Community News
How to get vaccinated without parental consent! Yea! WikiHow did that!
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
“There’s a lot of misinformation about vaccines online, and sometimes well-meaning parents fall into rabbit holes of conspiracy theories and made-up “facts.” While they often intend to protect their children, not vaccinating has the opposite effect, and leaves kids more vulnerable to dangerous and even deadly diseases.”
How to Get Vaccinated Without Parental Consent –WikiHow
(https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Vaccinated-Without-Parental-Consent)
As I scanned through the article, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The very first photo was of a young black woman, contemplating. The second photo was of two black parents talking to each other. As I scrolled through the article, I was horrified by what I saw. I am not a parent yet, but I thought that it was important for parents to know what is going on. If you don’t read anything else in the paper parents, read this article.
I have included the link so that you are witness to the atrocity that has now become available to our young people. This article “How to get Vaccinated without Parental Consent,” has 17 co-authors, which are undisclosed, and when I wrote this article it had 168,000 views. It was appalling to read some of the suggestions provided by the “experts,” that WikiHow has writing for them. Let’s first take a look at the rhetoric that is currently provided when you research WikiHow.
According to their About Us Link, the goal at WikiHow is to deliver trustworthy articles that engage readers and meet their informational and emotional needs. They claim to have the best how-to experience on the Internet, and brags that for fifteen years, they have committed to their step-by-step teaching model that they continue to REFINE for the best possible results. They are proud of the fact that they have helped millions of people solve problems, learn new skills, and feel supported.
They go on to tell the reader that they train their writers and editors to research, organize, and write articles that address readers’ needs, and help them achieve their goals.
Their newest task; they are helping our young people learn how to lie to their parents so that they can go ahead and make decisions that they are not prepared to make. Now YOUR child can search the Internet about vaccines, and WikiHow has created a how-to article that will help them step-by-step get a vaccine without their parent’s consent. They go through THREE METHODS, and I would like to take the time to share them with you.
Method One (making plans)
Your child is instructed to Look at their options. Some areas let you get vaccinated without parental consent if you are a minor, and others don’t. You can get vaccinated in secret (if your local laws allow it), and if you run the risk of your family finding out, petition the court for emancipation if your parents are really bad. If this is unnerving for you,wait until you’re eighteen if you think that your parents would severely punish or abuse you if they learned that you disobeyed them.
The next thing they tell you to do is try talking to your parents. The writing team is so nice, they even provide a script for our young ones;
“I understand that people are saying a lot of scary things, and that it can be hard to figure out what’s true and what isn’t true. I know it must be difficult for you.”
They tell our young ones that if their parents really hate vaccines, they could pretend that they want to know if they are at risk for “vaccine injury.” Here is where it really gets special. They say, and I quote,
”You are allowed to lie to your parents if it’s the only way you can get the information you need to protect your health. Later, you can say that you researched it and realized you don’t have a vaccine injury.”
Your next steps are to: research the laws in your area if you’re a minor, try visiting different clinics to see if they can help you, consider getting an adult to help you out, especially if you’re young. Now, isn’t that nice. They can turn to another adult to help them lie to YOU parents.
Method Two (getting the shot)
“Make sure that you schedule the date for a Friday, or a day before a break from school/work, if possible. Don’t forget to figure out what (if anything) to say to your family. You can say that you’re going out, and not specify where. You can also tell a white lie, like saying that you are visiting a friend to study or hang out. You’re allowed to tell lies to protect your health and safety, and getting vaccinated is one of those cases.”
Ummmmm! I think that if you have read up to this point and you are not furious, keep reading. I think you might just be in shock. Let’s see what else our trusted friends at WikiHow have to say.
“If your parents are distrustful, prepare your cover story especially well.”
Now! You have to make sure that you have a good cover story right? That is lying 101. They also suggest: bringing a friend for moral support, especially if you’re afraid of needles, talking to the doctor about any concerns, and treating yourself after you get your shots. You have to reward yourself by buying or doing something nice, within reason. Anyone who has taken psychology courses understands the idea of positive and negative reinforcement. For me, this sounds all too familiar, but why are they telling our young people to positively reinforce doing something behind their parents back? Let’s move on to Method Three.
Method Three (handling any aftermath)
Lies! Lies! More lies! They care about our young people so much that they tell them to rest after their vaccine, especially if they don’t feel well. Keep up the lie by telling your family that you’re feeling under the weather. They provide more script for our young people to use, “I think I might be fighting off some type of illness.” This is if your child doesn’t feel safe telling you about the vaccine.
“Remember that you don’t have to tell your parents about getting vaccinated, especially if they are controlling or abusive. You can keep your health choices to yourself; especially if they would be mean to you or make you feel unsafe as a result of your choices. You’re allowed to keep a secret if it’s necessary to promote your health and well-being.”
Is it just me, or do they continue to promote this idea of lying because it is about the child’s better health. This would not be a how-to without a closing. They tell the reader what to say if you as a parent find out. They are told to be respectful for your position (however illogical it may be, their words not mine), while emphasizing that it was important to them. Here is one of their scripted lines.
“I’m autistic. I can’t be turned autistic twice. But I could die of polio, and I’d really rather not.”
How about that? Are you scratching your head yet? People, we are in different times, and at some point we have to stand up to these supposed reputable: researchers, writers, and editors who are pushing our children to lie, conceal, and do things to themselves that they cannot comprehend at the time.
Finally, they close in the most targeted way;
“Stay away from conspiracy theorists and disreputable websites. They may say inaccurate and confusing things.”
Said the pot calling the kettle black!
Community News
Canada is Sinking – Is there a correlation between the rising economic costs, and the siphoning of funds to other sources in Canada?
BY ADRIAN REECE
At some point Toronto was a city that people enjoyed living in. Recent political leadership at every level of government has caused citizens to consider moving out of the country as a whole. The high cost of living, coupled with the difficulty affording housing, and remote work becoming more regular has made the rest of the world seem much more appealing for Canadians as a whole.
Many countries are offering travel perks and visas to travelers in the west, to encourage them to visit, or to even move into their countries. Costa Rica, Japan, and France currently have travel perks and have opened their borders to make it easier to enter. Specifically for Canadians and even more specifically Torontonians who work remotely, are looking to countries and cities with lower costs of living. The Canadian dollar goes far in other parts of the world.
We owe the struggling economy to a few factors. Political leadership has greatly impacted the state of Canada, immigration policies that have changed over the years have caused stress on Canadian citizens.
In 2023, the federal government released its new Immigration Levels Plan to welcome 485,000 permanent residents in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025 and 2026. This announcement came on the heels of an Environics public opinion survey revealing a significant increase in the number of Canadians who believe the country accepts too many immigrants. That marks a dramatic reversal from a year ago, when support for immigration levels stood at an all-time high.
The Trudeau led government has held true to their commitment to bring in millions of immigrants in a short span of time. Housing policy is draining the income of Canadians, and political debates do not provide any real answers towards understanding what is going on in the country. Consistent political scandals regarding Trudeau overspending, and not adhering to budgets, and using money that was originally allocated for certain things. Trudeau was audited and it was found that $123 million was given to ineligible businesses, or projects that should have never been awarded at all. This is one in a long list of Trudeau scandals that have been a part of Canada political identity for the last nine years.
Trudeau’s government has even siphoned off funds to their personal businesses, after audits by the auditor general, we have seen too many inconsistencies with the funding of the Trudeau government in misusing funds as well as money disappearing into places that it should not be going.
In June of this year, the auditor general (AG) released two reports about: improper contracting practices, conflict of interest, and funding provided for ineligible projects. What these reports brought to light is an unpleasant reality; politicians and bureaucrats in Ottawa do not always act in the best interest of Canadians.
According to the first AG report, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), the federal agency responsible for funding green technology projects, demonstrated “significant lapses… in governance and stewardship of public funds.” Nearly 20% of the SDTC projects examined by the AG were in fact ineligible (based on the government’s own rules) for funding, with a total price tag of $59 million. There were also 90 instances where the SDTC ignored conflict of interest provisions while awarding $76 million to various projects. Indeed, the AG found 63 cases where SDTC agency directors voted in favour of payments to companies in which they had declared interest.
The second AG report focused on 97 contracts totaling $209 million awarded by the federal government to the McKinsey & Company consulting firm from 2011 to 2023. According to the AG, the government demonstrated “frequent disregard for procurement policies and guidance and that contracting practices often did not demonstrate value for money.” About 70% of these contracts were awarded non-competitively, meaning no other companies were permitted to bid on the contracts. Interesting!
These findings also follow an earlier report in February that found the federal government “repeatedly failed to follow good management practices in the: contracting, development, and implementation” of the ArriveCAN mobile app, which cost Canadian taxpayers at least $59.5 million.
Is there a correlation between the rising economic costs, and the siphoning of funds to other sources in Canada? Potentially, it will take a lot more investigation to confirm if that is really the case. However, Canadians can see that there has been a drastic change in the economy since the Trudeau government has come into power.
For governments to work there needs to be transparency, and there has been a lack there of in regard to our political leadership in the last few years. There are too many scandals and too many mishaps with money. Too many policies that do not benefit the citizenry, and not enough effort made to rectify the sinking economy.
Canada cannot continue to stay in these dire straits, we are sinking, and leadership plays a big role in the state of the country. We won’t see changes unless we demand it, we can take a page out of France’s method of protest; other countries have set a precedent of what their expectations are, and Canadians need to do the same. They need to demand change and implement strategies to achieve it. Within acceptable methods of protest there exists a strategy and method of changing the nature of Canada’s problems, but it starts with the citizenry. Coming together is the greatest power we have, and we need to utilize it.
REFERENCES:
https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_202402_01_e_44428.html
https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_202406_06_e_44493.html
https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_202406_e_44491.html
Community News
The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival – where every bite tells a story, and every sip celebrates Jamaica’s vibrant soul
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
What if I told you that Visa is offering two amazing opportunities that YOU, our loyal readers have an opportunity to take part in? For one of our lucky readers, you have a chance to:
- Win a trip to Trinidad Carnival 2025
- Win a trip to Jamaica
“What is this all about Simone,” you might be asking? Well, the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) turns 10 this year, and Visa International is thrilled to be part of the celebration once again. Welcome to the heart of Jamaica’s culinary playground – the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, where flavours, culture, and music blend into one unforgettable celebration.
Step into the lively Craft Market downtown, where the spirit of Jamaica comes alive. Here, they celebrate the island’s rich history and vibrant flavours – an ode to the past. Guests get a chance to immerse themselves in the legacy of festival favourites like: Crisp, Chopstix, Pork Palooza, and Picante – all in one electrifying space.
Taste, sip, and groove your way through the night, reliving fond festival memories while savouring the global influences that have shaped the iconic dishes we love today – no passport required (except to travel of course)!
As the hot days turn into steamy nights, and steamy nights turn into sweltering days, what better way to close out the festivities than with one last delectable event? The finale is not just a celebration, but a reflection of Jamaica’s culinary renaissance. After four unforgettable days, guests get a chance to honour the island’s: finest chefs, mixologists, and artisans who have made this festival a true showcase of creativity and passion.
Naturally, the festival had to find accommodations that match its prestige, and the only hotels of choice this year are: The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel and The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites. At the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the Caribbean’s most distinguished address, you will experience the perfect blend of elegance and island charm. Nestled in the heart of New Kingston, surrounded by lush gardens and views of the Caribbean Sea, this 17-storey gem is where business meets leisure in true Jamaican style. You also have the option of immersing yourself in the timeless charm of The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, a true jewel of Jamaica’s capital city. With spacious accommodations, award-winning dining, and all the modern comforts, it is the perfect way to end your festival experience.
Waldemar Cordero, Marketing Senior Director for Visa in the Caribbean and Central America, expressed his excitement about being involved in the festival’s decade-long run. “We’re really excited to be part of the 10th staging of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival. It’s amazing to see how far this festival has come, and we’re proud to have been part of the journey over the last 6 years. This festival isn’t just about food, it’s about celebrating Jamaica’s rich culture and the incredible talent that drives it.”
Visa’s partnership with JFDF has grown over the years, evolving from a traditional sponsorship into a dynamic collaboration that enhances the festival experience for everyone. “Our relationship with the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival has deepened over time,” said Waldemar. “We’ve moved from simply being a sponsor to becoming the main partner, working closely with the organizers to bring fresh, exciting elements to the event each year. This time around, we’re especially excited about the initiatives we’re rolling out that will make it easier and more enjoyable for attendees to experience all that the festival has to offer.”
Visa is excited to enhance the celebration of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival’s milestone 10th year by offering an exclusive hospitality package to Trinidad Carnival 2025. One lucky Visa cardholder who purchases festival tickets between October 16th and November 9th, 2024, will win this incredible experience. This offering includes: two economy class tickets from Kingston, Jamaica to Port of Spain, Trinidad; six nights of luxury accommodation at the Hyatt Regency; and comprehensive airport transfers and event transportation. The winner and their guest will enjoy: inclusive meals, stylish Monday Wear and Carnival Tuesday costumes, and access to premier events such as Brian Lara’s Event and PinkNicTT. Additionally, they will be treated to glamour make-up and photos. This package promises to deliver an unforgettable festival experience and celebrate the unified Caribbean culture in style.
In addition, one lucky winner from our Caribbean neighbour Trinidad and Tobago, who uses the First Citizens Bank card in Trinidad, will win a trip for two to the Food and Drink Festival in Jamaica. This is an all-expense paid trip for two with the winners to ensure the festival and enjoy scenic places in Jamaica such as Dunn’s River Falls and Port Royal. Ready for that almost winter getaway? Visit https://jafoodanddrink.com/ for more details. Good luck!
Community News
Welcome to the Black Scholars Institute—where excellence thrives, and liberation is pursued
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
At the heart of the University of Windsor’s campus, centrally located in the lower level of the CAW Student Centre, lies a space dedicated to fostering: African-Caribbean excellence, academic growth, and community empowerment: The Black Scholars Institute, or BSI.
The BSI Lounge is more than just a meeting place. It is a safe and welcoming space for African/-Caribbean faculty, staff, and students—a venue that fosters not only academic engagement, but community connection. Here, important university and local events, aligned with the Institute’s mission and values, take place.
The Black Scholars Institute is a multidisciplinary research institute—a home for African-Caribbean scholars at UWindsor. It is dedicated to advancing Black excellence and liberation through scholarship, research, and community engagement. The Institute’s work enriches teaching, learning, and social justice efforts across the University, with a focus on making an impact nationally and globally.
BSI hosts a range of weekly programs that encourage meaningful dialogue and academic collaboration. Events such as “Think Tank Thursday” provide a platform for African-Caribbean faculty and students to come together, exchange ideas, and discuss relevant research and current events. For those who are deep in their academic work, “Just Write” sessions offer dedicated time for focused writing in a supportive environment. “Coffee and Convo,” a collaboration with Leddy Library, creates space to explore Black literature and hold thought-provoking discussions around important topics.
Graduate students are invited to participate in student saloons, where they present their works-in-progress in a safe, inclusive space, where they can receive valuable feedback from peers and faculty members alike. Additionally, the “Black Research Spotlight” shines a light on the groundbreaking work of African Caribbean scholars, providing them with a platform to showcase their research and innovations.
In recognition of the challenges posed by systemic anti-Black racism, the BSI offers its members a membership with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, providing on-demand access to a wealth of professional development resources. This is just one of the ways BSI ensures its scholars are well-equipped to thrive and succeed in their academic careers. As a research institute, BSI is committed to supporting Black Studies and promoting excellence in scholarships. One vital aspect of this is the awarding of grants to Black scholars. These grants are instrumental in advancing research that is often overlooked in traditional funding competitions.
While visiting the University earlier this month, I learned more about some of the challenges that have been faced in opening BSI. The establishment of this initiative was approved by the University of Windsor’s Senate on October 7th, 2022. The initiative is in alignment with the University’s commitment to the Scarborough Charter (utoronto.ca) on anti-Black racism and Black inclusion in Canadian higher education. In 2023, the University of Windsor (UWindsor) announced their new academic home that would spotlight: Black excellence, scholarship, research, and community. The inaugural Black Scholars Institute (BSI) at UWindsor, was formally launched in September 2024.
Dr. Clinton Beckford, UWindsor’s Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, envisions that the BSI will be the institutional home for Blackness at the University. “The establishment of a Black Scholars Institute at the University of Windsor is ground-breaking and transformative,” he says. “It positions the University of Windsor as a post-secondary leader in intellectual thought and practice around Blackness and makes real our commitments to Black flourishing and thriving at and beyond the institution.”
The BSI will work closely with UWindsor’s Interdisciplinary and Critical Studies Department within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Building a Black Scholars academic program represents an innovative plan of action intended to meaningfully understand UWindsor’s approach to African-Caribbean ways of knowing in Canadian universities. The expected output will enhance UWindsor’s research profile in Black Studies and feature scholarly work, special events, speakers’ series, mentorship, and more.
Dr. Camisha Sibblis, the Director at BSI, is hopeful that the institute will enrich the experiences of Black faculty at UWindsor. “We believe that the inclusion of Black peoples, ways of learning and knowledge systems are integral to the growth of our community. The establishment of the BSI is a crucial part of fulfilling the University’s Strategic Mandate Agreement (ontario.ca) and purposefully moving the institution into the future. The Institute will enhance the University’s research profile and will also establish the University as a center of excellence in Windsor-Essex and the Detroit area – a region known for its historic importance for Black people in North America.”
Welcome to the Black Scholars Institute—where excellence thrives, and liberation is pursued through scholarship, research, and community engagement.
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Roger Brown
October 31, 2020 at 1:32 pm
Great! article. Yes, this is truly terrifying. Think back to 5th grade (Washington DC is trying to make it legal for 11 year olds to go behind their parent’s backs to get vaccinated). Could you have made an informed decision weighing the possible benefits against the possible harm. Right.
Keep up the good work, Simone Smith.