Caribbean American Passport November 2013

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November

NEWS MAGAZINE

Caribbean American Passport now covers the Entire State of Florida!

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Tuskegee Airmen 'Red Tails' pilots honored with Florida monument Tessanne Chin Jamaican songbird Tessanne Chin consolidated her position as one of her country’s hottest musical exports on NBC talent contest The Voice in Los Angeles.

The 28-year-old Jamaican was the first member of Adam Levine's team to power into the next live round of the televised contest, indicating that she received more votes than teammates James Wolpert and Will Champlin who also secured places in the top ten.

Recently, Chin delivered a moving rendition of Emeli Sandé's “My Kind Of Love,” which she dedicated to her husband Michael.

The first national monument honoring the Red Tail Pilots of the Tuskegee Airmen

Local Leaders turn out for the Red Tails Monument

A handful of the few surviving Red Tail military pilots, considered the elite of the Tuskegee Airmen who overcame racism and fought in World War Two, journeyed to Orlando, Florida to witness the unveiling of the first U.S. monument in their honor.

Only 33 of the original 356 Red Tail pilots survive, and six of them, mostly in their 90s, attended the Mike McKenzie becomes an Honorary Red Tail Veteran's Day ceremony.

See story on page 14

US offers reprieve to illegal immigrants with military relatives

Levine, her coach and mentor, said The Obama administration will allow the performance blew his mind. "You By Renee Myers close relatives of U.S. service members are so consistent and the bar is so high living in the country illegally to stay, that I can never be satisfied," Levine t’s coming in pieces but it looks as according to a recent policy directive. though the US is going to limp their The nine-page memorandum is the told the Jamaican songstress. latest in a series of immigration policy way towards immigration reform Continued on pages 4

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L I F E S T Y L E Sam Roberts, Publisher

3 Years Old and Enjoying Every Second!

s always the last thing I do when putting together the issue is to write this column in the newspaper. As I look back over the past three years of working at building this dream, I am humbled at the progress we have made, the friends we have met and the vast extent of the Caribbean Community across Florida. From Jacksonville where we have encountered a sleeping giant of a Community to Ocala where they are getting ready to emerge as a vibrant Caribbean presence to Tampa a connecting point for several communities on it's own. We have been seduced by the excitement of South Florida with it's vibrant events and where the Caribbean culture has made it into an extension of

Guenet Gittens-Roberts, Publisher/Editor

The worst part is that many of the outlandish things he writes about have really happened in Florida. Here are some of the other, hard to believe but true, stories about Florida and the crazy residents we share space with in this state: A School board candidate whose legal residence turned out to be a tool shed or the U.S. attorney who bit a stripper during a table dance or the South Florida Mayor who tried to hire City Hall workers to kill her husband and in yet another novel the heroine who was flung off the stern of a cruise ship, only to be saved by a floating bale of marijuana…another story based on a fact that happened in Florida. Carl Hiaasen says he wishes he had made them up, but he’s got a folder filled with more of these crazy scenarios from right here in our own Florida.

Hiaasen in describing Florida says “The Sunshine State is a paradise of scandals teeming with drifters, deadbeats and misfits drawn here by some primordial calling like demented trout. And you’d be surprised how many of them decide to run for public office.”

the Caribbean. Of course Orlando is dearest to us as this is the heart of Caribbean American Passport Newspaper. The people, the warmth, the connections are unparralled. We are This is the state where developers build homes around gravel a small town with all of the advantages and disadvantages that pits advertised as “lakefront property,” and where marijuana falls out of the sky. Of course lest we forget this is the state of come with that title.

Elian Gonzalez, hanging chads and of course recently Casey It has been exciting to move around the state and realize how Anthony and George Zimmerman. But what will we do, we vast the Caribbean community has become. The economic the people who are trying to build lives here for our children, impact of the businesses we open and houses we buy are seen in this imperfect state? What will we do to start making in the Caribbean takeover of cities like Miramar, Pembroke changes so that this state becomes less of a laughingstock and Pines, Tamarac and so many others. We do still have a ways more the paradise we moved here to enjoy? to go though and we have to work more than ever to effect Distribution Points - we want to highlight change in Florida. As we do move around the state we see your business on our website and on our more and more corruption and blatant disregard for what the social media pages. Please contact us right thing is and what isn't. to register your business as a monthly distribution point and get additional For those of you familiar with the Florida Author Carl exposure for FREE! Hiaasen, you might be more familiar with his view of Florida. *WE'RE HIRING! CONTACT US TODAY!* A few years ago, my father in law introduced me to books by Carl Hiaasen.

They were written about Florida but highlighting the bumbling nature of the corruption and so much more about our state. As I wrote this column I have GGR Marketing & Public Relations 1230 Hillcrest Street, Suite 101 • Orlando, FL 32803 been listening to the audio books as Sam has been introduced 407-427-1800 • guenetroberts@yahoo.com to them as he traverses the state. So it felt extremely fitting For Media Information email: capnewsmagazine@yahoo.com Should you desire to review past copies of the publication that we introduce Carl Hiaasen as we discuss Florida. go to http://www.issuu.com/caribbeanamericanpassport and In a 60 minute interview done on him they asked him “Why search for Caribbean American Passport News Magazine. did he decide to start writing novels?” Publisher ........................................................... Guenet Gittens-Roberts “Therapy,” says Hiaasen laughing. “Actually, with the novels, Editor ..........................................................................Natasha Solomon Graphic Design & Layout ..................................... Jan Longwell-Smiley you have this wonderful opportunity to write your own Contributing Writers: ................................................... Rosemarie Roth ..................................................................................... Natasha Gittens endings – to have the bad guys get not only exactly what they ........................................................................................ .Karlyn Hylton deserve, but in some poetic, you know, miserable way. " ............................................................................................ Gail Seeram ........................................................................................ Kamal Abdool . .................................. ................................................... Roger Caldwell ................................................................................ Nouchelle Hastings Contributing Photographers ........................................... Dillia Castillo ..................................................................................... Ronald Williams ....................................................................................... Mark Bannister Distribution & Sales.................................................... Delroy Edwards ....................................................................................... Frank Ambrose Copyright (C) 2013 GGR Marketing & Public Relations. All rights reserved.

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--New Immigrant Center Open-The Connexion Empowerment Center Inc., (CECI) a Compassionate inistryCenter in the Central Florida District, has received official recognition by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to become an agency providing quality lowcost legal help for those who would like to access the resources of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Along with this recognition, official accreditation has been granted to CECI’s executive Director, Oliver Phillips, to practice immigration law.

The BIA is the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying immigration laws, and any organization wishing to provide the public with complete and lawful immigration services must be authorized to do so by this body. BIA authorization shows customers that CECI is a trustworthy, legitimate service provider that offers the right kind of help and allows it to practice immigration law before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), immigration courts, and the BIA itself.

hillips credits this accomplishment to the initiatives that began under the leadership of Althea Taylor, former national coordinator of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries USA/ Canada. With her vision, a marriage with World Relief was formed whereby technical and program management assistance is available to Nazarene CEC’s and local congregations who desire to become a recognized agency.

Oliver Phillips,

Ordained Minister & Lead Connector

This milestone in the life of the 18-month old faith-based organization is evidence of the commitment of its director to develop an agency where “needs and resources meet.” CECI seeks to be a dynamic agent of transformation and empowerment in the Metropolitan Orlando area by providing services to the underserved residents.

With the growing immigrant community in Orlando, CECI will play a pivotal role as it provides low-cost legal services.

CECI joins the 799 agencies endorsed by the BIA, and Phillips joins the national cadre of 1,312 accredited representatives.

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Phillips expresses unusual satisfaction on this occasion, as CECI becomes only the second BIA recognized agency in Orlando alongside Catholic Charities of Central lorida which has been the sole provider since 1996.

CECI is the outgrowth of the leaders of the Lake Como Connexions Nazarene congregation in Orlando, but is governed by a separate Board of

Directors. Its board chairman, Fletcher Tink says, “CECI was birthed to remedy the results of societal injustices and to be a voice for the marginalized.

This is a step in the right direction and our partner-ship with World Relief greatly leverages our capacity to ma-ke a difference in the lives of immigrants who desire to be productive citizens, and to advance the movement towards family reunification.”

In addition to its immigration program, CECI is tasked with developing a mentoring program (Dare 2 Dream) for children ages 8 through 18 with the youth steel band, and an expanded learning program. To find out more about the center and how you could help go to www.ceci-orlando.org.

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Miami Reggae Festival's Alfonso Brooks.

Founder of Rockers Movement and the Miami Reggae Festival

What inspired you to start the Miami Reggae Festival?

The idea stemmed from a Toots show that ran a bit late. When Toots didn't get to complete his set, we asked the audience if they enjoyed coming out for roots music shows in Miami. The crowd responded enthusiastically and through Rockers Movement, we decided to fulfill that need. We keep it interesting by incorporating diverse elements and allowing for more community empowerment.

Rockers Movement is a non-profit organization that stands by our slogan of enabling change and creating solutions. Whenever we are presented with an opportunity to lift up the community, we do so on a platform of music and arts. We chose the Miami Reggae Festival as an anchor point to raise awareness on extreme hunger and poverty in the city and to the world with the hope that in doing so we not only better ourselves but empower others to be better - which by default makes for a better world.

This year's festival features Stephen 'Ragga' Marley from Jamaica, Tiken Jah Fakoly from Africa's Ivory Coast, Cultura Profética from Puerto Rico… was your intention to book artists from so many cultures or was this just chance?

It was completely our intention. Rockers Movement wanted to exhibit the global impact of reggae and show that music is powerful and doesn’t recognize boundaries. Music is so powerful; it changes lives daily.

Miami is such a culturally diverse city and we wanted to create a festival that was reflective of that. The Miami Reggae Festival encourages the residents of the South Florida community to feel at home by having acts that represent their native countries and cultures. The festival gives attendees a sense of pride and hope. So many residents are displaced and are having challenging times - we have created a festival with the intention of giving attendees an escape - if only for just a day.

Besides music, what can attendees expect to see and do at this year's Miami Reggae Festival?

In addition to the music, there will be arts and food vendors, a yoga village, a bike valet, plus activities and workshops that empower the mind and spirit with information. We also want to bring attention to our zero waste initiative. We really desire to reduce our carbon footprint in Miami and be recognized as a progressive city that cares about the planet and mankind. We want to co-create a place for future generations to enjoy and hope attendees will visit our recycle, reduce and reuse workshops. Knowledge is power and more so when shared.

US offers reprieve to illegal immigrants with military relatives -continued from page 1-

There is a food drive associated with Miami Reggae Festival, can you tell our readers more about this?

changes made by President Barack Obama since he took office. The department has long had the power to stop deportations for Our main goal for the festival is to support our food drive and to raise relatives of military members and veterans, but Friday’s memo lays awareness for the South Florida residents who are in need of food assistance. Last year, we received over 2 tons of food donations at the out how and when it can be used. main gate. We hope to surpass that amount this year. We are asking all attendees to bring canned goods and non-perishable food items for donation. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy our festival, so we’re offering free admission to all attendees that bring a minimum of 2 food items and arrive before 3 pm. Through a partnership with the non-profit organization TECHO, food will be distributed the very next day on November 24th at Virrick Park in Coconut Grove and at the African Arts Cultural Center in Liberty City to those in need of food assistance.

The latest order gives U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials the power to “parole in place” immigrant spouses, children and parents of current U.S. service members, reservists and veterans. The change means that those immigrants can apply to legally live in the United States.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year's James Swartout, a Defense Department spokesman, said the festival? military appreciates the clarification on how immigrant family I have never seen Tiken Jah Fakoly or Black Slate live, but what I am praying for is to have all the bands come together at the end of the members of service members are to be treated. festival. It would be cool to see everyone on stage performing Bob Obama is relying more often on making relatively minor Marley's “One Love” and to see the audience and all of Coconut Grove singing “One Love. One Heart. Let's get together and feel alright.” That administrative changes to America’s complicated immigration would make me overjoyed! system, as the likelihood dims that Congress will overhaul the law.

Is Miami Reggae Festival family friendly?

He pledged twice as a presidential candidate to pass immigration Absolutely, kids under 12 accompanied by an adult are free all day. We reforms. have a host of activities for families in our kid zone and invite kids to participate in educational workshops. We welcome people of all ages to come and be a part of the festival. For more information on Miami Reggae Festival and for tickets visit www.rockersmovement.com

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Obama’s changes initially were broad and controversial. He instructed the government to use its discretion to find and deport only the most serious criminals. Then in mid-2012, he announced a plan to offer young immigrants in the country illegally a reprieve from deportation and work permits for at least two years.

Now, as it appears less likely that Congress will change immigration laws, the White House is chipping away at the edges with relatively minor procedural changes.

ImmigrationINFO

TM

Immigration News for Our Community What to Expect in Immigration Removal Proceedings?

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

@GailSeeram Removal proceedings (or “deportation”) can be initiated against a lawful permanent resident or undocumented noncitizen (collectively referred to as “noncitizens”).

Removal & deportation proceedings can be initiated when a noncitizen (including a lawful permanent resident) is seeking admission to the United States, filing an application for an immigration benefit (such as U.S. Citizenship or renewing/replacing a “green card”), serving a sentence for a criminal conviction (such as probation, community service or prison), or detained by local police for a criminal matter.

There are several grounds under the Immigration & Nationality Act that the United States government can seek removal & deportation against a noncitizen. In general, the removal & deportation grounds include: criminal grounds, immigration violations, visa and passport fraud, alien smuggling, willful misrepresentation and false claim to U.S. citizenship, unlawful presence, illegal reentry after a prior deportation, security and foreign policy grounds, public charge and economic grounds, health related grounds, and other miscellaneous grounds.

The following are considered criminal grounds: a noncitizen’s conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude, multiple crimes involving moral turpitude, aggravated felony, firearm offenses, money laundering, and domestic violence. Note, a conviction for a misdemeanor where there was no probation or jail time may be considered a “crime involving moral turpitude” and can result in a noncitizen being place in removal & deportation proceedings. While in removal & deportation proceedings, the noncitizen may be released on his/her own recognizance with no restrictions. In some cases, the noncitizen may be held in custody at a detention facility by

the Department of Homeland Security – Immigration Custom & Enforcement (ICE), issued an order of supervision where the noncitizen reports to an immigration officer, released on monetary bond, or released on an electronic monitoring device (such as an “anklet bracelet”).

During the removal & deportation proceedings, the noncitizen will have several court hearings – a bond hearing, a master hearing and an individual hearing. At each of these hearings, the noncitizen will appear before an immigration judge and an attorney from the Office of Chief Counsel.

Through his/her immigration attorney, the noncitizen will have an opportunity to answer to the immigration-related charges and present a form of relief or waiver seeking to remain in the United States.

Under the Immigration & Nationality Act (or immigration laws), the noncitizen may seek to apply for any of the following waivers or relief from removal once he/she meets the requirements: cancellation of removal, 212(c), adjustment of status, citizenship, 212(h) waiver, asylum, withholding of removal, convention against torture, temporary protected status and voluntary departure.

If a noncitizen is placed in removal or deportation proceedings, the biggest mistake is to opt for “expedited removal” and waiver (or give up) his/her right for a judicial hearing.

All noncitizens should choose to see an immigration judge and fight removal or deportation proceedings – our office would be willing to defend and advocate for any noncitizen’s right to remain in the United States.

A wise man once said..

"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all".

Many people wonder why Republican legislators are so unrelenting on President Obama.

Frederick Douglass gave us the answer many years ago.

"Though the colored man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters all his movements. In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress.

If he comes in ignorance, rags and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence.

In one case he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to pride and provokes malice."

Frederick Douglass September 25, 1883

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Are Poor Floridians Used as Pawns in Scott’s Healthcare War?

By Roger Caldwell

There are times when Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature make decisions, because they have a grudge against President Obama and the federal government. Their goal is to make sure that the president fails, and they don’t care who in the state they hurt. This behavior is counterproductive, and the most vulnerable and the poor suffer in the state.

By not agreeing to the Medicaid expansion, Florida is losing $210 million each month according to Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. Our governor would like everyone in the state to think that our economy is recovering, but no state in the country can afford to leave millions sitting on a table earmarked for our state.

Florida has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country, and it would be logical for the political leaders to accept a program that will cover over a million uninsured citizens.

There is also another 800,000 residents in a “coverage gap,” where they earn too much to be eligible for Medicaid, but not enough to qualify for tax credits. All our legislators and governor has to say is yes, and millions will be covered by the insurance provisions in the law. There are also 500,000 uninsured kids in the state, where 66% are eligible for insurance immediately, but very few organizations are

talking and advocating for Florida’s children. Kid Well Florida is a collaborative of many stakeholder groups working together to ensure our children receive quality health care. Our children’s health should be a top priority in the state for all children, including lawfully residing immigrant children, but is it?Since Governor Scott has taken office, the state’s labor force has been cut, and our children and parent’s healthcare has slipped through the cracks. With the new ACA, competition is driving the cost of certain medical procedures down, and this is just the beginning of these innovative programs. A small but growing number of U.S. corporations, such as Walmart are offering their insured employees certain procedures at highly ranked health systems across America at almost no out –of-pocket cost to them.

These programs involve a large corporation negotiating a bundled rate from a health system for certain services. These bundled services are saving the company thousands of dollars and they pass these saving on to the employee.

“We’re going to see a lot more of this. And if physicians cannot compete on price, then they are going to have to compete on quality and exceptional customer service, if they are going to keep patients,” says Simon Hudson PhD, director of the SC Center of Economic Excellence. Changes and lower charges are taking place in the health care industry, because large companies and state offices with a large number of employees can negotiate discounts on cost for many different procedures.

It makes no sense to walk around with grudges, and hurt low and middle income residents’ healthcare. Florida officials must begin to think outside of the box, and stop leaving million of dollars in Washington that we can use in the state.

It is time for Floridians to put pressure on our governor and our representatives, and get Medicaid expansion approved.

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Thanksgiving: Did you know where ‘Turkey

Day’ originated?

The Caribbean region is made up of more than 7,000 islands, including 13 independent nations. Each island is home to its own unique culture, as a result, it's people have adopted many European and American customs, including the American thanksgiving. But wait, I have seen Caribbean people celebrating thanksgiving with a slight shift away from the ‘Ole Mr. Turkey’. Reasons; ‘turkey is too dry, I don’t like the taste, let’s have chicken instead, curry goat sounds good and eat cranberry with turkey? Finally, you think I am going to get up at 3am to go shopping on black Friday, you have gotta be crazy!’.

Nevertheless, whichever way we Caribbean people celebrate thanksgiving, at least we are joining millions of other Americans in this much celebrated holiday to give thanks, but why are we giving thanks? Let’s share a little about thanksgiving facts that you may not know.

In September 1620 the ship Mayflower left Plymouth, England carrying 102 passengers seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and other individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the New World.

After a treacherous and uncomfortable crossing that lasted 66 days, they dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River.

Throughout that first brutal winter, most of the colonists remained on board the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New England spring. In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, they organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of colony’s Native American allies, now remembered as American’s “first Thanksgiving”. Although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time, the festival lasted for three days.

While no record exists of the historic banquet’s exact menu, journal noted that four men were sent on a “fowling” mission in preparation for the event. Historians have suggested that many of the dishes were likely prepared using traditional Native American spices and cooking methods.

Because the Pilgrims had no oven and the Mayflower’s sugar supply had dwindled by the fall of 1621, the meal did not feature pies, cakes or other desserts, which have become a hallmark of contemporary celebrations. Also, they most likely had deer meat and fowl, instead of turkey.

In 1817 New York became the first of several states to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday; each celebrated it on a different day, however, Abraham Lincoln scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November, and it was celebrated on that day every year until 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression. In 1941 the president signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November.

In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original significance; instead, it now centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. The turkey, a Thanksgiving staple has become all but synonymous with the holiday, may or may not have been on offered when the Pilgrims hosted the inaugural feast in 1621. Today nearly 90 percent of Americans eat the bird, whether roasted, baked or deep-fried or as our Jamaican friends like it, jerk turkey! Other traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity, and communities often hold food drives and host free dinners for the less fortunate.

If you are Caribbean American, you can celebrate thanksgiving your way on your time, yes on your Caribbean time, a few hours behind schedule! Now that you know it may not really originate with the turkey, it is open to anyone’s preference, except the day that is marked for thanksgiving.

Enjoy this festive and fruitful season with your family and remember to sleep off the turkey. No worries, the turkey will put you to sleep! Happy thanksgiving to all as you celebrate this holiday with your family and friends.

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Tuskegee Airmen 'Red Tails' pilots honored with Florida monument cont'd from page 1

The Red Tails, or Red Tail Angels, from the 332nd fighter group, got their name from white combat pilots after the black airmen painted the tails of their aircraft crimson.

Their job was to escort the combat pilots on bombing missions from bases in Europe. The group, trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, was sent to Italy in February 1944 under the command of a black officer, Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr., said Lieutenant Colonel Leo Gray, one of the youngest surviving Red Tails at age 89.

"We were good. We were the only ones (all-black fighting group) over there," Gray said. The group's trials and

RED Tails with Harris Rosen and Mike McKenzie

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces. There were 932 pilots trained at Tuskegee, AL, of whom 356 airmen were considered an elite group of fighter pilots that were sent to various bases in Europe. to fly escort for heavy bombers.

Greater Orlando Cares children at Red Tails Gala

exploits were recalled in "Red Tails," a movie released in 2012 with a cast that included Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Bryan Cranston and Gerald McRaney.

Lieutenant Colonel Hiram Mann, now 92 and retired in Titusville, Florida, recalls following orders to run low-flying strafing missions "to protect the neophyte combat pilots." Mann said he applied three times before he was accepted into military pilot training in 1943 with the 27th class of African-American recruits.

'DOING OUR JOBS'

2nd. Lt. Raymond Cassagnol, Haitian Red Tail with Oliver Hastings

Guenet Roberts and Jon Anderson, Director of Red Tails Documentary

Vision of Flight Event team, Denise Epps and Darrell Butler

His first application was rejected because of his color, Mann said. His second application, after the color bar was dropped, was denied because he had completed only one of tworequired years of college, and because he was married. His third attempt succeeded, he said, because by then, the standards had been lowered to require only the ability to pass strenuous mental and physical tests. Mann said he was oblivious at the time to the fact that they were making history. "I wanted to fly ...Continued on pages 16

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Tuskegee Airmen 'Red Tails' pilots honored with Florida monument... cont'd from pg 14 for the love of flying. The good we did, it's really astounding and pleasing," Mann said.

Gray, now retired near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, recognized that he and his colleagues literally flew in the face of academic notions at the time that blacks were inferior to whites and lacked the intelligence to handle complex machinery and the bravery to fight.

"We were busy doing our jobs. We knew we were creating history but we didn't know the magnitude," Gray said. Gray called the Red Tails "one of the greatest groups of young men our nation has produced."

"I was proud. I wasn't in the Navy as a steward. I wasn't in the Army digging ditches. I was a pilot," Gray said.

Another highlight is 2nd Lt. Raymond Cassagnol (Ret.) who is the last living Red Tail from Haiti.

Lt. Cassagnol received double honor with the monument and also with a Congressional Commendation and a Certificate of Special Recognition from Congresswoman Corrine Brown, The Haitian Chamber and a Letter of Recognition from his birth country,Haiti.

Planning for the monument began in 2011 when the Red Tails held their first reunion in 66 years at a resort in Orlando.

Gray asked local flying enthusiast Mike McKenzie, who leads a nonprofit (Vision of Flight, Inc.) dedicated to inspiring aviation careers, particularly for minority youth, to help create an appropriate honor for the group.

The monument depicts a "missing man" flying formation, used to commemorate a fallen pilot, held aloft by intertwined aircraft exhaustplumes.

About 300 people attended the unveiling, which included a flyover by a model of the P-51 Mustang aircraft flown by the Red Tails.

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Volusia County Happenings.

Community Calendar.

For more information on Caribbean Events and Caribbean Happenings in Volusia County email capnewsmagazine@yahoo.com

Fall Festival of the Arts Saturday, Nov. 23rd – Sunday, Nov. 24 10am - 5pm Downtown DeLand 100 N.Woodland Boulevard DeLand www.DelandFallFestival.com (386) 738-5705 Santa in Christmas Park Friday, Nov. 29th – Saturday Dec. 21st’ Historic Downtown New Smyrna Beach: Historic Downtown New Smyrna Beach Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach 386.424.2175 Inform yourself of the Health Reform Act Dec. 3rd 6:30pm-8:30pm Deltona Community Center: Deltona Community Center 980 Lakeshore Drive, Deltona 386-956-6293 Light Up Orange City Friday, Dec 6 5:30pm-9:30pm Dickinson Park Orange City: Dickinson Park Orange City 205 E. Graves Avenue Orange City, Fl. 386-775-5410 Orange City Christmas Village & Parade Saturday, Dec 14 Dickinson Park: 10am-6pm Dickinson Park Orange City 205 E. Graves Avenue, Orange City 386-775-5410

African American Museum of the Arts 325 South Clara Ave ∙Deland, Fl -Saturday, December 21, 2013 the African American Museum of the Arts will showcase their permanent collection exhibit.

The exhibit will run from December 21, 2013 to January 12, 2014.

-Saturday, December 28, 2013 "Kwanzaa" a Celebration of Family, Community and Culture. This event is from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

The museum is Free and open to the public. 386-736-4004.

Everybody is Somebody, Inc.'s 5th Annual Orange City African American Heritage Festival - Friday, February 28, 2014 – Movie in the Park” “Red Tails” – featuring the Tuskegee Airman.

-Saturday, March 1, 2014 – Day of Fun and Excitement! 5k-Walk/Run, Parade, food and craft vendors, Hosted by JoJo O’Neal (94.5) www.ocaahf.com

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Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival

photo courtesy of jamaicans.com

The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival started with a 5k and ended the following week by delivering another fun-filled family event -- treating some 16,328 patrons to an assortment of spicy jerk foods, authentic culture and riveting entertainment at Markham Park in Sunrise on Sunday, November 10, 2013.

Chef Jimmie Jackson came back with a vengeance, snatching the title from last year's winner chef Lawrence Males and walking away with the coveted Dutch Pot Trophy and the top cash prize. Coming in third place was Lela Morgan.

Chef Brian Lumley (bottom left) being declared winner of the Quick Fire Challenge winner over Chef Gason Nelson (bottom right) by Chef Irie Chef Brian Lumley, 2012 Jamaican Chef of the Year, emerged the winner of the Publix Celebrity Chef Quick Fire Competition after duking it out on the grill with last year's winner and two-time James Beard scholar, Chef Gason Nelson.

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Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Nuts & Bolts Sasha Watson Hylton, Adamson Watson, PLLC

120 E. Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32801 P: 407-802-3223 F: 407-377-1971 E: letters@hawmlaw.com

The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act is the proposed comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) act which has already made its way through the US Senate is currently being addressed in the House as HR 15. The CIR bill aims to enhance border security while reforming America’s immigration laws so as to attract more qualified immigrants, legalize a vast majority of the illegal immigrant population and further promote family unification, an underlying tenet of immigration policy for the last several decades while enhancing national security.

Summarizing the voluminous bill is quite a daunting task that is virtually impossible to capture in less than a thousand words. However, this article, in a most summary fashion, discusses the salient points of the bill and spotlights some of the not so easily understood concepts.

1.

Border Security Reports. Border security is a central aspect of the Senate bill which addresses oversight of border security Border security is addressed in Title I of the bill and involves significant capital investments to enhance national security and the integrity of the immigration system. The House includes the following:

2.

Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) Status. RPI status is slated as the answer to the undocumented immigrant crises. This new category will seek to provide lawful status to the millions of undocumented immigrants who currently do not have access to legal immigration channels under the current law and put them on a path to lawful permanent residence and citizenship. Pursuant to the current bill, in order to be eligible for RPI status an undocumented immigrant must meet the following criteria: -Present in the US on or before December 31, 2011; -Pass a criminal background check and not have been convicted of a felony or 3 or more misdemeanors -Pay the filing fee and $1000 penalty -Pay any assessed taxes.

RPI status immigrants would be ineligible for public assistance programs, such as medicare, food stamps or any other means-tested benefits, and would not receive credit for social security for any prior unauthorized employment, unless they received a valid social security number prior to 2004.

RPI status would be available for an initial 6 year period which would be renewable provided the immigrant has remained continuously employed, with exceptions for minor disruption less than 60 days, school, maternity leave, medical leave or physical or mental disability leave, children under 21 and extreme hardship.

RPI immigrants would be eligible to self-petition for lawful permanent residence (LPR) status after ten years or five for persons eligible under the DREAM provisions of the bill, that is immigrants who entered before age 16 who have a high school diploma and either completed 2 years of college or 4 years of service in the military. In order to be eligible to apply for LPR status the RPI immigrant must demonstrate they:

- maintained continuous employment or met one of the exceptions; - Regular reports by the Department of Homeland Security - paid taxes; (DHS) on surveillance of and control over the borders, - are proficient in English; - are able to pass a background check and meet the other including efforts to assess control over illegal entries, illegal enumerated qualifications. drugs, terrorist threats, and prevention of infringements of human rights. Assessments will be performed by the The bill also provides special provisions and an expedited path to LPR status for agricultural workers under the Ag Jobs Government Accountability Office (GAO) of DHS’s bill which is not methodology and effectiveness. discussed in this article. Once in - A strategy to gain situational awareness and operational LPR status an imcontrol over the southwestern border within five years, mgrant that passed through the RPI starting with high-traffic areas. The strategy must include track would then assessments of threats and metrics to measure effectiveness. be eligible for US citizenship after three years in law- Submission of a plan to implement a biometric entry-exit ful permanent resisystem at ports of entry immediately, or if this is determined dent (LPR) status. to not be feasible, an alternate plan that will provide the same 3.

Merit Based – The bill proposes a new merit based level of security. point allocation system in which individuals may be eligible for permanent residency based on their educational level, English language proficiency, family ties, age, civic With respect to the controversial triggers that were heavily involvement, occupation, and nationality. This system places debated in the Senate, the House Bill gives discretion to the emphasis on attracting young, skilled, educated English.

Secretary of Homeland Security whether to implement and Family Based Immigration – The most significant achieve the Senate security triggers as a precondition to 4. change to the family visa framework is the designation of undocumented aliens being allowed to obtain Registered spouses and children under 21 of lawful permanent residents Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status and Lawful Permanent as immediate relatives and exempt from visa caps. As a result, persons in this category will no longer experience long delays Residence (LPR status, or a “green card”). in the processing of their green card application.

Additionally, there will no longer be a category for for In addition to strengthening border control mechanisms, the siblings and married sons or daughters of US citizens. Sibling married sons or daughters of US citizens would have to bill also makes mandatory the use of E-Verify for all and apply through the merit based program or some other visa employers. category.

Continued on page 21

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Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Nuts & Bolts -continued from pg. 205.

Employment based Immigration – The proposed also puts forth much needed changes on the employment side.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Medicine) graduates will no longer be subject to the worldwide cap on visas and would be exempt from labor certification. Also exempt from the visa caps would be highly skilled immigrants, including persons of extraordinary ability, physicians and multinational executives. The cap exemption would also extend to spouses and children. As a result of these changes, there will an elimination of the current backlog by 2021 and prevent future backlog.

6.

Asylees and Vulnerable Populations- The proposal expands the protections for battered immigrants and vulnerable individuals, it allows stateless individuals to apply for LPR status, and it increases the penalties for human trafficking/smuggling. It also eliminates the one year deadline for asylum applicants and entitles them to work permits within 180 days of filing an asylum application.

The most important thing to be aware of is that this bill is not currently law. Although, it proposes many significant changes it may not be beneficial to everyone.

As such, you should contact an immigration attorney to discuss your options under the current law and how the new law may impact you, either positively or negatively.

What

YOU

can do to help immigration reform!

1. Contact your representative in the House (202-224-3121) , remind them of the importance of immigration reform and urge them to vote favorably for a bipartisan solution to fix the nation’s immigrationproblems.

2.Submit Letters to your local print media outlets Such as Caribbean American Passport, the Orlando Weekly and the Orlando Sentinel.

3.Use Social Media by tweeting or posting on Instagram or #immigrationreform

Facebook #CIIR

using the #timeisnow

Up-Coming Events for Alpha Point Solid Rock Outreach Ministries Gospel Concert Nov. 23rd. Saturday 6 p.m. $15.00 donation Metro West Church of the Nazarene Apopka Vineland Road Orlando, Florida 32818

Connect with Alpha Point as a community Volunteer. We have many assignments available either as a leader or a team member.

Call Rosemarie Roth @ 352-321-0932 or alphapoint2.org We have formal wear, wedding dresses, causal wear or business clothes available for free or as a loan.

Silver Star Christian Church 7510 Silver Star road Orlando, Florida 32818 Free Community Festival Saturday November 30, 2013 12-5 p.m. Free giveaways, Free wedding offer…much more!

In Da Zone, Shun Tai, Marci-Lee Olet & Miss Orlando Caribbean.

Unlimited Bounce Houses. Meet this local church and get involved.

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Spotlight on Haiti Help Med Plus: "Celebrating Ten Years of Serving the Poor in Rural Haiti"

by Nadine Mentor On Sunday, November 3, 2013, over 150 people came together at the Doubletree Hotel in Downtown Orlando, Florida for Haiti Help Med Plus’ Fourth Annual Fall in Love with Haiti Fundraising Brunch.

This annual brunch brings awareness to the needs of the poor living in rural Haiti while celebrating the beauty and culture of Haiti with music, dance, art, food and crafts. The brunch was particularly festive this year as it marked the 10th anniversary of Haiti Help Med .

Plus serving the poor in rural Haiti Haiti Help Med Plus, also known as HHMP, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in Central Florida by a group of concerned Haitians living in Central Florida and Haiti. After seeing the dire needs of the people in Paillant, a community in southeast Haiti, HHMP was formed to provide services and resources to improve the communities in rural Haiti.

Haiti Paillant Community Center

HHMP continuously raises funds to support its key areas.

HHMP's mission has remained consistent over the last 10 yearsyears: to improve the quality of life of the poor in rural Haiti. HHMP does this by focusing on five key areas: Education; Housing; Agriculture; Economic Development and Medical Care.

At the fundraising brunch, HHMP welcomed an altruistic group of Haitians and non-Haitians to a journey through Haiti. Upon arrival, guests were welcomed into a colorful Haitian marketplace filled with Haitian paintings presented by Les Couleurs Art of Haiti, Kremas (a popular Haitian drink), and Haitian jewelry, arts and crafts designed by Kaltural. Winter Park Honey, a frequent partner on mission trips to Haiti, also sold honey in the marketplace.

Guests were then moved to the grand ballroom where they were seated at beautifully decorated tables filled with pictures of HHMP’s projects in Haiti. The program was filled with Haitian music, inspirational and Afro-infused dance performances by OFFGLASS Dance Ministry, an informative history of Haiti and a look back at HHMP’s last ten years by Dr. Ralph Gousse, President and Founder.

The keynote speaker was Father Yves Voltaire, the Pastor of Paillant Church and the Head of Educational Affairs for the Local Diocese in Paillant, Haiti. Father Voltaire shared his first-hand account of the needs of the people of Paillant and the life-changing work that HHMP is doing to transform the community and the future of the people in Paillant, especially the children. During the brunch, the board members and volunteers were recognized for their selfless service to the organization and the people HHMP aids. The success of HHMP is particularly impressive because it is an all-volunteer run and managed organization; there’s no paid staff.

HHMP’s Fall in Love with Haiti Fundraising Brunch raised over $35,000! The funds raised will be used towards the construction of a community center/vocational school in Paillant. The building will include classrooms for students to enter the professions of culinary and tailoring, a computer lab and meeting rooms. HHMP will need to raise more funds to finish the building and furnish and equip the community center/vocational school.

Haiti Fall in Love Committee

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Dr. Gousse at a house built in Haiti

Housing: HHMP has constructed 18 houses to date in Paillant. Each house costs approximately US $3,000.00. An entire family’s future can be changed by an investment of $3,000.

Agriculture: HHMP, with the help of FAMU, provides supplies, resources and skills development to locals in Paillant in the areas of fishing, farming, animal husbandry and beekeeping. Economic Education: HHMP pays for school fees, supplies and uniforms for students to attend school every year.

Development: HHMP provides education and skills to assist in developing business opportunities for job creation. Medical Care: HHMP has renovated the local hospital and constructed a clinic in the region. HHMP also hosts several medical mission trips each year and cares for hundreds of sick people on each trip.

In Central Florida, HHMP is synonymous with Dr. Ralph Gousse, one of the original fo-unders and the President of the organization. Dr. Gousse, his wife Ninotte and their three children travel to Haiti frequently to lead mission trips.

Dr. Gousse emphasizes that all donations received go directly to the projects in Haiti. HHMP’s goal is to create a self-sustainable community in Paillant by improving education, housing, economic development, agriculture and medical care. To learn more visit www.haitihelpmed.org.The success of this brunch is just one example of Central Floridians coming together to aid people that they don’t know directly but feel called to help.

Unity in Uniform's 4th Alarm Fashion Show "Models Raised the Roof for Breast Cancer Awareness"

by Mellissa Thomas Unity in Uniform, Inc.'s 4th Alarm Fashion Show rocked the Wyndham Orlando Resort to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and student scholarships for medical and emergency services training. Firefighters, nurses, doctors, EMTs, military veterans, and police officers hit the runway for a glorious night of fashion fun.

Saxophonist David "Dayve" Stewart soothed the extinguished guests during the VIP pre-show, setting the mood for the main event. National radio personality and social activist Michael Baisden appeared and did a brief interview with UIU's Executive Director Hezedean Smith.

Outside the rooms models, vendors, and UIU members mingled and took pictures on UIU's pink carpet. Jammins Radio Network's Marsha Dawn-Hall (known on the radio as Marsha D.) conducted pink carpet interviews for UIU and Jammins Radio Network's DJ Phayz, a UIU member, worked the tunes for the fashion show.

The Show Began

swimsuits and summer getups provided by Polished Boutique and Salon, Wild Side Clothing, Dillard's at Florida Mall, and DivinelyAdorned.

Event Sponsor Appreciation Life Worth Living Pharmacy has consistently backed UIU's fashion shows since its inaugural year. UIU Executive Director Hezedean Smith and Associate Director Stacey Brown presented the LWLP team with an appreciation plaque and thanked them for their continued support.

UIU Executive Secretary Jennifer Klinger (center) takes pictures with breast cancer survivors on the pink carpet.

During the show, the City of Orlando presented UIU a $9,000 grant check to launch its Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program this year, which enrolled roughly fifteen Central Florida high school seniors to receive emergency and medical training.

---Survivor: Honor & Unity---

The show gave breast cancer survivors the full glamour treatment as always: lights, cameras, and catwalk. Stephanie, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Central Florida's Volunteer Director for the 4th Alarm Fashion Show, and UIU Executive Secretary Jennifer Klinger presented the ladies, gifting them with bouquets and swag bags.

Once Orlando Fire Chaplain Lonnie Crawford did the Invocation, Star 94.5's JoJo Oneal and comedian Tight Mike introduced themselves, generating laughs from the moment they stepped on the stage. Tight Mike feigned feeling sick (mock heart attack), which cued the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive." Orlando Fire Engineer Emmanuel Washington burst forth wearing an all red business suit, barking instructions on how to properly resuscitate someone as UIU firemen and EMTs emerged on the stage with CPR dummies to demonstrate.

Door Prizes and...Michael Baisden JoJo and Tight Mike introduced Michael Baisden who briefly spoke to the audience about his two-year youth mentoring crusade in Orlando and endorsed Unity in Uniform's work in the Central Florida community. "We don't have enough black men mentoring our young black boys," he said. "I mean, thank you, white people. We're grateful for what you've done, and I'm thankful that women have stepped up to the plate, but we need more black men to mentor [these kids]." He'll be mentoring youth from Evans High School each Tuesday.

Baisden briefly discussed his twenty-year journey as an author and mentioned that two of his books are being adapted into films, including his 1999 release "Maintenance Man." The Shopping Experience Dillard's at Florida Mall furnished dashing men's and women's business casual outfits for the models. Charlie Wilson's "There Goes My Baby" played while they performed a courting skit: Firefighter Pierre Nixon portrayed Charlie Wilson in the song, who sings of encountering a beautiful woman while shopping. Men and women graced the runway as Nixon and his female counterpart performed their skit.

Better Than the Beach The night's summer showcase lit the audience up. UIU models bore muscles, curves, and skin galore in sexy

The National Consortium for Academics and Sports " 2013 Annual Giant Steps Awards Banquet & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony"

by Tavia Record, DeVos Sport Business Management Program Alumna, 2012

The National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) hosted their 16th Annual Giant Steps Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on October 29, 2013, at the Orlando World Marriot. With a mission to create worldwide social justice through the power of sport; diversity & inclusion, social justice, education, moral and ethical leadership are the platforms in which the NCAS leverages their influence to touch and change lives worldwide.

The evening was hosted by Bob Ley of ESPN and those honored included activist and founder of the Muhammad Ali Center, Lonnie Ali, spouse of the highly esteemed Muhammad Ali, as a Hall of Fame Inductee Giant Steps Award winners included Latipha Cross who received the Courageous Student-Athlete Award, as well as, Central Floridian, Adonal Foyle, who was honored with the Civic Leader Award. The Barrier-Breaker Award went to Katherine Switzer, known best for being the woman who challenged the all-male tradition of the Boston Marathon in 1967 and became the first woman to officially enter and run in the event.

Dr. Richard Lapchick, Endowed Chair and Director of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program at the University of Central Florida, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of NCAS. Dr Lapchick established NCAS in 1985 to raise awareness of racism in sport and to improve college graduation rates among athletes. Today, NCAS is comprised of colleges, universities, organizations and individuals that advocate for a number of issues that reflect the core values of NCAS.

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LEADING LADIES BEHIND THE SCENES AND ON THE FRONT LINE Welcome to my column on Leading Ladies behind the Scenes. Our column will introduce you to leading ladies who have branded their own recognition and blazed their own trails. These ladies work behind the scenes but manage the front line with high impact results. You might have heard their names or admired their work, but never met them up close and personal. Our column will give you the chance to meet these ladies so you can place a face with the name and their trendsetting work in our community, various organizations and in business. Thank you for celebrating their value with us.

Nouchelle Hastings: “Girl What Do You Bring to the Table?”

EMERALD PARKER - Sergeant First Class United States Army This November many will focus their attention on our service men and women who protect our borders and make our country the nation that we are proud to call our homeland. America, America God shed His grace on thee.

She served in Fort. Bragg Military Installation, Ft. Bragg,NC. and holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Degree in Criminal Justice with a graduating 4.0 GPA. Emerald managed to continue her role in the military, obtain schooling and keep it together through a rough divorce. It’s the Medal of Honor that many service women wear on their battered hearts by spouses who fight for our country but lose the battle at home. He walked out but Emerald remained constant. Making the decision to return

With the varied military arms and areas of service it was difficult to choose one specific area to target. I began to think about the soldier who wears a uniform by day and an apron by night. When I think of Emerald Parker, uniform by day, apron, chauffeur, tutor, soccer mom, band bag toter – so many aspects to her job it’s incredible home to raise her son was a difficult how she does it all. choice but it was the only choice. At What impressed me most about this present Emerald’s position is working young lady like so many stories we hear with Hillsborough County Tax Collof, she was a young, smart, vibrant and ector, Tampa, FL as a Supervisor where fit young lady. In high school she was she places all of her life skills on the in co-op and upon graduation had a front line daily. She leads her team with promising job on Wall Street with a morning motivations and she leads by promise to pay for school. But Emerald example. She is a role model for other had a desire to serve her country and to single mothers who need travel abroad to see the other side of the encouragement and she is a rock of world. The world that many in her faith. She speaks the biblical principles surroundings was afraid to explore. At over her son, over their lives and she the time her family consisted of her keeps their home wrapped in warmth. mother and brother – how sad but Her son excels in all of his classes and is hopeful they were for her. As expected a responsible and mature boy. Very she mastered boot camp and graduated recently the mother and son pair was her class in high rankings. During her chosen to serve with the Red Tails Montime of leave before deployment she Emerald Parker returned home where some thought she would never return ument Unveiling in Orlando,FL. They made history and stick with it. She not only returned to duty but she together and they shared pride together. Her son says broke barriers.

“Watching my mom experience legacy with the Red Tails Pilots was the best day of my life”.

As life would have it, she met another soldier and they married. During the early part of marriage Emerald became pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy. This task was not as easy to master because she had to return home and place her infant son in the care of her mother and grandmother. She a true American hero, we salute you this placed him in their care but sealed him in God’s care.

Veterans Day (Month) as our leading Emerald returned to duty with an attitude of doing more lady and veteran extraordinaire. because she had her son’s future to secure. It is understood that Emerald and her husband did not share the same seriousness about life and future planning. Emerald was serious about success and overachieving.

She was a decorated officer with the following awards Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (5th Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NonCommissioned Officer's Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Marksmanship Qualification, Badge with Rifle Bar.

Emerald L. Parker

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“Karma” literally means “deed” or “act”

By Rosemarie G. Roth

he preparation for the outreach at Metro West Church of the Nazarene located at Apopka Vineland Road in Orlando, began as a vision of a planning committee. The idea of this outreach was to open the gate and invite the community to come in and see for themselves all the wonderful things that God had prepared for His children through His children. The success of this outreach is measured by the commitment of the workers. At the end of the day the Master will have a declaration like the lord in Matthew 25:23 ….‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

I am fascinated by the word “karma”. I have heard this word in my daily life very often but it meant nothing to me until I became friends with my Hindu brothers and sisters. “Karma”

Had you been born as a member of the lower castes, or worse, as an untouchable, not only would you have had a hard life, but your children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren would also have been members of the same caste or outcasts with no hope to improve their lot. What would you have done if you had found yourself born into such bondage? Would you have been willing to just accept your fate and toil all your life for a meager subsistence? We can imagine the agony and wretchedness of such a life due to despair. There would be no hope that things would get better for you and your offspring. Thus, it is quite understandable that Hindus would turn to religion to find to find a way out. There is truth in the aphorism that religion gives people hope. One way to understand various spiritual traditions and religions is to see how they help their followers answer basic questions, address common concerns and cope with hardships in life.

What is outreach?

Reaching your audience where they are with resources to enable them to be the best God wants them to be.

says we’re what we do. “The doer of good becomes good.

The doer of bad becomes evil”. Brihad-aranyaka Upanished 4.4.5 We have clichés as “You reap what you sow” and “What goes around comes around” are often repeated by all religions and thus ties us together.

Until now “Karma” was just a passing word but there is more to it that I will share with you. After the Aryan people entered the India subcontinent, they set up the Caste system to consolidate their rule over the indigenous people in the Indus Valley. The rigid and unjust system caused tremendous suffering among people in the lower castes.

The outreach event from Metro West Church of the Nazarene offered fun activities for God’s children for a day.

It was evident that the planning was intense and the corporation of the volunteers, the pastor and the vendors orchestrated a successful venture. Christ was the center and their good works was the fruit I saw. The gift bags were a blessing to those who received. The music lifted the spirit of those looking for confirmation that braving the rain was worth it. Mr. Basil never sweated when the concert was moved in doors and the bounce houses deflated due to the heavy rain. The dancing of Joan Myers and the children says it was all for the Lord and the singing of the pastor at the end literally said he should have been the headliner. Oh well there is always a next time!

Here is a folk lore to close: Once upon a time there was a rich woman a baroness and a poor woman, a beggar. The poor woman came everyday to beg and every day the rich woman gave her a loaf of bread until the rich woman was tired of it. I will put poison in the next loaf; she thought to get rid of her. The beggar woman thanked the baroness for that loaf and went to her hut. But as she was going through the fields, she met the rich woman’s son coming out of the forest. Hello, hello beggar woman!’ said the young baron, “I have been away for three days hunting and I am very hungry. I know you are coming from my mother’s and that she has given you a loaf of bread; let me have it-she will give you another.” “Gladly, gladly.” Said the beggar woman. And without knowing it was poisoned, gave him the loaf. But as he went on he thought I am nearly home I will wait. You may be sure that his mother was glad to see him, and she told the maids to bring a cup of wine and make his supper – quickly, quickly she commanded. “I met the beggar woman” he said, “and I was so hungry I asked for the loaf you gave her.” “Did you eat it my son?” The baroness whispered.

“No, I knew you had something better for me than this dry bread.” The mother threw it right into the fire, and every day after that she gave the beggar woman a loaf and never again tried to poison her.

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