless of one’s immigration status. Be a loving family member, good friend, and caring neighbor: please share this information.l

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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

4 Signs The Man You're Dating Is Toxic iour, but a toxic man might take it even further by claiming to be joking. He will call you sensitive and make you feel like you can't take a joke. He may even get upset for you for not being able to take his "joke." Anything that makes you feel badly about yourself is not a joke. This so-called joking may also come up when you are trying to have a serious conversation with him and he insults your dreams, opinion, or even your past. When you become upset at something he says, he will say he was only kidding. This kind of behaviour is toxic and can ruin your self-esteem.

BY MARY CAMPBELL

elationships can be complicated in the best of times. If you've only dated toxic men, you might not realize they are toxic because the behaviour is normal for you. Just because you're used to certain things doesn't make them okay. The following are four signs that the man you're dating is toxic: 1. He financially abuses you Financial abuse is when money is used to control another person. If your boyfriend doesn't want you to work and have money of your own, this is considered financial abuse. If your boyfriend insists that you share a bank account or that you tell him what you spend and where you spend it, these are financially controlling behaviours. Money can equal power especially if one partner makes all the money. A toxic man with money may tell you that since he earns the money he decides how it's spent and where you'll go. He may even withhold money from you simply to exert his power. If he doesn't allow you to have any money, he feels in control of what you are able to do. 2. His moods are unpredictable Unpredictable moods are difficult to deal with. If you never know what to expect

when you interact with your boyfriend, you may be dealing with a toxic man. One moment he might be cool and calm and the next he might blow up over something small. If you find yourself walking on eggshells because you're afraid to upset him in any way, this is a sign you're dating a man with unpredictable moods. You shouldn't be worried on a day to day basis how your boyfriend is going to act. His moods will ultimately control the mood of your relationship and this is toxic behavior. 3. Things are done his way or not at all A toxic man may want things done his way or no way. If he doesn't get his way, he will pout and say he doesn't want to

do anything at all with you. Giving in might seem like a good thing to do in order to keep the peace, but what it really does is show him that his tactic works. He will be encouraged to do it anytime he wants his way. When you're in a relationship with someone, compromise is important. Sometimes you will do what he wants and sometimes he will do what you want. One person in a relationship should not constantly get their way, especially through manipulation and guilt. If you are dating a man who refuses to do anything unless it's his choice, you are dating a toxic man. 4. He calls you names Name-calling is never acceptable behav-

Final Thoughts Dating a toxic man will have a negative impact on you and your life. A toxic man cannot have a healthy relationship with anyone. An abusive, toxic relationship is one in which one party controls or subdues the other. They do this through manipulation, humiliation, physical violence or its threat, guilt, and shame, among other mechanisms. The abuse can be emotional or physical. A toxic relationship can kill you in several ways. First, a violent partner can kill you in a moment of rage. Then the health challenges posed by being in a toxic relationship could kill you in the long run. So, walk away from that toxic relationship and save your life. l

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CARIBBEAN STAR

As a Patriot and Black Man, Colin Powell Embodied the ‘Two-ness’ of the African American Experience BY CHAD WILLIAMS THE CONVERSATION

olin Powell knew where he fit in American history. The former secretary of state – who died on Oct. 18, 2021, at 84 as a result of COVID-19 complications – was a pioneer: the first Black national security advisor in U.S. history, the first Black chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and also the first Black man to become secretary of state. But his “American journey” – as he described it in the title of a 2003 autobiography – is more than the story of one man. His death is a moment to think about the history of Black American men and women in the military and the place of African Americans in government. But more profoundly, it also speaks to what it means to be an American, and the tensions that Colin Powell – as a patriot and a Black man – faced throughout his life and career. I’m a scholar of African American studies who is currently writing a book on the great civil rights intellectual W.E.B. DuBois. When I heard of Powell’s pass-

ing, I was immediately reminded of what DuBois referred to as the “double-consciousness” of the African American experience. As DuBois put it in an 1897 article and later in his classic 1903 book “The Souls of Black Folk,” this “peculiar sensation” is unique to African Americans: “One feels his two-ness – an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.” This concept profoundly describes Colin Powell as a soldier, a career military man and a politician. What it means to serve On the surface, Colin Powell’s life would seem to refute DuBois’ formulation. He stood as someone that many people could point to as an example of how it is possible to be both Black and a full American, something DuBois viewed as an enduring tension. There is a narrative that Powell used the military to transcend race and become one of the most powerful men in the country. In that sense, he

Colin Powell. Editorial credit: stocklight / Shutterstock.com

was the ultimate American success story. But there is a danger to that narrative. Colin Powell’s story was exceptional, but he was no avatar of a color-blind, postracial America. The U.S. Army has long been seen as a route for Black Americans, especially young Black men, out of poverty. Many chose to turn their service into a career. By the time Powell, the Bronx-raised son of Jamaican immigrants, joined the U.S. Army, there was already a proud history of African Americans in the U.S. military – from the “Buffalo Soldiers” who served in the American West, the Caribbean and South Pacific after the U.S. Civil War to the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. Powell was part of that military history. He joined in 1958, a decade after desegregation of the Armed Forces in 1948. But the military was – and still is – an institution characterized by structural racism. That was true when Powell joined the Army, and it is true today. As such, Powell would have had to wrestle with his blackness and what it meant in the military: What did it mean to serve a country that doesn’t serve you? As a military man during the Vietnam War, Powell also stood apart from many Black political leaders who condemned U.S. action in Southeast Asia. While Muhammad Ali was asking why he should “put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people” at a time when “so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights,” Powell was making his way up the military ranks. It helps explain why despite Powell’s undoubted achievements, his legacy as a Black leader is complicated. His identity – being of Jamaican heritage – posed questions about what it means to be an African American. His life in the military prompted some to ask why he would serve a country that has historically been hostile to nonwhite people in the U.S. and around the world. The veteran activist and singer Harry Belafonte likened Powell in 2002 to a “house slave” in one particularly contentious remark questioning his loyalty to the

U.S. system. Powell acknowledged the realities of racism in the U.S., while at the same time believed it should never serve as an obstacle nor cause Black people to question their American-ness. In a May 14, 1994 commencement speech at Howard University, Powell told graduates to take pride in their Black heritage, but to use it as “a foundation stone we can build on, and not a place to withdraw into.” And then there are his political affiliations. He was Ronald Reagan’s national security advisor and George H. W. Bush’s chairman of the joint chiefs of staff at a time when the domestic policies of both presidents were devastating Black America, through mass incarceration of Black men and women and economic policies that stripped services in lower-income areas. That was before one of the most consequential and controversial moments in Powell’s political life. In February 2003, Powell argued before the United Nations Security Council for military action against Iraq – a speech that erroneously claimed that Saddam Hussein had stockpiled weapons of mass destruction. He hadn’t, and the war that Powell helped steer the U.S. into scars his legacy. A complicated existence Powell’s two-ness, to use the DuBois phrase, manifested later in his decision in 2008 to endorse Barack Obama as presidential candidate over his fellow Republican and military man, John McCain. In Obama, Powell saw “a transformational figure” in America and on the world stage. In endorsing Obama, Powell chose the historic significance of the U.S. having its first Black president over loyalty and service to his friend and political party. His drift from Republicanism furthered after Donald Trump seized the reins of the party. He became increasingly vocal in opposing Trump, who saw Powell – as did many of Trump’s supporters – as something of a traitor. That view ignores the history. Powell was a patriot who embodied DuBois’ “two warring ideals in one dark body.” For Powell to have reached the heights he did required dogged strength and perhaps far greater effort to hold it together than his white predecessors. In America, being Black and a patriot is – as DuBois hinted at more an a century ago, and as Powell’s life attests to – a very complicated, even painful, affair.l Chad Williams is the Samuel J. and Augusta Spector Professor of History and African and African American Studies and Chair of the Department of African and African American Studies at Brandeis University.

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