Caribbean American Passport News Magazine - April 2018

FREE Your Passport to the Caribbean American Community

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Apr/May 2018

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Haitian Flag Day

On May 18th, 1803, Catherine Flon, who also happened to be the goddaughter of Haitian revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines, sewed the Haitian flag together in the city of Arcahaie.

Each year Haitian Flag Day is celebrated by Haitians around the world with live music, cultural festivities and delicious food. Florida is no exception, you can find many activities centered around Flag Day throughout the state.

Back in 1964, when Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc) was president, the colors of the flag were changed to black and red, contrary to the traditional blue and red design that we see today.

In 1986, Jean-Claude Duvalier (Baby Doc) was overthrown from the presidency and the original colors of blue and red were once again restored back to the flag.

Haiti has a strong and powerful history of struggles and victories and the Haitian Flag stands strong in that history with pride and celebration.

What's happening in England with the Windrush Generation?

The term “Windrush Generation� refers to migrants who lawfully entered the UK before 1971 from Commonwealth countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados. At the time, nationals from Commonwealth countries were actively encouraged to go to the UK. The law changed on 1 January 1973 with the enactment of the Immigration Act 1971, which added restrictions to Commonwealth nationals being able to enter and settle in the UK. The act also granted indefinite leave to remain to those Commonwealth citizens already residing in the UK by way of automatic acquisition.

Many entered the UK as children trave-

ling on their parents’ passports and have not since applied for immigration documents. Whilst the 1971 Act automatically granted indefinite leave to remain, individuals would not be able to evidence their status unless an application was made.

Furthermore, the Home Office did not keep a record of those who entered during this period, making it extremely difficult for Windrush arrivals to now prove they are here lawfully. This has been further complicated by the fact that the Home Office destroyed the landing cards of thousands of Windrush migrants in 2010, making it even harder to demonstrate their lawful status.

Cont'd on pg 4

Florida Caribbean Students Association packs backpacks for Students in the Caribbean

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L I F E S T Y L E

Guenet Gittens-Roberts, Publisher/Editor

Why do we do what we do?

Samuel J. Roberts, Publisher/Editor

I've been wondering about that a lot recently. Why do we do what we do? I

Everyone has a gift, figuring out yours should be a goal at some time in your life. Then create your life, work and play around that. You will not regret it.

haven't been enjoying it as much as I usually do. I don't work from home anymore. I have an office, a staff of six or more, four I love the following quote: . active businesses all doing well and I'm not enjoying it as much "Every next level of your life will demand a different as I used to. version of you." During that journey, as Bishop T D Jakes says "You can't take a new blessing with Why? old focus."

I loved it when I chose exactly what I wanted to do...now I have responsibility for staff, responsibility for rent and responsibility So along your journey, be prepared for change, be for a bunch of other bills. I'm finally making money again, at a prepared for people to fall off of your bus.

They business I love, and it's not as much fun as I used to have when it weren't meant to be on your journey.

You stay was me, dreaming and building. prepared, work hard, work smart and you'll know when it all comes together.

Then today, something pretty great happened. I had to turn off my telephone while I did an interview and I talked about my One day, some idiot out there will tell you how lucky business, my life and family. And I realized that I could do that you are and how easy you had it. If you feel like it, and business would still move along. Things wouldn't stop go ahead...tell them how hard you worked, how because I had chosen to stop. That's the beauty of building your much you sacrificed. Tell them how you lived in business to the level to where it goes on without you. It may have the future, instead of your present. Some will go been for 3 hours...but I loved it. I was completely in the moment. on to believe you and improve their lives, others You would have sworn that I was going on vacation...I tried will choose to not understand... It's your life..... Live it getting all of my calls and texts in before turning off that phone. your way.

But once that phone was off...whew it was wonderful.

Now? I have a new goal that I set today: to create a business that runs efficiently without my involvement. Find great people to work with and share the wealth.

As we go into the final two months of our busiest season, I am excited to get past Orlando Carnival at the end of May, build out a spectacular Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebration in June, and then rest in July. I'm excited to hand over the bulk of the business to our new team. I want to see the things they put into place to take it to new levels.

Then we're back to work in August, getting ready for new challenges and opportunities during the Miami Carnival Season.

I'd like to encourage you to take a chance on your dreams. Don't give up too soon. It took us 7 years to see real fruits of our labors.

But it's worth it to live a life that you created, based on the things that bring you joy.

For me that's Caribbean Life, Caribbean People, Caribbean Culture, events and creating marketing campaigns. For Sam it's project management (you should see the details of the reports that he creates at before, during, and after projects). It's his gift.

Our kids are now in the business and they are finding their place. This is important.

1969 Alafaya Trail • Orlando, FL 32828 Office: 407-427-1800

Fax: 407-386-7925

Toll Free: 877-220-8315 For Media Information email: Publisher: sroberts@caribbeanamericanpassport.com Info: .Info@caribbeanamericanpassport.com

Should you desire to review past copies of the publicationgo to http://caribbeanamericanpassport.com and click on the 'Print Archive'.

Editor & Publisher............................................................... Sam Roberts Publisher ........................................................... Guenet Gittens-Roberts Graphic Design & Layout .................................................Samuel Roberts Contributing Writers: ............................................................ Tony Dyal ................................................................................................Ryan Davis .............................................................................................Sandra Fatmi ...............................................................................................Gail Seeram ...........................................................................................Sasha Watson ..........................................................................................Kamal Abdool Contributing Photographers ............ ...................................Ted Hollins ..................................................................................................Dilia Castillo .............................................. .......................................Nancy-Joe Brown Central Florida Distribution...................................................Roy Benn South Florida Distribution ...........................................Norman Williams NorthFlorida Distribution ......................................................Theo Jack Jr. Tampa Distribution ...........................................................Kadeem Roberts Copyright (C) 2016 GGR Marketing & Public Relations. All rights reserved.

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What's happening in England with the Windrush Generation?

Cont'd from pg 1

This problem has become more pronounced as the Home Office’s “hostile environment” policy has affected Windrush migrants albeit that they are lawfully living in the UK. The policy requires for all individuals to hold official documentation to allow them to work, open a bank account, rent somewhere to live, hold a driving licence, access state benefits and use NHS services. The Government failed to consider how this would impact members of society who are living lawfully in the UK but have not taken steps to document their status, including an estimated 500,000 Windrush migrants.

There have been some particularly harrowing stories of people losing their jobs or being denied medical treatment as they have not been able to evidence their immigration status, despite being here lawfully for decades. It has also been suggested that some migrants may have been wrongfully deported as a result of not being able to prove their entry or status in the UK. These stories sparked outrage and following much media coverage and commentary, yesterday Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced that people from all Commonwealth countries (not just the Caribbean) will be entitled to apply to naturalise as British citizens without having to pay the application fee of £1,330. In addition, they will not be required to pass the Life in the UK test or meet the English language requirement, which is compulsory for all other applicants.

Those arriving in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries have been labelled the Windrush generation.

The Home Office has set up a new team tasked at dealing with the immigration cases of any Commonwealth nationals affected and has stated that 9 cases have already been resolved with a further 84 appointments made via a Freephone helpline. The Home Secretary has also stated that compensation will be offered to those who have “suffered loss”, although it is yet to be seen what form this will take and whether it will adequately compensate those who have suffered as a result of the Government’s actions

Because they came from British colonies that had not achieved independence, they believed they were British citizens.

This is a reference to the ship MV Empire Windrush, which arrived at Tilbury Docks, Essex, on 22 June 1948, bringing workers from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other islands, as a response to post-war labour shortages in the UK. The ship carried 492 passengers - many of them children.

There are now 500,000 people resident in the UK who were born in a Commonwealth country and arrived before 1971 - including the Windrush arrivals - according to estimates

by Oxford University's Migration Observatory.

Prime Minister Theresa May has apologised to Caribbean leaders over deportation threats made to the children of Commonwealth citizens, who despite living and working in the UK for decades, have been told they are living here illegally because of a lack of official paperwork.

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Flag Day Parade Cultural Explosion: "A Cup of Culture"

Presented by Haitian American Art Network, Inc.

The month of May is a pride-filled month that carries out exciting events within the Orlando Haitian community to bring memorable souvenirs, such as patriotic songs recalling the creation of the flag blue and red and the symbol of unity that made us free forever.

On Saturday, May 19, 2018 Haitian American Art Network, Inc., & Commissioner Samuel B. Ings, present Haitian Flag Day Parade and a Community Gathering/ Resource Fair also known as Kombit Kiltirel. The Parade line up will start at 9:00 AM from Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center, 1723 Bruton Blvd, Orlando, FL 32805, and will end at the Dr. I. Sylvester Hankins Park, 1340 Lake Park Ct, Orlando, FL 32805.

This year’s theme, Haiti Reunification: Strengthening Our Nation, highlighting the Haitian cultural traditions, strength of its people, legacy, and its unique role in bringing the Diaspora community together through Friendship and Solidarity.

Cultural Explosion: “A Cup of Culture” Flag Day Parade, and a Community Gathering with cultural performances with local and International artists/ performers, vendor exhibitions, art Exposition/ Exhibition, Children’s Corner.

The month of May is indeed very significant for all Haitians as we celebrate it with pride and dignity regardless of our differences in order to promote and share the rich Haitian culture.

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Shaggy Performs with Sting for Queen Elizabeth's 92nd Birthday Celebration

Queen Elizabeth II’s 92nd birthday party took the form of a concert that was televised and broadcast on the radio by the BBC – it was touted as “a fun and vibrant evening of contemporary hits, songs from classic musicals, unique collaborations and stars from around the Commonwealth,” according to the Royal Albert Hall’s description.

The royal family booked Sting—and Shaggy, who performed their reggae-gesturing single “Don’t Make Me Wait.”

The music video features Shaggy and Sting hanging out in Kingston singing, dancing and shooting pool, while the local residents go about their daily business, flirt with one another, prepare yummy-looking food, hit the beach, and take to the streets for a huge party.

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JUNE 24TH CAHM FESTIVAL FOOD FAMILY FUN FREE

What's Happening in our World

Caribbean Support rallied for Sheriff Demings in his run for Mayor of Orange County. Sheriff Demings by word and deed across the scope of his career has proven to be open to diversity and inclusiveness. The overwhelming consensus was that he had the full support of the Caribbean leaders present. We wish him the best in his campaign for office. For more information or to contribute to his campaign please go to www.jerrydemingsformayor.net

We were super excited to have Phoebe and her Samba team join us at our kickoff Celebration at Embassy Suites for our team. It was a pleasure to eat, dance and enjoy the road to Carnival. We look forward to you seeing them at Orlando Carnival Downtown on May 27th.

Save the following Dates: June is Caribbean American Heritage Month June 1st - Annual Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at City of Orlando City Hall June 24th CAHM Festival & Expo Orlando Fashion Square Mall

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CAFA CARIBBEAN FUSION FESTIVAL Caribbean Fusion presented by the Caribbean And Floridian Association - a celebration of cultural diversity in the heart of Osceola County...

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ImmigrationINFO

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Immigration News For Our Community Immigration Judges New Performance Matrix will create Speedier Deportations

By Attorney Gail S. Seeram, Gail@GailLaw.com 1-877-GAIL-LAW @GailSeeram

The Department of Justice will be implementing a new performance metrics for immigration judges on October 1, 2018. The Justice Department official said the new metrics will require immigration judges to complete three cases per workday. The average cases completed per year by immigration judges, per the official, is fewer than 680. The new metric will require judges to complete 700 cases per year. Completing fewer than 560 cases per year would result in the judge being evaluated at the “unsatisfactory” level. Many worry that immigration judges will be forced to adjudicate cases more quickly, rush immigrant defendants through the system without the opportunity to obtain an immigration attorney, without an opportunity to present evidence or to present their claim in a manner that’s appropriate with due process.

The requirement to complete a removal/deportation cases in 3 days from the hearing where the immigrant is detained (10 days when the immigrant is not detained) is nearly impossible for an immigration attorney. The immigrant defendant and attorney cannot gather evidence to support a claim for relief and file documents in court in 3 days or even 10 days. Usually when an immigrant is detained, an immigration judge can complete the case in 30 days giving the government attorney and immigrant defendant reasonable time to gather evidence and present oral testimony.

These new performance metrics for immigration judges is putting a place a new system that will generate more appeals and strip defendants of a fair opportunity to fully prepare and present this case in court (a right referred to a due process).

For now, however, the institution of these quotas by the Department of Justice attempts to keep immigration judges in line with the administration’s goal of speedy removal of immigrants, with the threat that their performance appraisals, and thus, their careers, will be negatively impacted if they fail to comply with requirements.

According to Attorney General Jeff Sessions “. . . [a]liens who enter our country illegally should be aware that the government will use all lawful tools, including expedited removal and prompt immigration proceedings, to ensure that our immigration courts will not be burdened with cases that lack merit under the law.” Obviously, at the heart of these quotas is a sinister and discriminatory goal —that of the speedy removal of a specific group of immigrants whose cases the DOJ has prejudged as meritless.

Copyright © Law Offices of Gail S. Seeram, 2018.

All Rights Reserved.

Immigration judges are considered Department of Justice ("DOJ") attorneys, despite their title. With this new performance matrix, the DOJ has stripped immigration courts of any remaining independence by implementing strict quotas as part of immigration judges’ performance evaluations. The DOJ retains ultimate control over an immigration judge’s employment and his/her decisions.

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Orlando Carnival Downtown build out a stronger Reggae Stage known as the "Fire Stage"

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TOOCA I The Original Orlando Carnival Association Press Release TOOCA as the name implies, is The Original Orlando Carnival Association; several members of this group are either founding members or members with over 25 years of involvement.

Carnival in Orlando was started in an effort to share and expose the culture of the Caribbean with the rest of the world, especially seeing that Orlando attracts millions of visitors from around the world, partly because of the worldclass amenities.

In 1987, a small group planned the first carnival, (CFWIACA) Central Florida West Indian American Carnival Association, which spawned other area carnivals. In subsequent years, and for brevity, since we were no longer the only carnival association in Central Florida, CFWIACA, was changed to Orlando Carnival Association (OCA) and then to OCCA (Orlando Carnival Cultural Association) to emphasize the cultural aspect of our association.

Carnival was produced by OCCA (Orlando Carnival Cultural Association) each year, with the exception of one. Success breeds contempt and it attracted members who had a different agenda and ulterior motives which transmuted into unethical behavior and personal greed to the extent of dishonesty, theft and misappropriation of funds. At that time, one of these new members who unfortunately became President was involved in these unscrupulous practices and was therefore expelled from the OCCA. He then formed a new group, The Orlando Cultural Carnival Association, very similar in name, to mimic the Original OCCA and to confuse the public and give him the opportunity to continue his unscrupulous practices.

Without going into too many details, the original group restructured in 2017 and collaborated with Roberts & Roberts Management Services, LLC to manage and grow the event in a professional manner. It was then rebranded and the name was changed to TOOCA (The Original Orlando Carnival Association) to prevent the perception of any affiliation to the recently formed Orlando Cultural Carnival Association by this individual.

Despite misleading claims, the 2017 Orlando Carnival, the only carnival in Orlando last year, which was held Downtown Orlando, the same venue as this year, was produced by TOOCA (The Original Orlando Carnival Association) only. This caused OCCA to curtail production of their own planned event. The 2017 Orlando Carnival was the largest ever carnival in Orlando and the first free carnival in Florida.

The recently formed Orlando Cultural Carnival Association continues to operate in a toxic environment of lies, innuendos, and nasty promotional methods. Evidenced by the rhetoric of a couple band-leaders who joined bands as one band for 2017 and whose band was disqualified for being extremely late for the parade and therefore not judged, but were allowed to participate. Instead of taking responsibility for their shortcomings, they have joined with the previously expelled President and now current President of the recently formed Orlando Cultural Carnival Association to hold a Carnival on the same day in Orlando and has set on a path to derail TOOCA (The Original Orlando Carnival Association).

TOOCA (The Original Orlando Carnival association) has never been given any sizeable grant from the City of Orlando to assist with its production of Orlando Carnival. This statement is mentioned here to refute the claims and lies perpetrated by OCCA. TOOCA (The Original Orlando Carnival Association) and Roberts & Roberts Management Services LLC will be having an even more exciting Carnival Event in Downtown Orlando for 2018 with the King of Soca, Machel Montano, and the Monk Band. A performance including the entire Monk Band has not taken place in the U.S. in approximately 7 years, so this is not something you want to miss. We expect it to be even bigger and better Carnival than in 2017.

All Mas Bands are invited to join us and we welcome any questions from the public or the Carnival Mas bands. We can be reached at orlandocarnival@yahoo.com or www.OrlandoCarnivalDowntown.com.

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Tony Deyal | Mohammed And The Mountain I walked into a bat. Not a cricket bat, but a costumed demon bat, tall, grinning headpiece with long ears, black velvet arms, and to a seven-year-old, scary like hell. I was at my Uncle Bem's 'parlour' or 'cake shop' in Carapichaima (a village in Central Trinidad), which was also a club and drinking place where rummy was played by rummies and where, at carnival time, everyone ended up.

The shop was next to the railway station, the hub of activity, where well-kept and decorated horse-drawn buggies, the taxis of the time, waited outside for passengers, and a huge concrete cistern or water tank dominated the landscape. This was the stage for our carnival celebrations and what we now call 'Old Time' Carnival was the only mas or masquerade we knew.

I was peeping out at the fearsome 'Jab-Jabs', a band from Chickland and another from Brickfield (two nearby villages), who were strutting around, cracking their whips and working up for a battle with 'bullpistles' and sticks. Then I saw my neighbour, 'Donkey' Arthur, who every year built a 'burrokeet' or donkey/man character which he danced on the street and, running out to get a closer look, landed straight in the darkness of the enfolding bat wings.

Scared to death, I ran home and did not return until a year later when, having encountered the Pirate, Captain Kidd, in my West Indian Reader, I decided to play Midnight Robber and started my spiel with, "Oh, my name is Captain Kidd, and God's Laws I did forbid, as I sailed the sea ... ."

A few years later, the carnival changed. The costumes became bigger and heavier. Huge floats, along the lines of the New Orleans carnival, became increasingly common. I went to school in San Fernando and, pushing these floats, created by people like Mack Copeland, was an uphill task which we did our level best to manage. One of the most difficult maneuvers was helping a steel band, with its many metal racks on wheels, to come down the steep hill that is Chancery Lane. Carnival had become cumbersome and I racked up some miles and muscles every year.

The only bands that remained mobile were the sailor bands that were associated mostly with the steel bands. They were community bands, and like the cricket or football teams, everyone from the village or area was a member.

What I loved, though, was the ordinary and pariah mas, the dirty or 'dutty' sailor. Minimal costume, can of Pond's talcum powder in one hand, a rum or beer bottle in the other, and a head so 'bad' that rolling on the road felt like swimming.

Paradise Lost Then came Paradise Lost. The poem starts with the lines, "Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit,/Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal taste,/Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,/With loss of Eden , till one greater Man/ Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,/ Sing Heav'nly Muse ... ." This was John Milton's work and greatest achievement. It was the prelude to Paradise Reborn and the coming together of the Mountain and Mohammed.

It is said, "If the mountain will not come to Mohammed, Mohammed will go to the mountain." The story, whether true or contrived by English author, Francis Bacon, is that the Prophet Muhammad was asked to provide proof of his teaching, so he ordered Mount Safa to come to him. When, after several commands, the mountain did not move, Mohammed praised God for being merciful, saying that if the mountain had obeyed his command, it would have fallen on all of them and destroyed them, and therefore he would now go to the mountain and give thanks to God for having mercy on such a disbelieving people.

Peter Minshall has ascended the very heavens of invention.

From a costume depicting the Land of the Hummingbird, to the Notting Hill Carnival and then back to Trinidad with the revolutionary Paradise Lost, a band that ended the era of the huge floats and made carnival or mas mobile again, Minshall now towers over all our designers. At the global level, he was involved in the opening ceremonies of the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the 1994 FIFA World Cup and is credited with the invention of Tube Man, aka Tall Boy and Skydancer. While the singer, David Rudder, composed and performs the classic 'High Mas', Peter Minshall creates it.

Ainsworth Mohammed is what we call a 'panman' but one whose strength, whether as a banker or band manager, is the combination of organisational and people skills with foresight and strategic thinking. While deploring the lack of a 'big vision' for steel pan music in Trinidad and Tobago, Ainsworth worked with his band Exodus, which, he said, "was formed out of PRINCIPLE. Discipline, Commitment and Respect for self and others" and this was reflected in its achievements, "not just in competitions, but [in] the bigger picture of people development and community and national service".

I am not sure whether Minshall went to Mohammed or Mohammed to Minshall, but last year I went to pay homage to them both as Exodus and Minshall joined forces in a small but effective 'sailor' band named Spiritus Mundi, or Spirit of the World, a term based on the belief of poet William Butler Yeats, expressed in his poem 'The Second Coming', that each human mind is linked to a single vast intelligence, and that this intelligence causes certain universal symbols to appear in individual minds.

This was Minshall's second coming, his return to Mas, and it was followed a few days ago, on Carnival Tuesday 2018, by "The Eyes of God", the message conveyed by the lowest of the low mas, the sailors, that, "ALL MEN ARE EQUAL IN THE EYES OF GOD. WOULD THAT ALL GODS WERE EQUAL IN THE EYES OF MEN." I thought of the widening racial gap in Trinidad and Tobago, and as Exodus, with its mix of people of all creeds, races and even places, started on its wanderings through the streets of Port-of-Spain, I exulted, "This land is mine, God gave this land to me."

- Tony Deyal was last seen saying don't underestimate the power of God or His vision. Long before Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, God gave Moses the first tablet that could connect to the cloud.

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