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Our Legacy

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BY ALYSSA MAHADEO 

Everyone must leave something behind when they depart from this world. The greatest legacy that we can pass on to the next generation is not money or other material things that we have accumulated throughout our lives, but rather a legacy of knowledge, understanding and solutions to the challenges that we have faced during our time in existence.

Every February Black History Month is observed throughout North America. Also, known as African-American History Month, it is a remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. Black History Month festivities and celebrations are celebrated throughout the month and many community organizations have chosen to carry on the message of their ancestors throughout the entire year.

For the past twenty-three years, local Toronto artist Robert Small has presented his own legacy in the form of his Black History Month Legacy Poster. Using his god given talent of artistry and mastery of the paintbrush Robert has produced paintings every year featuring African-Canadians who have excelled in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.

“This year’s poster focuses on five individuals that have excelled in Science, Technology, Arts and Math,” shares Small. “The reason why I chose to focus on those things is because those are careers that will be of high demand in the future especially given the fact of where technology is headed there is a need for youth to be positioned in a way where they can take advantage of opportunities that come in the future.”

Robert Small’s artistic career began at the age of sixteen, and went from having his artwork published in a city-wide newspaper to it being displayed in twenty TTC subway locations across the GTA. Searching for a way to garner interest in Black History Month, Small demonstrated incredible initiative by creating a poster called The Official Black History Month Poster in 1995. He has played a central part in elevating awareness of Black History Month through his art ever since. Robert is a self-taught artist. He graduated from the University of Windsor with a degree in Sociology and a certificate in Criminology. He is also a certified teacher graduating from Teacher’s College at York University. He presently sits on the board of the Ontario National Association of Black School Educators (ONABSE)  and is an active member of the Caribana Arts Group.

Small is the founder of LEGACY Enterprises, a cutting edge, innovative company that uses art as a powerful technique to educate society about the accomplishments of people throughout history who have left us incredible breakthroughs to conquer the world today. LEGACY Enterprises has committed to be a powerful advocate for making school spaces conducive to culturally relevant teachings and transforming community areas into being reflective of our society. We also partner with community business and organizations to build intellectual and culturally empowering capacity in community members to propel society forward.

LEGACY 2017, is the most important piece ever released in the twenty-three-year history of this poster, as it focuses on five African-Canadians who have made great strides in the development and advancement of Science, Technology and The Arts and are role models to the next generation of aspiring Scientists, Artists and Educators.

LEGACY 2017 is a vibrant and bold monumental tribute featuring scientist and politician Howard McCurdy, technological pioneer Leesa Renee Hall, civil engineer and entrepreneur Nasra Agil, Canadian songstress Jully Black and educator Kenneth Fells. Much like the film released earlier this year, these Hidden Figures of society have left a significant mark in their respective fields contributing to the development of many new ideas that are being implemented in the world today.

Through his delicate brushstrokes and steady hand, Small has created an organic representation of African-Canadian accomplishments in his 2017 Legacy Poster. “Art requires you to be creative and in turn allows you to invent different things or think of different ways thing can be applied in the other subjects,” says Small describing the importance of including the arts as one of the subjects that students should continue to focus and choose to pursue. “It is just as important and helpful as any of the other subjects, because it allows for a different technique, a more hands on approach of knowledge intake.”

Howard Douglas McCurdy, mostly recognized by his political career as a Member of Parliament also holds a degree in Microbiology as well as a Master Degree and PhD in Microbiology and Physical Chemistry later joining the Biology Department of Biology at Windsor University.

Author, futurist and technology pioneer Leesa Renee Hall is known for her ability to spot trends, ignore fads and galvanize people around an innovative idea to ignite growth and inspire change. She is the author of seven publications and is admired for her ability to jump start movements such as an association for Blacks working in Technology.

Somali-Canadian Nasra Agil studied civil engineering at Ryerson University where she graduated top of her class and received an Honours Bachelor of Engineering Degree. In 2012 she returned to Somalia to contribute to the local post-conflict reconstruction process. In addition to being a partner at one of the country’s leading Architectural firms, she also serves as an Infrastructure Adviser to the Federal Government of Somalia.

Bold, fierce and powerful Canadian Icon Jully Black is a powerful woman whose presence cannot be ignored. Dubbed Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul, she is a platinum selling recording artist and her music career has yielded multiple chart topping singles in Pop, R&B and Dance Music. Jully’s love of people and passion for philanthropy has taken her across the world championing important causes using her career as a platform to inspire other and celebrate the greatness within us all.

Last, but not least Kenneth M. Fells is a Principal and Africentric Philosophical activist who is dedicated to improving both the educational experiences and accomplishments of African-Canadians.

“When I think about who I would like to feature on the poster, I really wanted to find people who are different with respect to age, mentality, gender as well as their ability,” says Small. “Art is integral to the development of engineering and technology because, eventually half of the ideas for the future will need to be drawn out or designed by somebody and so the artistic ability will need to be utilized to put those ideas down on paper.” Small explains.

In addition to the LEGACY Poster, for BHM Small has released another STEAM booklet created to allow the uses of art and creativity that naturally flows through it to make youth more interested in the sciences, technology, engineering and math. The booklet is twenty pages filled with exciting questions, games, puzzles and historical material related to African accomplishments from around the world. Each section contains suggestions for teachers and parents to engage students further about STEAM. This book is aimed at youth who are at a Grade 4/5 level.

“This year’s booklet focuses on Canadian events, and a portion focusing on Viola Desmond where I tell her story and then I ask the students to create a dollar bill, and design a bill based upon the story of Viola Desmond,” Small shares. “There is also a special area that focuses on financial literacy and how to invest in the stock market which I included because our parents didn’t know much about the stock market, but the advantages about teaching children about it now open the conversation and allow them to learn about something that will be beneficial to them in the future.

The STEAM booklet is available for download online Afroebooks.com and it can also be ordered at www.thelegacyposter.com.

When we leave this world, all that we leave behind becomes lessons for the next generation and our legacy is to promote growth, educate the community and help future generations to overcome what we could not. With all of the news being shared and reported by the mainstream media, it’s easy to fall victim to the propaganda and negative opinions of others. The Legacy poster is a step in the right direction, a great way to shed light on the accomplishments of the African-Canadians as well as combat the negativity that has been affecting the community through the mainstream media. These people have contributed amazing things to Canadian society a reflection of the potential that the community has to offer.

What will you leave behind? What movement will you start and what would you like to help the world discover next? This is our time, ensure that the legacy you leave behind is a great one.

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Forgetting isn’t just something to be annoyed about, it’s a smart way to survive

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Photo credit - Press Foto

BY KHADIJA KARIM

Have you ever forgotten someone’s name, or where you left your phone and thought, “Why can’t I remember anything?” Forgetting might feel frustrating, but it turns out that forgetting things can actually be good for you. Experts believe forgetting might be an important part of human survival and could even have benefits.

You probably think that remembering everything would be better, right? If you remembered every tiny detail, like what you had for breakfast three weeks ago, or the colour of every car you saw today, you would be overwhelmed. Our brains are constantly receiving information, and if we didn’t forget some of it, we wouldn’t be able to focus on what really matters at that time.

Forgetting helps you clear out information you don’t need, and it helps your brain remember the most useful memories. Think about how hard it would be to focus on important things if your mind was filled with random thoughts. Forgetting helps you stay focused and keeps your mind from getting lost.

So, why would evolution make us forget things? Early humans had to deal with dangerous environments that changed quickly. They needed to remember things that helped them survive, like where to find food, or how to avoid predators. They didn’t need to remember every small detail, like what happened last week. Forgetting information, they didn’t need allowed them to make quick decisions based on what was most important at that moment in time.

For example, if you remember a recent storm, you might make sure to stay inside or find shelter. If you remembered every storm you’d ever seen, it would be harder to make decisions about the present. Forgetting irrelevant details helps you stay on your feet and helps you react faster to new situations. This ability to forget likely helped early humans survive and make better decisions in their everyday lives.

Next time you forget something, don’t be too hard on yourself! Forgetting is a natural part of how our brains work and can actually help you stay focused on the important things. It might seem annoying at times, but it’s helping you make better decisions. Forgetting isn’t just something to be annoyed about, it’s a smart way to survive in a world that’s always changing!

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Blink equity dives deep into the gap between people of colour and decision-making roles in Canadian law firms

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Photo Credit: AI Image

BY ADRIAN REECE

Representation in the workforce has been a topic of conversation for years, particularly in positions of influence, where people can shift laws and create fair policies for all races. Representation in the legal system is an even more talked about subject, with many Black men being subjected to racism in courts and not being given fair sentencing by judges.

The fear of Black men entering the system is something that plagues mothers and fathers as they watch their children grow up.

Blink Equity, a company led by Pako Tshiamala, has created an audit called the Blink Score. This audit targets law firms and seeks to identify specific practices reflecting racial diversity among them in Toronto. A score is given based on a few key performance indicators. These KPIs include hiring practices, retention of diverse talent, and racial representation at every level.

The Blink Score project aims to analyze law firms in Ontario with more than 50 lawyers. The Blink Score is a measurement tool that holds law firms accountable for their representation. Firms will be ranked, and the information will be made public for anyone to access.

This process is ambitious and seeks to give Canadian citizens a glimpse into how many people are represented across the legal field. While more and more people have access to higher education, there is still a gap between obtaining that higher education and working in a setting where change can be made. The corporate world, at its highest points, is almost always one race across the board, and very rarely do people of colour get into their ranks. They are made out to be an example of how anyone from a particular race can achieve success. However, this is the exception, not the rule. Nepotism plays a role in societal success; connections are a factor, and loyalty to race, even if people are acquainted.

People of colour comprise 16% of the total lawyers across the province. Positions at all levels range from 6% to 27%. These numbers display the racial disparity among law practitioners in positions of influence. Becoming a lawyer is undoubtedly a huge accomplishment. Still, when entering the workforce with other seasoned professionals, your academic accolades become second to your professional achievements and your position in the company.

What do these rankings ultimately mean? A potential for DEI-inclusive practices, perhaps? That isn’t something that someone would want in this kind of profession. This kind of audit also opens law firms up to intense criticism from people who put merit above all other aspects of professional advancement. On the other hand, there is a potential for firms to receive clientele based on their blink score, with higher ones having the chance to bring in more race-based clients who can help that law firm grow.

It is only the beginning, and changes will undoubtedly be made in the legal field as Blink Equity continues to dive deep into the gap between people of colour and decision-making roles in these law firms. This audit has the power to shift the power scale, and place people of colour in higher positions. There are hierarchies in any profession, and while every Lawyer is qualified to do what they are trained to do, it is no shock that some are considerably better than others at their jobs. The ones who know how to use this audit to their advantage will rise above the others and create a representative image for themselves among their population.

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“The Pfizer Papers!” Documentation of worldwide genocide

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BY SIMONE J. SMITH

We are living in a world where promises of health and safety came packaged in a tiny vial, one injection was promoted by powerful governments, supported by respected institutions, and championed by legacy media worldwide. Sadly, beneath the surface, a darker truth emerged.

Reports from around the globe began to tell a different story—one that was not covered in the news cycles or press conferences. Families torn apart by unexpected losses, communities impacted in ways that few could have foreseen, and millions questioning what they had been told to believe.

Those who dared to question were silenced or dismissed (the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper being one of those sources). “Trust the science,” we were told. “It’s for the greater good.” As time went on, the truth became impossible to ignore.

Now, I bring more news to light—information that demands your attention and scrutiny. The time to passively listen has passed; this is the moment to understand what’s really at stake.

I reviewed an interview with Naomi Wolf, journalist and CEO of Daily Clout, which detailed the serious vaccine-related injuries that Pfizer and the FDA knew of by early 2021, but tried to hide from the public. I was introduced to “The Pfizer Papers: Pfizer’s Crimes Against Humanity.” What I learned is that Pfizer knew about the inadequacies of its COVID-19 vaccine trials and the vaccine’s many serious adverse effects, and so did the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA promoted the vaccines anyway — and later tried to hide the data from the public.

To produce “The Pfizer Papers,” Naomi, and Daily Clout Chief Operations Officer Amy Kelly convened thousands of volunteer scientists and doctors to analyze Pfizer data and supplementary data from other public reporting systems to capture the full scope of the vaccines’ effects. They obtained the data from the Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency, a group of more than 30 medical professionals and scientists who sued the FDA in 2021 and forced the agency to release the data, after the FDA refused to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request.

It was then that the federal court ordered the agency to release 450,000 internal documents pertaining to the licensing of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The data release was significantly and the documents so highly technical and scientific that according to Naomi, “No journalist could have the bandwidth to go through them all.”

The “Pfizer Papers” analysts found over 42,000 case reports detailing 158,893 adverse events reported to Pfizer in the first three months The centerpiece of “The Pfizer Papers” is the effect that the vaccine had on human reproduction. The papers reveal that Pfizer knew early on that the shots were causing menstrual issues. The company reported to the FDA that 72% of the recorded adverse events were in women. Of those, about 16% involved reproductive disorders and functions. In the clinical trials, thousands of women experienced: daily bleeding, hemorrhaging, and passing of tissue, and many other women reported that their menstrual cycle stopped completely.

Pfizer was aware that lipid nanoparticles from the shots accumulated in the ovaries and crossed the placental barrier, compromising the placenta and keeping nutrients from the baby in utero. According to the data, babies had to be delivered early, and women were hemorrhaging in childbirth.

Let us take us to another part of the world, where research has been done on other pharmaceutical companies. A group of Argentine scientists identified 55 chemical elements — not listed on package inserts — in the: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, CanSino, Sinopharm and Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines (according to a study published last week in the International Journal of Vaccine Theory, Practice, and Research).

The samples also contained 11 of the 15 rare earth elements (they are heavier, silvery metals often used in manufacturing). These chemical elements, which include lanthanum, cerium and gadolinium, are lesser known to the general public than heavy metals, but have been shown to be highly toxic. By the end of 2023, global researchers had identified 24 undeclared chemical elements in the COVID-19 vaccine formulas.

Vaccines often include excipients — additives used as preservatives, adjuvants, stabilizers, or for other purposes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), substances used in the manufacture of a vaccine, but not listed in the contents of the final product should be listed somewhere in the package insert. Why is this important? Well, researchers argue it is because excipients can include allergens and other “hidden dangers” for vaccine recipients.

In one lot of the AstraZeneca vaccine, researchers identified 15 chemical elements, of which 14 were undeclared. In the other lot, they detected 21 elements of which 20 were undeclared. In the CanSino vial, they identified 22 elements, of which 20 were undeclared.

The three Pfizer vials contained 19, 16 and 21-23 undeclared elements respectively. The Moderna vials contained 21 and between 16-29 undeclared elements. The Sinopharm vials contained between 17-23 undeclared elements and the Sputnik V contained between 19-25 undetected elements.

“All of the heavy metals detected are linked to toxic effects on human health,” the researchers wrote. Although the metals occurred in different frequencies, many were present across multiple samples.

I am not going to go any further with this; I think you get the picture. We have been sold wolf cookies, very dangerous ones. These pharmaceutical companies must be held accountable. I am proud of anyone who has gone after them for retribution, and have received it. Regardless, in many ways, there is no repayment for a healthy life.

REFERENCES:

https://ijvtpr.com/index.php/IJVTPR/article/view/111

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/why-a-judge-ordered-fda-to-release-covid-19-vaccine-data-pronto

https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender_category/toxic-exposures/

Pfizer’s ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ — and Legacy Media’s Failure to Report on Them

55 Undeclared Chemical Elements — Including Heavy Metals — Found in COVID Vaccines

 

Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency

FDA Should Need Only ‘12 Weeks’ to Release Pfizer Data, Not 75 Years, Plaintiff Calculates

Judge Gives FDA 8 Months, Not 75 Years, to Produce Pfizer Safety Data

Most Studies Show COVID Vaccine Affects Menstrual Cycles, BMJ Review Finds

Report 38: Women Have Two and a Half Times Higher Risk of Adverse Events Than Men. Risk to Female Reproductive Functions Is Higher Still.

 

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