FREE Your Passport to the Caribbean American Community
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May/Jun 2018
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National CaribbeanAmerican Heritage Month marks Twelfth Anniversary in 2018 In June 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71, sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. On February 14, 2006, the resolution similarly passed the Senate, culminating a two-year, bipartisan and bicameral effort. The Proclamation was issued by President George Bush on June 6, 2006. Since the declaration, the White House has issued an annual proclamation recognizing June as CaribbeanAmerican Heritage Month. This year marks the twelfth anniversary of June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. The campaign to designate June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month, was spearheaded by Dr. Claire Nelson, Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies. Through the commemoration of this month, we hope to ensure that America is reminded that its greatness lies in its diversity, with Caribbean immigrants from founding father Alexander Hamilton, to journalist Malcolm Gladwell, who have shaped the American dream.
Bronze Kingdom introduces us to African Art
By Dr. Jeremy I. Levitt The Bronze Kingdom combines art with cultural discovery© Brilliance! Transcendence! Vivaciousness! These illuminating expressions personify my preopening VIP tour of the Bronze Kingdom Gallery at Fashion Square Mall. My tour was led by Rawlvan Bennett, President of the Bronze Kingdom Gallery, a genuine connoisseur of African art that possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of its breathtaking bronze statuaries dating back hundreds of years. A sage story teller, Bennet provided me with an illuminating tour de force of Africa’s royal art history. Quite impressive. For millennia, human history has been imagined, imparted and surmised through African history and African art has been its most profound story teller beginning with Black Egypt’s Predynastic Period in 6000 BCE. Africa’s mastery of bronze art is vital to discovering ancient knowledge and history because it was the preferred archival device of its royal potentates. Africa’s history is recorded on and in its bronze tablets, figures, masks, staff heads, rattles, bells, figures and armlets with its most preeminent bronzes being birthed in dynastic West Africa in about 700 BCE. Global recognition of the beauty of Africa’s
bronze art is rooted in the internationalization of the great empires of Ghana (7th-13th century), Mali (13th-16th century) and Songhai (15th-16th century). While I don’t consider myself an art aficionado, I am a student of it. Over the years I developed a familial connection to West African bronze art. African bronze art is not simply art, it is crafted and infused with life force that anchors the soul of its intended owner. You don’t pick bronze art, it picks you. Bennett encourages all African art enthusiasts and collectors to “purchase at least three legacy pieces in a lifetime.” A legacy piece is one that is acquired with the intent to bequeath to future generations, a legacy that must be embraced by African descendants not monopolized by the heirlooms of colonial conquest. Moreover, bronze art exponentially increases in value over time and serves as a
- Guyana gets ready for their first Carnival -
This idea was birthed out of Guyana's 50th Independence celebration when the country recorded thousands of arrivals of visitors to Guyana. The parade leaves from the newly built Kitty Roundabout and heads south along the eastern half of Vlissengen Road to the D’Urban Park. There will be no ‘floats’ as Guyanese are accustomed to seeing during the Mashramani celebrations. Rather, there will be people in five sections — each showing off their costumes.The theme for Carnival Guyana 2018 is “Genesis’, with the festivities being held during the period 18th-27th May. It is intended to be a destination event targeting those in the diaspora.