Caribbean American Passport News Magazine - Feb 2022

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Feb/Mar 2022

2 The Jamaica Passport office is coming to Orlando

Happy Holi 2022 The Holi Festival, whether you celebrate at home, in the Mandir, on the streets or at a festival; the meaning is the same; it's a celebration of the arrival of Spring and the triumph of good over evil. Families come together to pray, to shower each-other with colored powder and water and to celebrate life.

In 2022 the celebration of Holi takes on additional meaning.

Right here in Florida, across the Caribbean and around the World citizens are coming together to celebrate the arrival of Spring, the celebration of Good over Evil and, hopefully, the celebration of the ending of the Covid-19 restrictions.

The joy of celebrating and playing with the many different colors of paint, powder and water is a powerful, euphoric experience. The air is filled with laughter and love for life. What is there not to like about this celebration and festival?!

It is truly the beginning and the sign of a new season. We share these special moments with loved ones, close friends, and family. This is a release of the pentup anxiety of the Winter and the joyful embracing of the Spring, the season of color, of new beginning, the blossoming of beautiful flowers, the rebirth of green grass, the re-coloring of the leaves into the many different shades of green and the celebration of the Triumph of Good over Evil.

The Access Jamaica event offers the community the perfect opportunity to reach out to its past members, build capacity and prepare them for business opportunities not just in the United States but in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

Access Jamaica is a PICA international outreach event designed to foster sustainable linkages between Jamaica and the diaspora. It allows Jamaicans and their descendants in the diaspora to access the products and services of the Agency and its partners conveniently in their community. It provides an opportunity for PICA's team to meet and interact face-toface with the Agency’s clients and target audience.

The event will take place at the Legends Resto and Lounge, 5250 International Drive, Orlando from 8:30am – 3:30pm each day.

"DDFTT +BNBJDB QBSUOFST PO CPBSE GPS UIJT PVUSFBDI BSF • Registrar General’s Department, • Grace Kennedy Foods and Western Union, • JN Money • Victoria Mutual Building • Victoria Mutual Wealth Mgt

• International Legal Forum.

We invite you to attend the Access Jamaica event as well as the Town Hall on Thursday evening and the Chamber's Business Mixer on Friday from 1pm - 5pm.

Spotlight on Jamaica: Now more than ever, Jamaica is making it easier to complete a wide range of investment and business services online.

Attend the Access Jamaica event to find out how you can start a business, obtain permits and approvals, manage taxes, complete development applications, and so much more- ALL ONLINE. Doing Business in and with Jamaica is so much easier now.

• • • • • • •

Passport renewal New Passports Replacement Passports Doing Business with Jamaica Tax Questions & Solutions Jamaican Citizenship Unconditional Landing

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L I F E S T Y L E

Guenet Gittens-Roberts Owner/Publisher/Editor

The Great Resignation!!!

Samuel J. Roberts

Owner/Publisher/Editor

The pandemic may have been the trigger The 'New Normal' and the 'Great Resignation' have come as that initially caused people to leave their jobs in masses in a result of the experiences from COVID-19.

2021. There were approximately over 75.5 million I personally think that there are a number of factors that resignations in 2021 in America alone. have, and continue, to influence people to follow the trend As the pandemic continued, despite the high unemployment of 'The Great Resignation'' rate and labor shortages, employees voluntarily left their jobs • Change in personal priorities - putting yourself and in 2021. These 'new normal' conditions and the decisions your family/loved ones first. being made by the average American led to what has been, • Self-preservation - realizing that you are truly and is currently being called, 'The Great Resignation". responsible for yourself first.

• Self-dependency- be more in control of your own During the period of 2020 and 2021 the World was income and future experiencing unprecedented circumstances. The pandemic • End of life reality - tomorrow is not promised, live your forced hard decisions at every level. Governments were forced best life today to implement mandatory curfews and business • Quality of life is more important that the quantity of closures. Businesses at all levels faced the difficult decision of money - Steve Jobs would have paid anything for a closing their doors, while still having to consider how to pay longer life. their employees, keep the lights on, keep the brand alive, pay their rents or mortgages and basically survive with no One Choice by Mac Anderson: "One tree can start a forest, clear end date.

One smile can begin a friendship, One hand can lift a soul, Individuals were sent home to, in some cases, work from One word can frame the goal, One candle can wipe out home, while in other cases, to just go home. There were darkness, One laugh can conquer gloom, One hope can no financial guarantees of income. Families had to make cuts raise our spirits, And...one choice can change your life. and adjustments to their bottom-line, again, with no end My resolution coming out of the 'New Normal' and the date projected.

'Great Resignation' - Live the life you love, surround yourself with people who bring you joy and happiness, have We had to make hard decisions and prioritize our lives, our a plan for tomorrow but live every day to the fullest by expenses and our choices. These were difficult choices from making a personal choice to be HAPPY!!! top to bottom. We saw the ugly side of corporate America where employees, clients, projects and spending became a very self-centered decision. My constant reminder... if or when the plane is going to crash, "put on your own oxygen 1969 Alafaya Trail • Orlando, FL 32828 Office: mask first".

407-427-1800 Fax: 407-386-7925

While this message, "put on your own oxygen mask first", may seem selfish, it is the harsh truth about life. It is not meant to be totally about self preservation, but rather about saving yourself first, so that you may then be able to save others.

However, there were too many cases of just save yourself and not worry about the others.

There is nothing wrong with self-preservation, but when you are truly faced with the decision of self-preservation and you realize that, while there are others who depend on you, you must understand the importance of "put on your own oxygen mask first", so that you are able to help others.

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 publication go to http:// caribbeanamericanpassport.com and click on the 'Print Archive'.

Publisher & Editor................................................................................... Sam Roberts Publisher ............................................................................. Guenet Gittens-Roberts Editor & Contributing Writer................................................................Aleia Roberts Contributing Writers: ................................................................................ Tony Dyal Contributing Photographers ............ .......................................................Ted Hollins ....................................................................................................................Dillia Castillo Central Florida Distribution......................................................... .Danielle Browne South Florida Distribution .............................................................Norman Williams North Florida Distribution ...............................................................Kadeem Roberts Tampa Distribution ...................................................................................Julian Pina Copyright (C) 2016 GGR Marketing & Public Relations. All rights reserved.

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Bill Introduced To Increase Tenant Safety In Virginia Named After Murdered Caribbean American Teen By newsamericas

“My daughter’s legacy continues as she is fighting with us to protect others. This is something she did in life and although our hearts will forever be shattered, we know that protecting and fighting for others is something that Miya would want us to do,” commented Miya’s mother, Yma Scarbriel, who is also a Board Member of the Miya Marcano Foundation.

A Virginia state representative has named a bill introduced to improve tenant safety in apartment buildings in Virginia, after Caribbean American teen Miya Marcano, who was murdered last year in Florida.

Delegate Candi Mundon King has filed HB 160 to create ‘Miya’s Law,’ named after Caribbean American Miya Marcano who was killed by a maintenance worker at the Arden Villas apartment complex in Orlando, Fl where she lived, worked and likely died.

“When I learned of Miya Marcano’s story, like many across our country and across the world, my family and I prayed for Miya’s safe return. As a mom, aunt, sister, friend, the story of Miya’s tragic end touched me deeply, and that’s why I have introduced this bill here in Virginia because no person should feel unsafe in their home<” said King in a statement.

“More could have been done to protect Miya and I stand in support of her family to ensure other young women and apartment tenants receive the protection they deserve from potentially violent individuals.”

‘Miya’s Law’ requires a landlord to conduct background screening for all apartment employees. The background screening must include a national screening of criminal history records and sexual predator and sexual offender registries. The screening would specifically include criminal offenses involving violent crimes. The bill also requires landlords to establish written policies and procedures for the storage and management of master keys and other electronic keys to ensure former employees or unauthorized users can no longer access them.

“We are extremely thankful for the support surrounding Miya’s Law,” said Miya’s father, says Marlon Marcano, who is also a Board Member of the Miya Marcano Foundation. “My daughter’s untimely death is one that I still can’t accept fully, however, knowing that her death will be the catalyst to protect so many, brings me some comfort. Thank you to everyone, especially Delegate Candi Mundon King for bringing Miya’s Law forward in the House of Representatives within the State of VA.” Delegate Mundon King introduced the bill last week and it has been referred to the General Laws Committee. If the bill passes the General Laws Committee, it will head to the full House of Delegates for a vote.

MIAMI CARNIVAL DONATES TO MIYA MARCANO FOUNDATION FUND

Miami-Broward One Carnival Committee Chairwoman Joan Justin (left) and Attorney Marlon Hill (right) presents DJ Eternal Vibes and Giselle D Wassi One with a check for $5,000 towards the Miya Marcano Foundation Fund. The presentation took place at the Carnival Commitee's office in Miami Gardens on February 2nd.

Delegate Mundon King said she’s had several meetings with apartment organizations, Democrat and Republican colleagues, and other stakeholders in an effort to gain broad support for the bill.

“It’s important to me that the work is done to help relevant decision-makers understand the importance of Miya’s Law and the role they can play in keeping our communities safe.

As lawmakers, we can pass legislation, but buy-in from businesses and management associations is crucial to ensuring what happened to Miya, doesn’t happen to others,” King said. “It hasn’t been easy, but I know that Miya’s Law is needed and I will continue to have conversations to ensure this bill passes successfully with broad support. The strength of Miya’s family to mobilize in the way they did was inspiring to me, but no family should ever have to do that.

My hope is that by picking up the baton here in Virginia to pass Miya’s Law, my colleagues in statehouses throughout the United States will be challenged to do the same as we all work to protect our constituents.”

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INAUGURAL GETTING IN GOOD TROUBLE AWARDS LUNCHEON The members of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc, Gamma Delta Sigma Chapter honored the legacy of the late Congressman John R. Lewis through an awards luncheon, "The Getting in Good Trouble Awards” on Friday, February 18th, 2022 at the Rosen Centre Hotel.

Congressman James E. Clyburn served as the keynote speaker for this historic luncheon event. Congressman James E. Clyburn, Representative of South Carolina’s Sixth Congressional District and the majority whip, spoke of his relationship with John R. Lewis and their endeavors together in the civil rights movement. Cyburn recalled that he and John Lewis first met in 1960 at the organizational meeting of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee as 20-year-old college students determined to see a more perfect Union. Congressman Clyburn spoke of John Lewis' commitment to and embodiment of nonviolence, a concept that many others had considered to be no more than a tactic.

“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and redeem the soul of America.” John Lewis made this statement on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on March 1, 2020 commemorating the tragic events of Bloody Sunday.

Brother Lewis was a trailblazer who led by example and this year's award recipients embody the same spirit, passion, and courage to stand up for what is right and to “get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

The Central Floridians awarded for their good trouble were: • • • •

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Youth Development – Mr. Harris Rosen Social Action – Mr. Desmond Meade Black Business Development – Tanisha Nunn Gary Education – Dr. Katherine Gordon

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A Fireside Chat with BIPOC Business & Community Champion Inez Long The Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF) presents a special one-on-one with financial justice champion & the financial services industry's hidden gem: Inez Long!

The Fireside Chat will be broadcasted this Women’s History Month on March 30th, 2022 at 11:00am.

Inez is a trail-blazing change agent for Black businesses and communities throughout Florida and has used her 35+ years of focused expertise in finance and community development to create unique opportunities for BIPOC entrepreneurs to thrive!

Serving as President/CEO of BBIF, a certified not-forprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Inez has made it her life’s work to advance financial and racial justice for Black businesses and communities.

In this Fireside Chat: Be inspired by one of Central Florida's most committed community change agents – fighting for financial justice.

Learn how a homegrown Floridan evolved to be one of the most distinguished and accomplished Black women in the CDFI industry.

Celebrate 30 years of service; to a phenomenal woman who took a leap and pursued her passion for creating long-term change – taking a small loan fund and transforming it into the largest Black-led, Blackgoverned, and Black-Focused CDFI in Florida.

Hear an experienced industry leader share insight on strategies that can be used to support and uplift Black businesses and communities in the years ahead.

Become connected with an organization that actively champions investment, justice and equity for Black businesses and communities.

To learn more and register to attend the Fireside Chat visit this link.

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NorthStar First Properties, LLC.

3 Lots for Sale Near UCF (University of Central Florida) and Quadrangle Corporate Office Park PRIME LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION Current Zoning can be 2 Homes on each Lot or Executive Homes Future Zoning Multifamily valdainternational@hotmail.com . 407-536-6635 5

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Amani Peterkin…a girl with a great imagination Rosemarie Roth, Pastor at Alpha Point (352) 321-0932 President of Jamaican Cultural Connection, JCCNOW.ORG

Florida’s west coast cities rank among top emerging real estate markets

Influx of work-at-home employees helps power property boom Florida’s west coast property market is heating up, boosted by remote work and sunny weather.

Naples ranked No. 1 and North Port was No. 2 in the Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com’s Emerging Housing Markets Index. Three other Florida markets also made the top 20: Cape Coral, Punta Gorda and Sebastian, a city on the state’s east coast.

Cont'd on page 17

Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder how you are. High above the earth so high, like a diamond in the sky.

I met a little girl who is a super star to me. Outstanding just like a diamond on an engaged finger. Great expectations of a life that will leave footprints on this earth. She is curious, engaging, loves life and all that goes along with establishing a legacy for those who will find her inspiring.

This gifted child can depend on the support and encouragement from her family and friends to be adventurous. At age seven she has an impressive imagination to design dresses that she intends to create and sell in her shop or online. She is an adaptive learner and is constantly asking me to teach her something new which keeps me on my toes.

Thank goodness for life’s experience and the missing parts for me will always be on Youtube.

This is an introduction to our Home Economic section of the Passport. You will learn with Amani as she designs, sew, cook, make crafts, gardening, and soar to great heights. The first lesson today is to evaluate our mindset. We will turn the nob around to learn and gain a new skill to excel.

“Watch your thought, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” Lao Tzu. Mindset is like driving a car. We are in control of the car by holding the steering wheel and regulating the speed with our foot on the gas pedal. My driving teacher told me that wherever I am looking that is where the car will go. So, we will live whatever we entertain our mind with.

Therefore, we are to have a mindset to win, to succeed, to be positive and we will master even the challenges that we might face. Our mindset sets the tone for the outcome of our projects. We should not speak words that will set its demise.

But words for completion to victory.

Her mother Sonya Peterkin, an immigration attorney chimes in that, “Amani dances, plays the piano and attends acting classes”. Amani at this point is training to improve her concentration and socialization. At this rate, she will live a life full of knowledge.

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Road Ready, a reality series that celebrates Carnival Culture globally, is coming to Orlando Carnival to Road Ready will film in Orlando and kick off its first season. take 8 participants from around the The Carnival Travel Reality Series Road Ready is kicking off its first season in Orlando. Filming for Road Ready will begin at the Orlando Carnival Downtown United Band Launch, which will take place on Sunday, April 9th. It will continue in the lead up to Orlando Carnival 2022 on Memorial weekend. After creating a 4event series last year due to the covid pandemic, Orlando's team decided to keep the events they launched last year.

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world, chosen through a wild audition process, and saturate them into a 3 week long Carnival experience. The Road Ready reality show is hosted by Jodi Henriques, a popular Jamaican TV Host and the wife of Sean Paul.

From the pre parties & costume fittings, to the yachts, local eats, and Carnival herself, the group will be thrown into The Local Experience for a wild ride they will never forget.

ST. THOMAS TO CELEBRATE 70 YEARS OF CARNIVAL IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced that the 70th edition of Carnival Virgin Islands on St. Thomas will be held from April 27 to May 1, 2022.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism’s Division of Festivals reports that the official version of St. Thomas carnival will be held under the theme “A New Cultural Roogadoo for Carnival 2022”.

The scaled-down spectacular, due to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights 70 years of carnival, and will shine a spotlight on the Territory’s dynamic culture, cuisine, history, music and people.

Ian Turnbull, Director of the Division of Festivals, announced that the celebration will follow the successful “Fête.Vibe.Soca” music event held for vaccinated patrons over President’s Day weekend.

“We are finalizing plans to promote and advance the Territory’s culture through the return of carnival and festivals in 2022,” said Turnbull, who announced that Carnival Virgin Islands will feature four village nights in honor of the late Ron de Lugo, the first and longest-serving Delegate from the United States Virgin Islands to the United States House of Representatives.

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Osceola County offers high schools seniors $12 million in college scholarships A $12.4 million program known as Osceola Prosper will allow every 2022 graduating senior at Osceola County high schools a free college or technical education.

The scholarships are available through Valencia College and Osceola Technical College. CareerSource Central Florida is helping to support funding aspects of skills training.

"The Osceola County Commission wants you to succeed.

We believe you can succeed. And we’ve got your back, so you can succeed," Osceola Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington told students at Liberty and Poinciana high schools. "This is an incredible graduation gift, and it celebrates each and every one of you. It’s my hope that this helps you achieve your dreams – or even to dare to dream for something you never thought possible before today."

"I was surprised in the beginning, thinking ‘There’s no way their giving us free college for two years with no strings attached!,’ but it’s very true! And it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Kayla Crossfield, a 17-year-old Liberty High senior. "I was planning on going on scholarships and financial aid and maybe borrow money, but now I can go for free, it’s a blessing."

The program is open to all members of the 2022 graduating class from Osceola County high schools, charter schools, alternative high schools, private schools, or homeschooling.

To qualify students must: Apply to Valencia or Osceola TechnicalCollege and registerfor at least one course, an Accelerated Skills Training program, or an Osceola Technical Program in Summer 2022, Fall 2022, or Spring 2023.

Complete the 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student

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Osceola Commission Gifts 2022 Seniors with More than $12 million

Aid (FAFSA) by July 15, 2022(for fall enrollment), or by December1, 2022 (for spring enrollment). Students not eligible to complete the FAFSA may self-certify they are not able to do so.

Through Osceola Prosper, Osceola County will provide: Free application to Valencia College Scholarships to cover tuition and fees not otherwise covered by other grants or scholarships for one credential (Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Science degree, Technical Certificate, Accelerated Skills Training, Vocational Training).

In addition, the county will offer a $500 stipend to support related expenses for students who demonstrate financial need. The County is following through on a previously approved strategy to use ARPA funds to have a long-term transformational impact on the community.

More information, including FAQs and information, is available at OsceolaProsper.com.

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Caribbean-American Heritage Awards 2022

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CAHA2022@CARIBBEABAMERICANPASSPORT.COM

Please include CAHA 2022 in the Subject Line RESTAURANTS or CATERERS or COOKS

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Choose Jamaica To do Business Jamaica is a talented, educated and passionate nation. Their stable and efficient business climate is powered by people who are fully equipped to overcome modern-day challenges with ingenuity, while delivering the best results to their clients.

These attributes, coupled with sophisticated infrastructure have aided Jamaica’s emergence as a regional hub for trade, and an important investment destination for major transnational corporations (TNCs).

With their national vision to make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business by 2030, they are ready and excited to power your business plans! Meet the JAMPRO Team, Thursday March 24th, 2022. They are the premier trade and investment promotions corporation representing the Government of Jamaica.

JAMPRO promotes business opportunities in export and investment to the local and international private sector. In addition to facilitating the implementation of investment and export projects, they are a key policy advocate and advisor to the Government in matters pertaining to the improvements of Jamaica’s business environment.

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“If every Grenadian in the diaspora convinces at least one friend or colleague to visit the tri-island state, imagine what that would do for our arrival numbers and the economic benefits that derive.” – Petra Roach, CEO, Grenada Tourism Authority Petra Roach

“This (Barbuda) campaign cleverly helps manage expectations because if interested travelers can’t book a flight or room, they will understand exactly why. More than that, we hope that this idyllic campaign truly captures the uniqueness and warmth of the local Barbudan community and is in keeping with our strategy to show the world the unsurpassed beauty of the sister island.” – Charles “Max” Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Antigua and Barbuda “The team at American (Airlines) has been doing an amazing job and it’s wonderful to see their commitment to Dominica. Our ‘Nature Island’ remains the gem of the Caribbean and is now easier to discover than ever before.” – Gregor Nassief, Chairman, GEMS Holdings Limited (Caribbean Journal)

Florida’s west coast cities rank among top emerging real estate markets Cont'd from page 7

The index identifies the metropolitan areas for buyers seeking an appreciating housing market and appealing lifestyle amenities. Florida benefitted from a migration of workers who could move far from their jobs in search of cheaper living and a better quality of life.

Others may be drawn to lower taxes and relaxed Covid-19 policies, real estate agents told the Journal.

Economists expect demand to remain strong.

Zillow named Tampa its hottest housing market for 2022, according to the newspaper, and Redfin’s list of the 10 top neighborhoods included eight in Florida.

Naples and its neighboring cities along the Gulf of Mexico are known for white sand beaches, fishing, dolphins and sunny golf courses.

Naples, which bills itself as “the golf capital of the world,” is also known for its high-end homes, fine restaurants, and shopping. Home sales in 2021 rose 26 percent from a year earlier, while the median home price jumped 20 percent to $445,000.

“Naples was always a luxury area, but it was, I think, a well-kept secret,” said Denny Bowers, a Compass agent in Naples. “That secret is out, obviously.”

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How Grate Thou Art - By TONY DEYAL It was clear that the man who came into her house armed with a cutlass had “Chopin” in mind. She was cooking a “Pavarotti” on the stove and told him, “Schumann”. When he didn’t, she shouted, “Schubert”. Realising that he was not listening to her, she said, “You too Haydn”, beat him on his skull with a grater so bad that he hold on to "Debussy" head he got from her and never came "Bach". The fact that a 71-year-old woman could do that was music to my ears.

Jane Austen and her books, Anne Frank with her diary, Maya Angelou, the poet who fought for civil rights, Elizabeth ‘The Virgin Queen’ of England, and Marie Curie, the first female to win a Nobel prize, are among the greatest women of all time.

However, here in the Caribbean, in Trinidad of all places, we have the ‘gratest’ woman of them all who deserves our praise and recognition, not just in the media but also in the churches and synagogues with the song, “How grate thou art! How great thou art!”.

The words “great” and “grate” are “homophones”. They sound the same but have different meanings. “Great” as an adjective means “much more than average or ordinary in size, extent, volume, value or importance”. As a noun, “grate” means a “fireplace” or a “framework of crossed bars”. As a verb, it means to “grind, scrape or irritate”. The Definitive Professional Writer’s Guide gave an example of the usage of the two words: “I toasted the grated cheese beside the great grate on the great fire that was in the great hall at my great-grandfather’s mansion.”

In terms of greatness, Shakespeare is our best guide. He writes in the play Twelfth Night, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them”. But what about grateness? How does that work? More important, how can the two homonyms join together in a homo-hymn?

The answer lies in an article posted by journalist Shane Superville on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 in the Trinidad Newsday paper. The headline immediately caught my attention: “Mayaro woman, 71, beats bandit with cheese grater”. The story was incredibly simple but, at the same time, simply incredible. In Radix Village in Mayaro, a seaside town on the south east or Atlantic coast of Trinidad, the 71-year-old woman was in her kitchen preparing dinner when she saw a man in her house holding a cutlass. For those of us who grew up with stories about the real Pirates of the Caribbean like Jean Lafitte, Sir Henry Morgan, Blackbeard and Calico Jack, and long before one of the most famous of the lot, John Ward, became Jack Sparrow, the cutlass was the pirates’ weapon of choice.

ULTIMATE BLADED WEAPON A cutlass is the ultimate bladed weapon associated with pirates because, as a shorter sword, made of forged steel, it was better suited to fighting on deck or in the closed quarters of a ship. It was clear that the man, although armed with a cutlass, was definitely not a pirate but may have been a radio newscaster. In the jargon of the Trinidad police, the man “announced” a robbery. Clearly. he must have been a loud speaker. None of the jargon of the old highwaymen like “Your money or your life”, “Stand and deliver” or, as I was told by bandits when I was held at gunpoint, “Give me the effing money, otherwise we will kill your mother so-and-so (or its equivalent in Trini dialect).” It reminds me of one of my colleagues who wanted a job at a radio station and, as a test, they gave him the death announcement to read. He started well with the first line, “We have been asked to announce the death..” It is when he reached the last line that he died. The announcements all ended the same way with the same words, “Friends and Relations are kindly asked to accept these intimations.”

Unfortunately for him, seeing that all the announcers knew the words, they used an abbreviation which, my colleague saw, had no idea what it was, and so, in his best English accent and voice, ended with “FARAKATATI”.

What happened in this Mayaro matter was that while the man was announcing, the woman was screaming for help but, at the same time, she took action. According to the article, “As the bandit grabbed her, the woman began beating the man with a nearby cheese grater.” Despite this happening in the day and not a twelfth night, the lady was obviously born great. She must have been very grateful to have the grater so close at hand because she made certain that the bandit had “grateness” thrust upon him so frequently and with such ferocity that, according to the police, “The bandit ran away with the cutlass”. What he thought would be a great day for him turned out to be a grate day instead.

Regardless of where he was struck, or whatever part of his anatomy was being attacked, the bandit got such a “cutass” (as Trinis would call it) that he cut his losses and fled the scene in terror. In fact, it is like Stevie Wonder’s response when he got a cheese grater for his birthday. He said it was the most violent book he ever read. When the police eventually caught up with him, the 39-year-old man was hiding in a shack. In other words, after grater problems, the man had even greater problems.

WHAT’S IN AN AGE? I was more struck than the bandit. Here is a woman of 71, by herself in her home, who grabs a grater, defeats a bandit who was armed with a cutlass, chases him out of her house and then calls the police. I wondered where she fitted in history and, taking up my copy of What’s In An Age?, I found out that, among the ‘famous’ people of that age, French designer Coco Chanel introduced the ‘Chanel’ suit; Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa; Winston Churchill coined the term ‘Iron Curtain’; Buckminster Fuller built his largest geodesic dome; and Katsusuke Yanagisawa, a retired Japanese schoolteacher, became the oldest person to climb Mt Everest. However, none of them, at that age, was attacked by a man with a cutlass and beat the heck out of him with a grater, to the extent that he ran away. What she did is what, I am sure, all of us would consider true heroism, not just a response to fear or desperation but one of sheer guts and determination.

I would be an ingrate if I did not say how grateful I am to that lady, and would be even more ungrateful if I did not feature her full story and recommend her, not just for a national award, but for global recognition. Many of us, facing a man with a cutlass, would disintegrate. Because of the inability of the police to deal with the criminals and the increasing number of murders, many people in Trinidad and other Caribbean countries have started to migrate. However, in this lady we have a hero and a lesson. Even if she does not want her name used, her story is an inspiration to the rest of us and a lesson for our children.

The police and the media ended the article with, “The woman was taken to the hospital, but officers said she only received a scratch on her left arm.” I believe we should start from scratch, find the lady and celebrate her courage and determination. In countries where the police are relatively useless and our media not just one-sided but near-sighted, we have a genuine heroine with a message for all. *Tony Deyal was last seen saying that the Mayaro lady should have replaced Donald Trump as president of the United States. She would have made America grate again.

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