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 STEVEN KASZAB

Many of my American customers have made commentary upon the relationship between Canada and the USA, and upon what makes up a Canadian. Are these two people the same or somehow different? Canadians and Americans share a great deal, watch the same television, have similar love for democracy and work together in business and play. Millions of us travel back and forth with seemingly only our national labels separating us from the other.

Our histories are intertwined, families spread across each border, with Canadians expressing their trust and love for the cousins down south. We have historically fought one another, distrusted one another, yet become the greatest of allies as well. A huge border separates each nation from the other, yet millions cross this border freely each day. Our economies are interwoven, and we walk in space together as a unit of explorers with lapel flags identifying us from the other.

What makes Canadians and Americans different? Two words and their meaning makes the case clearly. Family and Cooperation: A group of related things living together – descendants of a common ancestor working together.

“Family” holds a special place of reverence and historical significance socio-politically to both Canadians and Americans. That similarity is clear. I believe the difference in how we view family, and what family means to us. American individualism holds a pivotal historic place within the American social fabric. This flows into how they view and live their family experience. Family is a part of the greater national experience, but individualism maintains a separation from the greater public’s expectations. Individuals and their families are separate from the greater whole. Importance to the needs, expectations, myths of the individual run supreme and above the national needs and expectations. Nationalism in America is characteristically centered on independence and self-reliance.

Canadian expressions of “family” are similar, but the lived concept of family is far more holistic in its approach. Not only are family members part of the family unit, but Canadians view others in Canada as family as well. Our acceptance of the social compact unites Canadians and presses our expression to help the other. Canadian social thought evolved to accept and place social policy decisions such as our universal health care and the protection of the citizen from undue: financial, mental, and physical challenges.

America’s acceptance of the supremacy of capital and individualism places its citizens in harm’s way should that citizen face such challenges as illness (no insurance), or loss of job (loss of home). Canadian social attitudes place cooperation among our citizens as the primary method of achievement as a society and family.

Americans’ reverence of competition places citizens and American institutions against one another. Darwinian attitudes place capital and individualism into every aspect of American life from the moment an American is born in a hospital to the day they pass away. Capital, wealth, personal achievement reaches into every American’s lived experience as though it were a religion. Not so in Canada. Perhaps it is Canadians feeling of inferiority living beside the greatest democratic nation on earth, or because we understand America’s importance to Canada’s welfare and well-being be it: financial, economic, or our national defense. The proverbial little cousin.

That feeling unites Canadians, making us far more empathetic to our neighbors and the world. This empathy enters our political and social realities, as to how we see ourselves. Our inferiority makes us more cooperative, and socially responsible.

American individualism and Canadian cooperative thought. Alternatives offered to free people. Choose and choose well.

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”.