All posts on 2017

Aging in an Age of Innovative Technologies, Global Changes to the Economic Paradigm, and Quebec’s Uniqueness By N Oji Mzilikazi Historical forces of power, racist ideologies, white supremacist education, racist attitudes and practices, and racial, economic and social exclusion accounts for Aboriginals and people of African descent as the premier impoverished and discriminated ethnicities in Canada. As noted in a 2011 report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Wellesley Institute, “a ‘colour code’ is keeping visible minorities out of good jobs in the Canadian labour market.” Things are worse off for Blacks in Quebec regardless of French …

Toy Giveaway and Food at C’bean Paradise on Dec. 17 The Holiday cheer will be in full bloom at Caribbean Paradise  Restaurant on  Sunday, Dec 17  for their annual Christmas Toy and Giveaway Dinner. And the invitation goes out to all  Montrealers  to come and enjoy an afternoon of food, music together with all the joys of the season. A signature event in the community for the past several years, this fun-filled evening is open to all:  rich and poor; old and young.   It’s an opportunity  to share the warmth of the Holidays in a family atmosphere. Together with the …

Black candidates go down to defeat together with popular NDG/CdN mayor Russell Copeman and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre Contact Staff On November 16, Valerie Plante, a 43-year-old mother of two, takes the mayor’s seat at Montreal City Hall, becoming the first woman to hold the job in the city’s 375 year history after leading her party, Projet Montreal, to an unexpected sweep in the November 5, municipal elections. Plante defeated the highly favored Denis Coderre whose boasting of pulling Montreal out of decades of political corruption and ushering in its elevated economic standing fell on deaf ears as Montrealers cast …

Major Gospel Concert at COGOP…. Contact Staff It promises to be a Holy Ghost party at the Montreal West Church of God of Prophecy on November 25 when a line-up of local Gospel stars takes to the stage for their annual fundraising concert. Headlining this year’s event will be Janet Lewis, a US-based Jamaican-born Gospel singer who has been making waves on the circuit lately. Lewis, who holds the distinction of being named Female Artist Of The Year at the Caribbean Gospel Awards, has five albums to her credit and has been a force on tour lately with a spectacular …

Anita Majumbar’s BOYS WITH CARS    Contact Staff For its first major production of the season, Geordie Productions brings to Montrealers a powerful play described as its  “boldest to date,” exploring themes of female empowerment, male privilege and rape culture. The play, “Boys With Cars”, was written, choreographed and performed by Anita Majumdar the daughter of Bengali immigrants from India, who grew up in Port Moody, B.C. It tells the story of teens in a small-town high school through the persona of two diametrically opposed female characters, and according to the playwright “is weaved with traditional lndian, Bollywood and Hip …

In the wake of the November 5 municipal elections, discussions and conversations about the absence of those oft-spoken-about proverbial “visible minorities.” A handful of them were visible on posters around town in that recurring, almost futile attempt, to make inroads into the houses of political power, in this instance at the municipal level. But as always, while a few “visible minorities” were elected, none of them are of African origin. Plainly stated, none of them are Black. All that to say, the diversity many of us Black people were hoping to see this election did not materialize this latest election. …

House of Prayer for all Nations  host spectacular evening Tynisha Mullings On November 11, House of Prayer for All Nations did it again, with their 14th annual fundraiser Banquet at the Schofield Hall in TMR. The night was filled with special guests, three honourees, a king and the power of King of Kings. For the second year the church chose to recognize those who have made significant and meaningful contributions to the Montreal community. And three exceptional individuals were honoured. The Family and Community Achievement Award was presented to Mr. Barlette Scrubb for his influence and initiative towards the advancement …

Thirty years after the murder of Anthony Griffin by police officer Allan Gossett the relationship between police and  community is still strained Contact Staff Anthony Griffin was just 19 years old, that morning on November 11, 1987, when he was shot and killed in cold blood, as they say, by constable Allan Gossett of the Montreal Police Department. As the story went at the time, Griffin got into an altercation with a taxi driver over a $27 fare that resulted in a call to  the police. When they arrived Gossett  decided to arrest Griffin because they found an outstanding warrant …

Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? Are you stuck in a rut? What is a rut? A rut is a habit or pattern of behavior that has become monotonous and unproductive, but is difficult to change. It’s where you presently are in life, but not necessarily where you want to be. You may want to be fit and live a healthier lifestyle, but you’re still eating unhealthily and not exercising, or maybe you’re unhappy with your job, but think changing careers or going back to school would be way too hard or take too long, or …