Caribbean American Passport News Magazine - August 2018

FREE Your Passport to the Caribbean American Community

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Aug/Sept 2018

8 Nobel-winning writer V.S. Naipaul dies aged 85 An autobiography can distort; facts can be realigned. But fiction never lies: it reveals the writer totally.

V.S. Naipaul

Aretha Franklin gone at 76 yrs old.

We believe that his body of work should be the ultimate piece that speaks about V.S. Naipaul. It was insightful, complex and brilliant.

Aretha Franklin the 'Queen of Soul'' transitioned from this life on August 16th, 2018 but her songs, her voice and our memories of her will live on forever in our hearts and in our lives.

Aretha was know for her soulful songs that touched our lives with the words of true experiences. Her performance at the Kennedy Center in 2015, singing in front of President Barack Obama, she sat and played piano, singing “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” the voice still working, the president wiping tears from his eyes at the beauty of what she meant to him, and to us.

Aretha Franklin had a sassiness that America loved in her, a great star with a sense of humor, answering her front door in her bare feet. She knew who she was. She didn’t have to impress anyone.

And yes, she was hefty, but wisecracked to Ebony magazine that her diet involved Slim-Fast and younger men.

Rest In Peace Sir V.S. Naipaul

Celebrate Family, Fun and Fellowship Labor Day Weekend at the 16th Annual Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion

Orlando's favorite family reunion now in its 16th year, will be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL this Labor Day weekend August 30–September 3.

Attracting more than 25,000 people annually, the Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion® welcomes families from all over the country for a weekend filled with concerts, celebrity inter-

actions, enlightening seminars, one of the largest family themed expos for the African-American community, a theme park option, shopping, College Day featuring prominent colleges and universities - poised to accept applications and endless themed activities. The event’s free Fam-Fest Expo is open to the public the entire weekend and guests can also enjoy passes to Universal Orlando® theme park. ...Continued on page 6

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L I F E S T Y L E

Guenet Gittens-Roberts, Publisher/Editor

The Summer of 2018 - a move, a graduation and Naipaul I delayed writing this editorial.

An editorial comes to you, you can’t fake it.

There are times that nothing comes, but this issue was filled with so much change happening in our lives that I was intrigued to see what would unfurl in the editorial, I was hoping that I wouldn't have to write about V.S. Naipaul because something bigger would take it's place.

Samuel J. Roberts, Publisher/Editor

At the end of July, we were completely absorbed in moving.

We had lived in our house for over 15 years and as the emotions of the move washed over me, I knew that it would have been a fitting editorial. I would have pored out how that was the home that I have lived in the longest outside of my house that I grew up in in Guyana. The house I grew up in was on Church street in Georgetown and contributed to so many strands of my DNA that the thought that I lived in a house in America for the exact amount amount of years doesn’t seem quite right. I could have written a page about those feelings alone.

Then our daughter graduated…a year early from University of Florida. Magna Cum Laude. She has moved back home and we are navigating the fact that she has had her freedom for the past three years, as she lived on her own, however with our Caribbean way of showing respect for the fact that you are now living under our roof again, this was the challenge.

Which mainly means a curfew and chores, but I have to temper this with an Americanized understanding of the fact that she is an adult. Also I have to be honest with myself, I love having this kid back home.

It’s bittersweet, perhaps because I know this is the last stretch I have with her. She’s going to get married or not, and move on with her own family. So whether that is in 5 years or 10… this time with her under my roof is finite. I see an end to it and I don’t want it to be a premature one because I pushed her out. So I talk about Caribbean living and how you don’t leave the house early before you are headed off to marriage. I pooh pooh the American independence that says that you need to be on your own to show your strength. I explain the importance of great credit and having a nest egg. Buying a property and starting on your investments while you live at home. I explain the importance of contributing either in cash or kind to the wealth of the family. Then I sit with my fingers crossed and hope that she stays. This too could take an entire page and be everything we need in an editorial.

But the death of V.S Naipaul happened. A man that I had not thought about since reading a House for Mr. Biswas so many years ago. He was suddenly all over the news. It would be easier it seems to pretend like his death happened in between print issues and not deal with the complexity of emotion that writing about Naipaul brings out.

But as editorials do, it told me deep in my soul that something had to be said about V.S. Naipual. He was important to me as a writer and more importantly as a person who first showed me the commonality of the Caribbean experience through his writing.

I understood Miguel Street and A House for Mr. Biswas to be as Guyanese an experience as it was Trinidadian. I understood the impact that Naipaul’s Caribbean upbringing had on him even though he masked his accent to the point where we sounded like an upper class British citizen. However an article about V.S. Naipaul deserves more than 1 or 2 pages, so I will not do an article in haste on him, instead we will make it into an issue worthy of exploring. We will take the time to get your opinion on V.S. Naipaul and create a feature dedicated to him. That is what he deserves. You see I believe that V.S. Naipaul was an anthropologist as a writer. He observed and wrote the truth. Most of us wear a mask that allows us to not offend and to get along.

V.S. Naipaul told us the truth. That’s my opinion! Many of us look back fondly on the Caribbean we grew up in and we reminisce about the schools attended and streets we grew up on. We don’t explore why we leave and in ... ...Cont. on page 7

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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Kings from Africa visit the Bronze Kingdom

The visiting delegation included: Majesty Vincent Tchoua Kemajou, Majesty Mbassi Bessala Prospère, Majesty Ondigui Onana Théodore, Majesty Essoa Etoga Gabriel Sylvain, Majesty Kamgue Abbé Laurent, Majesty Ntone Dhinn Aime Théodore, Majesty Djengue Gaston Robert, Majesty Dissake Mouangue Alain Camille, Majesty Ngoye Nkoka Guy Wilson, Majesty WEA TOUTOU Jean Jacques, Majesty Roger Nkamadjou, Majesty AKLASSOU Kwami Mawuko

“The ancestors reside here.”

This comment was made by one of Cameroon’s paramount kings and echoed by twelve African Kings and Queens who recently visited the Bronze Kingdom, Orlando’s premier African art gallery located in Fashion Square Mall.

The Bronze Kingdom is a grandiose, elegant and cosmopolitan 16,000-square-foot gallery that features over 2,000 pieces of antique and contemporary art. It boasts one of the most riveting African bronze collections in the world, as well as stunning beaded and wooden sculptures. Bronze Kingdom is an artisans dream. Its art derives from, among other places, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and The Democratic Republic of The Congo.

Extraordinary and rare bronze pieces from Bamoun Kingdom of Cameroon (17th century) exquisite. A large number of African-Americans descendants of the Bamoun Kingdom and Tikar people of Cameroon, making art from country culturally and spiritual relevant empowering. Since West and Central Africa are ancestral homes of most African-Americans, from the region creates ancestral connectivity.

the are are the the and the art

Collector, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, Mr. Rawlvan R. Bennett, acquired the gallery’s elegant collection over a period of 39 years. Bennett’s overarching vision is to connect the African Diaspora with Africa through art and art history. He wants every African-American household to share in Africa’s rich art histories and traditions. In doing so he has forged powerful transatlantic relationships with traditional leaders throughout Africa and self-financed critical infrastructure such as bridges, hospitals, schools in West African communities.

Outside of its royal bronze art and beautiful West African clothing, what distinguishes the Bronze Kingdom from all other galleries is that every procurer of African bronze art receives a free DNA kit to discover more about their African ancestry. Bennett assists in the selection of sculptures or other art that originate from ones ancestral home creating what he calls “lineage art.”

Dr. Jeremy I. Levitt, an art collector, Africanist, and distinguished legal scholar, wrote about his experience at the Bronze Kingdom in the Orlando Sentinel: “I have lived and worked in every region of Africa for nearly 30 years and with every experience marveled at her rich and illustrious art history.

I’ve canvassed the top museums in Africa, Europe, and the United States, yet, none of those experiences captivated me like my visit to the Bronze Kingdom. Why? Its exquisiteness largely rests in is accessibility to the average person especially those seeking to more closely connect with their ancestry—something that can’t really be done at national and international museums.

Bronze Kingdom personalizes the experience. I was taken by Bennet’s notion of “lineage art” intended to create transformative connections between African descendants and others with Africa through the prism of African bronze artwork that tells the collective stories of Africa and her people.”

Dr. Levitt’s testimony was echoed by the twelve African Kings and Queens that toured the Bronze Kingdom during the Kings Cocktail Party hosted there in August 2018: “This place is a temple.”

“The Kingdom has brought Africa to America."

“This place is sacred.”

“We are at home.”

Referring to the comments by the African Kings and Queens Bennett commented, “For any and all of the people that may have doubted the importance and authenticity of the collection, the Kings commentary assuaged all doubts with their validation of what the collection meant to them. And who should know better than them, as most of the collection had come from their country.”

This was the first time that such a large and diverse group of Kings and Queens from West Africa visited Central Florida, representing the great nations of Cameroon, Togo, and the Congo. Their comments of appreciation and admiration brought tears to the eyes of those in attendance. A royal ceremony with noble family attire was presented to the owners of Bronze Kingdom, Rawlvan and Iantress Bennett, making them Cameroon royalty.

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The Summer of 2018 - a move, a graduation and Naipaul...Cont'd from page 3 many DBTFT our children only know that fruitT BSF better in the Caribbean, the schooling is better in the Caribbean, the sense of Community is tighter in the Caribbean, but why did we leave?

V.S. Naipual, I believe was the literary version of a meme about the Caribbean. “You know you grew up in a Caribbean house if you” and we all laugh at some of the absurd rules and complexities of being Caribbean. He said the things we hide, he did the things we don’t publicly speak about.

He was complex and as a Caribbean person, we all understood him more than we would like to publicly state.

V.S. Naipaul, is that child that we sacrificed for in the family to send to the best schools expecting that he would do the right thing and take care of the rest of the family. Help to raise them up to the next level. While many turn around and do that and change the trajectory of the family, some don’t and use their newfound education to look down on the rest of the uneducated, on whose backs they were placed to go higher. We all know them, we all have them in our families. But as families tend to do, we are still proud, we and they still know that they belong to us. So Mr. Naipual, you are a child of the Caribbean, and we are immensely proud of you.

Trinidad, he wrote, was “unimportant, uncreative, cynical.” Trinidadians substituted intrigue for talent.

In the entire British West Indies, “nothing was created . . . no civilization as in Spanish America, no great revolution as in Haiti or the American colonies. There were only plantations, prosperity, decline, neglect . . .” But we also see in his writings that view that children have for the place that shaped them the most. Trinidad did that for you. So despite his attempts to push us away, as he asserted his own independence...like any child growing into adulthood. We forgive him hiding his beginnings behind that very British accent, because we know that he was created by the British West Indies.

He is a son of our soil and no different than many we pushed abroad to do better and be better and we don’t love him the less for all his affectations.

On August 28th, vote for Dean Mosley and together we will bring justice and experience back to the 9th Judicial Circuit, Group 41 Political advertisement paid for and approved by Dean Mosley.

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V.S. Naipaul’s death reminds us that our people, our diaspora are some of our greatest contributions to the world. Well done Mr. Biswas, your father was an indentured servant, you thought your self to read, your son went on to receive a Nobel prize for Literature....we are all proud of your achievements.

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Generation X - Miami-Broward Carnival 2018 -Masquerader InterviewWho do you play Mas with? Gen X of course.

Why GenX? Their costumes are amazing, the Music truck is the bomb, their organization and service both at the Mas Camp at distribution and on the road Carnival day is the best. Don’t even talk about the DJ’s and the vibes on the road, it’s amazing. Everyone is so nice – the staff, the security, the masqueraders, it just all good and lots of fun.

What can one expect when playing Mas with Generation X? Playing Mas with GenX is The Ultimate Carnival Experience, an All-Inclusive Band with unlimited Premium liquor, breakfast, Lunch, Top DJ’s, the most winning Music Truck in the history of Carnival (seven consecutive years at one point) with an awesome sound system and amenities, massive screens and live feed, great vibes, beautiful costumes, great organization and service, protective and caring security, the best revelers you could play Mas with; overall - an efficient, organized and friendly Band.

What preparations do you take for Miami Carnival day? Deciding on which GenX costume suits me taking into consideration the design, the colors, the feathers, how skimpy it is; and if I would feel comfortable in it and making sure the costume fits right. Choosing my makeup, jewelry, accessories and shoes to match the costume.

Having all my personal necessities to take with me; the nice thing is I can leave it in my locker with GenX and have access to it all day in the parade. Of course, part of the preparation is going hard in the gym to make sure my body is Carnival ready. Stamina! Can’t forget to attend the Soca fetes leading up to Carnival to get me pumping.

What makes GenX the Ultimate Carnival Experience?

The mobile bar with a variety of unlimited premium alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks, the mobile food truck serving breakfast and lunch, private security team, on-site paramedics, mobile restrooms, cool Zone, roaming photographers and videographers, the goody bags with souvenirs and carnival essentials, first class customer service, phenomenal male and female costumes of the highest caliber, awesome music truck with gigantic screens with live feed of our masqueraders, and nuff nuff more.

What is your favorite part of Miami Carnival? On stage; that’s the climax of Carnival. Chipping on the road all day builds up the anticipation for the stage.

How long does it take to get your make-up done? Hair and makeup is about one hour and another 45 minutes to get dressed.

GENX 2018 Presents Evolution

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The Kings of Cameroon and Togo visit the Bronze Kingdom in Orlando...Continued from page 5

Rawlvan Bennett, founder of Bronze Kingdom being ceremoniously anointed as royalty

Robert "Kool" Bell leader of Kool and the Gang honors the Kings at Bronze Kingdom

The Kings enjoy the company of GGR Marketing staff - Stephanie Sanasie

The African Kings posing with a Bronze Kingdom King

Invited Guests Welcome the Kings & Queen into the Bronze Kingdom

Mr. & Mrs. Bennette with the Queen and 2 of the Kings at the Bronze Kingdom

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Celebrate Family, Fun and Fellowship Labor Day Weekend at the 16th Annual Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion

What’s Rihanna Filming In Cuba?

Continued from Cover Page

This year’s event will feature concerts from legendary R&B, Soul, Funk band Maze featuring Frankie Beverly as well as soul sensation, Raheem DeVaughn on Friday; R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe (BBD) and Comedian Rickey Smiley on Saturday; and an entire day of inspiration with Sunday’s Gospel Explosion presented by African Pride featuring Erica Campbell, Willie Moore Jr. and Smokie Norful with more celebrities to be announced.

The weekend officially kicks off with a party hosted by Tom Joyner and LIVE performances on Thursday. Friday morning, The Tom Joyner Morning Show will broadcast its annual Sky Show® live with performances by Jaheim and Tamia. The one-of-a-kind broadcast event is open to the public from 6:00am – 10:00am ET. Over the course of the weekend, visitors to the free Expo will be treated to performances and appearances by nationally recognized personalities including Kym Whitley, White House Correspondent April Ryan, Guy Torry, Bern Nadette Stanis, Kim Coles, Marsha Ambrosius, Algee Smith and more!

“Every year, we create a fun, entertainment-filled atmosphere that truly celebrates families and what we love,” said Joyner, whose radio show airs in markets all over the country. “I am so proud to continue this tradition and know it will be our best year yet.”

RiRi with American actor and comedian Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover on set in Cuba according to Vistar.

A few pictures of pop star Rihanna and Donald Glover have been circulating around social media and fans are speculating that they're making a secret movie together.

The main photograph of the duo contains the caption: "On the set in Cuba." Glover and Rihanna are reportedly working on a "musical movie," which could in actuality be a music video.

They're in Cuba with director Hiro Murai who has worked with Glover on the hit series Atlanta as well as the "This is America" music video. Other pictures from the set look a little more ambitious than a music video.

So far, according to Vistar, the crew, including Rihanna, have been filming in several locations.

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Miami Broward Carnival 2018 Spotlight on Wilfred Armstrong D-Junction Mas Band

• How did you start D-Junction Mas? It all started when I worked with other masquerade bands: I had sections with one band and was part owner of another but I truly wanted a band of my own. I took the lessons I learned along with what I envisioned for the band, reached out to people I’d worked with over the years for help, and like they say, the rest is history.

• What is this year’s theme and how do you come up with it each year?

Our theme for Miami-Broward One Carnival 2018 is HARLEM: The Golden Age - a journey through an age of social and artistic explosion in African American culture, manifesting in music, art and literature. We have centered our story on the speakeasy culture and experience of that era. With regards to how we decide on each year’s theme, team members offer their ideas and suggestions. We select the one we feel works best and start tweaking it from there to tell the best story of what we are trying to portray.

• How many designers do you use and what does that process look like?

This year, we have eight (8) sections in the band: Four (4) owned by D-Junction Mas and the other four (4) owned by individual section leaders. D-Junction used two designers this year. We send the designer the section and overall theme concept along with suggested colors, although colors often change during the design process. From there, a prototype is made and the review process starts from there • How is D-Junction shaping up for this year’s Miami Carnival?

While we had a later than normal start this year, the feedback we have received on the theme and designs has been overwhelmingly positive. We love it when all the brainstorming and hard work and planning come together to create something we can be extremely proud of.

• How does D-Junction prepare for Miami Carnival each year? What are you doing differently this year?

First, we review the previous year to see the areas where we can improve our overall masquerader experience. We send out a survey a couple weeks after the road presentation to get feedback from our masqueraders. At the end of the day, our masqueraders are who matter the most so if there is a way for us to exceed and surpass their expectations, that’s what we want to do each and every time. This year, we approached our theme selection from a different point of view. We wanted to select a theme that reflected positivity or highlighted a positive event. With all the #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoyJoy focus recently, what better way to celebrate the greatness of people of color than through highlighting the time where we shined brighter than ever! The Harlem Renaissance was that moment.The biggest difference this year is that all of our masqueraders will receive 3 days of ALL-INCLUSIVE feting: J'ouvert, Pretty Mas and a cool down beach lime. The best part about this is that we were able to offer this without drastically increasing masquerader cost.

• Tell me about the making of this year’s theme and the process to making the costumes.

I like to refer to the theme as a story, which is what we are telling. On the outside, you might see a section and ask yourself, “what does that have to do with Harlem?” but it’s part of the story that we are telling that represents the theme. Costume production is broken into 3 parts: Backline costumes are decorated by one vendor, Frontline costumes, whole pieces and special requests are ....Cont on page 15

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Miami Broward Carnival 2018 Spotlight on Wilfred Armstrong D-Junction Mas Band

are handled by the designers of the respective sections where possible, and the feather pieces are Also, it’s important to mention that we do not pre-design individual/ section leader pieces. We believe these pieces should be what the individual wearing it wants or has envisioned. In those instances, we have them work with the designer of the respective section to produce a design to their liking that best fits their body. •

What can one expect when playing mas with D-Junction?

First and foremost, any person playing mas with us will ALWAYS receive the following: exceptional personal care, world-class customer service, beautiful expertly crafted costumes, and VIBES CYAH DONE! To top it all off, we make it our priority to ensure that each masquerader is comfortable.

Whether you are playing mas alone or with a group, you will always have the freedom to enjoy yourself as a new member of our extended bacchanal family.

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ImmigrationINFO

TM

Immigration News For Our Community Prior Administratively Closed Immigration Court Cases May Soon be Reopened Under Trump New Policy

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

In a case (Matter of Castro-Tum, 27 I&N Dec. 271 (A.G. 2018)) he had previously referred to himself for review, the attorney general held that Immigration Judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals have no general authority to administratively close immigration court cases. Accordingly, Immigration Judges and the Board of Immigration Appeal may only administratively close a case where a previous regulation or a previous judicially approved settlement expressly authorizes such an action. Where a case has been administratively closed without such authority, the IJ or the BIA shall recalendar the case on the motion of either party.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions writes, “I hold that immigration judges and the Board do not have the general authority to suspend indefinitely immigration proceedings by administrative closure. Accordingly, immigration judges and the Board may only administratively close a case where a previous regulation or a previous judicially approved settlement expressly

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authorizes such an action. Where a case has been administrativily closed without such authority, the immigration judge or the Board, as appropriate, shall recalendar the case on the motion of either party. The Board has described the practice as “a docket management tool that is used to temporarily pause removal proceedings,” Matter of W-Y-U-, 27 I&N Dec. 17, 18 (BIA 2017), and “remove a case from an Immigration Judge’s active calendar or from the Board’s docket.” Matter of Avetisyan, 25 I&N Dec. 688, 692 (BIA 2012).

Although described as a temporary suspension, administrative closure is effectively permanent in most instances.”

The practice of administrative closure has grown dramatically as the Board has made administrative closure easier to obtain. Statistics maintained by EOIR reveal that over three decades, from EOIR Fiscal Year 1980 to Fiscal Year 2011, 283,366 cases were administratively closed. But in a mere six years, from October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2017, immigration jud-ges and the Board ordered administrative closure in 215,285 additional cases, nearly doubling the total number of cases subjected to administrative closure.

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

All Rights Reserved.

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IT’S ABOUT TIME by Tony Deyal

E

ven though heavy metal was big in the late 1960s, I got

into it really early. I don’t mean all the weights that I lifted in my garage in my teens but the Timex watch I bought in my days as a 19-year-old teacher in a coeducational secondary school. I had gone to a boy’s school and having done well at my H.S.C. or Cambridge University’s Higher School Certificate, the main schoolleaving qualification in the entire region at that time (and still used in Mauritius), I ended up at a neighbourhood school with more girls than boys, a lot of whom were my age or younger.

That Timex was heavier than Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple put together. It cost ten dollars and weighed a ton- approximately 200 pounds per dollar. I was proud of it but could only wear it on sunny days because it so lacked waterproofing that, as I joked with my friends, “if I pass near a standpipe it stop working because of the moisture inside”. My friend Franklin was even harder on my watch than I was. “Boy, when the rain just set up in the sky and the clouds eh even dark, your watch have water inside it.” The Timex, however, was more than a status symbol and a way to make the girls come close to me and, leaning on my arm, admire my watch and Old Spice cologne. I suppose that not only did time hang heavily on my hands but it was also of the essence. It was also the first neighbourhood watch in Trinidad since my friends, including Franklin, borrowed it when they wanted to make an impression on some girl they were taking to the Sunday “matinee” in the Plaza Cinema.

I didn’t realize then how my present paranoia about being late, even by a second, came about. First, from the time I was eleven years old, I had to wake up at about 04:30 am to go to school in the city and while initially I traveled to Portof-Spain in a dark-green Wolsey belonging to my Uncle Percy, when we moved to the south of the island I had to “bus” it. Our town of Siparia was third in a long bus route which started at the village of Erin, then to Palo Seco and almost as an afterthought to where we waited impatiently on the High Street, shivering in the dawn.

The buses were licensed for just about fifty passengers and, of course, like all Caribbean forms of vehicular transport, invariably crammed with many, many more.

My mother woke my father and me, forced me to shower in icy-cold water, and handed each of us our food. I gulped a cup of milky, heavily sweetened coffee, if I was on time but that rarely happened. I grabbed my sandwich or roti and fried plantain, sometimes with an egg, or my “shilling” and headed out, the book-bag on my shoulder heavier than time itself. The savannah which lay between us and the city was not the convenient short-cut it became later in the day. The dew made it a swamp and your school socks and shoes, not to mention your foot, did not fare well in the cold, skin-shrivelling dampness. In the near-dark, I walked up the hill to the main road and down the High Street to the bus-stop where all of us, boys and girls, gathered, preparing to fight to enter the bus for the privilege of hanging on by a worn strap if we were lucky.

If we were not, even if the bus originated in our town, we had to wait for another due about an hour later at 5.30 or 6.30 or whenever, as is the nature of Trinidad buses. School started in San Fernando at exactly 8:00 in the morning and arriving late, whether the circumstances were within or beyond control, carried penalties starting with detention and ending with being caned by the Principal.

Those adventures with time travel were heavily influenced by James Bond. My Uncle Percy’s home was a place of books and I was allowed to read whatever I wanted. My cousin Horace was a James Bond fan and so I read Moonraker when I was ten, a big step-up from the Batman and Superman comics which were my standard fare (apart from what I paid the buses). Before going to sleep, Bond was able to visualize the time he wanted to wake up, imprint it on his memory, and was up, fully-conscious, exactly on time. I was able to do that eventually but it still entails jumping awake several times before my preferred time, taking a quick look at the clock, falling asleep briefly and fitfully, then continually springing up like a Jack In The Box but not a James.

I tell people that I first became truly aware of the importance of time when I started television production in Canada in the 1970s. This was another case of heavy metal as the cameras weighed tons and coaxial cable was as thick as my wrist. Tripping on one in the studio could lead to serious injury. We initially used film which operated at 24 separate frames per second and then moved to video which ran at 30 frames per second. This meant that I was able to manipulate up to 30 different images for one second of video. It was also when subliminal advertisements buried in film and video footage became an issue and so time was even more important to us as, aided by communications guru and prophet, Marshall McLuhan, we explored the power of the new media which, as he said, was not just the messenger but the message itself.

Why I took up so much of your time on time is that I was 73 last Friday and, almost unconsciously (or is that subliminally?) I looked back at both the good times and the bad and tried looking forward. My education caught up with me. I remember when my literature teacher, Brother Lawrence, continued to besiege me with the quote from Richard Second, looking at me meaningfully as he recited, “I wasted time and now time doth waste me.” There was Macbeth and his wife who had run out of time, “She should have died hereafter. There would have been time for such a word.” And for us old men for whom there is T.S. Eliot’s Alfred J. Prufrock, “Time for you and time for me, And time yet for a hundred indecisions, And for a hundred visions and revisions, Before the taking of a toast and tea.” *Tony Deyal was last seen saying that 2.30 is an important time for him since this is when (it is said) Chinese go to the dentist.

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