Caribbean American Passport News Magazine - December 2016

FREE Your Passport to the Caribbean American Community

7 Christmas Traditions across the Caribbean

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Barbados Celebrates it's 50th Anniversary of Independence

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cross the Caribbean, and now across the World, Caribbean people continue to share their culture. Christmas is the season and our parents/grandparents provided the reason. It is a time to clean your homes from top to bottom, a time to bake your rum-cakes and fruitcakes, a time make your ginger beer, your sorrel, your punch-a-cream, a time to change your curtains, a time for garlic pork, pepper-pot, sweet bread/bun, and home made bread.

Our African and Indian cultures come alive with Mother Salley, Masquerade dancers, Stilt Walkers/ Moca Jumbee, Junk-A-Noo.

A time to be thankful and enjoy your friends & family.

Prince Harry, Rihanna and Prime Minister Freundel Stuart at 50th Celebrations Barbadian Andre ‘DJ Puffy’ Parris went to Chile, scratched, competed, qualified and won the 2016 Red Bull #3Style competition.

Continued on Page 20 Junk-A-Noo

Continued . on pg 13

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L I F E S T Y L E Samuel J. Roberts, Publisher/Editor

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Guenet Gittens-Roberts, Publisher/Editor

Quality Time .........Priceless!!

he World has, in many ways, commercialized Christmas and made

the buying of gifts and Christmas presents the focus, even Santa now drives a Mercedez Benz, based on the car commercials – not that I wouldn’t love to get a Mercedes Benz for Christmas – Black G-Class SUV…if Santa or anyone else wants to know. Christmas for me has always been about family and friends, getting together and spending that quality time.

Many of us have migrated to America and Canada and we sometimes get caught-up in the commercialized message of Christmas. We look at the television commercials and we try to follow the message of the commercialized Christmas but we need to be careful of the message we share or teach our younger generation.

Don’t get me wrong, I do understand the biblical message of the birth of Jesus and the Wise- men coming and giving gifts but if we think about what makes Christmas really special it’s the over-all celebration of the season, the getting together of families, the cooking, the eating, the drinking and more of the quality time that we spend together.

During 2016 I witnessed many things that have made me more appreciative of life and the simple things. I had sad days with family/friends who have lost loved ones, who’ve lost their jobs, or who have gotten sick and many who are facing other personal challenges. I’ve been the silent listener to many friends who just wanted to talk or release their personal burdens, I’ve watched my parents get older and slow down, I’ve watched my kids grow-up and become more independent and responsible, I’ve watched my nieces and nephews mature into young adults with children of their own, I've seen the impact made on the lives of kids in the neighborhood from having someone show them that they care (United Foundation of Central Florida – Future Leaders program at Evans High School), I’ve seen the eyes of our seniors light-up when visited (members of the Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central Florida adopted the residences of the Islands Assisted Living Facility and donate Thanks-Giving Dinner and Christmas presents), I’ve seen the eyes and faces of our next generation glow with optimism when receiving financial scholarships from local non-profit organizations (the Caribbean And Floridian Association – CAFA Scholarship Awards), I’ve watched the faces of many successful business people beaming with pride and appreciation for simply being recognized for their hard work and dedication…I can go on

and on, but my point here is that the simplest things we do can sometimes make the biggest difference in the lives of others.

I personally challenge you to take the time this Christmas season to reach out and touch an old friend, or family members, a long lost neighbor, or client or anybody; just reach out and engage in a simple conversation and show them that you care. Just show someone that you care with the simplest act of kindness and the effects on their life can be phenomenal. Remember the vibrations caused by the wings of a butterfly can cause an avalanche.

It’s the simple quality time shared that can make a moment or season special.

Mercedes Benz G-Class SUV $120,000, 15 minutes of your time to simply listen, share or keep their company during the Christmas season ...PRICELESS!!

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 Sales: sales@caribbeanamericanpassport.com Info: .Info@caribbeanamericanpassport.com Should you desire to review past copies of the publication go to http://caribbeanamericanpassport.com and click on the

Print Archive.

Editor & Publisher ............................................................... Sam Roberts Publisher ........................................................... Guenet Gittens-Roberts Graphic Design & Layout ......................................Jan Longwell-Smiley Contributing Writers: ............................................................ Tony Dyal ..............................................................................................Ryan Davis

..........................................................................................Sandra Fatmi ............................................................................................ Gail Seeram

.........................................................................................Sasha Watson ........................................................................................ Kamal Abdool Contributing Photographers ............ .................................Ted Hollins .....................................................................................................Dilia Castillo .......................................................................................... Sandra Fatmi .............................................. .........................................Roy Sweetland Central Florida Distribution...................................................Roy Benn South Florida Distribution ........................................Norman Williams NorthFlorida Distribution ...................................................Theo Jack Jr. Copyright (C) 2016 GGR Marketing & Public Relations. All rights reserved.

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ImmigrationINFO

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Immigration News For Our Community Traveling outside the U.S. during the Holiday Season

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

@GailSeeram FREE In-Office Consultation FREE Live Chat www.MyOrlandoImmigrationLawyer.com

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s the holiday season approaches and many people travel back to their home country, it is important to understand travel limitations. Many lawful permanent residents (greencard holders) and naturalized U.S. citizens are not aware of the consequences of traveling abroad for a long period of time. This article will address some common questions associated with traveling outside the U.S.

(1) What is the maximum time a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or green card holder can stay outside the U.S.?

Answers: (a) If a LPR stays outside of the U.S. for more than 180 days, s/he must apply for readmission to the U.S. Also, any one trip outside of the U.S. for more than 180 days will also break the "continuously residency" requirement to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

(b) If an LPR stays outside of the U.S. for more than one year and s/he is returning to his or her permanent residence in the United States, s/he usually must have a re-entry documentation from USCIS or an immigrant visa from the Department of State. Thereby, a LPR who stays outside the U.S. for more than one year on any one trip is considered to have abandoned their lawful permanent residency and would have to reapply for an immigrant visa or apply at the U.S. Consulate abroad for a Special Immigrant Returning Resident Visa (SB-1). (c) In conclusion, any trip taken by a LPR outside the U.S. should be for less than six months.

What is the maximum time a naturalized U.S. citizen can stay (2) outside the U.S.?

Answer: A naturalized U.S. citizen does not have limitations as to how long s/ he can stay outside the U.S. and will not lose U.S. citizenship if stays outside the U.S. for any period of time.

(3) What are the passport requirements for traveling outside the U.S.?

Answer: Beginning January 23, 2007, all United States citizens, lawful permanent residents, and nonimmigrant aliens from Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico departing from or entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere at air ports-of-entry will be required to present a valid passport. The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport.

Copyright Š Law Offices of Gail S. Seeram, 2016. All Rights Reserved. 1-877-GAIL-LAW or 407-292-7730 www.MyOrlandoImmigrationLawyer.com

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The Rice Man Cometh

herever we came from to the Caribbean, rice quickly became a staple. You can have it with peas in some countries and you can have your peas with rice in Jamaica, you can have “pelau” (pronounced “pay-lawh”), pilaf, fried rice, dirty rice (in the Popeye fast food chain) or in some places now shut down by Public Health Inspectors, risotto (Italian rice with plenty butter), and like my “born-again” friend you can move completely to Uncle Ben’s Converted Rice.

Talking about converted rice, first there was the Indian “basmati” (Hindi for “fragrant”), described as a variety of long, slender-grained aromatic rice which is traditionally from the Indian subcontinent. While the Indians and Pakistanis developed variations of Basmati, the next thing you know a Texas company tried to claim the trademark for all Basmati rice including a brand called “Texmati”.

Other US companies came in with Jasmati (“Jas” from “Jasmine”) and Kasmati (“Basmati rice with a K”) but none, including Texmati, is really “Basmati” to a “T”. Nothing can reproduce the nutty-flavour of the genuine article which has a distinctly nutty tast. Now the Chinese have reportedly hit the market with a no-name brand which I call “Plas-mati”. To give it another popular name, the Chinese rice now causing a major scare and hullaballoo in Jamaica, has also been called “Bas-Not-Me”.

On Monday December 12, under the headline, “Customs Temporarily Ceases Clearance Of Rice into Jamaica amid plastic rice reports”, the Jamaica Gleaner stated, “The Customs department has announced it’s temporarily ceasing the clearance of rice at all ports of entry following reports of so called plastic rice on the market. RJR News had reported that some residents in Manchester have stated that they unknowingly purchased plastic rice. They reportedly described it as looking the same as rice, but being stretchy in nature…In the meantime, members of the public are urged to call the JCA or the BSJ and report if they have bought this product or are aware of the place of distribution. It says the reports will help the authorities to take steps to remove the product from the market.”

This is not the first time there have been reports that plastic rice made in China have flooded Western markets. According to Scopes.com, an online fact-checker, if you bought plastic rice you would probably notice if your dinner tasted like the bag in which you carried it home. The web investigator highlighted, for example, that China has been routinely caught producing fake plastic rice for years now. The story goes that sometimes the rice is also made from potatoes to mimic rice. These fake rice grains look exactly like rice but remain hard after cooking. They’ve been trying to sneak in their fake rice to cut costs for years now and most American consumers are none the wiser. It is said that an undercover journalist with the Blue Ocean Network, a popular English channel in China, exposed Wuchang rice in China for being mostly fake.

According to the accusation, a small amount of real rice mixed in bag with the fake rice, sprayed with a fragrance to mimic the

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By Tony Deyal

smell of rice, then packaged and shipped all over China. He uncovered that, of the 10 million tons of rice Wuchang produced every year, about 9 million isn’t even actual rice. Even more disgusting, eating three bowls of this rice was found to be equal to consuming an entire plastic bag, which is dangerous for your health and terrible for your digestive system.

It could potentially be fatal. Scope says it is unproven, a verdict similar to the findings of the Jamaican authorities. Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Karl Samuda, has declared that the authorities have so far found no evidence of plastic rice.

Backgrounding the accusations, Scope says that since early 2011, social media rumors have asserted plastic rice was being manufactured in China, exported, and consumed by people in other countries, unaware the rice they were eating was in fact not a food at all.

In fact, Scope’s research showed that between 2011 and 2016 the story intermittently made the social media rounds, losing even the very basic details from unfounded reports that the faux food was purportedly fabricated from other edible starches (such as sweet potato or potato) and distilling it simply to an issue of "plastic rice." In October 2016, the claim recirculated on Facebook and inspired blog posts anew. The rumour was that certain rice factories in China have been producing a "fake rice substitute" in place of the popular and more expensive Wuchang rice. It is a mixture of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and synthetic resin (plastic). These ingredients are mixed together and formed into "grains" which very closely resemble the appearance of actual grains of rice. The rice substitute is then sprayed with a fragrance to mimic the smell of Wuchang rice, making it difficult to decipher between the two versions. As you would expect, consuming this "plastic rice" is extremely harmful and toxic to one's health, and is causing quite an uproar.

Scope says that since the appearance of plastic rice rumors in 2011, it has been unable to locate any substantiated reports that anyone successfully passed off plastic rice as the real thing regularly (or ever) in any of the countries in which the rumor took root. As a case study from Indonesia illustrated thoroughly, the rumor was self-promoting: one woman exposed to the plastic rice rumor became ill and presumed the fake food she'd heard about was to blame. Faulty initial testing cemented the belief, and soon many people were attributing all illnesses to the specter of plastic rice. Scope advises that all versions stemmed from one shaky item published in January 2011, and plastic rice has lived in the realm of legend ever since.

In other words, Plasmati, Rasmati, Old Masmati, No Classmati, the indigestion-causing Gasmati, the diarrhea producing Fasmati, the fact is there is not a grain of truth in the plastic-rice rumour.

Red Dress Fundraiser Party

“Kids have one job and that is to play,” stated Gail S. Seeram, executive director of GAIL Foundation, at the 4th annual Red Dress Party-Casino Night for Charity. The attendees were decked out in all red in symbol of love and Christmas and collectively pledged $10,000 during the fund-a-mission portion of the program to give the “gift of play” to children in need. All the net proceeds and pledges will build and donate playground equipment to Orealla Nursery School in Guyana, Lochaber Nursery School in Guyana, and St Andrew Children's Home in Jamaica. The success of the event was due to the support of all the sponsors, donors and community partners listed on www.GailFoundation.org.

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Art420 - 2016

See Art on page 14

“More Than Meets The Eye” written by Dr. Desta Meghoo of D.Y.M.D.C. & Associates The ART420 opened after Thanksgiving, on Black Friday, to a steady flow of visitors at Henao Contemporary Center, all of whom expressed a pleasant surprise at the diversity of artists and content for the 2nd Annual Cannabis Inspired Fine Art Show curated by ART420 founders Erik and Tamieka Range Esq. This exhibition rises above the negative stigma typically associated with cannabis and expands the consciousness of its viewers. The local, national and international painters, photographers and sculptors selected by international jurists included the well known Orlando favorite, Everett Spruill. Everett best expressed his diversity in Biggie, a colorful collage works that seemed to channel Harlem Renaissance artists Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence, communicating a unique artistic language through the use of intense color and rich surface textures.

The image is further enhanced with African inspired patterns making his pieces a top pick in both corporate and private collections worldwide. Spruill says, “As a self-taught artist my techniques are the result of extensive experimentation.

Harmony and contrast are the most important qualities I want to convey.”

Gladiola Sotomayor is one of the outstanding female artists selected for this year’s exhibition. Her work combined surreal and imaginative elements, incorporating symbolic language communicated during different stages of her life with cannabis as the anchor. Gladiola’s visual narrative on motherhood and women’s empowerment invited viewers into her transformational work which was both abstract and figurative. Gladiola states, "As an artist I am committed with the transformation of the perception of our own Humanity which cannabis is a part of.” Born in Puerto Rico in 1964, she has been an educator for more than 30 years teaching early childhood education to University students which led to her being a recipient of the National Board Certification Award in 2008. Gladiola holds a Masters Degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and is currently working towards a PhD in History.

Merid Tafesse represented the international reach of ART420 with both selected works and a live art demo where he created a diptych entitled “Heights.” One of the most prolific Ethiopian artists of his generation, he is known as the ‘King of Charcoal’ in Ethiopia where his masterful exploits of the medium create myriad shades of grey, evoking a panacea of emotions from fear and pain to humor and zeal. “My main materials are my fingers…direct contact, I don’t need a transmitter. I am just getting started… .” says Merid. His art has traversed continents and hung with the works of outstanding artists such as Brazil’s Oscar Niemeyer, Portugal’s Paula Rego and African-American Fahamu Pecou and MOMA has selected several of his drawings for their archives. A direct descendant from the Royal Solomonic House of Ethiopia, he is a 1998 graduate of Addis Ababa University School of Fine Art and Design and has exhibited in Jerusalem, Paris and Damon Dash’s NYC gallery DD172 and Art of Black during Miami Art Basel amongst many others.

Valerie Clemans, a 2016 Fine Art graduate from the University of Tampa, and one to watch, moved viewers with

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her seven foot high collage entitled Hippie Chick created from 12 magazines over a period of several weeks. The thoughtful and precise piece was truly outstanding, and showed her intricate attention to detail balanced by her freedom to flow with her subject. The Panama City raised artist also entered a graphite drawing and states, “Many of my works portray what I considers to be 21st century hippies … who celebrate their differences instead of conforming to society’s accepted image and values, while embracing peace, individuality, and nature.” But the exhibition had several other highlights including yours truly.

Though I own and operate D.Y.M.D.C. & ASSOC., a Creative Consulting firm based in Ethiopia, curating several high profile exhibitions for embassies, organizations and established artists; flying in from Addis Ababa to co-curate with H.C.C. & the Ranges on Art420 was a treat. The ART420 exhibition is truly More Than Meets The Eye, it is transforming the conversation about cannabis through fine art which depicts rich imagery and depth not typically associated with the culture, while simultaneously introducing the art world to an exciting new genre it never expected to see.

This unique platform for contemporary artists who transcend the stoner art circuit allows fine artists an opportunity to exhibit work of equal caliber from both emerging and established artists. The (30) artists selected this year represented various age groups, education levels, media and price ranges adding to the success of the landmark exhibition. Organizers, Erik and Tamieka, look forward to next year saying, “This year was truly special, the energy we got from the artists and our patrons was incredible, it's the fuel that will drive the vision for the 3rd Annual ART420.”

Artists interested in participating in the open artist call for the 3rd Annual ART420 Cannabis Inspired Art Show can find more details at www.artfourtwenty.com. Art collectors and buyers interested in purchasing art can inquire at info@artfourtwenty.com/ 407-490-4207.

Desta Meghoo J.D., Jamaican born, US educated, creative consultant; is based in Addis Ababa. She came to Ethiopia in 2005 as Managing Director of Bob Marley Foundation to coordinate the icon’s 60th Birthday, and stayed. The 80’s to 90’s Desta managed musicians including Sonny Okosuns, Rita Marley, Augustus Pablo; and recently worked with Mulatu Astatke on special projects. Currently she manages, curates and coordinates exhibitions/cultural events for artists, embassies and institutions. Desta Hagos, Daniel Taye and Merid Tafesse are three of dozens of artists with whom she has worked. Desta has curated significant exhibitions at the National Museum including African American Women in Art…18th-21st Century; RAS TAFARI: The Majesty & The Movement and Desta Hagos 50th. She co-curated Bridges, an international multi-million dollar show, for Portugal Embassy.Considered an artist advocate and social activist, she is committed to the African “economic emancipation” offered by art.

As the tension built, one could sense some frustration from Bhim, finally run out on 60 runs. Chattergoon "Speedy" bowled a maiden in the 21st. over. Tamesh and Parsaram also kept the pressure on with 170 runs from the allotted 25 overs. Old campaigner Lionel was greased lightning at the byes position.

By Daniel Dhanraj

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Orlando Premier League Finals

fter Hindu prayers and the usual speeches; Royal Challengers won the toss and unwisely invited

Positive to bat. Anand and Son confirmed to me, it was team decision.

After thirteen overs, Positive were sitting nicely at 112 runs for 3 wickets. They continued piling on runs; finishing at 206 runs for 8 wickets. Skipper, Deonarine scored a fluid and fluent 103 runs not out.

He also won fifty bucks from your dear writer. Errol also contributed with an entertaining cameo.

Royal Challengers innings started and stumbled, losing wickets. After 13 overs, they were 58 runs for 5 wickets.

That feeling of inevitability filled the ground as doom loomed. So many superlatives can describe the inevitability and futility of fighting the tide. Eventually Eventually 114 runs all out.

So onto the much awaited Division A championship.

Lions versus Tridents. Even though this movie has been in theaters prior; this franchise has a keen audience. No letup or letdown here.

Tridents won the toss and wisely chose to bat. Lions' excellent bowling did have the desired effect but A Beharry just got into a groove, hitting Avinash out of the attack; finally hitting a full blooded drive that Mike Pooran plucked out at mid-on.

170 runs, probably below par. Tridents, also possessed of excellent bowling, Rakesh, Kelvin, etc. And Lions lost wickets as scoring slowed. But Lions counterpart to Bhim is Shyam.

He held the innings together as the feared Lions fell cheaply.

Tridents also saved their bowling. Rakesh came on late and Shyam attempted a drive over long-off and was caught.

Tension now pitch high. Enter "Speedy;" after an excellent bowling spell, he coolly took charge of the chase. He is very successful against Rakesh as he only attempts little pushes for singles and 2’s. He finally overhauled the total with one ball to spare. Avinash lent support. Bedlam!

Steve Sarju put together a fine final. Positive and Lions both won five hundred dollars.

Then, onto the Bhim George legacy.

As usual in these strong bowling games; Bhim played fluid and fluent strokes as batsmen fell around him.

At 12.5 overs, the score was 96 runs for 2 wickets. Even game; as Lions saved some better bowling.

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Greetings from Around Town

Island Fusion

Dugla

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Around Town

Coalition For Barbados Associations Of Central Florida 50th Gala

United Foundation of Central Florida - Scholarship Gala

United Foundation of Central Florida and their Board of Directors, are humbled by the outpouring of love and support for the Christmas Fundraiser for their Evans High School Kids, Mentoring Program and After School Program.

For more information please call us 770-789-7004

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Around Town

Alive At Five with the Original Orlando Carnival Association

Toast to the Holidays Christmas Party at Fashion Square Mall

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Art 420 - Expo 2016

El Jardin de las Esperanza by Gladiola Sotomayor

Hippie Chick by Valerie Clemans

Rastaman by Everett Spruill

Heights by Merid Tafesse

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Merid Tafesse (Ethiopian Artist) and Erik Range (ART420 Co-Founder) in front of Merid’s work entitled Heights created live during the exhibition.

DJ Andre...Cont from page No. 1 Andre ‘DJ Puffy’ Parris went to Chile, scratched, competed, qualified and won. He made history for Barbados when he won his qualifier on day two of the 2016 Red Bull #3Style competition and then made history for the entire Caribbean by winning the World Finals on December 17. When DJ Flip and DJ Byte announced DJ Puffy as the winner, the 25-year-old clasped his hands and dropped to his knees in complete shock. Amongst the prizes that Puffy was presented with was a one-of-a-kind, special edition gold Pioneer set. Just as he ended his set, in his winning speech he said, “I didn’t make history tonight, you did!

"You all after Tuesday night, y’all embraced and showed me that love and all I could do is give it right back.”

Puffy added, “It’s truly a blessing to share stages with the top 23 deejays in the world, it has been an amazing and phenomenal couple of days. To all the sponsors – Red Bull, Pioneer, Serato, Dj City, everybody, thank you.”

He also thanked the audience, competitors and judges for embracing him over the past couple of days in Santiago, Chile.

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Happy Holiday to All from the Caribbean American Passport Family

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Caribbean Business & Travel Promotes Investment Opportunities in the Region

Former head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-), Invest), Sandra Ann Baptiste, has produced Caribbean Business & Travel, a new publication that promotes investment opportunities in all sectors of the economy in the region and showcases several tourism destinations.

destinations, we believe that potential investors should also be informed about the fabulous and unique tourism offerings throughout the region,” Baptiste said in the magazine’s editorial.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime “We are delighted to note that Caribbean Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is the main Business & Travel, the region’s newest, fullSignature Interview in the inaugural color publication, provides an excellent edition. Jamaica’s Tourism Minister overview of business developments and Edmund Bartlett and former Guyana investment opportunities, including the Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes, provide Caribbean’s vibrant tourism industry,” said in-depth information on plans to develop Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism the tourism industry in their respective Organization (CTO) Hugh Riley, who countries. officially launched the new magazine at the The inaugural edition also features the organization’s annual press conference in President of the Caribbean Association of Lyell Farquharson and Ms. Sandra Ann Baptiste Industry and Commerce (CAIC) Ramesh Toronto.

Dookhoo, the President of CHTA Karolin Troubetzkoy, Baptiste, a communications, investment promotion and WestJet Vice President Tim Croyle, Sandals CEO Adam Caribbean Affairs Specialist for over 30 years, said the Stewart and the President of the St. Lucia Hotel and publication has identified investment opportunities across the Tourism Association (SLHTA) Savonik Destang. region in several sectors including tourism, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, port development, airport A copy of Caribbean Business & Travel was presented at management and the creative industry. “The goal of the the CTO event to WestJet’s Vice-President, Sales and publication is to contribute to the economic development of Business Development, Lyell Farquharson. Vice the region by encouraging those with financial resources to President of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, invest in Caribbean projects and to visit the region,” Baptiste Network and Membership Relations, Tracy Hanson, explained. received copies of the new publication, which will be distributed to Canadian companies interested in business “Our target markets are business executives and companies, opportunities in the Caribbean. Copies of the publication travel agents and diaspora leaders in Toronto, New York and will be distributed to business organizations, travel Florida. Since tourism is the lifeblood of many of our tourism agents and diaspora leaders in Florida.

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Fit Like A Ras

By Jeremy Roberts - NASM

GT Dread is an NASM-CPT, who competes in Masters Track, Field Hockey and Weightlifting. He can be contacted at fitlikearas@gmail.com

Women & Weights Series -Alisha Fortune

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2010 & 2011: The Federation didn’t have the money to enter anyone.

2012: 6th 2013: 3rd 2014: 7th 2015: Swimsuit flaw, so didn’t make the finals 2016: I was placed in the wrong category, so again, no finals

o, time fuh de third interview in this series: Alisha Fortune, track and field and bodybuilding champion.

FLAR: Suh, Ms. Fortune: tell I about yuh sports and physical activity growin’ up.

AF: I started out running in the village where I grew up, Bederverwagting, East Coast Demerara, Guyana. I was around 9 when I remember the first time I was encouraged to start competing a little more seriously. It was Inter-Block sports in the village, and my cousin Bolton organized a group of us to go compete in Georgetown. I was a distance runner at first, believe it or not. In my first competition in Guyana, I finished a close 2nd in the Cross Country event to Alexis Gardner, who was the national champion at the time. The following year, I trained with my father and Bolton, and at the meet this time, I won convincingly!

FLAR: Mos’ impressive! Have you ever gotten any negative feedback on the way your body looks?

AF: I used to get negative comments from men in GT – things like “You gon beat up yuh man!” – but never abroad. Throughout the Caribbean, it’s a competely different reaction.

Things are changing here, though, as the sport gets more exposure.

FLAR: How about reactions from women, especially when you talk to them about liftin’ weights?

AF: Yeah, most of my clients – I’m a Personal Trainer automatically say no when I suggest weight training to them. I always point out the benefits to them, including stress relief and other mental health benefits. I think more women are becoming open to the idea of weight training these days, so I get less resistance than I used to.

Among the highlights of my career, I won gold in the 1500m & 3000m and silver 800m at the Inter Guyana Games. I started sprinting in 1995 and won 100m at the Hampton Games in 1996. I also got married and had twins that year. I was actually pregnant when I won the gold! I was back on the track a month after giving birth. My 3rd child was born in 1998, and I ran a marathon 3 weeks after giving birth.

FLAR: How much longer do you think you’ll be keeping up this level of activity and training?

AF: Well, I just won the 100m and 200m and was 2nd at the World Masters Athletics Championships, so I think I have a long way to go. Weight training will be lifetime thing with me, although I may stop sprinting soon due to injuries.

FLAR: Hol’ up! You ran a marathon 3 weeks after giving birth??!!

AF: Haha. Yep FLAR: (Speechless) FLAR: So when did you start wid weights?

FLAR: Well, t’ank you so much for your time. I hope you continue competing and training as long as you can. You settin’ a mos’ positive example for a lotta people, men and women!!

AF: I started at 18. I actually used to prefer gym days to track days. I was very skinny at first but I started competing with the boys in our track club, Rising Stars. I recognized my ability to lift a lot and get stronger.

AP: Thanks, and you too.

FLAR: How and when did you move into bodybuilding?

AF: I competed for the first time in 2007, at the Hugh Ross Classic. My nephew Andrew Harris and a friend named Bushman encouraged me. I just entered for fun, but I ended up winning the Bodybuilding, Physique and Overall competitions! I competed in the following years in the Senior Championships and won those same categories every year from 2007 to 2015.

Internationally, I had the following results at the Central American and Caribbean Games:

The beauty and grace of a lady, the power of weight lifter, the speed and endurance of a world class athlete and the ambition and commitment to master them all - Alisha Fortune.

GT Dread is an NASM-CPT, who competes in Masters Track, Field Hockey and Weightlifting. He can be contacted at fitlikearas@gmail.com

2009: 5th

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View Point - by Justin Fortune

My name Justin Fortune. I am a Caribbean-American youth of Haitian-Jamaican decent, and these are my ‘view-points’ on the events of the last several months in American Politics; and how they relate our community.

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irst and foremost – we must take into account that at the end of every presidential election cycle in this country, the final results are deemed apocalyptic by one side of the political spectrum or another. Whether these often stark and visceral reactions are appropriate for the public discourse or not - considering the high stakes of the four to eight years which follow, and which ideologies dominate the Office during that time – is for others to debate. In my mind, high emotions are easily stirred and impassioned opinions are easy to find, but the truth of the matter is what should concern us. And then came this election.

I only recall watching one of the many, many televised debates which the Republican Party held during the Primaries because I watched part of it with one of mother’s childhood friends – Aunt Colleen - whom was visiting from the Bahamas at the time. And while this socalled ‘debate’ only served as a crude, only-some-what humorous post dinner amusement for me; our guest appeared genuinely unnerved by the fact that the most outwardly unpleasant character of the lot seemed to be winning with ease. At the time, my instinct was to assure her that in the extremely unlikely scenario that this particular individual successfully navigates the field of (at the time) sixteen other qualified (and unqualified) candidates; that he would then proceed to be swept into obscurity in one of the most complete General Election landslide since Reagan in the 80’s. In my defense - I was parroting the television experts, as everyone else was at the time.

Long story short - that unpleasant character, whose campaign revolted our sensibilities, is now the 45th President-Elect of the United States of America. I have not yet had a chance to discuss this with my dear aunt, but I’m sure she was not thrilled by this news. They often say that only Jah knows what tomorrow will bring and that

became deeply profound for me while witnessing this dumpster-fire election season. I will not soon forget this lesson.

Now, we face a very uncertain four years or more as a community – very real threats to our culture, but also great opportunities for growth. For the last eight years, we were rightfully able to celebrate the beauty of an American First Family that will always represent genuine hope for many of us.

Come next month, we will be faced with whole new challenges worthy of our Island spirit – and that hope becomes the leverage which we must harness to defy these new obstacles.

Remember: there are youths alive today who have only ever seen a Black family in the White House, and daily life will be radically different for them when that is no longer the case – it is the elder generation’s responsibility to openly talk and listen to the youth about what we see and hear as hateful elements become emboldened; providing crucial guidance through what is already a trying time for all people of color. As for my own generation – this is now the Millennial Era, and we no longer enjoy the luxury of waiting for others to set examples for how we face the issues that directly affect us, as we have already set our own example for how we approach activism in the social media age. We all share the responsibility to support one another – that includes subscribing to community-centered sources of media and citizen-journalism like Passport and others; supporting Caribbean-American businesses; squashing petty beefs that prevent collaboration amongst ourselves; and that means no longer being afraid to honestly discuss the current events that impact us. This is how we resist. CaribbeanAmerican parents must discuss the values of voting with their children. Caribbean-Americans, who are eligible, must campaign for office so our voices are heard clearly on all levels – state-wide, locally, and otherwise. I also would stress that the next elections are only two years away, and we know how much change can happen in that time. So from my point of view Island folks have no use for dooms-day predictions about what the next four years will be.......No fear. No worries.

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Letters to My Lawyer™ Getting a Divorce After Sponsoring Your Spouse This column is primarily for educational purposes as well as to give the reader general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide any legal advice whatsoever. By reading this column you understand that there is no attorney-cliet relationship between you and writer/pub-lisher. This column should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.

This column is not published for advertising or solicitation purposes. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.

By Sasha Watson, Esq D

ear

Lawyer: I have been married to a Caribbean man for almost 2 years.

He received his 2 year green card last year January. I thought this man was the perfect man for me. Before we got married, he did everything including cooking, cleaning and helping me with the bills when he was able. My husband wanted to work and would often times become sad because he couldn’t work, so I filed for him shortly after we got married so he could get his papers. When he first got his papers he looked for a job but couldn’t find anything up to his standards.

Now, he hardly does anything to help me with the bills and housework and I believe he has been seeing another woman.

I want to get a divorce but I am not sure if I can and what will happen since I filed his paperwork. I need your advice.

Please help, Frustrated Wife

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Dear Frustrated Wife: There is nothing in the law that prevents you from divorcing your husband. However, as the petitioning spouse you signed an Affidavit of Support (I-864) on behalf of your husband which obligates you to provide support for him until he becomes a US citizen, can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work in the US, dies or ceases to be a lawful permanent resident and departs the United States. As such, upon divorce you should be aware that a court may order you to pay alimony/spousal support to your husband until one of the terminating conditions occurs. Because your husband was only granted a 2 year conditional green card, he will have to apply to USCIS to remove the conditions. Removing the conditions requires that the form be filed jointly by you and your husband, if you are still married. The only way he can apply to remove the conditions without you is if your divorce has concluded and a court has entered a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage / Divorce Decree. However, he will still have to present proof that the marriage was bona fide to obtain the permanent green card.

Please submit your letters to letters@hawmlaw.com.

Each month a reader’s letter will be chosen for response.

Letters to My Lawyer™ is a publication of Karlyn Hylton & Sasha Watson of Hylton, Adamson Watson, PLLC 1820 W. Colonial Drive |Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: 407-802-3223 | F: 407-377-1971 Email: letters@hawmlaw.com

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