All posts on 2014

  On April 19, 1989, the lives of Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson and Korey Wise were changed when the five Black and Latino teenagers, ages 14 to 16, were arrested and accused of the brutal rape and beating of Trisha Melli, a young white investment banker who was jogging in NYC’s Central Park. The incident, which became internationally known as the Central Park Five, occurred at a time when crime in the city was at an all-time high, and the pressure was on the NYC administration and the police, to make an arrest expeditiously. After close …

“This is not an African disease. This is a virus that is a threat to all humanity,”: WHO It is a statement as seemingly ridiculous as it is crucial to efforts in curbing an Ebola outbreak that has killed over two thousand people in Africa already this year. At a September 4 news conference, Gayle Smith, special assistant to U.S. President Barack Obama, and senior director at the National Security Council, tried to underscore the scope of the latest Ebola epidemic. “This is not an African disease. This is a virus that is a threat to all humanity,” she said. …

Owning Residential Rental Properties Many people view owning rental properties as a great way to earn a decent income with relatively little work involved. However, being the owner of residential rental properties comes with an array of responsibilities. Between responding to requests for repairs made by dissatisfied tenants, arbitrating grievances between disputing residents and chasing down rent from recalcitrant tenants, earning income from a rental property is sometimes anything but passive. Let’s take a look at just a few of the many implications of being a residential landlord. Condition of the dwelling Your first responsibility as a landlord is to …

Search every university campus across Canada and you’ll find just one Black art historian. She is Dr. Charmaine Nelson, in the department of Art History and Communication Studies at McGill University, where she has been since 2004. To this community-minded professor, being “the only one” is not a source of pride but a troubling reminder of how much there’s still to be done to get students of African descent consider this area of study and for Canadian universities to offer positions to qualified Blacks. “The issue of hiring persons of color goes beyond departments of Art History and (permeates) almost …

Twenty-five years after his seminal movie Do the Right Thing presented a unique take on America’s volatile state of race relations, Spike Lee will be in Montreal to receive the Montreal International Black Film Festival’s inaugural PIONEER AWARD. The Academy Award-nominated director and screenwriter will be at the Imperial Theatre in downtown Montreal on Wednesday, September 24, to receive his award and will premiere his latest film, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, following which Lee will participate in a Q&A session. In the almost three decades that he has been in the business, Lee has imposed himself on the consciousness …

Volume 24, Number 16 (Released September 4-18, 2014) IN THIS ISSUE The politics of Ebola: Not just an African problem In Ferguson, Missouri there was always a problem between Blacks and police CENTRAL PARK FIVE RECEIVE $41 Million RESTITUTION Our stories on screen Interested in race and representation Douglas Bartley: A Life-long learning process Lorraine and Thandi in concert on September 27 Novel Thomas: THE NCC IS DEAD,OR IS IT? Kelly Francis: Owning Rental Properties Ian SMITH:Selecting The Right Bank Accounts and Services As A Student Odessa Thornhill Introducing New Foods Awards and scholarships at Cornucopia Event T&T Independence celebrated …

Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica around the world are celebrating the nation’s 52nd anniversary of independence. At home, the celebration will be at the National Stadium with a cast of over 2,500 performers. Part of the event will focus on the 100th anniversary of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, founded by the National Hero, the Right Excellent Marcus Garvey. And several iconic Jamaican artists, including Marcia Griffiths, Freddy McGregor and the Skatalites will be recognized for 50 years of service to Jamaica’s music industry. Griffiths and McGregor will headline the musical performances, which will include Etana, Agent Sasco and the …

Toronto Caribana 2014 Just nine bands were carded to take to the Lakeshore in downtown Toronto for the Scotia Bank Caribbean Carnival on August 2. About six made it over the two roadside stages. But it turned out to be spectacular day of sunshine, music and masquerade…. spectators were treated to the true splendor of carnival from bands such Tribal, Fantazia, Carnival Nationz and Saldenah.  

Passed through the magnificent Panama Canal, now all roads lead to…. 80 to 90 per cent of the country’s emeralds and silver come from this area   Many would say that the destinations we visit on our cruises are like works of art. Certainly the charms of the Panama Canal and Central/South America offer something to satisfy anyone’s sense of aesthetics. As the Coral Princess makes its way across the cool, calm Caribbean Sea one cannot help but reflect on the wonder of the Panama Canal with its majestic locks and serene beauty where so many of our fore-parents toiled, …

Carifiesta 2014 overflowed with energy, as thousands of revelers and spectators jammed along St. Catherine Street in downtown Montreal on Saturday, July 5, for another edition of the much anticipated summertime parade. With just three bands in full masquerade costumes, Roots Cultural Association, JMG and Dave Marshall’s Socalypso Colors and Carnival Vibrations, what Carifiesta lacked in color was more than compensated for by the zest and exuberance of the thousands of young people who were out to enjoy the sparkling sunshine and Caribbean music. Then there was the massive Jab Jab band (Montreal Jab) presented by The Grenada Association, which …