Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 167

Use of Straighteners & Other Hair Products and Incident Uterine Cancer

BY LINDA NWOKE EXCLUSIVE TO CAW

he rate and number of deaths from uterine cancer have consid erably increased within the past twenty years. As of 2022, there are over 65,000 new cases and over 11,000 deaths from this form of cancer. Uterine cancer is now deemed one of the most common gynecological cancers. Medical explana tions associate this illness as a product of

continued on page 20

Filing for Bankruptcy Will Not Prevent You from Going to Heaven

Bankruptcy is a legal solution which allows one relief from the burden of certain debts. But for many Christians, the choice of fil ing for bankruptcy may prove to be a dilemma. Many Christians believe it’s wrong or immoral to declare bankrupt cy. After all, the Bible says we should pay our debts. Filing for bankruptcy is not a sin. No one is going to go to Hell for filing bankruptcy. It’s not a salva tion issue. The Bible actually says in Deuteronomy 15:1-2 ESV that, “At the

end of every seven years you shall grant a release. And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord’s release has been pro claimed.”

Clearly, there is an agreement between the law of the Bible and that of the land. If you can pay your debts, as a good Christian, you should; if you are unable to do so, as a resident, it’s your legal right.l

Read more about bankruptcy on pages 11-14.

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 685 Third Avenue, 11th Floor 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 555 5th Ave 3rd Floor New York, NY 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, 4th 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

Not a Moment to Waste: Small Island States Must Defend Themselves

BY SIR RONALD SANDERS

Call me a cynic, but years of par ticipation in negotiations between developed and develop ing countries have schooled me to be cautious about grand announcements and promises. The devil is usually in the detail. Experience has taught me to remain hopeful, but to be vigilant in ensuring the commitments, pledges and promises are kept.

That experience has been garnered in negotiations in the Commonwealth, the World Trade Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Organization of American States, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Financial Action Task Force and in direct bargaining between European Union countries and the Caribbean. In each of these fora, the countries of the developed North have sought adv as COP27 which concluded on November 20.

In the words of Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, at the opening of COP27, “This world looks, still, too much like when it was part of an imperi alistic empire”.

Therefore, while the leaders of small island states, including Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, who, for years, as the Chair of the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) has been advancing the argu ment for a fund to pay for loss and dam age caused by Climate Change, are to be applauded for gaining acceptance by developed nations that such a fund should be created, the game is not yet over.

The negotiated text has recognized the need for financial support from a variety of sources, but no decisions have been reached on who should pay into the fund, where the money will come from, and which countries will benefit.

When COP27 had to be extended into the weekend of 19 and 20 November to address the loss and damage issue, Ministerial negotiators for many small island states had already departed Egypt. It was left to Antigua and Barbuda’s Environment Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph, and the Environment Minister of the Maldives, Shauna Aminath, with their technical teams, to ensure that the concerns of small island states were ade quately met.

Much work remains to ensure that the loss and damage fund is established and adequately resourced. Further, it has to be clear that new money will finance the Fund, and not a shifting of monies already pledged for other purposes which, regrettably, happens far too often.

It should be recalled that wealthy nations still have not fulfilled an out standing pledge to provide $100 billion

to help vulnerable countries adapt to the impact of Climate Change that they have been suffering for decades.

Critically important is for small island states and other developing countries to monitor, and participate actively in, the work of the ‘transitional committee’ which was established at COP27. That committee is tasked with “making rec ommendations” on how to operationalize the loss and damage Fund, including new funding arrangements to resource it. That committee is expected to meet before the end of March 2023, but its “recommendations” won’t be considered until COP28 in Dubai in NovemberDecember 2023. Note the committee will make “recommendations”.

We can be quite certain that the bar gaining within the ‘transitional commit tee’ will be intense and that many devel oped nations will seek to avoid or mini mize their obligations.

So, while praise must be given to the leaders of small island and other devel oping states for finally getting ‘loss and damage’ on the COP agenda, there are still hurdles to be jumped before they can realistically say that the problem has been functionally and effectively addressed.

A credible Fund will require sufficient money. Adapting to the impact of Climate Change will require a compre hensive approach, including building sea walls and creating drought-resistant crops. This could cost developing coun tries anywhere from US$160-US$340 billion annually by 2030. The number could rise to US$565 billion by 2050 if Climate Change accelerates. That’s the estimate of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in its 2022 Adaptation Gap Report.

These numbers have been made con vincing by the fact that not enough was done at COP27, or by any of the previous COPs, to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for the climate cri sis. The final agreement did mention “the urgent need for deep, rapid and sus tained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions” to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

However, a UNEP report, released just before COP27, painted a worrying pic ture for small island states and low-lying countries, such as Bangladesh. The report was clear “there is no credible pathway to a 1.5°C future”. What is more, the report points out that “for each fraction of a degree that temperatures rise, storms, droughts and other extreme weather events become more severe”.

This is why, as Prime Minister Gaston Browne, pointed out at COP27, the worst emitters, including China and India, must begin to act beyond their own interest to include the interests of the world. The development of a few countries should not happen at the expense of many oth ers.

It is more than likely that both the ini tiative by Vanuatu to seek an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice on the rights to be protected from climate change, and the establishment by Antigua and Barbuda, Tuvalu, Palau and Niue of a Commission of Small Island States (COSIS), backed by 17 interna tional legal experts, to seek a similar opinion from the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, sufficiently wor ried major developed countries to encourage them to consider a loss and damage fund at COP27. They can influ ence the latter, while cases before inter national courts are beyond their control. It was a case of better the devil you know.

In the fight against the present damage and clear danger to their existence, all Caribbean Island States should join in using the international legal system to preserve their rights against the world’s major emitters of greenhouse gases. All small island states should actively back the Vanuatu initiative and join COSIS.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that emis sions must decline by 45% to limit global warming to 1.5°C if the already ravaged world is to be saved. There isn’t a moment to waste. l

Sir Ronald Sanders is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States and the Organization of American States.

Post-Pandemic, Let’s Fix How We Rate Public School Performance

BY ROBERTA LENGER KANG

Pre-dating the Brooklyn Bridge or the Empire State Building, the New York State Regents Exams, established in the 1860s and given in grades 9-12, are the bedrock strata for the current system of using tests to evaluate schools. As with standardized State tests administered in grades 3-8, their out comes have come to directly impact school funding, enrollment, and public reporting of performance.

In 2018, New York State magnified the impact of all these tests by adding a statewide ranking system. It forces com petition between schools and always guarantees that 50 percent of them are ranked as not meeting expectations and 25 percent as needing targeted or com prehensive improvement. They must demonstrate sharp gains over several years to shake this designation.

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted this system, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a system that has tended to exacerbate inequities. Even as highachieving schools have self-selected high-achieving students, other schools have been restricted from establishing any enrollment criteria at all. They’ve been trapped in a negative feedback loop, working to meet basic survival needs of students from vulnerable populations while competing with elite, high-per forming schools on tests neither relevant to nor reflective of their students’ daily lives.

State education leaders are now grap pling with the consequences of this dis ruption. Disappointingly, they’re grasp ing at solutions that may do no harm, but don’t do enough good, either.

Because of the pandemic, New York State, with permission from the United States Department of Education (USDE), suspended mandated standardized exams for grades 3 through 12 for two and a half years. For the first time, all schools were on a level playing field, each left to deter mine student needs, the best instructional focus, and how to assess students’ progress over time within their local con text.

Then in June, the USDE rejected all waivers for suspending future exams and accountability mandates. The State will now be expected to resume accountabili ty ranking and reporting based on State tests and Regents Exams using data col lected from the 2021-2022 school year.

For a number of reasons, however, this demand is actually impossible for New York State to meet. Covid-related waivers for student graduation require ments and a powerful movement among families to opt out of the State tests had a major impact on participation and per formance rates in the June 2022 exam cycle, the results of which have yet to be made public. Additionally, many ele ments of the accountability system use data compiled over four school years to make determinations about a school’s rating – and of course, such data doesn't exist given the disruption in testing that began in March 2020.

There also are significant apprehen sions about what test score data will look like when it’s collected. Concerns about learning loss after interrupted schooling and an inability to monitor student per formance on State tests has the educa tional community bracing itself for sig nificantly low student test scores. This would have a big impact on how histori cally successful schools would rank in reporting, and would heighten public concern about the state of education. The last time elite, high-achieving schools performed poorly on State tests was in 2013, when tests related to “Common Core Standards” were assessed for the first time. That generated a massive political backlash against the Common Core Standards and eventually led New York to repeal their adoption.

So, caught between a rock (testing and accountability must resume) and a hard place (the expectation that test results will be shockingly negative), the State has chosen to change the rules of the game. At its October meeting, the Board of Regents unanimously affirmed an emergency measure to modify the exist ing State Education Department account ability system, drastically simplifying the metrics used to evaluate schools for the 2021-22 school year and, perhaps, permanently thereafter.

Undoubtedly, returning to the preCovid status quo risked long-term harm to schools struggling to meet student

needs and might increase public fear about effectiveness of the education sys tem. It would have done nothing to improve curriculum, instruction, or social-emotional supports to students.

Nevertheless, the Regents’ decision will also ensure that nothing else actually changes. Schools that have traditionally been in “good standing” will remain so. Schools previously identified as needing improvement will find it difficult to shake their status given that they would need to show gains that outpace their prepandemic performance, during a time in which all schools have seen major declines.

The memo explaining the emergency policy calls it “necessary for the preser vation of the general welfare.” That begs the question: Whose general welfare? The general welfare of the education sys tem as an institution? The welfare of pub lic confidence in the system?

If we’re changing the rules of the game, why not instead create a clean slate for all schools and set 2022 as the new baseline for accountability? Why not give schools three years going forward to demonstrate progress from the three-year pause in testing? Why not eliminate the ranking system completely and instead report on a school’s ability to make progress com pared to their previous performance?

To be clear: Most people agree there should be some process that measures students’ knowledge and skills in core academic subjects, certifying student achievement and giving tangible value to a diploma which represents the prerequi site knowledge and skills needed to join the workforce or be successful in higher education. A standardized testing system that gives all students the same test, on the same day, with the same grading scale is generally viewed as valid, reli able, and necessary to sustain the public’s confidence in an effective system of edu cation.

We do need a system that holds schools accountable. But we also need a system that earns public confidence because its policies work to increase student learning and prepare them for tomorrow’s chal lenges. We need a system that holds itself to the same standards it holds schools to: Continuous improvement, transparency, a focus on equity, and rigorous scrutiny.l

TEAM

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6

Publisher I.Q. INC.

Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip

Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq.

Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Kenrick Williams

Feature Writers Linda Nwoke Victoria Falk

Contributors

Jennine Estes Tarsha Gibbons Janet Howard Mary Campbell JR Holguin Chris Tobias Email info@myiqinc.com Telephone 718-771-0988 Website www.cawnyc.com

Roberta Lenger Kang is director of the Center for Professional Education of Teachers at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Editorial credit: Bob Korn / Shutterstock.com

Biden Administration Must Center Civil Rights in the Fight Against White Supremacy

Our nation’s strength lies in its rich diversity and its embrace of people of all races and genders, regardless of where they come from, how they worship, or whom they love. In recent years, violent white supremacists have attacked this diversity, carrying out attacks across the country — from Charleston, South Carolina, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to El Paso, Texas, to Charlottesville, Virginia, to Buffalo, New York. These assaults are tragic reminders that our nation’s long history of racial terror endures. In 2020, the country saw the highest number of reported hate crimes since the aftermath of September 11, 2001. The key role played by violent white supremacist groups in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol only underscores the seriousness of the threat they pose.

The United States has in place laws and authorities necessary to investigate and prosecute white supremacist violence, including as hate crimes and domestic terrorism. The U.S. Code has more than 50 laws that can be used to prosecute acts that meet the definition of domestic ter rorism under the USA PATRIOT Act. There are at least six federal statutes that

can be used to prosecute bias-motivated crimes committed by white supremacists. But for too long, the federal government has failed to adequately prioritize and resource these types of investigations and prosecutions. Indeed, it has even failed to collect data on the extent of white supremacist violence in the coun try, mostly relying on voluntary reporting by state and local authorities who may not have the capacity or incentives to accurately track this information.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law released a policy paper detailing strategies to address longstanding problems with U.S.

counterterrorism policy, its harms to civil rights and civil liberties, and its failure to address white supremacist violence.

The paper, “Confronting White Supremacist Violence: An Effective and Inclusive Path Forward,” shows how the current approach to counterterrorism has resulted in the targeting of communities of color and the muffling of political dis sent, while violent extremism has contin ued to rise.

The recent rise in hate crimes and the key role that white supremacist groups played in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol demonstrates the need for thoughtful, effective policy solutions to replace broken models for national secu

rity. The Biden administration has com mitted to tackling the problem but has indicated that, in doing so, it will contin ue the current failed counterterrorism approach.

The paper states: “This doubling down on a national security framework has already caused damage to so many peo ple in America, including many of the same communities who are the targets of white supremacist violence. Instead, the Biden administration should take an inclusive and more effective approach that:

•Accounts for and prosecutes white supremacist violence using the laws already on the books;

•Implements tangible civil rights and civil liberties safeguards to constrain the use of counterterrorism authorities against protestors and communities of color; and

•Does not further expand the footprint and authority of national security agen cies.”l

“Confronting White Supremacist Violence: An Effective and Inclusive Path Forward” is available at www.cawnyc.com

Editorial credit: Alexander Oganezov / Shutterstock.com

Home Equity Tips: 3 Upgrades That Will Make Your House

Worth More When You Sell

It's likely that your house is your biggest asset, so when it comes time to sell it you'll want to do everything you can to maximize your profit. Good news — the value of your home isn't sole ly determined by the market, there are several ways in which you can increase its value by making upgrades before list ing.

Let's take a look at 3 top upgrades that will make your house worth more when you sell.

1.

Make It Profitable

Not surprisingly, the number one way in which you can increase the value of your home is to add an income suite within the property. If your home has potential to earn buyers' money it will inevitably be more valuable than a property that doesn't have any potential cash flow for the owner. Whether it's a basement suite, laneway home, or a floor that's been made into a separate unit, income units are a huge bonus for buyers. Making money while paying off their home would be a dream come true for most people, and it's a dream that buyers are willing to pay a high price for.

2. Kitchen Is Key

Kitchens are often the first area to become dated or worn out within a home, and they're the most important part of the house when it comes to valuation. Make sure that your cabinets and countertops are updated before selling and modernize the design with neutral fixtures that are current yet adaptable to many tastes. Having a fresh kitchen shows both func tion and fashion to buyers. After all, no one wants to see rusty old appliances and dingy lights when walking into the focal point of a home.

3. Beautify The Bathrooms

Besides the kitchen, bathrooms are the second most important aspect of a home when it comes to valuation. Having mul tiple bathrooms within a home automati cally increases its value significantly, especially if at least two have at least three pieces within them, containing at least a sink, toilet, and either a shower or bath. Ensuring that your bathrooms are leak-free, look meticulously clean, and have a modern design is a fantastic way to make sure that buyers will be impressed during an open house.

Bonus tip: if installing a new toilet, con sider purchasing one that is eco-friendly with dual-flush options. As people become more and more environmentally conscious, fixtures such as these will cater to a broad spectrum of lifestyle val ues.

If you're ready to prepare your home for sale and are looking for more ways in which you can maximize its market value, contact a trusted real estate profes sional today. Call Equity Smart Realty Inc at 888-670-6791. We would be happy to share our guidance.l

Jamaica Tourism Minister Calls for More Investment In Health & Wellness

BY LINDA HOHNHOLZ, ETN EDITOR

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister says natu ral resources and geographic location make it well-positioned to be health & wellness tourism leader. The Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, therefore, called for greater investment to be made in the industry to ensure sustainable growth.

“We can move to build out the health and wellness industry. People are travel ling to reclaim their youth, and they are more health conscious than ever before in tourism. What COVID-19 has done is emphasize the need for health and well ness,” said Minister Bartlett.

“Jamaica, because of its geographical location and its geophysical features, stands in a good position to capture much of that movement for health and wellness that is now globally evident.” “We must therefore invest in it,” he added.

The Minister made these remarks yes terday (November 24) during the opening of the 4th annual Jamaica Health and Wellness Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Industry trends have shown that many destinations throughout the world are becoming synonymous with health and

healing, and this is even more so since the pandemic, with people travelling far and wide in search of health benefits, both real and promised.

The Minister, therefore, urged business owners and bankers to look to the health and wellness industry for investments, as the demand for this niche industry has grown exponentially in the post-COVID era.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our bankers and the capital market. But more so to our entrepreneurs, who should look at this option because now more than

ever, the demand for health and wellness is at a premium in the world. Because the COVID pandemic harmed the market a little bit, with the market valued at 4.4 trillion dollars in 2019 and now on the rise to 2 trillion, let us stay right there and move with that curve with investments in health and wellness,” said the Minister. He also used the opportunity to announce that his ministry recently met with a team of investors to improve the offerings of two of the island’s natural mineral spas: Bath Fountain in St. Thomas and Milk River in Clarendon.

“We have two of the finest natural spas in the world: the bathing fountain and the milk river. Our enterprise team is work ing very hard on that. Last month we had a very important consultation with poten tial investors, and we are looking at divesting those two. We have good calls that are being made on it to transform those two into world-class products to drive more resources into Jamaica and greater revenue flows into the country,” said Bartlett.

The Jamaica Health and Wellness Tourism Conference was organized by the Tourism Linkages Network, a depart ment of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, over two days to strengthen linkages between the health and wellness sector and other productive sectors of the econ omy, particularly agriculture and manu facturing, while promoting and showcas ing Jamaica’s unique health and wellness tourism offerings.

The Conference brings together leaders in the health and wellness tourism indus try from Jamaica and around the world for one of the most important confer ences on Jamaica’s tourism schedule.l

Reprinted with kind permission.

Message on the Occasion of Barbados’ 56th Anniversary of Independence and First Anniversary as a Republic

BY HON MACKIE HOLDER CONSUL GENERAL FOR BARBADOS, NY

My Fellow Barbadians and Friends of Barbados, Our 56th Anniversary of Independence and First Anniversary of as a Parliamentary Republic signals the rebirth of Barbadian organizations, and the continuation of the rebuilding of our country.

It has been a wonderful thing to join Barbadian associations at their various events in person after two years. I contin ue to salute these important assets in the diaspora, which give Barbados a neces sary presence in the various States and communities in which they operate and continue to build consequential links to the ultimate benefit of our nation.

The importance of our associations, never in doubt, was reinforced during the pandemic. Barbados remains grateful to our organizations, individuals and other agencies who contributed unhesitatingly and significantly to our country in the past two years when we most needed assistance.

We will pick up the pace from before and continue to work together to expand the influence of Barbados in the various 11 States under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General, deepen our connec tions as we build new ones, secure neces sary support for our people and celebrate our culture and citizens.

Our unique Barbadianess has made our citizens some of the most accomplished in the world. It has also been a great pleasure to watch the continued progres sion of our people. This year, among oth ers, we celebrated the elevation of Hon. Sylvia Hinds-Radix as Corporation Consul of New York City and, of course,

Rihanna continues to rewrite history books. This year, our National Hero became a self-made billionaire. What a magnificent personal achievement and triumph for the capacity of our nationals. Even so, it has been a tough time for our country, as with all nations. The ongoing war in Ukraine, seemingly worsening existential threats from climate change and apparent growing inequities in a world of plenty, add to the challenges of recouping from the Covid-19 pandemic. But Barbados is rebounding and reposi tioning to build back better. Back on a growth path, the country recorded its sixth consecutive quarter of growth and

10.1 per cent for the first nine months of the year. Notably, tourism prospects are encouraging, in particular, cruise arrivals, expected to reach 700 000, on par with pre-pandemic levels.

Exciting capital investments in this area are beginning to manifest. By January, the new Sam Lord’s Castle will be open. At 420 rooms and employing up to 1000 persons, it will be Barbados’ biggest hotel. There are many other very encour aging developments across the board. Barbados hosted the first AfricanCaribbean summit. University of the West Indies graduations at Cave Hill are back to record numbers. The first menopause clinic in the Caribbean has been established in the island. In addi tion, the individual excellence of Barbadians continues to shine through in the feats such as the creation of Katspraddle vodka by Raymond Thompson, young racing driver Zane Maloney, several jockeys in Canada and the USA and our first medalist at the World Athletics championship, Sada Williams.

President Ali Tells Leopold St Residents: We Want to Work With You

Georgetown, Guyana (November 27): His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali told residents of Leopold Street in Werk-en-Rust that his Government’s development plan for the country will positively impact every sin gle community and benefit all of its citi zens.

He made this assertion as he interacted with scores of residents during a visit to the area this morning.

“Today, I am here because we are con cerned about every single Guyanese. We are concerned about every single com munity, and the plan and program that we have for the development of Guyana involves every single citizen.”

The President said that his Government is proactive because it is genuinely con cerned about the wellbeing of the citizens of Guyana. He said that the objective is to work with citizens at a community level to understand their individual needs.

“It is not a plan in which people sit in front of cameras at a press conference and talk nonsense. It is not a plan that is hatched in Congress Place or in Freedom

House. It is a plan that comes from the heart. It is a plan that comes from the programs that we went to the elections with. And that program is to bring pros perity to everybody.”

The Head of State also asked the resi dents about issues affecting them and about ways the Government can aid their overall development. He pointed to the importance of training young people in technical areas to get them actively and positively involved in the development and transformation of the country while also speaking of the importance of edu

cation as well as opportunities for women.

“Every community has the capacity to contribute positive ly to the development of our country … regardless of chal lenges, regardless of the histo ry.”

President Ali urged those gathered to stand against being used as pawns and to “say to leaders that the time for divi sive narrative has passed”. He told the residents that the Minister of Home Affairs, the Honorable Robeson Benn as well as a team from the private sector, will return in the coming week to identify persons from the com munity to engage in training and job opportunities.

This morning’s visit was a continuation of President Ali’s commitment to engag ing with communities all across Guyana. He was joined by Minister Benn, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken (ag), senior members of the Guyana Police Force, as well as technical staff from the Office of the President.l

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His Excellency Dr Ali with a young resident of Leopold Street. Photo courtesy: op.gov.gy

Haitian American Caucus Issues Emergency Call to Action Over Treatment of Haitian Migrants

Brooklyn, NY: The Haitian American Caucus vehemently condemns the ongoing mistreat ment of Haitian migrants by federal offi cials, and the lack of action taken by our elected officials to end this inhumane treatment.

In the latest instance of inhumanity in immigration, The Miami Herald recently reported that on Friday, November 25, 2022, a United States Coast Guard cutter returned approximately 190 migrants seeking refuge in the U.S. to Haiti. Among them were 46 children.

The migrants were found aboard a rick ety sailboat by a USCG patrol, and many were removed from the vessel under stormy conditions. Eventually, the boat ran aground in Islamorada, FL, and after an exhaustive search, it was believed that all of the migrants were accounted for and in the custody of Border Patrol. However, the body of a man in gym shorts was found unresponsive floating

in the water approximately 150 yards off the coast of Windley Key, FL.

Haiti continues to languish under the ineffective leader ship of the Henry government and suffer the effects of the ongoing gang wars & unrest. We are calling on our partners in elected office to utilize their platforms to take action for the Haitian community. All asylum seekers deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion, and the United States is failing our Haitian compatriots. l

Barbados/continued from page 8

In all of this, Barbados is in transi tion, a necessary but tough process for future survival often not fully understood. The inspiring appear ances of Prime Minister Mia Mottley on the world stage, speaking about climate change and funding equity, are as important to repositioning Barbados to secure a place in the world as the deliberate outreach to African countries, the moves to alter native energy and the regrouping around agriculture at home.

Transitioning takes time but already the evolving process is bearing fruit.

The first Fintech Islands Conference has opened up possibilities. There have been important business developments between private sector entities in Barbados, Ghana and Sierra Leone. Afriximbank is set to establish a hub in Barbados and a transformative agreement with Rwanda to have large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing in Barbados was just signed.

Equally consequential, Barbados and Guyana have signed a wideranging agreement towards food security. Elements of this are already in train.

As has been the case throughout our history, our people will be at the heart of this transition process and will drive it. Wherever we are, we are all Barbadians and, together, we will build a brighter future, as we have built a worthy past, in the words of our National Anthem, “in strength and unity”.

So let us celebrate the many successes of our small but powerful country on the 56th anniversary of Independence and First anniver sary as a Republic. Happy celebrations! May God continue to bless Barbados and bless us all.l

Rihanna, Barbados’ most famous daughter and Ambassador became a billionaire and a mom. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Editorial credit: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com

BY ERIN TELESFORD

According to The Economics Daily: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the 12 months ended June 2022, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 9.1 percent. The 9.1-percent increase in the all items index was the largest 12-month increase since the 12month period ending November 1981.

Prices for food increased 10.4 percent for the 12 months ending June 2022, the largest increase since February 1981.

Prices for food at home rose 12.2 percent over the last 12 months, the largest increase since April 1979. Prices for food

away from home rose 7.7 percent, the largest 12-month change since November 1981. Energy prices rose 41.6 percent over the last year, the largest 12month increase since April 1980. Within the energy category, motor fuel prices (which includes all types of gasoline) increased 60.2 percent over the year. Gasoline prices increased 59.9 percent; the largest 12-month increase since March 1980. Electricity prices rose 13.7 percent, the largest 12-month increase since April 2006. Natural gas (piped util ity gas) prices increased 38.4 percent over the 12 months ended June 2022, the largest increase since October 2005. Prices for new vehicles increased 11.4

percent over the year, prices for used cars and trucks were up 7.1 percent, while prices for motor vehicle parts and equip ment increased 14.9 percent.

The greatest financial crisis in the United States was last recession which spanned from December 2007 to June 2009. During this time, unemployment rates were raised by about 6.1% resulting in a loss of consumer spending and busi ness investments. Before the recession, many Americans bought houses using mortgages they couldn’t afford, eventu ally causing them to fall into poverty and their homes into foreclosure. The effects of the Great Recession did not recover once the economy stabilized in 2009.

Student Loan Cancellation Got Blocked. Now What? 3 Questions Answered

BY WILLIAM CHITTENDEN THE CONVERSATION

When the Biden administration announced in August 2022 that it was canceling up to $20,000 in student loan debt per borrower, it said the idea was to provide families with “breathing room as they prepare to start repaying loans after the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic.” But two federal courts recently blocked President Joe Biden’s student loan relief program, ruling it unconstitutional. This article explains why and what’s next for student loan borrowers still hopeful that their loans can be forgiven.

1. Why was Biden’s student loan can cellation program blocked?

It was found to be unconstitutional. That determination was made on Nov. 10, 2022, by Judge Mark Pittman of the U.S. District Court of Northern Texas, who ruled that the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 –or Heroes Act – “does not provide the executive branch clear congressional authorization” for a student loan forgive ness program. He said further that the

program was “an unconstitutional exer cise of Congress’s legislative power and must be vacated.”

The judge’s ruling prevents any student loans from being forgiven “until a final verdict is made” in the case. Technically it could go to the Supreme Court, but it may also be settled at the appellate court level.

In a separate case, on Nov. 14, a threejudge panel with the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit temporarily blocked the program until the case is resolved in court. The 8th Circuit covers seven states, including Missouri, which is one of several Republican-led states seek ing to block the program.

2. Can it be unblocked?

Both court decisions could be reversed. The Biden administration has argued that the Heroes Act of 2003 allows the Secretary of Education to forgive student loans for those affected by the pandemic.

The Biden administration has already filed a notice to appeal the Nov. 10 ruling by Pittman.

On Nov, 18, the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to vacate the order by the Court of Appeals blocking

student loan forgiveness. The Supreme Court has asked the plaintiffs in the case to provide their response by Nov. 23, 2022.

It is unclear how the full court might rule. However, in two previous instances, Justice Amy Coney Barrett has shot down attempts to block the student loan for giveness plan.

3. What kind of relief can student loan borrowers get in the meantime?

Currently, student loan payments are paused but are scheduled to start again –either 60 days after the legal cases against the program have been resolved, or 60 days after June 30, 2023, whichever

comes first. The Biden administration could extend the payment pause beyond December 2022. However, in August 2022 – when the most recent payment pause extension was announced – the White House stated that it was supposed to be the final extension.

Despite the setback for widespread stu dent loan forgiveness, some borrowers may still qualify for one or more targeted student loan forgiveness programs. These groups include borrowers who attended a school that shut down. Student loans may also be forgiven for those who are totally and permanently disabled. Students who were defrauded by their school – such as by being misled about job placement rates for graduates or the true cost to attend the school – may also be eligible.

In November 2022, the Biden adminis tration released new rules to make it eas ier for student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy. If a student loan borrower can prove their expenses are equal to or greater than their income, the student loan debt may qualify to be eliminated in bankruptcy. l

William Chittenden is an Associate Professor of Finance, Texas State University

Foreclosure & Predators/ continued from page 1

According to The State of Working America, “In October 2010, 16 months after the official end of the recession, the economy still had 5.4% fewer jobs than it did before the recession started.” The unemployment levels are little to no bet ter now, and speculation that another economic collapse has come into the news.

The devastation of the Great Recession implored many people to take better action with their finances and mortgages in fear of another financial crisis that could cause them to lose their homes. However, many Americans lack knowl edge on the options available for them in lieu of another recession and end up needing to file for bankruptcy when financial hardship arises. Much of the recent financial problems lower income individuals and families face are a result of their inability to afford or deal with unexpected major expenses such as job loss or medical bills. When these expens es become detrimental, one decision could be to file for bankruptcy.

According to a study published recent ly, 46 percent of bankruptcies were relat ed to outstanding medical conditions. The major cited reasons in this category included injury or illness, medical expenses not covered by insurance or losing at least two weeks’ worth of work

because of illness. Other causes of bank ruptcy include reduced income, job loss, credit debt, illness/injury, unexpected expenses and divorce. In the same time period, the percentage of filers age 55 or older more than doubled; those filers now account for about 20 percent of all bankruptcy petitioners. The study also found that 60 percent of bankruptcy filers have salaries of less than $30,000.

Bankruptcy is not a moral decision. It is a legal choice made when the debt sit uation is hopeless. Filing for bankruptcy can save your home and also stop wage garnishment. This can be troublesome due to the racial inequality involved with lawyers who specialize in bankruptcy.

In an interview with Brian Figeroux, Esq., on the radio show, Ask the Lawyer, he stated that you must” know the motives of the person giving you advice. There have been cases where people of color in America, specifically black Americans, encountered lawyers and

investors who claim to want to help them save their homes when, in reality, “10 out of 10 times, they are trying to hoodwink you.”

Figeroux also warned about a New York Times article which stated that white attorneys were not giving the best advice to black clients.

According to the New York Times arti cle, Blacks Face Bias in Bankruptcy, by Tara Siegel Bernard, Blacks are about twice as likely as whites to wind up in the more onerous and costly form of con sumer bankruptcy as they try to dig out from their debts, a new study has found. The disparity persisted even when the researchers adjusted for income, home ownership, assets and education. The evidence suggested that lawyers were disproportionately steering blacks into a process that was not as good for them financially, in part because of biases, whether conscious or unconscious.

The vast majority of debtors file under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code, which typically allows them to erase most debts in a matter of months. It tends to have a higher success rate and is less expensive than the alternative, Chapter 13, which requires debtors to dedicate their dispos able income to paying back their debts for several years.

The study of racial differences in bank ruptcy filings was written by Robert M. Lawless, a bankruptcy expert and law

professor, and Dov Cohen, a psychology professor, both with the University of Illinois; and Jean Braucher, a law profes sor at the University of Arizona.

A survey conducted as part of their research found that bankruptcy lawyers were much more likely to steer black debtors into a Chapter 13 than white fil ers even when they had identical finan cial situations. The lawyers, the survey found, were also more likely to view blacks as having “good values” when they expressed a preference for Chapter 13.

As communities of color, we have to be aware of what is happening. Persons are coming into our communities, offering to purchase our homes for cash. These persons are not trying to help you. Your property is an investment. It is the path to wealth-building and transferring wealth from one generation to another. Do not be fooled.

Figeroux's real estate office, Equity Smart Realty, Inc., was created because he “saw how our people suffered” from these types of scams and wants to be truthful with the black community in order to prevent the wrongful foreclo sure of our community’s houses through bankruptcy consultation.

For a bankruptcy or save your home from foreclosure consultation with the Law Firm of Figeroux and Associates, call 855-768-8845.l

Divorce and Foreclosure: What You Need to Know

BY VICTORIA FALK

What do you do when “I do” turns into “I don’t,” and you can no longer stand to be in the presence of the person that you imag ined you would spend the rest of your life with? You vowed to be together “…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health….” However, the sight of this person now ‘makes you sick,’ and you wonder if things can get any worse. Divorce becomes inevitable. Divorce can be devastating, as two peo ple who legally joined their lives together return to living separate lives. Gone are the hopes and dreams of “forever,” and in many cases, there may be a loss of income. As a result of divorce, individu als who enjoyed, in many cases, shared savings and shared living expenses are now faced with the challenge of main taining a household without the same level benefit of financial assistance from another person that was previously received. It may be a financial challenge for one spouse to purchase the house from the other or maintain the full responsibility of taking care of the home owner’s expenses on their own.

The relationship between the divorce rate and the foreclosure rate is evident, with the foreclosure rate increasing as the divorce rate increases. According to a study conducted by Citywide Home Loans, divorce is one of the most com mon foreclosure causes. “Frequently, divorce means that one person is desig nated as responsible for making mort gage payments. This can put financial stress on the individual making mortgage payments, especially if there are missed spousal support payments. The stress that the divorce process brings (both emo tional and financial), along with impaired communication, can also mean missed

mortgage payments,” found Citywide Home Loans.

However, divorce does not have to lead to foreclosure. There are things for the divorcing couple to consider. According to AllLaw, “A couple going through fore closure at the same time they are going through a divorce should be aware of several issues such as: Who is responsi ble for the remaining debt on the home? How will the debt be repaid? What will happen to the house?” They may decide that one spouse may ‘become the sole owner’ of the property, or if neither of them wants the house, …they can attempt a short sale or deed in lieu of

foreclosure. If one spouse will take over the property and the mortgage, that spouse can then apply on their own for a modification or refinance.”

Most divorcing couples cannot commu nicate on the level needed to come to a compromise regarding the home and the mortgage on their own due to the deteri oration of their marital relationship. As a matter of fact, it is not uncommon for one spouse to want the other “to get out of the house” and/or to accuse the other person of wanting to miss required mortgage payments to spite the other spouse inten tionally. Thus, increasing the likelihood of foreclosure.

An experienced divorce attorney and real estate expert, such as Mr. Brian Figeroux, of Figeroux and Associates, can assist those going through a divorce who are also facing foreclosure. Missed mortgage payments and foreclosure can affect your credit history years after the divorce. So, know your rights and responsibilities. If you or someone you know is in the process of divorce and fac ing foreclosure, then it is a critical time to speak to a lawyer. Visit www.ask thelawyer.us to get expert legal advice today. l

Kes to Bring IzWe Concert Series Back to T&T Carnival

BY JAMAICANS.COM

Kes launched IZWE (pronounced “Is We”) in 2021 as a series of five, socially-distanced concerts during what would have been that year’s Carnival season. The limited-capacity shows were the first sanctioned live music events held in Trinidad & Tobago after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, which began one year earlier, and just days after the close of Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2020.

As the world has opened up, Kes has exported IZWE in an expanded, festival form to New York City and Toronto, in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Some 8,000 fans attended each event, with July’s IzWe Toronto concert receiving national media coverage in Canada from outlets including CBC and Breakfast Television.

With IZWE 2023, the band is set to bring the show back home to Trinidad on the Tuesday before Trinidad & Tobago Carnival — the same calendar spot where Kes held its Tuesday on the Rocks concert series from 2014 to 2020. Fans can stay tuned for guest artist announce ments and more details at www.kesthe band.com.

Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, or Trinidad Carnival for short, is widely known as the Caribbean’s biggest and best carnival celebration, and the inspira tion for cultural festivals like Notting Hill Carnival in London and Toronto’s Caribana. Held annually on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the event is known for participants’ colorful costumes and exuberant street celebra tions, as well as the soca music that pro

vides its soundtrack. With Carnival returning after three years — 2021 marked its first can cellation since WWII — anticipation is sky high and record attendance is expected, not only for the carnival itself but for the season of special events that precedes it.

The homecoming follows a banner 2022 for Kes, which included a mainstage perform ance at ESSENCE Fest in July, where the band played for one of its largest audiences to date. Summer saw Kes usher in the return of carnival celebrations across the Caribbean and its Diaspora, with performances in Guyana, Barbados, Anguilla, Grenada, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Toronto, London, and New York City. Their Liki Tiki U.S. Tour followed in September and October, with sold out dates up and down the East and West Coast.

“Liki Tiki” is currently up for GRAMMY® consideration in the Best Global Music Performance category.l

Caribbean Carrot-Ginger Soup Kitchen Corner

medium heat. Add onion; cook until translucent, 5 to 6 min utes. Add carrots and ginger; cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Stir in broth and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until carrots are very tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 2

Ideveloped this recipe while in the Dominican Republic. Living in a small, rural beach town, I had to be resourceful with ingredients that were available and affordable. Carrots grow like crazy there, so this was an easy, delicious recipe that I used to make for my friends during the rainy season.

It's the first recipe I really ever developed myself, and I still love it. Garnish asdesired with microgreens, chopped chives, toasted sliced almonds, or chia seeds.

By Jessica Lawson, AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

1 tablespoon salted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cups coarsely chopped onion

1 ½ pounds carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

3 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger

3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, or more as needed

¼ teaspoon salt, or more to taste

¼ teaspoon ground white pepper

½ cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk

Directions

Step 1

Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over

Puree soup with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy, or let cool slightly and blend in a blender, working in batches as needed. Return to heat and add more broth as needed for desired consistency; soup should be thick. Season with pepper and additional salt if needed.

Step 3

Ladle soup into 4 bowls. Swirl 2 tablespoons coconut milk into each bowl.

Cook's Notes

You can use black pepper instead of white.

Canned coconut milk can be pretty chunky, so shake it vig orously before opening the can.l

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 55 mins

Servings: 4 Yield: 4 servings

Photo courtesy: kestheband.com

COVID-19, RSV and the Flu are Straining Health Care Systems – Two Epidemiologists Explain What the ‘Triple

Threat’ Means for Children

BY REBECCA S.B. FISCHER & ANNETTE REGAN THE CONVERSATION.COM

Every fall and winter, viral respira tory illnesses like the common cold and seasonal flu keep kids out of school and social activities. But this year, more children than usual are ending up at emergency departments and hospitals.

In California, the Orange County health department declared a state of emer gency in early November 2022 due to record numbers of pediatric hospitaliza tions for respiratory infections. In Maryland, emergency rooms have run out of beds because of the unusually high number of severe respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, infections. So emergency departments there are having to refer patients across state lines for care.

In the U.S., the winter respiratory virus season started earlier than usual this year. Since peak infections usually occur in late December or January, this uncharac teristic early wave suggests that the situ ation could get much worse for people of all ages, particularly children.

We are epidemiologists with expertise in epidemic analysis for emerging dis ease threats, including respiratory infec tions. We watch patterns in these infec tions closely, and we pay particular atten tion when the patterns are unusual. We’ve grown increasingly concerned about the amount of pediatric hospital izations over the last few months and the pattern that is emerging.

The ‘triple threat’

In early November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory about increased activity in respiratory infections – especially among children. The CDC and other health experts are warning of the socalled “triple threat” of respiratory ill ness from RSV, influenza – or the sea sonal flu – and COVID-19.

The underlying reasons for the conver gence of these viruses and the increase in infections so early in the season are not yet clear. But health experts have some clues about contributing factors and what it could mean for the coming months.

When it comes to COVID-19, 2022 is expected to usher in another winter wave of infections, similar to patterns seen in 2020 and 2021. Previous winter surges stemmed from a combination of factors, including the emergence and spread of new viral variants, more people gather ing indoors rather than distanced outside, and people coming together for the holi days.

But unlike previous pandemic winters, most COVID-19 precautions – such as

using masks in public areas or avoiding group activities – are more relaxed than ever. Together with the looming threat of new variants, it is difficult to predict how big the next COVID-19 wave could be.

And while the seasonal flu has proved somewhat unpredictable during the COVID-19 pandemic, it nearly always hits during late October. Flu season also arrived about a month early and in greater numbers than in recent history. By our read of the data, pediatric flu hos pitalizations are nearing 10 times what has been seen for this time of year for more than a decade.

RSV infections tend to follow a similar seasonal pattern as the flu, peaking in winter months. But this year, there was an unexpected summer wave, well before the start of the typical fall respiratory virus season.

In typical years, RSV garners little media attention. It’s incredibly common and usually causes only mild illness. In fact, most children encounter the virus before age 2.

But RSV can be a formidable respirato ry infection with serious consequences for children under 5, especially infants. It is the most common cause of lower respi ratory infections in young children, and more severe illnesses can lead to pneu monia and other complications, often requiring hospitalization.

Why children are particularly at risk Children, especially young children, tend to get sicker from flu and RSV than other age groups. But infants younger than 6 months old stand to suffer the most, with nearly double the risk of RSV-related death compared to other children younger than 5. COVID-19 hospitaliza tion rates are also four to five times high er for infants than older children.

One reason the youngest children are at greater risk is that their immune systems are not yet fully developed and don’t pro duce the robust immune response seen in most adults. What’s more, infants younger than 6 months – who are most at

risk of severe disease – are still too young to be vaccinated against influenza or COVID-19.

These viruses present challenges on their own, but their co-circulation and coincid ing surges in infections create a perfect storm for multiple viruses to infect the same person at once. Viruses might even act together to evade immunity and cause damage to the respiratory tract.

Such co-infections are typically uncom mon. However, the likelihood of coinfection is substantially higher for chil dren than adults. Co-infections can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and can ultimately lead to greater disease severi ty, complications, hospitalization and death.

Factors behind the triple threat There are a few reasons why the U.S. may be seeing a surge in pediatric respi ratory infections. First, COVID-19 pro tection strategies actually help prevent the transmission of other respiratory pathogens. School and daycare closures likely also minimized exposures children normally have to various respiratory viruses.

These and other efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 seem to have sup pressed the broad circulation of other viruses, including influenza and RSV. As a result, the U.S. saw an overall drop in non-COVID respiratory infections – and an almost nonexistent flu season in the winter of 2020.

The decreased viral activity means that children missed out on some exposures to viruses and other pathogens that typically help build immunity, particularly during the first few years of life. The resulting so-called “immunity debt” may con tribute to an excess of pediatric respirato ry infections as we continue into this sea son.

To further complicate the picture, the changing nature of viruses, including theemergence of new COVID-19 vari

In the U.S., the winter respiratory virus season started earlier than usual this year. Since peak infections usually occur in late December or January, this uncharacteristic early wave suggests that the situation could get much worse for people of all ages, particularly children. Pediatric emergency rooms in some states are at or over capacity due to the surging number of respiratory infections.

ants and the natural evolution of seasonal influenza viruses, means that we could be seeing a unique combination of partic ularly transmissible strains or strains that cause more severe illness.

Proactive steps people can take The early surge in respiratory infections with high rates of hospitalization high lights the importance of prevention. The best tool we have for prevention is vacci nation. Vaccines that protect against COVID-19 and influenza are available and recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. They have been shown to be safe and effective, and they can and do save lives.

In particular, most recent data on the newly updated bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine suggests that it produces a more rigorous antibody response against the current circulating omicron variants than the original COVID-19 vaccines.

The best way to protect infants younger than 6 months old against flu and COVID-19 is by vaccination during pregnancy. When a pregnant mother is vaccinated, maternal antibodies cross the placenta to the baby, reducing the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization in young infants by 61%. Vaccination of other caregivers, family and friends can also help protect infants.

Other preventive measures, like handwashing, covering sneezes and coughs, staying at home and isolating when sick, can help to protect the community from these viruses and others. Paying attention to local public health advisers can also help people to have the most up-to-date information and make informed deci sions to keep themselves and others – of all ages – safe. l

Rebecca S.B. Fischer is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Texas A&M University. Annette Regan is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, University of San Francisco.

Stressing the Tie Between Climate Change and Violence Against Women

Scientists predict that over the next 30 years, close to 150 million peo ple will move due to climate change affecting areas around the world; most of those seeking refuge are women and girls who are more vulnerable to vio lence based on their gender.

The movement known as "climate change migration" is when an individual or a group of individuals are forced to or voluntarily choose to leave their usual residence due to a sudden or gradual shift in the environment, either temporarily or permanently, within a state or across international borders.

During the 50th Session of the Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, spoke of exploring the tie "between cli mate change and violence against women and girls through a human rights lens."

Bachelet noted that though climate change affects the entire world, it is "women and girls who often suffer its harshest and most violent consequences."

According to the UN Environment Program, women are predicted to make

up 80 percent of people displaced by cli mate change, placing them at a signifi cantly higher risk of violence, including sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse is a terrifying facet of life for migrants and refugees, who are in danger of attack while in temporary shel ters, tents, or camps. The threat of child, forced, and early marriages, as well as human trafficking, that traveling women

and girls confront dramatically exacer bates the problem. Cross-border travel for women and girls who are refugees or migrants is frequently laden with hazards and issues, such as sexual and genderbased violence, mental distress, physical harm, and many forms of exploitation, including human trafficking.

Countless reports worldwide of cases reported by women and children are

ignored, or at times, the perpetrators are law enforcement. Between 2016 and 2022, Human Rights Watch recorded 11 cases of sexual abuse against refugees and asylum seekers from Sudan and Yemen and one child. All six women, one who identified as a transgender woman, said men raped them. In some cases, vic tims were assaulted more than once. A mother also reported that a man raped her 11-year-old daughter. Some victims said police declined to file incident reports, and others were afraid to report the inci dent. There was one incident of a police employee who sexually harassed a victim when she tried to report a rape.

It's important to note that, at times, those in authority are the perpetrators who sexually abuse migrants and asylum seekers. Including here in the United States, authorities on the southern border have been known to sexually assault those seeking refuge. Human Rights Watch released a 26-page report that pro vides details of statements from asylum officers of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services about the conduct of personnel in the Department of Homeland Security.

Bachelet told the UN Council that it is imperative that any climate change poli cy and approach have the human rights of women and girls positioned at the forefront and that no one is left behind. She provided five steps to ensure this: •They acknowledge that climate change and violence against women and girls are connected.

•Women in power must be completely involved in climate issues and actions, as their insights will help protect women's rights better.

•States must improve the development of "gender-responsive environmental and disaster risk reduction" policies, initia tives, and budgets.

•States need enhanced accountability structures with zero exemption for perpe trators "no matter if they are spouses, family members, religious leaders, relief workers or government officials."

•Governments must act quickly to uphold, defend, and execute their com mitments under international humanitari an law to women, girls, and particularly female environmental human rights advocates.

Whether it's climate change, wars, or global pandemics, the world has been and continues to be fraught with danger for women and girls. Be it the escalating attacks on women's autonomy over their bodies, mounting barriers to girls' leader ship and education, and reports of women being murdered or going missing simply because they are women. The fight for gender equality often feels like the evil outweighs any progress.

Bachelet highlights that leaders must take that action now because as nothing is being done, "the lives, safety, and dig nity of millions of women and girls will continue to hang in the balance."l

Four Signs He's Not Committed to You

BY MARY CAMPBELL

Commitment means different things to different people. Maybe, you are looking for marriage, liv ing together or being in a steady, monog amous relationship. And try as you may, you just can’t seem to get your guy to take things to the next level; you know, commit.

Whether you’ve already invested just a few dates into this man, or weeks or months, you want to know if you’re wast ing your time, right? Now you are look ing for signs to decide if you should bail out or keep the fame of hope. Whether or not a man claims to be committed to you, there are certain actions that will tell you if he is or isn't. Here are four clear signs a man isn't committed to you.

1. He's inconsistent

When he's around, the man you like might be attentive and interested. But then he disappears for days, and you're left feeling confused. A man who is inter ested and committed won't simply disap pear for periods of time and comes back when it suits him and his schedule. If he's committed, he will make you a priority. That means he will check in with you even if he doesn't have time for a long

discussion. If he's not pursuing you, he's not committed to you.

2. He doesn't mention you in any future plans

If you've been dating a guy for a while, even casually, and he doesn't mention you in future plans, he's probably not commit ted to you. If he's planning a camping trip in a couple of months and doesn't ask you along, he probably doesn't expect to be seeing you then or he wants to keep his options open. A man who is committed to you wants you around, so he will work you into his plans. If he's going to a wed ding in six might, he'll ask you to be his date.

3.

He's vague about his life

A man who isn't committed to you or your relationship, won't let you into his life. He'll be vague about where he's been and who he's been with. This might be because he simply doesn't want you in his life that much or has something to hide. If he's dating other women, he might not be open about these details. A man who is committed to you will want to include you in his life. He won't need to be pressed for details about what he's been doing because he will offer them freely.

4. He's not reliable

A man who is committed to you will want you to know you can count on him no matter what. He will not be late or stand you up for dates. If he will be late or can't make it, he will let you know as soon as possible with a good reason. A man who isn't committed to you doesn't care about checking in with you if he can't make it. He might blow it off as no big deal. If he doesn't value your time and care about your feelings, he's not committed to you.

As a sidenote, new data from YouGov reveals that millennials (those aged 18 to 34, according to the survey) are actually more interested in the prospect of a rela tionship than older generations. The data revealed:

•That millennials are far more likely to seek a committed relationship than those 34 and older

•The inverse is also true, with individuals 55 and older saying they prefer the single life and have little interest in relation ships

•This data counteracts many stereotypical notions about millennials and the hookup culture of today's youth

If you're interested in a man, but he's not committed to you, you might be wast ing your time. Looking at a man's actions will tell you everything you need to know about his level of commitment to you. Your move! Waste not another second on this guy if he’s not right for you. l

two hormonal activities in women. Specifically, the hormonal imbalance and exposure to excess progesterone and estrogen.

Experts propose that chemicals cause the risk of developing uterine cancer in products that disrupt the endocrine, which alters hormonal actions.

Studies on Hair Straightening Products and Cancer

In a recent study, women who frequently use hair straightening products were more likely to develop uterine cancer than others who did not. The frequency of use was defined as using hair straight eners more than four times in the last year.

The studies conducted by Che Jung Chang et al. (2022) were published in the National Cancer Institute Journal. Their findings claim that using certain hair products containing specific chemicals was related to uterine cancer.

These substances, discovered to be car cinogenic, have been found in straighten ers and dyes used in hair products, there by supporting the connection between hair product use and cancer develop ment. In another study in 2019, researchers found a link between the use of hair relaxers and permanent hair dye to a higher risk of breast cancer. And the

chances were more than six times higher for Black women.

Furthermore, adolescents that used hair relaxers with the chemicals had a higher rate of developing breast cancer, while adult women had a higher rate of devel oping ovarian cancer.

Usage of Hair Products in the USA

In the United States, income from the hair care segment in 2022 is over US$ 12 billion, and more than half of women use hair products like permanent hair dyes. The study by Che Jung-Chang et al. investigated the influence of hair product use on uterine cancer. They focused on

the age-related hazard of uterine cancer among racially and ethnically diverse groups in the United States.

Interestingly, the researchers observed a higher uterine cancer rate among women who frequently used hair straighteners. On the other hand, they observed almost non-existent cases of uterine cancer among those that used other hair products like dyes, bleach, highlights, and hair permanents. The findings support existing studies that linked hair straighteners to an increased risk of other female hormone-related cancers. As expected, the report increased anxiety over chemical expo

sure through hair straighteners more than other personal care products.

How It Works

During the processing of natural hair, straighteners used may cause scalp burns and injuries, which hastens the possible absorption of the chemicals through the scalp. Generally, the scalp absorbs chem icals more than other skin surfaces like the palm, forearm, and abdomen.

In another category of hair product users, using flat irons or blow dryers dur ing straightening treatments potentially release or breaks down chemicals while applying heat to the products. This process potentially exposes users to the absorption of higher hazardous chemi cals.

Risk Factors for Users of Hair Straighteners

Studies have shown over time that there is a link between physical activity, decreased sex steroid hormones, and less chronic inflammation. Researchers observed a strong relationship between women with low physical activity and uterine cancer compared with women with a high level of physical activity. However, additional studies are required to understand the exact interplay between physical activity, hair product use, and uterine cancer.

Presently, there are no apparent differ ences in the threat ratio between ethnic and racial groups. However, many African American and Black women's health can be adversely affected by straightener usage because of early use from a young age, the frequency of usage, and the application of harsher chemical formulations than other ethnic ities or races.

The Aftermath of the Hair Product Findings

In a recent development, NBC News reports that four Black women filed fed eral lawsuits against big brands like L'Oréal and other companies. Their com plainants claim that the companies' hair products contained chemicals that made them develop uterine cancer or, in some cases, experience other severe health effects.

The lawsuit was filed after the National Institutes of Health study was released. Women in the research reported frequent ly using hair straightening products, which caused them to develop uterine cancer compared to those who did not.

Three women in the lawsuit had report edly undergone medical procedures to remove their wombs or uterus.

One of the complainants had started

relaxing her hair as a pre-teen and only stopped when she was in her early 40s, more than two decades later. Thus far, the plaintiff has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy for uterine cancer, remit ted for a brief period, and then developed cancer in her abdomen and liver.

Another plaintiff shares that the hair straighteners she used in her teenage years and early adulthood, between (1980-2015), caused her to develop both uterine and breast cancer. The breast can cer manifested in her forties, which she treated with chemotherapy, and then she had a double mastectomy two years later to remove her breasts surgically.

Last year, in 2021, she developed uter ine cancer and underwent a hysterecto my, six months of chemotherapy, and radiation.

One common theme among all the women was the unawareness that hair relaxers could predispose them to an increased risk of cancer. They claim that nothing on the products' packaging indi cated that the products could cause them to develop fibroids, breast, or uterine cancer.

Existing studies have strongly shown a possibility that the chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and other metals may release formaldehyde when heated.

The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States classified the chemi cal substance formaldehyde as a potential

cancer-causing agent when exposure to it is high and prolonged such as constant use of hair relaxers and application of heat.

Furthermore, studies show that more than 1.5% of women who never used relaxers would likely develop uterine cancer later in life by age 70. In compar ison, regular users have more than 4% increased risks that can manifest at an earlier age.

Reasons Women Use Hair Straighteners or Relaxers

The victims cited societal pressure as one of the factors that caused them to use chemical hair straighteners. They gave explanations like the need to conform to work standards, the need to wear straight hair, need to meet beauty standards. Experts say other factors like the need to express themselves meet Eurocentric beauty standards and a desire for flexibil ity in changing hairstyles.

Research also indicates that some Black and Latina women felt socially pressured to wear a hairstyle that reduces discrimi nation and subtle aggression in work places.

According to a study by Michigan State University (2020), over 70% of Black women revealed they altered their natural hair to meet the expectations of an eco nomically and socially successful person.

Need for More Research

Additional investigations to confirm the findings in different populations are needed. Primarily among African American or Black women because of the regular practice of straightener use. as well as to evaluate the potential contribu tion of hair products to health disparities in uterine cancer.

There is also a need for additional stud ies to identify the chemical ingredients that might increase the rates. Experts insist that the findings must be addressed due to the widespread use of hair prod ucts and the rising cases of uterine can cer. Public health needs to reduce the incidence of uterine cancer.

The civil rights lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit insist that one of the objectives of the case is to raise awareness of the product's dangers. Secondly, they want them removed from store shelves to protect innocent lives.

They also assert that informing Black and brown parents to discontinue trying to conform to European-driven beauty standards is essential. And to desist from using chemicals to straighten their hair at the expense of destroying their uterus and the chance of having babies, not to men tion the adverse health effect.l Download the report at www.cawnyc.com

New Data Expands on Why Women Have a Greater Risk of Injury in Car Crashes

BY KEITH BARRY CONSUMERREPORTS.COM

Women are more likely than men to be injured in car crash es, and a new report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) exposes additional reasons beyond the lack of a crash test dummy that represents an average female body— including that men tend to drive heavier vehicles, and are more likely to cause front-to-rear crashes.

The findings from the insurance indus try-backed safety organization also offers some good news for car buyers: Both men and women can benefit from choos ing a car that performs better in certain crash tests, and advanced safety features might help reduce injury disparities between men and women. One technolo gy in particular, automatic emergency braking (AEB) addresses front to rear crashes, a crash scenario in which women are more likely to be injured.

Recent studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have shown that a female driv er or front passenger who is wearing her seat belt is 17 percent more likely than a male to be killed when a crash takes place, and a study from the University of

Virginia showed that a female occupant’s odds of being injured in a frontal crash are 73 percent greater than the odds for a male occupant.

CR and others have drawn attention to this disparity, and lawmakers have called on the NHTSA to address the issues that may lead to inequality in vehicle injuries and fatalities. One hypothesis is that the lack of crash test dummies that adequate ly represent the average female body leads automakers to design vehicles tar geted to protect the so-called 50th per centile male, currently represented by a 171-pound, 5-foot-9-inch dummy that’s used in the majority of crash tests.

“Everyone who rides in a car has bene fited from the improvements identified by crash testing,” says Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at CR’s Auto Test Center. “But once the major areas for crash protection have been improved upon, the more granular differences—such as the gender dispari ties—become more evident as some of the next areas to focus research.”

The IIHS examined crash data in detail and found that both the types of vehicles driven by women and the fact that male drivers are more likely to cause a crash can exacerbate the risk of injury.

For example, although men and women

had about an equal proportion of crashes in minivans and SUVs, more than 20 per cent of crashes involving men took place in pickups, compared with less than 5 percent of women. Within the vehicle classes, the IIHS also reports that men tended to crash in heavier vehicles, which can offer more protection in a crash.

“The numbers indicate that women more often drive smaller, lighter cars and that they’re more likely than men to be driving the struck vehicle in side-impact and front-into-rear crashes,” Jessica Jermakian, IIHS’ vice president of vehi cle research, said in a statement. According to the IIHS, the driver of the striking vehicle is at lower risk of injury than the driver of the struck vehicle in those kinds of crashes.

This is especially concerning consider ing that many popular pickup trucks lack standard advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), which can help prevent or reduce the severity of the kind of front-to-rear crashes that are more likely to injure women. A prior study from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI)—an affiliate of IIHS—found that vehicles equipped with AEB, forward collision warning (FCW), and lane-departure warning

(LDW) can reduce bodily injury insur ance claims by 16 percent.

“AEB is the type of feature you want not only on your own car but on every one’s car around you,” says Stockburger. “This is why CR factors both crash pro tection ratings and the availability of advanced crash avoidance technologies into the overall score of the vehicles we test.”

The results also suggest that further research is necessary to determine how to prevent the specific injuries that women are more susceptible to, and that more work is needed to improve the crashwor thiness of smaller vehicles. A woman in a car with a Good crash test rating might be safer than a woman in a car with a Marginal or Poor rating—but depending on injury type, vehicle type, and crash type, she still may not be as safe as a man in a car with a Good rating.

In addition, it shows the need for the NHTSA to update its outdated new car assessment program (NCAP), says Emily Thomas, Ph.D., automotive safety engi neer at CR. “Consumer information pro grams like NHTSA’s NCAP and IIHS’s crash tests are what have provided us with the safety benefit we see right now.

IIHS is already making next steps. It’s time for NHTSA to make their move.”l

Speeding ruins lives. Slow down.