Community News
Succumbing to the seduction of sensationalism; What needs to be learned from the Eligio Bishop story
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 1st, 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.fox5atlanta.com/news/alleged-cult-leader-eligio-bishop-found-guilty-of-rape
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 KHADIJA KARIM
Have you ever forgotten someone’s name, or where you left your phone and thought, “Why can’t I remember anything?” Forgetting might feel frustrating, but it turns out that forgetting things can actually be good for you. Experts believe forgetting might be an important part of human survival and could even have benefits.
You probably think that remembering everything would be better, right? If you remembered every tiny detail, like what you had for breakfast three weeks ago, or the colour of every car you saw today, you would be overwhelmed. Our brains are constantly receiving information, and if we didn’t forget some of it, we wouldn’t be able to focus on what really matters at that time.
Forgetting helps you clear out information you don’t need, and it helps your brain remember the most useful memories. Think about how hard it would be to focus on important things if your mind was filled with random thoughts. Forgetting helps you stay focused and keeps your mind from getting lost.
So, why would evolution make us forget things? Early humans had to deal with dangerous environments that changed quickly. They needed to remember things that helped them survive, like where to find food, or how to avoid predators. They didn’t need to remember every small detail, like what happened last week. Forgetting information, they didn’t need allowed them to make quick decisions based on what was most important at that moment in time.
For example, if you remember a recent storm, you might make sure to stay inside or find shelter. If you remembered every storm you’d ever seen, it would be harder to make decisions about the present. Forgetting irrelevant details helps you stay on your feet and helps you react faster to new situations. This ability to forget likely helped early humans survive and make better decisions in their everyday lives.
Next time you forget something, don’t be too hard on yourself! Forgetting is a natural part of how our brains work and can actually help you stay focused on the important things. It might seem annoying at times, but it’s helping you make better decisions. Forgetting isn’t just something to be annoyed about, it’s a smart way to survive in a world that’s always changing!
Community News
Blink equity dives deep into the gap between people of colour and decision-making roles in Canadian law firms
BY ADRIAN REECE
Representation in the workforce has been a topic of conversation for years, particularly in positions of influence, where people can shift laws and create fair policies for all races. Representation in the legal system is an even more talked about subject, with many Black men being subjected to racism in courts and not being given fair sentencing by judges.
The fear of Black men entering the system is something that plagues mothers and fathers as they watch their children grow up.
Blink Equity, a company led by Pako Tshiamala, has created an audit called the Blink Score. This audit targets law firms and seeks to identify specific practices reflecting racial diversity among them in Toronto. A score is given based on a few key performance indicators. These KPIs include hiring practices, retention of diverse talent, and racial representation at every level.
The Blink Score project aims to analyze law firms in Ontario with more than 50 lawyers. The Blink Score is a measurement tool that holds law firms accountable for their representation. Firms will be ranked, and the information will be made public for anyone to access.
This process is ambitious and seeks to give Canadian citizens a glimpse into how many people are represented across the legal field. While more and more people have access to higher education, there is still a gap between obtaining that higher education and working in a setting where change can be made. The corporate world, at its highest points, is almost always one race across the board, and very rarely do people of colour get into their ranks. They are made out to be an example of how anyone from a particular race can achieve success. However, this is the exception, not the rule. Nepotism plays a role in societal success; connections are a factor, and loyalty to race, even if people are acquainted.
People of colour comprise 16% of the total lawyers across the province. Positions at all levels range from 6% to 27%. These numbers display the racial disparity among law practitioners in positions of influence. Becoming a lawyer is undoubtedly a huge accomplishment. Still, when entering the workforce with other seasoned professionals, your academic accolades become second to your professional achievements and your position in the company.
What do these rankings ultimately mean? A potential for DEI-inclusive practices, perhaps? That isn’t something that someone would want in this kind of profession. This kind of audit also opens law firms up to intense criticism from people who put merit above all other aspects of professional advancement. On the other hand, there is a potential for firms to receive clientele based on their blink score, with higher ones having the chance to bring in more race-based clients who can help that law firm grow.
It is only the beginning, and changes will undoubtedly be made in the legal field as Blink Equity continues to dive deep into the gap between people of colour and decision-making roles in these law firms. This audit has the power to shift the power scale, and place people of colour in higher positions. There are hierarchies in any profession, and while every Lawyer is qualified to do what they are trained to do, it is no shock that some are considerably better than others at their jobs. The ones who know how to use this audit to their advantage will rise above the others and create a representative image for themselves among their population.
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
We are living in a world where promises of health and safety came packaged in a tiny vial, one injection was promoted by powerful governments, supported by respected institutions, and championed by legacy media worldwide. Sadly, beneath the surface, a darker truth emerged.
Reports from around the globe began to tell a different story—one that was not covered in the news cycles or press conferences. Families torn apart by unexpected losses, communities impacted in ways that few could have foreseen, and millions questioning what they had been told to believe.
Those who dared to question were silenced or dismissed (the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper being one of those sources). “Trust the science,” we were told. “It’s for the greater good.” As time went on, the truth became impossible to ignore.
Now, I bring more news to light—information that demands your attention and scrutiny. The time to passively listen has passed; this is the moment to understand what’s really at stake.
I reviewed an interview with Naomi Wolf, journalist and CEO of Daily Clout, which detailed the serious vaccine-related injuries that Pfizer and the FDA knew of by early 2021, but tried to hide from the public. I was introduced to “The Pfizer Papers: Pfizer’s Crimes Against Humanity.” What I learned is that Pfizer knew about the inadequacies of its COVID-19 vaccine trials and the vaccine’s many serious adverse effects, and so did the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA promoted the vaccines anyway — and later tried to hide the data from the public.
To produce “The Pfizer Papers,” Naomi, and Daily Clout Chief Operations Officer Amy Kelly convened thousands of volunteer scientists and doctors to analyze Pfizer data and supplementary data from other public reporting systems to capture the full scope of the vaccines’ effects. They obtained the data from the Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency, a group of more than 30 medical professionals and scientists who sued the FDA in 2021 and forced the agency to release the data, after the FDA refused to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request.
It was then that the federal court ordered the agency to release 450,000 internal documents pertaining to the licensing of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The data release was significantly and the documents so highly technical and scientific that according to Naomi, “No journalist could have the bandwidth to go through them all.”
The “Pfizer Papers” analysts found over 42,000 case reports detailing 158,893 adverse events reported to Pfizer in the first three months The centerpiece of “The Pfizer Papers” is the effect that the vaccine had on human reproduction. The papers reveal that Pfizer knew early on that the shots were causing menstrual issues. The company reported to the FDA that 72% of the recorded adverse events were in women. Of those, about 16% involved reproductive disorders and functions. In the clinical trials, thousands of women experienced: daily bleeding, hemorrhaging, and passing of tissue, and many other women reported that their menstrual cycle stopped completely.
Pfizer was aware that lipid nanoparticles from the shots accumulated in the ovaries and crossed the placental barrier, compromising the placenta and keeping nutrients from the baby in utero. According to the data, babies had to be delivered early, and women were hemorrhaging in childbirth.
Let us take us to another part of the world, where research has been done on other pharmaceutical companies. A group of Argentine scientists identified 55 chemical elements — not listed on package inserts — in the: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, CanSino, Sinopharm and Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines (according to a study published last week in the International Journal of Vaccine Theory, Practice, and Research).
The samples also contained 11 of the 15 rare earth elements (they are heavier, silvery metals often used in manufacturing). These chemical elements, which include lanthanum, cerium and gadolinium, are lesser known to the general public than heavy metals, but have been shown to be highly toxic. By the end of 2023, global researchers had identified 24 undeclared chemical elements in the COVID-19 vaccine formulas.
Vaccines often include excipients — additives used as preservatives, adjuvants, stabilizers, or for other purposes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), substances used in the manufacture of a vaccine, but not listed in the contents of the final product should be listed somewhere in the package insert. Why is this important? Well, researchers argue it is because excipients can include allergens and other “hidden dangers” for vaccine recipients.
In one lot of the AstraZeneca vaccine, researchers identified 15 chemical elements, of which 14 were undeclared. In the other lot, they detected 21 elements of which 20 were undeclared. In the CanSino vial, they identified 22 elements, of which 20 were undeclared.
The three Pfizer vials contained 19, 16 and 21-23 undeclared elements respectively. The Moderna vials contained 21 and between 16-29 undeclared elements. The Sinopharm vials contained between 17-23 undeclared elements and the Sputnik V contained between 19-25 undetected elements.
“All of the heavy metals detected are linked to toxic effects on human health,” the researchers wrote. Although the metals occurred in different frequencies, many were present across multiple samples.
I am not going to go any further with this; I think you get the picture. We have been sold wolf cookies, very dangerous ones. These pharmaceutical companies must be held accountable. I am proud of anyone who has gone after them for retribution, and have received it. Regardless, in many ways, there is no repayment for a healthy life.
REFERENCES:
https://ijvtpr.com/index.php/IJVTPR/article/view/111
https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender_category/toxic-exposures/
Pfizer’s ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ — and Legacy Media’s Failure to Report on Them
55 Undeclared Chemical Elements — Including Heavy Metals — Found in COVID Vaccines
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Judge Gives FDA 8 Months, Not 75 Years, to Produce Pfizer Safety Data
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