BY MICHAEL THOMAS

Is Canada’s Wonderland participating in the racial profiling of young black men too? Try asking this question to Keishia Facey and the answer would be a no-holds-barred YES, and I shall explain why as we progress in this article.

Imagine you are the mother of a sixteen-year-old son who happens to be Black. Imagine sending your son off by Uber to enjoy himself at Canada’s Wonderland, but when he gets there, he is refused entry.

N (as I would call him) was told that he fits the profile of someone who was not welcomed at the amusement park and that was it, case closed and if he persisted, he was told they would call the police on him. As we shall find out later, N and his mother decided to show his ID as evidence that he was not there before, but that was ignored, and he was left outside the amusement park. Imagine that!

Readers, your next question would be why, or what happened? Let us keep imagining things for now. Remember this young man was put in a cab by his mother, so naturally when he was refused entry at the Vaughan amusement park on September 28^th, 2024 he called his mother to see if she could help clarify things.

Let’s imagine that you are the mother of this 16-year-old, you show up at this amusement park thinking this should be easy, he is going to be admitted now that you are here, what is the misunderstanding?

Picture yourselves readers as the boy’s mother trying to find out why your son was refused entry, only to be dismissed and to find out there is another group of black boys that are not wanted at the entrance either. This article will test your imagination, but you will be unpleasantly surprised.

Now picture yourself standing at the entrance of this amusement park with your son and seven, or eight other Black boys between the ages of 14-16, being refused entry into Canada’s Wonderland. Shall we imagine that all nine, or so of these little Black boys looked like someone who was denied entry previously? Shall we?

Now readers, this gets worse, try, and imagine you as N’s mother having the police called on you by Canada’s Wonderland just because you are inquiring why your son cannot enjoy an amusement park in the country where he was born.

I think this imaginary horror story has run its course, and regrettably, I must inform you that all that you have read so far is not a fairy tale, but a real-life ordeal. Now let me introduce you to this real-life cast.

I had the privilege of speaking with N’s mother Mrs. Keishia Facey, Co-founder of the REST (OR) REFORM Equity Conference which advocates for racial justice in our community.

According to Facey, Canada’s Wonderland security called the police on her and her son to inquire why he was refused entry.

Facey told me that when the officer arrived and she tried explaining what happened, Officer K. Ramos told her that, as a minority himself, he found nothing racial about this incident. “After taking what the security guards told him, he said he deemed it not racist,” Facey told me.

It is important to note here that the amusement park security called the police not to clarify things regarding her son’s refusal of entry, but to arrest her because they deemed her manner aggressive. After all, she questioned their decision.

“It just goes to show how a lot of the racist troupes against my son and myself were at play. I am a Black woman so therefore I am angry, and I am aggressive, when all I am trying to ask is what is the reason why my son is not allowed to come in,” Facey told me.

“The problem is that this is not just an individual case of my son and his friend. I am standing here with a group of Black boys who are not allowed to come in, while all these other kids are dressed the same and are allowed to go in, while there is a wall of security screening people out. That is racial profiling,” she said.

Facey told me, “Whoever they were saying my son was, they had no ID for such a person.”

Facey believes that these security guards are not properly trained, and so, one dangerous Black boy to them means one size fits all. “That is racial profiling,” she told me.

Canada’s Wonderland Marketing Director told another news source the reason for turning back N from the amusement park was for wearing an item that concealed his identity, an act that is a violation of the park’s Code of Conduct, yet as stated earlier in this article Canada’s Wonderland downplayed the idea of an ID check from N and his mother. For the record, N’s mother called that statement by Canada’s Wonderland a lie.

In all fairness, I reached out to Canada’s Wonderland by contacting Dwayne McMulkin, the Corporate Director of Marketing and Brand Management at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, which owns the theme park, to obtain their version of this tragic incident, but no one replied to me.

I asked Facey what she would like to see happen at the end of all this, she replied, “I think the security guards need to be trained, they need to know what anti-Black racism is, they need to know that no matter if  they are: Brown, Indian, White, or Chinese that anti-Black racism in Canada needs to be fought against, and so they can respond differently.”

Facey said she is in conversation with York Regional Police on the matter as well.

BY STEVEN KASZAB

“The truth is everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find those worth suffering for.” Bob Marley spoke of both a personal and national quest. Find unity, and you’ve found those worth suffering for.

The Caribbean diaspora is one of the untapped powerhouses of North America. Imagine how many fellow citizens of Caribbean descent: live, work and prosper in America and Canada. Together we are looking at 18 million legal and illegal migrants giving to their preferred neighborhoods throughout the continent. A million in Canada and many more in the USA inject into our societies their: passion, emotions, social activism, professionalism and their: blood, sweat and tears to build a home and community for themselves and their future comers. A population centered in the urban spheres, in Florida and New York City. Toronto is home to over a hundred thousand of this incredible diaspora of: artists, workers, professionals, and educators.

There are many forms of misinformation regarding the migrants trying to achieve citizenship in America and Canada. “They are a drag upon the established financial and social order, criminals and social dependents.” Thank you, Donald Trump, and most Republicans, for showing what type of people you really are. In fact, the Caribbean diaspora make up a majority of small businesses in their new homelands, creating employment and financial investment in places once not there.

Those that flee: Haiti, Dominican, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico and other places are often ambitious: professionals, teachers, skilled workers and potential citizens for a marketplace that can and does welcome them. Financial, or security are the primary reasons these people leave their homelands to brave travel to our neighborhood.

Imagine if a group with such vitality and connection could unite in the face of America’s chaotic financial and political onslaught. Being a minority in America has always been a challenge particularly if you’re still considered an “outsider” like most visually, socially different people are. How could this small group reflect its desires, demands and expectations? Perhaps alliances between Canadian-American and Caribbean based groups are essential. Acquiring, managing, and programming media outlets not only friendly to the Caribbean, but centered upon the Caribbean community’s needs, wants and future expectations.

Reimagining the old notion of traveling to the Caribbean for a week, or two and bye bye until next year. Developing notions that the Caribbean is not over there, but right here in Canada, and the USA, in your community and neighborhood. Being a distant place to vacation makes it easier to forget that place and its people. Bringing that place and its people’s traditions, culture and lived reality to Canadian and Americans attention is another story. Establishing a connection with their host nations is essential.

The Caribbean diaspora has a massive financial sway upon the Canadian and American economy as too their political sector. The Caribbean diaspora interjects 145 billion dollars into their host nations’ economies annually. Those who came from the Caribbean invest their professionalism and money into their host nations’ businesses, corporations, and governmental agencies. The Caribbean diaspora is a huge asset to their hosts. Make the host nations realize this in real time. The Caribbean diaspora must leverage their importance to their host nations: culturally, socially, financially, and politically.

In unity will any cultural, or ethnic group achieve attention and consideration from the majority. Look at how and what the: LGBQT community, the Jewish community, and the Black Lives Matter achieved. The Caribbean diaspora with the greater Caribbean community can achieve much if they can unite their commonality and purpose here in Canada/America as to their homelands.

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Madame Wob Dwiyet Cultural Showcase presents, “A Flourishing Nation of Flamboyant and Bwa Kwaib” on Sunday, September 29^th, 2024, at the St. Peter & Paul Banquet Hall in Scarborough. It features the best that the small island of Dominica offers by highlighting its: cultural fashion, music, history and rich traditions.

Lorraine Delsol is the cofounder of the MWDC (Madame Wob Dwiyet Canada), which is a cultural group whose mission is the promotion of the culture of Dominica not just in Canada but internationally as well. There is much documentation about Lorraine who

has worn many hats over the years as a: model, fashion designer and talent agent. She was born in Grand Bay, Dominica and came from a family of four sisters and two brothers. Her strict father ensured that his children developed strong work ethics, and a disciplined lifestyle with a focus on academic excellence.

Lorraine possesses a natural gift of sewing and excels at designing clothes for family members and others. She was featured twice in the Ebony Fashion Show as the sole Caribbean designer.

The promotional booklet describes the purpose of MWDC. It was launched to raise Dominica’s cultural profile and is committed to working diligently to integrate Dominica’s unique, and fabulous culture to the multicultural landscape of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The cultural extravaganza featured seven contestants of Dominican descent/origin. They were evaluated based on the promotion of their individual Island village, or town, display of the Madame Wob Dwiyet traditional: dress, cultural attire, traditional dance, and poise. Furthermore, they showcase their grace, beauty and elegance of this cultural Icon-the Wob Dwiyet.

There were three Jeune Madams candidates.

• Allida Aubrey
• Isalina Delsol
• Nyasjah Evelyn Joseph Bhagwandin

There were four Madam candidates.

• Audrica Aubrey
• Ingrid Riviere
• Ingrid Harper
• Cavelle Anthea Etienne

There were many references to the fact that Dominica celebrated its 46^th year of Independence. Ontario Premier, Doug Ford notes, “This evening was a vibrant celebration of Dominica’s rich heritage, and a showcase for the pride with which Dominicans regard their national costume and rich Creole culture. Our province is proud to be home to a dynamic Dominican community that has strengthened the ties between our jurisdictions, enriched our culture and helped energize our economy.”

In a message from Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto states, “This event showcasing Dominica’s vibrant culture and its national dress, the Wob Dwiyet, is a wonderful way to celebrate the 46^th anniversary of Dominica’s Independence Day. I wish you all an enjoyable time as you gather with the community to celebrate this special occasion.”

Dr. Jill Andrew, MPP of Toronto-St. Paul’s writes, “I am honoured to extend my heartfelt greetings to the attendees of the 2024 Madame Wob Dwiyet Cultural Show. I also want to offer my sincere gratitude to our tenacious community leaders Glenora Parker, Lorraine Delsol, Vanessa Dupie, and the entire team at Madame Wob Dwiyet Canada Inc. for 13 years of continued success! You have shown your love for our community from day one and have served as outstanding tireless ambassadors”.

Michael Thompson, City of Toronto Councilor notes, “It is my pleasure to salute your efforts to showcase Dominica to Canadians in Toronto.” He notes further, “By introducing the Jeune Madams to the regular segments of the Madame Wob show, you are guaranteed to add colour, fashion, drama and pizzaz to the event, already regarded by many as a premiere Dominican cultural event in North America.”

The hosts for the cultural showcase were:

• Paula Letang Loblack (host of “All about the Funk;” which airs on (www.metradio.ca)

• Kamil Andre (singer and performer)
• Akua Delfish (Co-founder and Program Director for DLYFE Dance Company and Co-founder of GoLEFT Creatives Inc).

There were five judges of the show.

• Tyria Benjamin (2024 Madame Wob Dwiyet Canada winner)
• Andria Lewis Alexander (President of the Commonwealth of Dominica Ontario Association (CDOA)

• Yvette J (Founder and CEO of Wise Women & Wealth Community Network Inc).
• Fallon Cleopatra Tijuana Lawrence (Fashion Designer and founder of Tall Perspective)

• Deborah Gage (poet and artist)

The show opened with an exciting and inspiring performance by Creative Connection. It was followed by a performance by the 2023 Ti Madams. There was the introduction of the four Madame Wob and three Jeune Wob candidates 2023 in their spectacular and beautifully created designs by Lorraine Delsol. There were three enlightening and motivational poems read by: Deborah Gage, Lorraine Dorival and Jennifer Titre.

Lorraine presented the cultural award to Kanika Ambrose. She is a: playwright, librettist, and screenwriter. She graduated from the Canadian Film Centre’s Bell Media Prime Time TV program in 2023 where she received training as a screenwriter. The highlight of the evening was the parade by the Madame Wob Dwiyet and Jeune Madams accompanied by several members of the audience to the theme song “Belle”.