Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 168

Caribbean Christmas: Traditions That Make Holiday

the Best Time of Year

BY JANET HOWARD SPECIAL TO CAW

hen most people think about the Christmas season, they picture snow, cold, and decked-out evergreens. That is the standard image of the holidays, but for those who grew up in the Caribbean or celebrate their Caribbean heritage, the picture looks much different.

BY LINDA NWOKE

People, Power & Politics Radio Show chatted with Carol-Ann Church, Brooklyn's Director of Community Boards. The interview focused on the role, value, and process that Brooklynites can follow to become

on page 8

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

The OECS and CARICOM Committed to Preserving Caribbean Biodiversity

OECS Media, December 14: The United Nations 15th Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity, or COP15, currently underway in Montreal, Canada, has brought to the fore the global biodiversity crisis. Though little is heard about this existential threat – being eclipsed by the climate change crisis – its consequences will be detrimental to human survivability.

It is estimated that in the last 500 years, 902 taxonomic species have gone extinct, including 85 mammals, 159 birds, 35 amphibians and 80 fish species. Of these extinctions, 500 occurred in the last century, which are attributed to plastic pollution, use of pesticides, invasive species, and climate change, among others. Sadly, these extinctions have primarily affected Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

At a COP15 plenary on Thursday, December 7, Ms. Nneka Nicolas, Legal Consultant with the Antigua and Barbuda delegation, delivered a statement on behalf of 38 Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean, Pacific, Indian Ocean, and African Regions (SIDS), during which she stated:

"Our island states are biodiversity hotspots with high levels of endemism. Approximately half of the animal extinctions recorded in the last 400 years were island species. It is scientifically well known that the biodiversity of SIDS are particularly vulnerable. Our relatively small sizes make us particularly susceptible to the effects of biodiversity loss brought on by accelerated climate change, invasive alien species, land degradation, pollution and overexploitation.”

The CARICOM delegations, including OECS Member States, also highlighted to the COP15 Presidency the need to address the decline of marine biodiversity in the region, given that it sustains the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. “Every year we are concerned about the significant recession of our coastlines and the significant adverse impact on our marine and coastal biodiversity as a result of sea level rise, ocean acidification and marine pollution.”

Ms. Susanna DeBeauville-Scott, the OECS Project Manager for Ocean Governance and Fisheries, spoke about the OECS Commission’s intensification

of strategies to protect coral reefs. “

At this time, we have two projects that look at issues related to marine pollution. One of these projects is funded by the Norwegian Government and is called ReMLit – Building Resilience in the Eastern Caribbean through Reduction in Marine Litter (ReMLit) Project. The other is the Recycle OECS Project –which seeks to address the issue of plastic pollution – funded by the European Union.”

The OECS is also executing the BioSPACE project – Biodiversity Support for ACP Coastal Environments –which is implementing several measures to preserve marine biodiversity in nine OECS Member States. This project is also funded by the European Union.

For negotiations at the Conference, the OECS and CARICOM have teamed up to ensure the best possible outcomes for biodiversity conservation in the Caribbean region. In preparation for these meetings, CARICOM Regional Expert, Dr. Patrick Chesney said, “We prepared a number of important documents, which captured the state of negotiations under the global biodiversity framework and the other three priorities identified by other Caribbean delegations, which include resource mobilization and financing, coastal and marine biodiversity, and the Global Biodiversity Framework. Coming here to Canada to be part of part II of the 15th Conference of the Parties, we’ve already completed the fifth open ended work group meeting

OECS Regional Heritage Tourism Project Progresses

The OECS Commission has received approval to move forward with an OECS Heritage Tourism project that will include establishing a Heritage Tourism Network, a Heritage Tourism Trail Design, and a website with information on these heritage tourism products. The Heritage Tourism Project Steering Committee at

its third meeting on Wednesday, December 6, 2022, reviewed the input from stakeholder engagements and validated the project proposal.

This project has its beginnings in March 2022, when technical assistance was given to National Trusts and similar institutions that have the responsibility for managing protected areas and the

to take the results from the fourth meeting, which was held in Nairobi in June this year, and to advance those recommendations to the stage where we believe we have a document that the present Conference of the Parties could actually consider and take forward for adoption by the time this conference ends.”

Program Director for Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management at the OECS Commission, Ms. Joan Norville, stated: " The OECS Commission recognizes the need for a new global roadmap that builds on the recently concluded 20112020 Biodiversity Strategy and continues to pursue the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Commission, through its Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management Program and associated initiatives, will continue to support the enhancement of national and regional capacity to fulfill the obligations of Member States that are Parties to the Convention"

The OECS and CARICOM’s participation at COP15 is supported by the European Union. The BioSPACE project, with funding from the European Union has facilitated the participation of the OECS Commission and two representatives from OECS Member States.

Both CARICOM and the OECS are thankful for the European Union’s commitment to preserving biodiversity in the Caribbean region and for helping to build a better future for its citizens.l

safeguarding of historic sites, to offer viable tourism products in the OECS. This initiative, which included two regional consultations, resulted in the submission of a Regional Heritage Tourism project proposal.

Input from stakeholders – including the generation and selection of ideas and opportunities – was guided by the following criteria: Individual/Collective Benefit and Rationale, Market Fit, Readiness Level, Priority Ranking, Ease of Implementation and Sustainability.l

Editorial credit: OECS Pressroom

A Safer New York

While I was on the campaign trail, I met many New Yorkers who expressed their desire for a safer city. New Yorkers want to feel safe in their neighborhoods, at their places of worship, in the subway and on the streets. I vowed to make public safety my top priority, and under the bold leadership of NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, our efforts are paying off. We have a lot more work to do, but I want to be clear to New Yorkers: we are making progress.

For the first time this year, we saw a drop of 1.2% in overall index crimes in November compared to November of 2021. What does that mean? It means that in November of 2022 compared to November of 2021, we saw a 32.8% decrease in shootings, a 14.1% decrease in rapes, a 6% decrease in burglary, and a 5.5% in grand larceny.

We have also removed more than 6750 guns from our streets so far this year. Gun arrests are at a 27-year high. And we’ve seen a decrease in murders and shootings.

This is not a coincidence. It shows that our laser focus on public safety is working. We created an anti-gun unit that has been effective at removing illegal firearms, and we’ve added more checks to detect illegal guns before they enter New York City. We’ve also had success in our fight against “Ghost Guns”—these are guns that can be ordered online and assembled at home; they do not have serial numbers and are untraceable, which makes stopping them from enter-

ing our city even more urgent.

We have more officers on patrol in key neighborhoods, and newly-created Neighborhood Safety Teams are focusing on the 30 precincts where a majority of violence occurs. We are working hard and working smart to make the most of our resources and to make our city safer.

As part of our Subway Safety Plan, we are sending mobile crisis teams and outreach workers into the system to connect with homeless New Yorkers and help them get the assistance they need. We’ve also introduced a surge of 1200 additional police officers patrolling subway platforms and trains each day. As a result, in just over a month, we have seen a 12.8% reduction in major crime in transit stations compared to the same period last year.

We’re addressing the problem of “Ghost Cars”—cars with illegal paper or obscured license plates that don’t follow our traffic rules. And we’re pursuing targeted bail reform in Albany.

Just as important, we have achieved historic diversity in hiring. We want our NYPD academy classes to resemble the

neighborhoods they serve so they can better understand our diverse communities’ needs and form closer connections. So our most recent hires to the NYPD are on average 41% Hispanic, 23% white, 19% black and 15% Asian. And on average, this group is 29% female.

There is much more work that remains to be done. Crime is still substantially higher than it was in 2107, and New Yorkers deserve to be safer than they are right now. We will not rest until New Yorkers both ARE safe and FEEL safe. Public safety is the key to prosperity. It is the only way we can achieve a just and equitable New York in which everyone— no matter what language you speak, or where you come from—can thrive. I promised I would make a difference on public safety during my campaign, and as mayor, I am proud to say that we are well on our way to a safer New York.l

Mayor Eric Adams has served the people of New York City as an NYPD officer, State Senator, Brooklyn Borough President, and now

Extension and Redesignation of TPS for Haiti

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the extension and redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months from Feb. 4, 2023, through Aug. 3, 2024. Those individuals who have already been residing in the United States as of November 6, 2022, will be eligible for TPS under Haiti’s redesignation. Haitians entering the United States after November 6, 2022, including those who might be considering entering now, are not eligible for TPS.

We will publish a Federal Register

notice that will explain the procedures necessary for an individual to re-register under the extension or submit an initial registration application under the redesignation and to apply for an Employment Authorization Document. Individuals applying for TPS are instructed to wait for the publication of the Federal Register notice before filing an application for TPS. Those who have been continuously residing in the U.S. since November 6, 2022, and have a pending TPS application with us do not have to refile at this time. 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

as the 110th Mayor of the City of New York.

New York, NYFebruary 18, 2022: Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell speaks during announcement by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams at Fulton street subway station. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

: A young newsworthy girl sharing a laugh outside her tent in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. Editorial credit: arindambanerjee / Shutterstock.com

After Construction Worker Falls to His Death, Advocates Pressure Hochul

BY AMIR KHAFAGY DOCUMENTED NY

On Monday, November 28, an unidentified construction worker fell 162 feet to his death while working at a non-union construction site in the Upper West Side. Fellow construction workers huddled below the scaffolding the following night to mourn his death. A makeshift vigil was left at the site consisting of flowers and candles to honor his memory.

Across the city, construction worker vigils are common. His death was the third in November.

On November 1, 27-year-old immigrant worker Raúl Tenelema Puli was killed at a Brooklyn construction site. The next day, another construction worker was killed while working on a construction site in Queens.

According to most recent data collected by the state, deaths at New York City construction sites appear to be on the rise with the majority of those deaths occurring on non-union sites. Immigrant workers are also disproportionately dying on construction sites. In response, policymakers are calling for the governor to sign a long-awaited bill that aims to reduce deaths and injuries.

Nearly 80 percent of private construction in New York is done by non-union workers. The decline in non-union construction labor began over the past decade as the city began to recover from the damage of the 2008 recession. For contractors looking to save money, openshop work sites, which are jobs that employ mostly non-union workers but hire some union workers as well, are up to 30 percent cheaper than union sites.

Part of the reason it’s cheaper is that contractors are not required to pay union wages or benefits, nor are they obligated to adhere to union rules. A 2021 report by the Economic Policy Institute found that union construction workers earned on average 40 percent more than their nonunion workers.

In 2018, the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) released a report that found that 86 percent of construction deaths in New York were on non-union work sites. The report found that sites were not as thoroughly inspected as union work sites.

Monday’s tragic incident was no different. The worker who died was employed by the Brooklyn-based scaffolding com-

pany Rennon Construction Corp. The company racked up over $10,000 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations in 2018. The Department of Buildings immediately issued a stop work order for the site and is currently investigating.

“Construction workers in our City deserve a safe working environment, and incidents like this week’s fatal fall are completely unacceptable,” Ryan J. Degan, OSHA Deputy Press Secretary said. “We are conducting a thorough investigation, along with our partners in law enforcement, into exactly how this could have happened, and to determine whether any corners were cut on the job which may have been contributing factors.”

A representative for Rennon Construction Corp declined to comment for this story.

Monday’s construction worker death has added yet another body to the growing industry death toll. Adding to the most recent data collected by New York State, there have been at least 24 construction worker deaths this year. Most deaths occurred in New York City

and were mostly caused by falls.

Charlene Obernauer, Executive Director of NYCOSH, says that until data is released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2024, there is no way to know for sure how many workers have died this year. She said that because it’s the first time the state has collected the data she’s unsure how accurate it is and that the number could be much larger.

Thus far, Obernaueror has analyzed OSHA data and found that in 2021 there were 39 fatalities in New York construction sites, an increase from 29 deaths in 2020. Of all the deaths in 2021, 82 percent occurred in non-union sites. Injuries sustained by falls have also skyrocketed to record highs with 194 workers injured in 2021.

Obernaueror suspects that this year’s total death rate could be greater than last year’s and hopes that legislation like Carlos’ Law, which was passed by New York State Legislature in August but has yet to be signed by the governor, will reduce the dangers for workers.

“While we cannot conclusively say that the rate of construction worker fatalities is increasing until more data is released, the trend that we are seeing is certainly concerning,” she said. “We need common sense legislation to prevent more workers from dying — legislation like Carlos’ Law that would lead to real consequences for employers who willfully disregard health and safety laws.”

First introduced in 2018 and named after Carlos Moncayo, an immigrant construction worker who was killed due to a trench collapse in 2015, Carlos’ Law would place criminal penalties upon contractors of at least $300,000 for a misdemeanor and $500,000 for a felony conviction for a worker’s death or injury. The construction industry has long been opposed to the bill arguing that it would push the industry into a recession.

Avi Small, First Deputy Press Secretary for Governor Kathy Hochul, declined to discuss the Governor’s position on the bill by simply stating that she was currently “reviewing the legislation.”

State Senator Jessica Ramos, who was the lead sponsor of Carlos’ Law, believes that the law would incentivize contractors to prioritize workers’ safety lest they face criminal liability.

“When we finally passed Carlos’s Law in the Legislature last spring, I read the names of 74 workers who died on their job sites in NYC into the record,” she said. “It is terrible to learn that yet another worker isn’t returning home while this bill waits for the Governor’s signature.

Governor Hochul can take immediate action to protect workers and save lives by picking up her pen and signing this law today.”l

Reprinted with kind permission. Article first published on December 2, 2022 by DocumentedNY.

A law that would introduce hefty penalties for worker deaths has been pending for months

Selling Your Home? Don't Skip These 3 Essential Steps or Your Sale Will Suffer

If you want to sell your home quickly — and for the most profit — you can't just list it and cross your fingers. Successful sales are well-planned sales, and there are several ways in which you can make sure your own home sale turns out as you'd like it to.

1. Know Your Target Market

What kind of people are buying homes in your area? Is your neighborhood popular among new families, retirees, young singles? Do a little research to see what type of buyers are typically attracted to the area and figure out how your home caters to their lifestyle. Marketing is one of the most important aspects when it comes to a successful home sale and knowing who to target is the first step.

Once you have learned a bit about your potential buyers and what they're looking for, use that information to guide the rest of your sale preparations. Consider what you've learned about their wants and needs and carry that into any renovations you do, your listing, and your open houses. Make your home one that your buyers really want to live, and you just might find yourself in the midst of a bidding war!

2. Call In The Pros

When you sell your home without enlisting in the help of a professional, you open the door for significant mistakes to be made. Real estate professionals have the expert knowledge and experience that is needed to steer your home sale towards the best possible outcome. They can offer advice on listing price, marketing materials, open houses, offers received, and can take care of paperwork.

Attempting to do everything yourself may sound feasible, but you could sell yourself short by accidentally pricing your home too low, or you may be on the

market forever if you price it too high. Mistakes in contractual paperwork could land you in hot water, and overall, you're more likely to experience stress during your home sale if you try to do it all yourself. Find a real estate agent that you're comfortable with, and you'll be more likely to get what your home is worth without the extra stress.

3. Fix It Up

Making sure that key renovations are upto-date before selling your home is another crucial factor if you want to sell it quickly and profitably. Important things to consider include your kitchen, bathrooms, and roof, as buyers tend to scrutinize those areas the most during a walkthrough. Make sure that everything is in good condition and looks presentable before listing — you don't want potential buyers to see any red flags when looking at your property.

Ready to sell your home? Contact an experienced real estate professional today to make the most of your sale. Call Equity Smart Realty Inc at 888-670-6791. We would be happy to share our guidance.l

Barbados Should Be a Hub for Innovation

Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, wants to see Barbados become a “hub for innovation” again.

Senator Cummins expressed this view on Saturday, December 11, night, as she delivered the feature address at the Barbados Association of Professional Engineers’ (BAPE) Annual Engineering Awards and Dinner, at the Savannah Beach Hotel, Hastings, Christ Church.

Noting that Barbados was a “first mover” in solar panels, the Minister queried why new innovations and manufacturing products were not being created that would be responsive to and anticipate the needs of a renewable energy transitioning country.

“Why does Barbados not become the hub anywhere in the world for research and development, innovation and manufacturing technology in renewable energy, and then become that nation that collaborates to export that knowledge, whether we export the finished product, or the knowledge by way of the intellectual property?” she asked.

Senator Cummins noted that no country in the region had “taken the kind of

strides in renewable energy that Barbados has”, despite the difficulties that it has faced.

She continued: “How are you going to be creating first-mover advantage? How are you creating new knowledge, new products, new services, and new innovations that set the region on fire? Where is Barbados going to go next? In wind, in hydrogen, in geothermal or in PV?”

She gave the commitment that early in the new year she would meet with various entities, including BAPE, the Barbados Renewable Energy Association, and the Barbados Manufacturing Association,

along with The University of the West Indies, and examine how Barbados should be positioned as a world-class innovator in energy resources.

During the night, engineers Lt. Col. Trevor Browne, Peter Williams and Ralph Adams were announced as Fellows for 2021, and Dr. Grenville Phillips II, as a Fellow for 2022.

The Barbados Water Authority’s Vineyard Water Augmentation Project received an award for Project of the Year 2021, while the Barbados Light and Power’s Clean Energy Bridge was awarded Project of the Year 2022.l

members of the borough's community board.

"Community boards offer a direct link to the community, from everyday residents to government bureaucracy. The government is notorious for its complex navigation. So, people need a place where they can have their issues resolved. They offer a place or forum where people, all voices in a community, can be heard and can engage with city government," says Ms. Carol-Ann Church.

Ms. Church's journey toward the position began while growing up in the twinisland Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. She started practicing being involved in community service at various levels, which eventually became a significant part of her life.

"From making sure the neighbor was good on a Sunday with a meal to becoming part of the community soccer groups. Civic engagement has always been a part of my life. And when I moved here, I eventually started working for a not-forprofit organization that engaged with community boards as part of their planning processes. I finally got a degree in planning and ended up working at a community board in Brooklyn. And today, I am the director of Community Boards.

Brooklyn Community Boards

In Brooklyn Borough, eighteen Community Boards were founded to represent the needs of the various neighborhoods. They are involved in multiple issues that affect business owners, residents, and other stakeholders. They also can manage budgets, provide city servic-

es, and oversee zoning and land use issues.

Presently, the borough's community board application season is open. This grassroots level of local government ensures that the perspective of people who live and work in a neighborhood is represented in their community's decisions, programs, and policies.

The Borough President, Honorable Antonia Reynoso, has displayed his commitment to the success of the community boards. According to the Director, "he is committed to ensuring that the boards have the tools they need to be what the city charter envisioned."

She further explained his commitment by offering a series of workshops for current members and the quest for receiving as many applications as possible in the new open application season to get the most diverse body of seated members.

In her view, the boards are expected to act as advocates. "They need the knowledge, tools, and expertise to fulfill that vision," says Ms. Church. "We need diversity of not just race and ethnicity, but the age of interest, home ownership, and people who use different transportation," she concluded.

Who can serve on a Community Board?

To be eligible, all New Yorkers and Brooklynites who are over 16 years, live, work, and are interested, can serve on a community board. According to Ms. Church, "What you need is to love your community. You and your family live here, and you intend to spend more years here. You're eligible," she says.

In her view, a person becomes eligible because they have a passion, possess the knowledge to share, and help influence

the decisions that will shape the community. "Business owners within the community, workers for non-profits, or teachers in the district qualify to become board members."

Thus, they qualify even if they don't live within the community but advocate and serve people. "Essentially, "you must live, work or have significant interests in the community," she explained.

Additional Information

Interested candidates must find their Community's Board through the NYC Department of Planning's Community District Profiles. Selected members must be committed to a minimum of 6 hours a month to attend meetings. They will be expected to participate in workshops and become trained. "I would say membership requires 6 hours a month. There's a general meeting and a committee meeting. All members would need to join a committee. There are workshops and training that members should attend to be the best possible advocates for their community," says Ms. Church.

Community board members play a significant role in preserving the rights of people within their community and are considered public officials of New York City. However, it is regarded as a voluntary position, and they are not paid for their services.

Next Steps

For more information, visit the community boards page at www.brooklyn-usa.org. Interested persons can scroll down the page and fill in their addresses, which will display their respective community boards based on location.

They can complete an application, which is now open and ongoing until

February 14th, 2023. The director explained, "It does include a personal statement section, so one should think about what they'd like to see, why they'd like to be on the board," she clarified.

At the end of the application period, council members will review the list of applicants, conduct interviews, and select a new cohort to join the group in the spring.

Plans for Executing the Borough President's Vision

In line with meeting the vision of the Borough President, the director intends to focus on launching an extensive outreach toward Brooklynites during the open application season. A kind that no one has ever done. She wants to engage with members of diverse age groups and demographics within the city to increase participation.

"Right now, we're engaging with youth groups because we'd like to have members within the age of 16 to 18 on the board," she says. "It's about engaging with mature residents, ensuring that these residents are also represented on all our community boards."

They also intend to appeal to immigrant New York groups who may have yet to learn English as their first language. "These people are in the survival stage, but their voices and needs must also be heard. "

Main Goal as Director of Brooklyn Community Board

Despite several goals Ms. Church intends to pursue during her tenure, increased enrollment and diversified membership remain critical. She expressed her aim at having the seats occupied by candidates within the 16 to 18 age group on all the boards, among others.

This objective addresses the existing challenge on the community's board. According to records, about one-quarter of Brooklynites are 18 years old and below. However, in the last application cycle, most of the applicants and the appointees on the community boards were between 45-64 years.

Additionally, the community boards lack both racial and ethnic diversity, and they do not adequately represent the borough's diversity in housing, immigration, education, disability, and gender.

These concerns have led Borough President Reynoso to flip the imbalance a priority by diversifying membership and empowering the boards to influence the decisions that affect their neighborhoods.

"The city charter allows for two youths in that age group. I'd like to have them. There are 18 boards in Brooklyn. We should have 36 members ages 16 to 18 on the boards. I'd also like to ensure that every board has residents sitting on that board and increase the number of applications we get. The number of applications varies across community districts, with too many under 50. So we're working to ensure that each board has at least 50 applications that we can review."

Ms. Church believes, "The best way to help make a change in your community and influence decisions is by joining your community board."l

Listen to the full interview at www.cawnyc.com

Carol-Ann Church /

Haiti Receives First Shipment of Cholera Vaccines

Port-au-Prince, December 12, 2022 (PAHO): With the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Haiti today received around 1.17 million doses of oral cholera vaccines as cases continue to rise in the country.

The vaccine (Euvichol) was provided by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision (IGC), which manages the global cholera vaccine stockpile, following a request by Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP, its acronym in French).

Haiti’s vaccination campaign is set to start in the next days, initially targeting populations over the age of one year in Cite Soleil, Delmas, Tabarre, Carrefour and Port-au-Prince in the Ouest Department and Mirebalais in the Centre Department – areas in which most of the cholera cases have been reported, to date.

“Haiti has experience in managing cholera, but the fragile security situation has slowed down response efforts, so the arrival of these vaccines is most welcome,” PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne said. “PAHO has been working with Haiti since the resurgence of cholera and will continue to support the national authorities to quickly distribute vaccines,

monitor cases and provide life-saving care.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of the oral vaccine in combination with other measures –particularly water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions – to prevent the spread of the water-borne disease.

PAHO is providing technical and financial assistance to the MSPP to implement the vaccination campaign, including training of health workers, guidance to identify priority communities and potential barriers, deployment of record management tools and risk communication and community engagement activities to

encourage vaccine uptake.

“The arrival of oral vaccines in Haiti is a step in the right direction,” MSPP Director General Lauré Adrien said. “We are integrating this tool into our national strategy, which includes surveillance, water and sanitation interventions, social mobilization, and treatment.”

“We hope this first shipment will be followed by others so that the vaccine is available to all populations at risk in Haiti,” Adrien added. An additional batch of around 500,000 doses is expected to arrive in Haiti in the coming weeks.

Cholera has spread geographically within Haiti in the past weeks. As of today,

the National Department of Epidemiology, Laboratories, and Research (DELR) reports 1,220 confirmed cases and over 280 deaths due to cholera in eight departments, with over 14,100 suspected cases spread across all 10 departments in the country.

“PAHO has been working closely with the MSPP to scale up critical operations to treat and prevent cholera,” said Maureen Birmingham, PAHO/WHO Representative in Haiti. “Vaccination is one additional strategy to help slow down transmission,” she added.

PAHO has so far provided over 49 tons of essential medical supplies to support Cholera Treatment Centers set up by national authorities and partners in the most affected areas. Materials include oral rehydration salts, Ringer’s Lactate solution and infusion sets, cholera beds, as well as non-medical supplies such as fuel to support operations and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies.

PAHO is also assisting the Government in setting up rapid response teams throughout the country to follow-up on alerts, raise awareness about preventive measures within communities, and address WASH issues.l

Subsidized Child Care to Include Undocumented Families for First Time

BY REEMA AMIN CHALKDUST

Next month, New York City will begin providing subsidized child care to low-income, undocumented families, who typically can’t access such services because of their immigration status.

The $10 million initiative, called Promise NYC, is expected to serve 600 children over the next six months, city officials announced Wednesday. It also aims to help the influx of asylum-seeking families from South America who have come to New York City over the past several months.

Because children from undocumented families typically don’t qualify for state or federally subsidized child care, advocates had pushed state lawmakers to expand care for undocumented children earlier this year. But that effort failed. In the spring, city lawmakers pushed the mayor to include $10 million in this year’s budget expanding childcare for undocumented children. In June, Mayor

Eric Adams committed to funding the initative, which would pay for vouchers and “develop a mechanism for families to seek care without compromising the confidentiality of their immigration status,” according to his “Blueprint for Child Care & Early Childhood Education in New York City.”

The city tapped four community-based organizations with “deep ties to immigrant communities in their respective boroughs” to help launch the program: the Chinese American Planning Council

in Queens, Center For Family Life in Brooklyn, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation in Manhattan and the Bronx, and La Colmena will help Staten Island families.

The four organizations, which are contracting with the city’s Administration for Child Services, will be responsible for signing up eligible families.

Beginning in January, low-income undocumented families will be eligible to participate in the city’s child care voucher program, which provides free or lowcost child care to families with children

ages 6 weeks to 13 years old. (To qualify, they must earn less than 300% of the federal poverty level.) Child care providers — licensed center-based or registered home-based care — will get reimbursed by the community organizations overseeing the program, city officials said.

Many asylum-seeking families residing in shelters are having trouble finding work without access to child care, according to Gothamist.

In a statement, Adams said his plan will alleviate the challenges that come with being a new immigrant.

“Navigating obstacles in a new city and a new country are tough, and coupling those issues with a lack of child care can prevent parents and families from achieving the dream they so desperately set out to achieve,” Adams said.

Reema Amin is a reporter covering New York City schools with a focus on state policy and English language learners. Chalkbeat (chalkbeat.org) is a nonprofit news organization covering public education.”

Estate Planning Guide

Advance Care Planning: Health Care Directives

Advance care planning is not just about old age. At any age, a medical crisis could leave you too ill to make your own health care decisions. Even if you are not sick now, planning for health care in the future is an important step toward making sure you get the medical care you would want, if you are unable to speak for yourself and doctors and family members are making the decisions for you.

Many Americans face questions about medical treatment but may not be capable of making those decisions, for example, in an emergency or at the end of life. This article will explain the types of decisions that may need to be made in such cases and questions you can think about now so you're prepared later. It can help you think about who you would want to make decisions for you if you can't make them yourself. It will also discuss ways you can share your wishes with others. Knowing who you want to make decisions on your behalf and how you would decide might take some of the burden off family and friends.

What is advance care planning?

Advance care planning involves learning about the types of decisions that might need to be made, considering those decisions ahead of time, and then letting others know—both your family and your health care providers—about your preferences.

These preferences are often put into an advance directive, a legal document that goes into effect only if you are incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself. This could be the result of disease or severe injury—no matter how old you are. It helps others know what type of medical care you want.

An advance directive also allows you to express your values and desires related to end-of-life care. You might think of it as a living document—one that you can adjust as your situation changes because of new information or a change in your health.

Making your advance care wishes known

There are two main elements in an advance directive—a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care. There are also other documents that can supplement your advance directive. You can choose

which documents to create, depending on how you want decisions to be made. These documents include: •Living will •Durable power of attorney for health care

•Other advance care planning documents

Medical issues that might arise at the end of life include: •DNR orders •Organ and tissue donation •POLST and MOLST forms

How to choose your health care proxy

If you decide to choose a proxy, think about people you know who share your views and values about life and medical decisions. Your proxy might be a family member, a friend, your lawyer, or someone in your social or spiritual community. It's a good idea to also name an alternate proxy. It is especially important to have a

detailed living will if you choose not to name a proxy.

You can decide how much authority your proxy has over your medical care—whether he or she is entitled to make a wide range of decisions or only a few specific ones. Try not to include guidelines that make it impossible for the proxy to fulfill his or her duties. For example, it's probably not unusual for someone to say in conversation, "I don't want to go to a nursing home," but think carefully about whether you want a restriction like that in your advance directive. Sometimes, for financial or medical reasons, that may be the best choice for you.

Of course, check with those you choose as your health care proxy and alternate before you name them officially. Make sure they are comfortable with this responsibility.

Making your health care directives official

Once you have talked with your doctor and have an idea of the types of decisions that could come up in the future and whom you would like as a proxy, if you want one at all, the next step is to fill out the legal forms detailing your wishes. Don't depend on the lawyer to help you understand different medical treatments. Start the planning process by talking with your doctor.p

National Institute on Aging

Updating Your Will

Wills are designed to be ironclad documents that set forth how you want assets dispersed to loved ones.

They take the guesswork — or, in some sad cases, the arguments — out of a critical moment in this very emotional process. But they’re not ironclad at all. In fact, there are several instances in which you should go back and update this document so that it doesn’t end up creating the very end-of-life problems you’re trying to avoid.

Marital Status

If you get married after executing a will, you’ll need to add your new spouse as a beneficiary. Most states allow a spouse to receive their portion of an estate, even if a will is not in place. But securing that benefit can be a lengthy and difficult process. Obviously, your will might also be changed if you get a divorce, since your spouse would typically no longer be a beneficiary. Spouses are also generally named as guardians for minor children and estate executors in wills, so those designations may also need to be updated when a marriage ends.

Tax Laws

Work directly with a professional

estate planner when crafting this document, since they will have the most upto-date information on your will’s tax implications. But be aware that these laws change, and sometimes your final document has to be updated in order to remain in the appropriate legal standing. A legal representative should make periodic reviews of your will, with an eye toward updating things like estate-tax issues.

Financial Situation

If you endure an economic downturn, it may be necessary to pay out less to your beneficiaries to make sure that the estate’s other obligations are still met in your absence. On the other hand, if you experience a notable financial uptick, you may want to increase the benefit for those you leave behind — or maybe even add a new beneficiary.

Adding a ‘P.S.’

If you’re only adding a small change after the will has been competed, you may choose to make what’s called a codicil — basically a legal “P.S.” to your will. An extra page is written, signed and witnessed, just as your original will was, then attached. After death, both documents are to be read and followed. More important chances should involve an entirely new will.

Ask for Advice

A will is your ironclad way to disperse your assets to loved ones as you wish. Don’t be afraid to ask your legal expert for advice on other moments that may benefit your last will and testament. Remember, this document is incredibly important to keep accurate as it articulates your vision and solidifies your legacy.p

Choosing An Estate Attorney

Organizing your estate can be overwhelming without the help of an expert. With the assistance of an estate planning attorney, you can discuss your vision for your assets before death. Don’t risk creating a plan that doesn’t specify your decisions to the exact details.

When searching for a specialized attorney, it’s important to chat with a few different experts in your area. Make sure you feel comfortable in their office as the discussions of

Planning for a Disabled Child

Estate pre-planning should be an important part of everyone’s financial regimen, but this process becomes even more important when you have a child with disabilities.

A lot of factors go into creating a uniquely designed plan, depending on their unique personal challenges and whether they are a minor or adult. The goal is to help your special-needs child continue to lead an enriching, happy life even in your absence.

A Lifetime of Care

The larger goal of special-needs planning is to preserve public aid while also supplementing your child’s care. There are additional benefits to taking care of this right away: If plans are put in place while you’re still alive, the estate avoids probate. Others interested parties, like their grandparents, can contribute to a trust. Named co-trustees can also get hands-on experience in helping with childcare and administering the guardianship. Depending on the child’s capability, this money-management program may be critically important since it will be the only

future path to protecting eligibility for benefits. It will provide additional funds for a broader scope of care and create a financial resource should benefits become restricted or end all together.

Special-Needs Trust

Children are at particular risk if they are unable to live independently after the death of a parent of guardian. A special-needs trust can ensure that they are provided with needed resources and care over the course of

their lifetime. Parents or guardians should name the trust as a beneficiary in their will, according to the American Bar Association, instead of the child. Many public-aid options are designed to be resource dependent, meaning recipients aren’t eligible if they have access to a certain amount of money. These trusts allow for an inheritance without endangering aid provided by Medicaid, SSI or other government programs because assets held in trust are not directly available to the child. Funds from life-insurance policies, IRAs and retirement plans can also be directed to the trust, and the child still has access to other programs.

Designating a Caretaker

Beyond the obvious financial considerations, parents and guardians must select a designated caretaker to look after their special-needs child — or to manage their care, if the child is in an assisted-living environment. Work with an attorney who specializes in estate planning in order to create both a trust and this succession plan, since states have differing regulations and laws regarding who may serve as a legal guardian.p

finances and final wishes can be intimate. Once you find several attorneys to interview for the role, here are some questions you should ask before deciding:

How Long Have They Been Practicising Estate Planning Law?

Many general attorneys will advertise that estate planning is a part of their practice. They can be a great help when creating legal documents like a will, health care directives and power of attorney. However, if your financial situation is more complicated, an experienced estate planning lawyer will have better knowledge of the ever-changing laws and know how to protect your legacy.

You should also know how long they have been in practice. Someone who has extensive experience in the industry has likely discovered flaws in previous cases and has learned how to correct them. Ensuring your final wishes are in good hands, is great peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.

Do They Regularly Update Plans?

To stay on top of your estate, find an attorney who offers an updating and

continued on page 4

Importance of a Living Trust

Most know how critical it is to create a last will and testament when estate pre-planning. Despite its name, however, a will isn’t the final document you need to ensure a smooth transferal of your earthly possessions to the next generation. Here’s a look at how a living trust smooths the way for the proper execution of your will.

How Trusts Work

Without a living trust, you risk sending your surviving family members through a drawn-out legal proceeding known as probate. These hearings first determine whether a will is valid. They then turn their attention to locating and valuing a decedent’s assets. Any outstanding bills and tax debts are paid. Finally, probate hearings make a determination on distributing whatever remains to those who are named in your will. Living trusts streamline the process, proving for a designated family member or friend to manage your property. They can then quickly resolve these end-of-life issues.

Appointing Someone

The very first requirement is finding an executor who you completely trust to handle this important process in your absence. Your executor should also be someone who is mature enough to deal with a very difficult assignment. If you can’t find the right person — or if the intention is to leave out all direct beneficiaries — then you can name a representative from your bank or trust company to handle things.

Setting Them Up

A person who you appoint handles everything that the court would slowly work its way through, transferring ownership to your intended

beneficiaries and following any other instructions. Seek out the advice of an attorney who specializes in living trusts and wills, so that you can be assured that everything in these documents is legally binding. What if you change you mind? Living trusts are revocable, as long as you’re deemed mentally competent.

Potential Problems

There is one notable downside. Living trusts are typically far more costly to set up than the average straight-forward will. In the long run, however, that additional cost will be worth it in your absence since your family won’t have to deal with probate. Be aware that some banks and mortgage companies require that any real estate be removed from the trust before refinancing. A pre-planning professional can walk you through the process. Also, be sure to name yourself and spouse as trustees in your living will, so you’ll remain in control of all assets before your death. your finances will be fixed and approved, allowing everyone else to move on with grieving.p

Choosing An Estate Attorney/ continued from page 3

maintenance program. The service may cost more, but they will contact you throughout the year and discuss new techniques, life-changing events which may impact your plans and alterations to laws.

Working with a lawyer who stays in contact with you about your estate plan ensures your documents will be up-to -date when it’s needed.

How Do They Charge?

Estate planning is necessary to prepare your family before your death. Ask about the fees the attorney charges. During the interview, find out if he or she charges a fixed rate or hourly. You don’t want to be surprised with unexpected fees. p

Christmas Message from Mrs. Alsion Wilson,O.D. Consul General of Jamaica, New York

My fellow Jamaicans in the Diaspora and at home, as well as our Friends of Jamaica, I, along with the staff at the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York, are delighted to convey to you and your loved ones, warm greetings on the occasion of another Christmas season.

Christmas is that special time of year when we come together as family and friends to spread joy and cheer to many whom we hold dear, as well as those less fortunate among us.

As Jamaicans, our traditional Christmas dinner, Christmas cake, festivities, reggae-inspired carols, and Grand Market, have brought our unique Christmas flare into our extended homes here in the US and across the globe. We have also used the opportunity to engage in numerous charitable initiatives, toy drives and special fundraisers that have and will continue to make a difference in the lives of our communities.

It is in this regard, that I use this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Jamaican Diaspora and Friends of Jamaica, for the generous support received towards the attainment of our goals and objectives for a better and brighter Jamaica. Our country is poised for economic growth of 5.2% for 2023, which carries with it the promise of opportunity.

Having celebrated our country’s 60th Anniversary of Independence, together, with the historic proclamation of

Jamaican Flag Day throughout New York, in addition to our Signature Community Gala, this year has been most memorable.

During this special season, may your homes be filled with love, peace, happiness and good health. May this Christmas help us to rediscover the bonds that keep us together and reignite our nation for greatness.

Let us continue to play our part in building a more prosperous and peaceful Jamaica.

From my family to yours, we wish you happiness, health, love and peace this holiday season.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!l

This ponche de créme is Trinidad's traditional Christmas drink. It's got quite a kick if you use just the right amount of rum.

By Crystal_Clare, AllRecipes.com

Ingredients 6 large eggs, beaten 2 teaspoons grated lime zest 3 (14 ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk ¾ cup canned evaporated milk 1 ½ cups rum 1 tablespoon aromatic bitters 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

Step 1

Beat eggs and lime zest in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually pour in condensed milk while continuing to mix, and then pour in evaporated milk.

Step 2

Stir in rum and bitters and sprinkle with nutmeg. Transfer to a bottle and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Step 3 Serve over crushed ice into each bowl.

Editor's Notes

This recipe contains raw egg. We recommend that pregnant women, young children, older adults, and the immunocompromised do not consume raw egg. You may replace the 6 eggs in this recipe with 1 1/2 cups of purchased pasteurized egg product. You may also pasteurize your own eggs by heating in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir constantly so you do not cook the eggs, and heat to 160 degrees F (68 degrees C).l

Prep Time: 15 mins

Additional: Time: 1 hrs

Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins

Trinidad's Ponche de Créme (Cream Punch)

Kitchen Corner

Mrs. Alsion Wilson, O.D.

Photo courtesy: Consulate of Jamaica, NY

As Viral Infections Skyrocket, Masks Are Still a Tried-and-True Way to Help Keep Yourself and Others Safe

BY EMILY TOTH MARTIN & MARISA EISENBERG

The cold and flu season of 2022 has begun with a vengeance. Viruses that have been unusually scarce over the past three years are reappearing at remarkably high levels, sparking a “tripledemic” of COVID-19, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. This November’s national hospitalization levels for influenza were the highest in 10 years.

We are infectious disease epidemiologists and researchers, and we have spent our careers focused on understanding how viruses spread and how best to stop them.

To respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we and our public health colleagues have had to quickly revive and apply decades of evidence on respiratory virus transmission to chart a path forward. Over the course of the pandemic, epidemiologists have established with new

certainty the fact that one of our oldest methods for controlling respiratory viruses, the face mask, remains one of the most effective tools in a pandemic.

A slew of circulating viruses

Unlike the many past waves of COVID19 since the spring of 2020, this fall’s surge of respiratory disease is not due to a single novel virus. Rather, now that

masks and other measures have gone by the wayside, the U.S. has returned to the classic cold and flu season pattern. In a typical year, many viruses cocirculate and cause similar symptoms, leading to a wave of illness that includes ever-shifting combinations of more than 15 types and subtypes of viruses.

Nowhere is this pattern more obvious than in young children. Our research has shown that classrooms house many viruses at once, and that individual kids can be infected with two or three viruses even during a single illness.

While mere inconveniences for most people, respiratory viruses like the seasonal flu are responsible for missed work and school. In some cases they can lead to severe illnesses, especially in very young children and older adults. After years of fighting one virus, parents are now exhausted by the reality of battling many, many more.

But there is a straightforward way to cut down on the risk for ourselves and others. When it comes to individual decisions, masks are among the most lowcost and most effective steps that can be taken to broadly reduce transmission of a multitude of viruses.

The latest research

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers were studying the effectiveness of masks at reducing transmission of other respiratory viruses. Meta-analyses of viral spread during the original SARS epidemic in 2002-2003 showed that one infection was averted for every six people wearing a mask, and for every three people who were wearing an N95 mask.

Mask-wearing by health care workers has long been considered a primary strategy for protecting young at-risk infants from RSV infection transmitted in hospital settings. Scientific evaluation of the effectiveness of masks has historically been clouded by the fact that mask-wearing is often used in conjunction with other strategies, such as hand-washing. Nonetheless, the use of personal protective equipment, including masks, as well as gowns, gloves and possibly goggles in the health care setting, has been commonly associated with reduced transmission of RSV.

Similarly, one of the largest preCOVID-19 randomized studies of maskwearing, conducted with over a thousand University of Michigan residence hall students in 2006 to 2007, found that symptomatic respiratory illness was reduced among mask-wearers. This was especially true when masks were combined with hand hygiene.

More recently, researchers measured the amount of virus present in exhaled breath from people with respiratory symptoms to study how well masks blocked the release of virus particles. Those who were randomly selected to wear a mask

had lower levels of respiratory shedding for influenza, rhinovirus – which causes the common cold – and non-SARS coronaviruses, than those with no mask.

Now, three years into the pandemic, evidence around masks and our experience using them has grown enormously. Laboratory studies and outbreak investigations have shown that masks lower the amount of virus that enters the air and reduce the quantity of viruses that enter our airways when we breathe. Recent studies have shown that wearing a surgical mask in an indoor public setting reduces the odds of testing positive for COVID-19 by 66%, and wearing an N95/KN95 type of mask lowers the odds of testing positive by 83%.

Infections drop when schoolchildren are masked

Our own research has shown the major impact of mask-wearing on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – and other viruses. During the circulation of the highly transmissible delta variant in the fall of 2021, we found that schoolwide mask requirements were linked to a reduction in COVID-19 infections. School-age children living in districts without mask requirements were infected at a higher rate that increased faster in the early weeks of the school year than their counterparts in districts with complete or partial mask requirements. Similar patterns occurred in other states coinciding with the lifting of school mask requirements in spring 2022.

Our preliminary work in a community with frequent mask-wearing behavior has found that the rate of non-COVID respiratory illness in families fell by 50% during 2020 and 2021 compared with earlier years. In our study, as participants reported the relaxing of mask-wearing and other mitigation behaviors in early 2022, the viruses that are now gripping the U.S. began to return. This resurgence started, curiously enough, with a reappearance of the four “common cold” seasonal coronaviruses.

Unfortunately, vaccines are only available for two of the major causes of respiratory illness: SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. Likewise, antiviral treatments are also more commonly available for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza than for RSV. RSV vaccines, which have been in development for many years, are expected to become available soon, but not in time to stem the current wave of illness.

In contrast, masks can reduce transmission for all respiratory viruses, with no need to tailor the intervention to the specific virus that is circulating. Masks remain a low-cost, low-tech way to keep people healthier throughout the holiday season so that more of us can be free of illness for the time that we value with our family and friends.

BY MARY CAMPBELL

Love can be about sharing, caring, and kindness. What many people don't realize, however, is that love can be fattening, as well. A number of psychological and biological factors come into play when you're in love, and they can be behind the pounds that you put on. This understanding isn't merely anecdotal; research backs up the claim. A study followed thousands of participants over a quarter-century, and found that in between 80 and 90 percent of cases, people gained an unhealthy amount of weight in tandem with their spouses. In other words, if your spouse becomes obese, it is likely that you will become obese, as well. It works in reverse, too if your spouse starts out obese in your marriage, but then loses weight, you are likely to lose weight, as well.

Your weight level mirrors the weight level of your partner in the long run for a number of reasons. When you are aware of these reasons, it may help you understand your weight gain, and take steps to counter it.

You put your time into new, different things

Relationships require time to nurture when you're in a long-term relationship, you tend to spend a great deal of time with your partner. This time needs to come out of something else that you used to do -- like working out. Unless you're a fitness freak, it's likely you will forgo your deadlifts and bench press reps for the prospect of spending quality time with the person you're with. The result would be added weight.

Love hormones make it harder for you to want to work out

In the beginning of a new relationship, when you are falling in love, your body produces a great deal of dopamine and oxytocin. These can make you feel relaxed and calm, much like some recreational drugs. People don't usually roll out of bed after having made love and decide to set off for the gym or the running trail. The endorphins in your system make you want to luxuriate in the sensuality that you feel, rather than get exercise. In fact, after such an experience, you're likely to want to go dine out

getting high-fat food, alcohol, and chocolate. These foods add to the sensuality of what you feel and put you on the road to weight gain.

You begin to get too comfortable

When you're single, your mind is aware of the evolutionary pressures it is under. You need to look good in order to compete for mates. This means that you feel motivated to work out and stay in shape. Once you're with a partner and are confident about the long-term success of the relationship, however, you quickly move

past the honeymoon phase. You no longer feel the need to impress your partner, and begin to spend your time hanging out with them, feeling good, eating heartily, and working out less in the process.

You begin to catch unhealthy habits from each other

No matter what kind of health habits you may have getting lots of exercise or none at all habits can be contagious. If you work out hard, you're likely to inspire whoever you live with, to do the same. If your partner loves to get into the kitchen each night to prepare a healthy meal, you may be inspired to get active with healthy food, yourself. If you're in a relationship with someone who doesn't have healthy habits, you may find that those habits rub off on you as well.

Being aware of the ways in which a long-term relationship can sneak up on you and get you to put on weight, can be helpful. You can be aware of these invisible effects, watch out for them, and work against them when you see them. Love can be wonderful, but it does come with side-effects. Once you know what they are, you can be on your guard.l

What Kwanzaa Means for Black Americans

BY FRANK DOBSON THE CONVERSATION

On Dec. 26, millions throughout the world’s African community will start weeklong celebrations of Kwanzaa. There will be daily ceremonies with food, decorations and other cultural objects, such as the kinara, which holds seven candles. At many Kwanzaa ceremonies, there is also African drumming and dancing.

It is a time of communal self-affirmation – when famous Black heroes and heroines, as well as late family members – are celebrated.

As a scholar who has written about racially motivated violence against Blacks, directed Black cultural centers on college campuses and sponsored numerous Kwanzaa celebrations, I understand the importance of this holiday.

For the African-American community, Kwanzaa is not just any “Black holiday.” It is a recognition that knowledge of Black history is worthwhile.

History of Kwanzaa

Maulana Karenga, a noted Black American scholar and activist created Kwanzaa in 1966. Its name is derived

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from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili, the most widely spoken African language. However, Kwanzaa, the holiday, did not exist in Africa.

Each day of Kwanzaa is devoted to celebrating the seven basic values of African culture or the “Nguzo Saba” which in Swahili means the seven principles. Translated these are: unity, selfdetermination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics (building Black businesses), purpose, creativity and faith. A candle is lit on each day to celebrate each one of these principles. On the last day, a black candle is lit and gifts are shared.

Today, Kwanzaa is quite popular. It is celebrated widely on college campuses, the U.S. Postal Service issues Kwanzaa stamps, there is at least one municipal park named for it, and there are special Kwanzaa greeting cards.

Kwanzaa’s meaning for black community

Kwanzaa was created by Karenga out of the turbulent times of the 1960’s in Los Angeles, following the 1965 Watts riots, when a young African-American was

pulled over on suspicions of drunk driving, resulting in an outbreak of violence.

Subsequently, Karenga founded an organization called Us – meaning, black people – which promoted black culture. The purpose of the organization was to provide a platform, which would help to rebuild the Watts neighborhood through a strong organization rooted in African culture.

Karenga called its creation an act of cultural discovery, which simply meant that he wished to point African-Americans to greater knowledge of their African heritage and past.

Rooted in the struggles and the gains of the civil rights and black power movements of the 1950s and 1960s, it was a way of defining a unique black American identity. As Keith A. Mayes, a scholar of African-American history, notes in his book,

“For Black power activists, Kwanzaa was just as important as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Kwanzaa was their answer to what they understood as the ubiquity of white cultural practices that oppressed them as thoroughly as had Jim Crow laws.”

Overturning white definitions

Today, the holiday has come to occupy a central role, not only in the U.S. but also in the global African diaspora.

A 2008 documentary, “The Black Candle” that filmed Kwanzaa observances in the United States and Europe, shows children not only in the United States, but as far away as France, reciting the principles of the Nguzo Saba. It brings together the Black community not on the basis of their religious faith, but a shared cultural heritage. Explaining the importance of the holiday for African-Americans today, writer Amiri Baraka, says during an interview in the documentary,

“We looked at Kwanzaa as part of the struggle to overturn white definitions for our lives.”

Indeed, since the early years of the holiday, until today, Kwanzaa has provided many black families with tools for instructing their children about their African heritage.

Current activism and Kwanzaa This spirit of activism and pride in the African heritage is evident on college campus Kwanzaa celebrations – one of which I recently attended. (It was done a few days early so that students going on break could participate.)

The speaker, a veteran of the Nashville civil rights movement, spoke about Kwanzaa as a time of memory and celebration. Wearing an African dashiki, he led those in attendance – blacks and whites and those of other ethnicities – in Kwanzaa songs and recitations. On a table decorated in kente cloth, a traditional African fabric, was a kinara, which contains seven holes, to correspond to the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. There were three red candles on the left side of the kinara, and three green candles on the right side of the kinara. The center candle was black. The colors of the candles represent the red, black and green of the African Liberation flag.

The auditorium was packed. Those in attendance, young and old, black and white, held hands and chanted slogans celebrating black heroes and heroines, as diverse as the civil rights icons, Rosa Parks and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Jamaican musician Bob Marley.

It was a cultural observance that acknowledged solidarity with the struggles of the past and with one another. Like the black power movements, such as today’s Black Lives Matter movement, it is an affirmation of “Black folks’ humanity,” their “contributions to this society” and “resilience in the face of deadly oppression.”

Karenga wanted to “reaffirm the bonds between us” (Black people) and to counter the damage done by the “holocaust of slavery.” Kwanzaa celebrations are a moment of this awareness and reflection.

l

Frank Dobson is an Associate Dean of Students, Vanderbilt University

In place of snow, there is sand, with white beaches and bikini weather on Christmas Day. Instead of evergreens dressed up for the holiday, you can admire swaying palm trees, with and without holiday lights. It is those differences that make Christmas in the Caribbean so special, but there are many similarities as well.

When you live in the Caribbean or celebrate the amazing heritage of the islands, you still gather with family and friends for the holidays. You still exchange presents, and the kids still wait anxiously for Santa to arrive. He may be dressed for the tropics, but the jolly old elf will still land on the roof and climb down the chimney.

For those with Caribbean heritage, Christmas is truly the best time of year, and the differences in the ways it is celebrated just make the holiday season that much more special. Whether you hail from the Caribbean or just want to support your friends who do, consider incorporating these fun, island-inspired activities into your Christmas and holiday celebrations.

Carols by Candlelight

Signing Christmas carols has been a time-honored tradition since the early

days of the celebration, but there is something extra special when you add a touch of candlelight. Caroling after dark is a popular pastime throughout the Caribbean, and it's a great addition to any existing family celebration.

Just think about how much you and your loved ones will love heading out in the darkness, armed with candles to light the way and perhaps a thermos of cocoa or two. You may even inspire others along the way, and before you know it, the entire neighborhood will be singing a happy and festive tune.

A Truly Royal Feast

If you think Americans gorge themselves at Christmas, you clearly have never

spent time in Jamaica, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago or other parts of the Caribbean. As the holiday season approaches, Caribbean residents everywhere start gathering up the makings of a truly monumental feast, and they spend all day Christmas indulging in tastes old and new.

Some of these holiday indulgences will be familiar to any American, including roast ham or turkey and delicious pies. Others are more exotic, with unusual tastes like oxtail, curry goat, jerk pork, oil down and the ever-popular gungo peas. And the drinks, oh my! Sorrel, rum punch, ponche de créme and more! Don’t forget the black cake; a slice of heaven on earth. If you want to have a Caribbean

Christmas this year, you might want to skip the chain grocery store and head off to a gourmet market or shops selling Caribbean products instead.

Church Services

In the crush of commercialism and endless shopping, it's easy to forget about the true meaning of the Christmas season, but Caribbean celebrants have not forgotten. They still love to shop in the islands, and they certainly enjoy exchanging presents with those they love, but they also understand that attending church is an integral part of the celebration.

There you have it: Christmas in the Caribbean, a tradition of caring, giving, devotion, and feasting. Whether you are celebrating Christmas in the islands or far away, you can indulge in these timehonored celebrations, even if there's not a single snowflake in sight. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!l

Caribbean Christmas/

Caribbean cuisine stall at Christmas market Editorial credit: Elena Dijour / Shutterstock.com

Can the US and Africa Usher in a New Era for Globalization?

BY KATHERINE WALLA ATLANTICCOUNCIL.ORG

As the United States looks to usher in a “new version” of globalization focused on resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability, it has eyes on its economic relationship with Africa, according to US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Tai spoke at an Atlantic Council Front Page event on Frida, December 2 alongside the African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA) secretary-general, Wamkele Mene. She explained that the current form of globalization has done a great job to expand the size of the economic pie, but it “hasn’t done a great job in terms of sharing the pie,” as big companies have gotten the biggest slices, at the expense of small and medium-sized companies. “We need to adjust and rebalance across the board,” she said.

Mene and Tai will attend the White House’s US-Africa Leaders Summit later this month, where African heads of state and government will discuss collaboration on climate change, security, and the economy—and will sign a memorandum of understanding about the US-Africa relationship. Mene said that the global backdrop—Russia’s war in Ukraine and the pandemic—shows how the world is

“incredibly challenged to be more innovative about the tools that we deploy at times of crisis,” with perhaps “the most important tool” being an economic one, based in trade and investment.

Below are highlights from the event, moderated by Africa Center Senior Director Rama Yade, covering everything from the United States’ support for AfCFTA to ways trade policies can include youth, women, and the African diaspora.

Investing in partnership

•Tai said the summit’s discussions on the economy will focus on “unlocking the potential of our relationship, but most importantly, the potential of our people.”

Mene added that, at those discussions, he looks forward to using the summit to update both the US government and corporate America about the opportunities that AfCFTA brings.

•With the economic fallout of Russia’s war and the global pandemic, Tai said the world is “in real need of innovation,” particularly in trade and making supply chains more resilient. “These challenges,” she noted, present the world with an opportunity to “figure out how we do the things that we have already been doing better” to tackle crises such as

climate change.

• When asked about whether the increased engagement of Chinese companies in Africa is impacting the United States’ strategy on the continent, Tai argued that there are “one million reasons” to focus on improving the USAfrica relationship. The United States’ partnership with Africa “is inherently valuable,” she added, so while China’s “aggressive game” across the world is a factor, she said it is “absolutely not” the driving force.

•Tai encouraged the next US Congress, in which will convene in January, to “engage with Africa” on trade. She pointed to the progress of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), first approved by Congress in 2000, which has provided sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US economic market based on a belief that “this

access will stimulate development for our developing-country partners.” But with the legislation expiring in 2025, Tai pleaded for Congress to “think about what comes after AGOA” and how the policy might need to change in the next version of globalization.

A new

trade

narrative: Inclusivity and integration

•Mene, in discussing how globalization has led to inequalities between Africa and some of its trading partners, added that there are also inequalities within AfCFTA. New trade agreements “must take account of the need to address inequality,” he said. Mene outlined several “concrete steps” to do so, such as how AfCFTA calls for phasing out tariffs on most goods by its fifteenth year, which will cut revenues drastically for some countries. Thus, AfCFTA includes an Adjustment Fund to help make up for the lost revenue.

•Speaking about Africa’s regional economic communities—such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa or the Economic Community of West African States— Mene said that AfCFTA will aim to integrate these regions so that they can help increase the size of trade flows across the continent. “Our mandate is complementary to the mandates of the regional economic communities,” he said.

•However, he cautioned that “economic integration cannot be achieved if we continue in our regional silos.” For example, AfCFTA has established Africa’s first set of rules of origin, although negotiations about certain sectors are continuing; before, they varied by region.

•Mene explained that in Africa, small and medium-sized enterprises, many of which are owned by women, contribute a majority of the gross domestic product and provide hundreds of millions of jobs continent-wide. They in turn provide opportunities for young Africans, who are on the “cutting edge” of digital technology innovation. Thus, the AfCFTA secretariat is developing a Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade to “codify legally binding obligations… for the inclusivity of young people… and for the inclusivity of small and medium enterprises,” Mene said.

•In thinking up innovative economic policies to harness the potential of Africans and also Americans, it’ll be important to include the United States and Africa’s shared stakeholders, said Tai. That includes the African diaspora in the United States, which she said will play a “hugely important part.”

•With AfCFTA getting underway and the United States’ investment in its partnership with the continent, “we have a very unique opportunity to make sure that we change the narrative of trade and focus on inclusivity,” Mene said.l

Katherine Walla is an assistant director of editorial at the Atlantic Council. Reprinted with kind permission.

Editorial credit: Shag 7799 / Shutterstock.com