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Toronto Caribbean Carnival Special Feature – Evolving and expanding to adjust to current times

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BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Toronto Carnival cancelled for the first time in 52 years!

Masquerade bandleaders say the coronavirus pandemic made cancelling the 2020 Toronto Caribbean Carnival unavoidable.

Do you remember how you felt when you ready these headlines? For many, it was a sinking feeling in your stomach that you could not describe. Yet, another part of our summer that was taken away.

I HAVE GREAT NEWS FOR YOU!

One thing I have learned is that in everything you must adapt. You have to take what life has given you and make the best of it, and this is exactly what Toronto Caribbean Carnival has done this year.

Now that we can have small groups of people together, on Carnival weekend, and leading up to Carnival, the team at Toronto Caribbean Carnival are going to bring the fete to you.

Think about it; it is a long weekend, and for most of us, we will be gathering with friends and family to hang out (staying within provided guidelines), and relax, have a few drinks and vibe for a bit.

Now, you have the best Dj’s in the world, playing at your family event. FOR FREE! That’s right, you can still put on your partial, full or DIY costume because they are having a virtual road march with prizes!

There have been a lot of question about how Toronto Caribbean Carnival was going to pull off their evolved virtual platform this year, so I went right to the source.

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to speak with Aneesa Oumarally (Toronto Caribbean Carnival, CEO), and we reviewed a few topics, including the impact of COVID-19, and how the Carnival continues to evolve and expand, even through trouble times. First, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane.

“The past always informs the future.”

For the past 52 years, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (formerly Caribana) has delivered an exciting summer festival featuring elaborate costumes, Caribbean music, and foods from our beautiful islands.

It was the summer of 1967. The newly created Caribbean Centennial Committee had just announced Caribana Week, and the city of Toronto was preparing for a weeklong festivity from August 5th – 12th, at Olympic Island. This was going to be one of the first Caribbean festivals held outside of the actual Caribbean. It was going to be a time to share West Indian and black Canadian culture and traditions with the Toronto community. It represented the cultures of the ten main Caribbean islands in addition to Bermuda and Guyana.

On the first day, 32,000 people showed up to kick of the carnival style parade. They came in their bright and lavish costumes, exquisitely decorated floats, and steel drums. This was the good old days when the parade was open, and anyone could join the celebration. It rained that day, but that didn’t stop the revellers from coming back to join the celebration on the Sunday. The success of the festival attracted the world audience. Eventually, Caribbean leaders, as well as stage and musical acts took notice of this historic event, and this one-off celebration became an annual event.

Everything has changed, and that was the first topic of discussion between Aneesa and I.

“You are never going to have the same feeling or momentum, but people recognize that there is a difference now,” Aneesa began.

”It has been tough, I won’t lie, and for a few reasons. The carnival is supported in part by federal, provincial and municipal funding, but with all that is happening, we have lost numerous sponsorships, and we are currently working with a skeleton staff of four or five key people.

Then of course we have to think about the small and large industries that rely on the event for their economic needs: from the music trucks to the artisians (wire makers, costume designers, jewellery designers), it has not been easy, and everyone has had to make adjustments.

We had to make a decision. We had to focus on the recovery of carnival for the community. Everyone is happy that we made the transition to a virtual carnival

It is the only way to remain relevant. People are happy about this.”

During our talk, Aneesa reminded me of an important fact.

“This is a multigenerational thing, and this presents a problem for us. We have people who are 70 and 80 years old, and kids from 1 to 10 participating. We had to figure out how we were going to reach all of the demographics and make everyone happy.

We are so happy that the community has been so supportive. What surprised us was the support that we were getting from the international community. People were impressed that our Prime Minister acknowledged our event. The premier said something to Toronto citizens, and Mayor John Tory declared that the month of July was Toronto Caribbean Carnival Month!”

What could be the same this year? Of course, it has to be different!

What is exciting is to see the changes that Toronto Caribbean Carnival has made. They will be having weekly programs include Microbusiness Mondays, Wellness Wednesdays, Carnival Saturdays and Calypso Tent on Sundays.

“This year we are doing symposiums,” Aneesa tells me excitedly. “Now our scholars can participate in carnival. It is called Free up Yuh Self Symposium, and we already have an international audience that has registered.”

The health-focused Wellness Wednesdays will highlight Carnival Spice and Socacize creators Shakera Martin and Ayanna Lee-Rivers, respectively, who adapted dancing to soca into workouts and boot camps. Carnival Saturdays will host virtual parties, and Calypso Tent on Sundays will feature live performances.

“For Junior Carnival Week, we again partnered with Ontario Science Centre, and this year they hosted virtual experiments for kids, like creating an oobleck monster. That involves pouring cornstarch on a speaker and letting it dance to soca music while creating a unique pattern. It is truly innovative. STEM is being brought to children through the Carnival.”

Let’s give you a quick run down of what you are to expect this year. You can get more details by visiting their website at  https://www.torontocarnival.ca/

July 22 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wellness Wednesday – IslandWukkout
Virtual

July 23 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Free Up Yuh Self: Disrupting Gender, Sexuality, Race and Finding Agency in Carnival 
Toronto Carnival Symposium presents an important panel: “Free Up Yuh Self: Disrupting Gender, Sexuality, Race and Finding Agency in Carnival”. ​ ​Register early

July 25 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Freedom Mas Carnival Virtual Event
Virtual

July 25 @ 9:00 pm – July 26 @ 12:00 am
The Prelude to The Virtual Road!
Virtual

The Prelude to The Virtual Road! ​ ​We’re just one week away from the finale event on August 1st and they wanted to prepare you for the road with The Prelude! There will be three local DJ’s, three hours of soca, and all of the vibes.
See you on Saturday at 9pm! ​ ​Streaming on all social media platforms

July 31st, 2020
Toronto Caribbean Carnival has partnered with a radio station in Grenadian. They will be having a party with Grenadian artists. That’s right. A Jab Jab party the night before Carnival

August 1 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
This event Celebration is a virtual experience on the road, and this is your opportunity to showcase a costume for a “Road Experience.”
It is going to be 13 hours of soca music. They are going to start with DJ’s in Australia, Japan, Europe (Germany, UK), Caribbean, The America’s, and then finally right back home here in Toronto. This was the brainchild of Dj Invinceable International.
Some artists will be performing on the road. You can participate. It’s Free!
Limited ZOOM links will be made available and with preference to those in partial, full or DIY costume. Register now!
Otherwise, you can still listen to the party at home or with friends on our TWITCH feed while we take you on a Virtual Road into the night!!!
Twitch Feed: http://www.twitch.com/torontocarnival
Updates: http://www.instagram.com/torontocarnival.ca

“Finally,” Aneesa tells me, “We want the community to get involved by posting #myTorontoCarnival, and telling us what does your Toronto Carnival mean to you? You can post this on Toronto Caribbean Newspaper social media pages, or Toronto Caribbean Carnival social media pages. Don’t forget to tag us!”

Toronto! Get ready to wine!

We, as humans are guaranteed certain things in life: stressors, taxes, bills and death are the first thoughts that pop to mind. It is not uncommon that many people find a hard time dealing with these daily life stressors, and at times will find themselves losing control over their lives. Simone Jennifer Smith’s great passion is using the gifts that have been given to her, to help educate her clients on how to live meaningful lives. The Hear to Help Team consists of powerfully motivated individuals, who like Simone, see that there is a need in this world; a need for real connection. As the founder and Director of Hear 2 Help, Simone leads a team that goes out into the community day to day, servicing families with their educational, legal and mental health needs.Her dedication shows in her Toronto Caribbean newspaper articles, and in her role as a host on the TCN TV Network.

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Forgetting isn’t just something to be annoyed about, it’s a smart way to survive

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Photo credit - Press Foto

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!

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Blink equity dives deep into the gap between people of colour and decision-making roles in Canadian law firms

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Photo Credit: AI Image

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.

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“The Pfizer Papers!” Documentation of worldwide genocide

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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://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/why-a-judge-ordered-fda-to-release-covid-19-vaccine-data-pronto

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

 

Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency

FDA Should Need Only ‘12 Weeks’ to Release Pfizer Data, Not 75 Years, Plaintiff Calculates

Judge Gives FDA 8 Months, Not 75 Years, to Produce Pfizer Safety Data

Most Studies Show COVID Vaccine Affects Menstrual Cycles, BMJ Review Finds

Report 38: Women Have Two and a Half Times Higher Risk of Adverse Events Than Men. Risk to Female Reproductive Functions Is Higher Still.

 

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