BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Oh my gosh, look at this jacket! It’s so ’80s, I love it!”

“And check out these funky sunglasses! They’re totally unique.”

In a world where fashion trends come and go like the seasons, there’s a new movement stirring up excitement and creativity on the streets: circular fashion. Circular fashion isn’t just about recycling old clothes; it’s a whole new way of thinking about style. It’s about: embracing sustainability, reducing waste, and reimagining the lifecycle of fashion. Circular fashion isn’t just about shopping; it’s also about getting hands-on and creative. From DIY projects to clothing repair workshops, people are finding joy in reviving old pieces and adding their personal touch.

On Sunday, May 5^th, 2024, I (on behalf of the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper) made my way down to the Stackt Marketplace (28 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON) to attend yet another fashion fantastic event put on by Fashion Takes Action. Fashion Takes Action (FTA) is a non-profit organization (established in 2007) to advance sustainability in the entire fashion system through: education, awareness, research and collaboration. That means they work with the people who: make, sell, buy, wear, resell and dispose/recycle clothing! They achieve this through industry programs such as their: annual WEAR Conference, their work to advance circularity, our Employee Education workshops, and their Sustainable Fashion Toolkit.

In 2023 they hosted 30+ vendors in the ReMode Marketplace, featuring an array of businesses focused on: reuse, resale, repurposing, rental and repair. This year, they invited two agencies – Scadding Court and Progress Place – that offer community sewing and repair programs with support from the City of Toronto’s Community Reduce and Reuse Program, and they were on site at ReMode offering repairs to attendees including: hemming, sewing buttons, and mending seams!

I was able to visit their awesome selection of circular fashion businesses where vendors were found throughout the Studio & Lookout spaces. This year their ReMode Marketplace hosted: Nefarious Clothing, Meridian, City of Toronto, StylEthics, LI/NE, Dot & Bea, Diana Coatsworth Design, Cloud Girl Vintage, Absolute Rubbish, Original Genes, Biophilia Vintage, HAUNTS Fashion, Rosebud Studio, The Brides’ Project, rax, Pegasus Community Project, The Shared Bag, olio studio, ASHES, Claire Upcycled, Ardent Earth, Guru, Cassandra Moy, Waratah Avenue, Rent A Pleat, and Demascare!

What I learned during my time there was the popularity of circular fashion. I was reminded that the most sustainable piece of clothing is the one already in your closet…or in someone else’s. We wear 20% of the clothes we own, 80% of the time. So, if there are items that you know you won’t wear, or that don’t fit anymore, a clothing swap is the perfect way to share them with someone else and find new pieces for yourself.

Last year they swapped 1,200 items of clothing. This resulted in 600 kg of diverted textiles from landfills, and 1,600 kg of co2 saved.

What is making circular fashion such a hit? Well, for starters, it’s all about the thrill of the hunt. There’s something exhilarating about discovering hidden gems in thrift stores, or swapping clothes with friends. It’s like uncovering treasures and giving them new life. Here is how Remode’s clothing swap works:

DROP OFF
I did a spring closet clean out? I found some clothes that were in good (used) condition, but just no longer matched my style (or size). I brought 10 pieces.

COLLECT A TICKET
For every piece they accepted into the swap I received a ticket to ‘shop the swap’ – 10 pieces in, 10 new-to-me pieces out!

GO SHOPPING
The fun part; exploring the racks of items at ReMode and using my tickets to add some great new finds to my spring wardrobe!

ReMode is where you come to learn how to keep your clothes in use for as long as possible through the 7 R’s of Fashion, which I learned are: reduce, reuse, resale, repurpose, repair, rent, and recycle. There is a sense of community that comes with circular fashion. Whether you’re attending a clothing swap, or sharing styling tips online, it’s a chance to connect with like-minded individuals and share your passion for sustainability. The Marketplace shines the light on the #nonewclothes movement, with vendors focused on reuse, resale, repurposing, rental and repair.

During the day, they had talks that featured industry experts and influencers throughout the day to help guests learn more about how to reduce their fashion footprint through what they buy and how to care for their clothes.

So, if you’re looking to add a little excitement to your wardrobe and join a movement that’s as stylish as it is sustainable, why not give circular fashion a spin? After all, the circle of style is always evolving, and there’s never been a better time to jump on board.

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

In the cacophony of breaking news and sensational headlines, amidst the clamour of media frenzy and the relentless pursuit of the next big story, there lies a stark truth often obscured by the blinding glare of sensationalism: the human story, the one that whispers of pain and trauma, the one that demands understanding and empathy amidst the chaos.

When the spotlight of the media falls upon a narrative fraught with drama and intrigue (R. Kelly, P. Diddy) it too often succumbs to the seduction of sensationalism, weaving a tale that titillates rather than enlightens, that shocks rather than educates. In its relentless pursuit of clicks and views, the true essence of the story is lost, buried beneath layers of hyperbole and exaggeration. Today, I bring a story that checks off every box that I mentioned above; the story of Eligio Bishop (aka, Natureboy).

Eligio Bishop, leader of the alleged cult Carbon Nation, was found guilty on March 1^st, 2024 on all counts, including: rape, false imprisonment, and revenge porn charges. The verdict, delivered by a Georgia jury, marks a significant milestone in a case that offered a disturbing glimpse into the operations of the reported cult.

Eligio, who also goes by the names “Natureboy” and “3God,” faced allegations of raping a former cult member attempting to escape, followed by posting explicit content online. The trial unfolded, shedding light on the cult’s practices, particularly its use of social media to propagate its holistic lifestyle and teachings.

Eligio (40 years of age) was arrested in April 2022 after he was accused of being the alleged leader of a cult known as the “Carbon Nation” group. A former member, who identified herself as his girlfriend, told police he posted revenge porn “Because she left him.” She also told law enforcement that she’d joined a “Sex cult in which her boyfriend is the leader.”

Now, I want to be sensitive about this topic and honour the stories of the women who have come out. What he has subjected these women to is atrocious and comes from a very dark part of this man’s soul. I am also going to play angel’s advocate; amidst the noise, there exists a story that cannot be reduced to mere headlines and soundbites. A story that demands to be heard in its entirety, with all its complexities and nuances laid bare. It is the story of a young man, a story that speaks of unspeakable horrors endured in silence, of wounds inflicted not just on the body, but on the very soul.

When a young man is subjected to the cruel trifecta of: sexual, emotional, and physical abuse in his formative years, the repercussions reverberate far beyond the confines of his immediate reality, and so seems to be the case with Eligio Bishop, a story that I find strangely familiar to R. Kelly’s. His memories and thoughts echo through the corridors of his mind, leaving scars that may never fully heal, and have shaped the trajectory of his life in ways unimaginable to those who have not walked in his shoes.

This is not merely a story of victimhood, nor is it one of villainy. It is a story that demands justice, that cries out for accountability and recognition of the profound harm inflicted upon the innocent.

I had a chance to listen to stories of a man who began his life as an orphan growing up in the foster care system and was: sexually, physically and emotionally abused until he and his younger brother Leo were adopted by the Bishops, where the emotional and physical abuse continued until he was able to escape the madness that had become his life.

In a research study titled, “Recovery Experiences from Childhood Sexual Abuse among Black Men: Historical/Sociocultural Interrelationships (2022),” the researchers share that childhood sexual abuse is increasingly recognized as a significant global problem, with self-reported figures being estimated at 7.6% for males and 18% for females.

The report shares that despite the limited research documenting the experience of Child Sexual Assault (CSA) for ethnic minorities, there is evidence to suggest that African-American men were less likely to admit having current adverse effects from CSA, than the other ethnic groups Of those who did admit to present day adverse effects, it was found that many reported difficulties with hypersexualized behavior and substance abuse, and this more often than Latino and non-Latino White men.

African-American males may experience particular pressures to minimize or deny their sexual abuse experience because of socio-cultural norms formulated by historical legacies of patriarchy and oppression.

Participants’ narratives in the study suggested that African-American men who survive CSA are under added pressure to adhere to hypermasculine and hypersexual norms, and as a result, engage in congruent behaviors as a way of coping and reclaiming their masculinity, which has supposedly been diminished or lost as a result of the abuse. This might also explain observations that Black men with CSA reported difficulties with hypersexualized behavior and substance abuse, more often than other men in their study. Participants’ accounts suggest that such behaviors might have a protective effect against stigmatization and adverse psychological and emotional effects of CSA.

The narcissistic, sexual and manipulative behaviour that was reported by some of the women who encountered Eligio speaks to the research that is out there. Reports of abuse (emotional, physical, and sexual), and aggressive behaviour are all the manifestations of a troubled young boy, who exists in a grown, tortured man’s mind and body.

One victim shared, “Women weren’t allowed to wear shirts, so we started wearing leaves. Women had to have sex with Nature Boy. He considers himself to be God. He went from ‘I’m your higher self’ to master teacher to God.’ He believes he is the end all be all — the alpha and omega.”

In a 2022 interview with police that was played in the courtroom, Eligio denied raping anyone. “I have all of these women. Why would I rape someone? I have five women. Why would I rape a girl? I’m a lady’s man,” he told the officer interviewing him. His alleged victim said the incident occurred when she failed to refer to him as “My king.” At that point she said he asked his wife to leave the room, then proceeded to force the victim to have sex with him.

Unfortunately, his don’t care attitude and haughtiness are not serving him and are definitely not aiding his cases. During the hearing, Eligio appeared dismissive, engaging in casual conversation with the bailiff and displaying a lack of remorse. This prompted scolding from DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Stacey Hydrick. Bishop’s attempt to communicate with the judge and the victims resulted in a muted courtroom, emphasizing the gravity of the charges.

In his brief remarks before sentencing, Eligio Bishop asked, “Are you happy?” to which the judge responded, “I’m not answering any questions of yours.” Bishop, seemingly unrepentant, stated, “I forgive, I forgive you,” addressing the judge. Judge Hydrick, unswayed by Bishop’s words, characterized him as a “Master manipulator,” and a classic narcissist.

Are Elgio’s actions forgivable; for many no, but in the relentless pursuit of truth, let us not succumb to the allure of sensationalism. Let us instead strive for understanding, for empathy, for a deeper appreciation of the human experience in all its complexity. For only then can we hope to truly comprehend the magnitude of the suffering endured, and work towards a future where such atrocities are but a dark chapter in humanity’s past.

REFERENCES:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/carbon-nation-alleged-polygamist-cult-leader-eligio-bishop-hit-with-charges-in-georgia

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/alleged-cult-leader-eligio-bishop-found-guilty-of-rape

https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/who-eligio-bishop-aka-natureboy-do-charges-explored-cult-leader-sentenced-jury

https://www.complex.com/life/a/brad-callas/accused-cult-leader-nature-boy-sentenced-to-life

Alleged Georgia Sex Cult Leader Eligio Bishop Sentenced To Life For Rape

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

There is a movie called “Idiocracy,” that I was recently introduced to. It’s a satirical comedy that imagines the world 500 years from now, when humanity becomes so unintelligent that an average person from our time goes to the future and all of a sudden becomes the smartest person on earth.

With the explosion of AI, a movie like Idiocracy could become a reality, and one way I see it is when it comes to creative thought. The title of this article is drawing a comparison between the uniformity of certain aesthetic procedures like Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) and the reliance on ChatGPT for communication and information. Just as BBLs can sometimes result in a homogenized appearance, there is a concern that dependence on ChatGPT is leading to a similar kind of uniformity in communication and thought.

Our parents, our grandparents, and our elders were able to navigate this world, and they did not have access to this technology, yet they were able to make it, and get us to this point in history. What about the next generation? How will this technological explosion affect their cognitive development and writing skills? Will they become so dependent on ChatGPT that they can’t write without it? Will it become so indispensable that we don’t know how to deal with its absence. With how things are reading, it is likely that this is already something inevitable. The replacement of human writers may not be far away, as AI continues to become more sophisticated.

We have been exposed to this technology as adults and have already gone through school. What if we had been exposed to it since childhood? Of course, our young writers are becoming dependent on it. Even more senior writers are making the mistake of copying and pasting ChatGPT without regarding the mishaps that come with technology; it has flaws.

I have read stories created entirely by AI. In fact, there are already some stories entirely made by ChatGPT available on Amazon. While they all read technically sound, their narratives lack vividness and leave the impression that something is missing.

What writers are not realizing is that when we receive a result from ChatGPT, we do not evaluate whether the intelligence relies on faulty sources when answering, or if it assumes a tone incompatible with the theme. Many writers ignore these facts, and create texts with inaccurate information, which can damage your reputation or generate poor text with repetitions and language errors.

Let’s lose the BBL writing and do the work Writers!

Like a hammer, if used effectively, ChatGPT is a powerful tool. It is the tool that is necessary to build your story, your script; it is as essential as a lexicon set was back in the days. Due to its speed of response, you can use it as a draft for your ideas and expand the text from there. Personally, I like to use it to generate outlines, which are good, but not perfect; I utilize my knowledge as a writer, and my voice to make it unique. I change the voice of the text, whether from informal to formal, and I make it more persuasive, or emotional depending on the story.

I also use it for feedback purposes. It criticizes your text constructively, pointing out which paragraphs need improvement. Simply ask, “give me some feedback and tell me how I can improve it.”

Writer’s block is quite common, and this is where AI is a lifesaver. ChatGPT can help you continue your story, or provide inspiration and suggestions for your text. As a source of inspiration, or as a source of ideas.

As writers, it’s vital to keep the creative fires burning bright. Challenge yourself continually, exploring new ideas, styles, and perspectives. While tools like AI can assist, never become reliant on them. Remember, they are only as flawless as the humans who crafted them.

Embrace the imperfections of your craft; they’re what make your writing uniquely yours. Keep pen to paper, fingers to keys, and let your creativity soar, unfettered by dependency on any machine.