Articles

The NDP’s Sara Singh trailblazing a path towards community growth

Published

6 years ago

June 5, 2018

BY: KRISTINA RAMCHARRAN

A young woman with a desire for higher education is what Brampton’s Sara Singh started out to be. But as the course of life went on, she was brought to even higher heights.

Today Sara Singh is an NDP Candidate running for an MP position in the riding of Brampton Centre.

“I was born and raised here in Brampton. I’ve lived here my entire life. My parents actually met here in the early 80s. My mom is from Guyana and my dad is from Punjab, India. It’s a very important part of who I am,” says Singh on the importance of experiencing diversity within the city of Brampton.

She adds, “For me, one of my reasons for running is because you know, having lived here my entire life, I really am concerned of how Brampton is being treated and the fact that [if] we are really getting our fair share of services.”

“I was always very interested in community activism, and advocating for people with disabilities, or environmental issues. So, when I finished my Masters in Halifax, I started to volunteer with Jagmeet Singh,” says Singh onthe beginning of her political journey.

Jagmeet Singh was not the only NDP she was associated with at the time, as she was also helping former NDP leader Stephen Lewis as well. “It was a nice juxtaposition of the old and the new,” she says on the experience of being able to work with both old and new NDP candidates.

“I’ve always had a leaning towards the NDP just based on my social justice interest, and the work I’ve done in the community, [in] that moment, and early in 2012 really started to shape my interest to get more involved in politics.”

“I continued doing a lot of work in the community,” says Singh, while also referencing the current Ph.D.she is working on which highlights public policy while she also wants to continue working on ways for students with intellectual disabilities to gain proper access to post-secondary education.

Advocating for those with disabilities has been an integral part of Singh’s life, as she has a younger sister struggling with Down Syndrome.

“Seeing her resilience and her perseverance, she just aims high and achieves those goals. It really motivates me to work harder, to push harder, and it’s a big reason that I actually put my name on the ballot as well as doing all this advocacy work for people with various disabilities.”

For Singh,it’s about more than just helping people in the community, but also the small business’ that exist within it. “My parents being small business owners here in Brampton also really helped me understand how the business community was being affected, and the changes that we needed to make to support them more effectively as well.”

Singh notes that it is important to continuously improve and aid small businesses as it is a key component that the community of Brampton thrives on.

As far as support goes, Singh is proud to say she has all the support she needs starting with her family. “My family is like amazing, they’re like we need leaders that are well educated, that aren’t afraid to stand up, and who can speak for different communities as well.”

Others that have helped her blaze the trail so far include Current NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Former NDP leader Stephen Lewis. “They both motivated me tremendously to move forward in this process.”

As the only female candidate running in the Brampton area for the NDP, and the only Indo-Caribbean female candidate, Singh notes that there are some challenges that she works to overcome.

“There have been a number of challenges, as a young woman it is extremely daunting to put your name on the ballot, and you face so much different types of pressures being a female,” says Singh on being a young woman in politics.

She adds, “For a young woman, you’re being judged on more than just on your knowledge, there is a lot of judgmenton your appearance.” She even adds that people have voiced their opinions on her looks over social media to her.

“I want people to be able to move forward and look past an appearance, I really want them to know that there issubstance and credentials behind the name and face,” says Singh noting that she is in a very male-dominatedspace and is thankful to have a seat at the table, ensuring the voices of women are heard.

Ending her thoughts with an inspiring quote which pushes her as she graces the campaign trail is “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. Singh says this quote inspires her to fight all sorts of injustice to reflect only positivity within society.

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The cost of convenience: how much does delivery really cost?

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY AMARI SUKHDEO

Have you ever been excited to camp-in and order your favourite meal for delivery, only to be taken aback by that bill? That $18 ramen suddenly balloons to $32. Why the hefty price tag? Here’s what’s happening:

Markup mayhem:

When opposed to ordering straight from the restaurant, ordering through delivery apps frequently entails a surreptitious price increase. The menu items found on these platforms are typically more expensive than those found inside. Remarkably, a recent survey found that the cost of things ordered through delivery apps may be up to 26% more than that of items ordered straight from the restaurant. A lot of customers are caught by surprise by this markup, which turns what could have been a relatively inexpensive dinner into a costly affair.

Fee fiasco:

Not only is there a markup, but there are also significant service costs added to the bill. For instance, Uber Eats determines prices based on the quantity of your order, while DoorDash charges a $3 minimum service fee in addition to a 15% service charge. These extra fees have the potential to significantly raise the overall cost of your meal, giving customers the impression that they have been taken advantage of.

Restaurant shares:

It’s not just diners who are experiencing financial hardship. Restaurants face a big competition from delivery apps, which can take up to 30% of their earnings. This is especially true for smaller businesses that depend significantly on delivery services. Restaurants may find it extremely challenging to generate a profit due to the weight of high commissions, given their already extremely narrow profit margins.

A troubling tendency is shown through data: the cost of using delivery apps is progressively going up. Fees have increased to previously unheard-of heights in recent years, leaving many customers unable to pay more for their favourite dishes. For a few, the price hike has caused them to reconsider their dining options.

At home diners, keep in mind that you have to account for the hidden expenses the next time the convenience of a takeaway menu entices you. It’s a story about: delivery workers’ financial struggles, increased rates, and outrageous surcharges. Bon appétit, with caution.

https://www.vox.com/money/24118201/food-delivery-cost-expensive-doordash-ubereats-grubhub

https://www.foodandwine.com/news/delivery-app-prices-higher-fees-2021-pandemic

Junior Contributors

Beneath the waves: Unveiling the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade in the Bahamas

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY KAHA G. – 15 YEARS OLD

What is archaeology? Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation: of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. It helps us understand past cultures, societies, and lifestyles by analyzing material culture left behind by ancient civilizations. In this case, archaeologists in the Bahamas have found underwater wrecks of 14 sailing ships involved in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade between Africa and the Americans.

The Bahamas Lost Ships Project, led by Allen Exploration and the Bahamas Maritime Museum, aims to catalog shipwrecks in the Bahamas. They’ve found 596 wrecks so far, dating back to 1657. Also, these findings were published around Black History Month, emphasizing the importance of preserving the experiences of marginalized communities.

The Bahamas’ history is deeply connected to the transatlantic slave trade, with events like the arrival of the first slaving vessels shaping the islands’ population. The wrecks of ships like the Nancy and the General Oglethorpe remind us of the individuals who suffered and resisted enslavement. This research also highlights the Bahamas’ role in the transatlantic slave trade, connecting: Africa, the American Southeast, Cuba, and the Gulf of Mexico. Making it an important trade route for these places.

According to Livescience, the wrecks included the “Peter Mowell which is an American schooner (sailing vessel) that sank off Lynyard Cay near Great Abaco Island in 1860 with about 400 enslaved Africans on board; as well as smaller vessels that carried slaves to plantations for sugar, coffee, cotton and tobacco in North America and around the Caribbean.”

Alongside that, the team of archaeologists, and Allen Exploration have found three wrecks, but their locations are currently undisclosed. The CEO, emphasized the historical significance of these wrecks, noting their importance in understanding the conditions aboard slave ships and the broader history of the slave trade.

Additionally, the type of living conditions of enslaved Black people were atrocious. They lived in miserable huts, which were said to be “Unfit for the habitation of wild beasts.” They wore iron slave collars and worked seven days a week, with just four hours a day of rest in cane-cutting season. Unfortunately, about 10% of enslaved Africans died on the plantations in Cuba each year during the slave trade, and some were even flogged to death.

In conclusion, the discovery of these shipwrecks in the Bahamas sheds light on a significant, yet often overlooked aspect of human history: the transatlantic slave trade. These findings provide valuable insights into the conditions endured by enslaved individuals and the intricate networks that facilitated this cruel trade. As we continue to explore and preserve these historical sites, we honor the resilience and bravery of those who resisted oppression and strive to ensure that their stories are remembered for generations to come.