Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 107

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ISSUE 107 VOLUME 19

Sept 17, 2020

SERVING THE CARIBBEAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES! VOTE ON NOV 3 LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

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BY VICTORIA FALK, SPECIAL TO CAW

Biden Needs to Win the Presidency & Senate ....22

T

he Coronavirus pandemic has not only wreaked havoc over people’s physical and mental well-being; it also has devastating effects on people’s finances. Over the last few months, many businesses have closed, and many of those who have jobs have not been able to get to work due to enforced social Senator Roxanne J. Persaud.

Photo :NYS Senate

continued on page 7

How to Adjust to Single Life After Divorce .... 17

Obituary: Jamaican Toots Hibbert - The Man Who Coined the Word Reggae

BY MARK SAVAGE, BBC MUSIC REPORTER

Knowledge is Power when you use it!

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oots Hibbert, frontman of the legendary reggae band Toots and the Maytals, has died at the age of 77.

One of Jamaica's most influential musicians, he helped popularize reggae in the 1960s with songs like Pressure Drop, Monkey Man and Funky Kingston. continued on page 19

Sir Sanders: A Nation Has a Right to Choose Its Friends ....2

Support for TPS Holders on Frontlines Battling COVID-19 ....8

Brian Figeroux, Esq., Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association Barbados to Remove Queen Elizabeth as Head of State ....12

Economic Impact Payment Fix for Eligible Spouses ....6

You Are Beautiful!

Act Like It! ....15

Tennis Superstar, Naomi Osaka Has Found Her Voice ....16

Family Matters: Making Visitation Work ....13

CARIBBEAN SPECIAL REPORT Caribbean Consulates Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200 Antigua & Barbuda 305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117

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A Nation’s Right to Determine Its Friends

The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-421-6420 Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325 Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-593-0999 Dominica 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400H New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853 Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-599-8478 Grenada 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301 Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119 Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767 Jamaica 767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000 Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887 Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200 Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450 St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521 St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel: 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278 St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272 For more Consulate information go to www.cawnyc.com/directory

Washington, DC. USA, 4th October, 1994 President Nelson Mandela of South Africa delivers his speech during arrival ceremonies On the South Lawn at the White House.

Editorial credit: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com

BY SIR RONALD SANDERS

N

elson Mandela in 1990 was a towering symbol of the triumph of right over wrong. Released from prison after 27 cruel years for his unrelenting stand against apartheid and the dehumanization of the black peoples of South Africa, he was universally admired. His walk through the gate of Victor Verster Prison to freedom was watched on television by an emotional audience of millions of people the world over. Quite literally, there was an explosion of joy.

Every leader in the world wanted to be seen with him, even though a few of them were uncomfortable with his refusal to deny or condemn governments to which they were opposed for their own political reasons.

Visiting the United States one month after his glorious release from prison, Mandela refused to repudiate the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Yasser Arafat, Cuban President Fidel Castro and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi — all denounced by successive governments of the U.S. and some European nations. “Our attitude toward any country is determined by the attitude of that country toward our struggle," the great man said.

It was a principled statement that he repeated time and again when pushed to criticize Castro and Gadhafi. He declared, “No state can dictate to another what it should do. Those that yesterday were friends of our enemies have the gall today to tell me not to visit my brother Gadhafi. They are advising us to be ungrateful and forget our friends of the past.”

Mandela was teaching a simple but cogent lesson of international relations that powerful governments ignore to their own cost.

Essentially what Mandela was saying is “the enemy of my friend is not necessarily my enemy” and, more importantly, just as ingratitude is a quality to be deplored in human relations, so, too, is it to be condemned in relations between states. Such behaviour by a state marks it as untrustworthy and unreliable.

The countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have each had

Editorial credit: Space Box / Shutterstock.com

a beneficial relationship with Cuba. At times of natural disasters throughout the region, Cuba has been a first responder, even at times when it has endured catastrophe itself. Conscious that Cuba’s own resources are meagre, the willingness of its government and people to provide help to its neighbors has earned them great respect.

Cuba has also contributed significantly to the knowledge base of CARICOM societies, training its young people through scholarships in a range of disciplines, particularly medicine, for over four decades.

There is no CARICOM country that has not been a beneficiary of Cuba’s investment in medical science, through the provision of much needed medical personnel. In confronting the immense challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuba has been outstanding in supplementing the medical personnel of CARICOM countries with experienced doctors and nurses, putting their lives at risk.

It is not insignificant that the CARICOM countries, with the lowest number of deaths and the highest number of recoveries of infected persons, were buttressed in their efforts by Cuban personnel.

Therefore, it should not be unsurprising that regional governments have not reacted well to a bill, introduced in the U.S. Senate by republican Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, which seeks to classify Cuban medical brigades as victims of human trafficking, and calls for punitive sanctions against countries which request them.

The basis for declaring Cuban medical brigades as “forced labor” and accusing Caribbean – and other governments – of “human trafficking” for requesting them, has no evidential foundation.

This effort follows decades of a U.S. blockade against Cuba that has intensified in recent years, contributing to unemployment, poverty, and human suffering. Cubans have been deprived of remittances from their relatives in the U.S., air traffic and cruise tourism have been banned, US companies have been warned on pain of severe penalties not to do business with Cuba, and even non U.S. companies, if they also conduct business in the U.S., face sanctions.

Each of these actions cause Cubans to lose their jobs, affecting the livelihoods of their families.

Cuba is far from perfect, although its government has made astounding leaps to provide free and widespread health and education services to the Cuban people despite the stifling circumstances of the embargo.

Its governing political apparatus is intolerant of the formation of opposing political parties and the government cracks down on protesting voices that it believes are encouraged and funded by external forces. All that needs to change, and a democratic system established in which the people can choose, without interference, a government and an opposition in contested elections.

However, such democratic norms cannot be established in a country to which international democratic norms are not extended, and which exists under an external siege intent upon regime change and the restoration of rule by interests self-exiled in the U.S. and longing to install domination enjoyed before the Castro revolution.

Next month, the U.S. trade embargo will be in place for 60 years. To endure the resulting extraordinary circumstances of hardship required extraordinary policies and practices.

In any event, Cuba poses no threat to the security of the U.S. or the wellbeing of its people, something about which CARICOM countries would be deeply concerned were it so.

CARICOM countries share with the U.S. a fundamental commitment to democracy. They also hold dear another value shared with the U.S. — true selfdetermination.

So, they walk a line between the U.S. and Cuba, always ready to help broker an end to the embargo and promote normal relations between two countries, in which democracy can thrive. But also exercising their right to determine their own friends. l Sir Ronald Sanders is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and at Massey College, University of Toronto.

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THOUGHTS

In-Person Learning Can’t Be Replaced

BY MONET ELZEY AND LUDE BONNET

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6 Publisher I.Q. INC. Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief

Pearl Phillip

I

t’s been 179 days since New York City schools closed due to the pandemic. Some of those days have felt like weeks, while others have passed with the blink of an eye. But as parents, one thing has remained constant: our devotion to the health and well-being of our children.

The shift to remote learning in March was an incredible feat by teachers, students, and families. Countless hours have been poured into keeping our children on track over the past six months, and the resiliency of our communities has been a beautiful thing to witness. We made it through some of the toughest days in our City’s history, during the height of a crisis no one could have ever prepared for.

Today, we’ve made it through the worst of that crisis—and we’re uniquely positioned as the only major school district in the country able to safely send our children back to school in the fall. Our children, their education, and their futures can’t afford to wait.

As parents and educators, we know there is no substitute for the experience of being in a classroom. Our children have so much to gain from being in-person with their teachers, peers, and friends during this critical time. One of us has a son whose eyes light up when he talks about going back to his high school to start his junior year. He can’t wait to be back with his friends and a step closer towards graduation. The memories of when he first began his educational journey are still clear as day. It breaks my heart to think about a world in which he spends his last moments as a New York City student in our apartment every day, away from his friends, and separated from the teachers who want him to succeed.

Being in school is an experience that can’t be replaced. And that’s why we are so hopeful we can make blended learning work. It’s a chance to get our children back to their classrooms, where they learn best with one another.

As of now, the majority of students will

TEAM

Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Assistant Editor Marilyn Silverman Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Anvaar Sabirov Interns Sharif Tyler Casey Tong begin the school year in a blended learning model, where they will be learning in-person in their own school buildings part of the week and learning remotely during the remaining days. Our schools play such a critical role in our communities, and hundreds of thousands of New York City parents are ready to safely get their kids back to their classrooms.

Are we nervous? Of course, we’re parents. We lie awake at night thinking about our kids, especially our youngest children. How can we help them understand that they can’t hug their friends?

Will they remember to wear their masks all the time? None of it will be easy. Our young ones are dealing with the change, confusion, and even trauma the pandemic has brought into their lives. The social and emotional support of educators, friends, parents, and loved ones is needed more than ever for all developing young minds. We are so grateful for the wraparound care that is already being planned out in our school communities.

Planning for the school year is never easy, but this fall has required far more preparation than ever. We’ve seen firsthand the work our teachers, principals, and even our Mayor and Chancellor have put in to keep our schools and classrooms safe. A later start to school is allowing educators and families more time to thoroughly prepare for the start of a school year like no other, and mandatory testing will help keep our communities safe and healthy.

We refuse to put our children in harm’s way. One of us has a daughter who was diagnosed with Lupus and making sure she’s healthy has caused many sleepless nights. So, safety is absolutely non-negotiable. Knowing that day-in and day-out, there are teams disinfecting the hallways, spacing out classrooms, ensuring adequate ventilation, and taking every precaution necessary for our children provides a little bit of peace during this turbulent time. Health and safety are leading the way as schools prepare a safe and supportive learning environment for our children, and we know school leaders are doing everything they can to start the school year strong.

As parents, we’re reassured. But above all, we’re hopeful. We believe we can make this work, and that we can give our kids the kind of learning experience they can only get in a classroom. During this unprecedented moment, we want nothing but the best for our children – and we know every New York City parent wants the same for their child. That’s what we owe our young people. Let’s do all we can to make that a successful reality this year.l

The above is an op-ed from New York City parents Monet Elzey and Lude Bonnet.

Have an opinion? Share it! Email us at info@myiqinc.com

Contributors Jennine Estes Erin Telesford Janet Howard Mary Campbell Tarsha Gibbons Travis Morales Email info@myiqinc.com Telephone 718-771-0988 Website www.cawnyc.com

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CIVIL RIGHTS

New York Watchdogs Lack Data to Track Judges’ Compliance with Bail Reform Although the new law took

BY STEVEN YODER, THE APPEAL

B

efore New York State’s bail reform law passed in April 2019, police, sheriffs, and prosecutors warned of dire consequences.

“I think that it could cause some havoc,” said Kristyna Mills, Jefferson County’s district attorney.

Jim VanBrederode, police chief in the town of Gates, warned that without bail, those arrested wouldn’t have a reason to show up in court. And Patrick Phelan, police chief of the town of Greece, said bail reform would mean “dangerous criminals” would be “arrested and then immediately released.”

Once the law took effect on Jan. 1, law enforcement groups spent weeks serving as sources for sensational media stories about people allegedly committing crimes after being released pretrial.

So when polls showing support for the new law began dropping, New York legislators and Governor Andrew Cuomo took action: They rolled back the law, amending it to allow new crimes to be bail eligible. That rollback, relative to the original law, will increase New York City’s pretrial jail population by an esti-

effect in January, state data showing how courts are applying it won’t be available until July 2021.

And without funding, courts in small towns and villages may never collect the data. mated 16 percent, and similar effects are likely in the rest of the state, according to an analysis by the Center for Court Innovation.

Bail reform advocates say the anti-bail media blitz was successful in part because of a flaw in the original law: It did not require courts and prosecutors to report data—like rearrest rates, failure to appear rates, and case outcomes—which could have helped reform proponents push back and show that the law was effective, said Insha Rahman of the Vera Institute of Justice.

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For example, after New Jersey passed bail reform in 2017, the percentage of defendants charged with a new offense while on pretrial release rose only slightly, according to an April 2019 report by the state’s court system. Defendants showed up for more than 89 percent of their pretrial court appearances postreform, the report found.

Although New York’s amended bail law now requires that data be collected, it won’t be publicly available until July 2021.

“When the rollback went into effect, the bone that was tossed to advocates was that … we’ll actually do data collection,” said Rahman. But the amended law has no monthly reporting requirements, she added.

That also means there is no real-time data that shows whether judges are applying the law properly and fairly. The Center for Court Innovation report notes that the organization’s projected jump in jail populations could increase, as “judges may engage in more inclusive interpretations regarding who is bail eligible.”

“Data collection is very important to understanding whether or not the new law is being implemented correctly,” said Taryn Merkl of the Brennan Center for Justice, “particularly now in the time of COVID-19 when we can’t really send court watchers into court as much as we might have been able to do previously.”

Judges in New York City courts were already flouting parts of the law in January, according to Court Watch NYC, a project run by three groups that puts volunteer monitors in the city’s courts.

For example, the statute requires judges to consider an accused person’s ability to pay before setting bail. But in three-quarters of the 937 arraignments that city court watchers monitored between Jan. 1 and March 10, court watchers didn’t hear judges ask about ability to pay, the group said in a recent report.

“Given our findings … we have every reason to believe that judges and prosecutors will exploit the expanded discretion granted to them by the rollbacks to incarcerate thousands more Black and brown people in the process,” it concluded.

Judges across the state have also

imposed bail for charges that are not bail eligible. On Jan. 9, Nassau County District Judge David McAndrews set $10,000 bail for a man arrested for allegedly giving two bank tellers notes that claimed he had a gun. His charge, third-degree robbery, is not bail eligible under the current law.

In another case, Cohoes City Court Judge Thomas Marcelle set $100 bail for a motorist accused of driving with a suspended license, a low-level misdemeanor also ineligible for bail under the reform law. “By stripping judges of necessary discretion to control the appearance of a defendant, the legislature improperly interfered with the judiciary’s capacity to fulfill its constitutional mandate,” Marcelle said in his order.

The state’s Commission on Judicial Conduct said in a March report that a judge “who purposefully fails to abide by the [bail reform] law, e.g. to make a political point or because s/he personally disagrees with the law, invites discipline.” But data that could reveal if judges should be subject to that discipline will not be available for months under the new bail law.

New York’s almost 1,300 town and village courts will be especially difficult to monitor because of how they are set up.

Often tiny, sometimes located in town hall basements, they deal mostly with minor offenses but also arraign felonies and handle misdemeanors. More than 60 percent of their judges have no law degrees; two years of college is the minimum requirement. And they’re overseen by each town or village itself, with the state exercising no direct control.

A report last April by the Fund for Modern Courts, a nonprofit advocate for reform and improvement in New York’s court system, charged that at least some of their judges use jail time to force poor people into paying fines they can’t afford. Ten of the 13 judges disciplined by the Commission on Judicial Conduct last year were town or village justices.

Court watchers won’t have much luck checking on how judges are handling bail reform in some of these courts. In court sessions last summer in the municipalities of Colonie and Oswegatchie, continued on page 5

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CIVIL RIGHTS Bail Reform/ continued from page 4 judges conducted negotiations right in front of the bench with no microphones, making proceedings inaudible even from the first row. Asked about the audio issue last summer, Colonie Town Justice Peter Crummey said he makes special seating arrangements when he knows ahead of time that court visitors want to hear the proceedings.

There is also a fear that town and village courts might not collect any data because the amended law includes no money for the task. “Without funding and training, it’s hard to imagine how many of the smaller jurisdictions will develop the systems and expertise necessary to collect the data and report it out accurately, particularly now that towns and cities face budget cuts,” said Merkl.

The delay in getting data also leaves an opening for another effort to overturn even the amended law. Already the state’s Association of Chiefs of Police, Sheriff’s’ Association, and Assembly Republicans have denounced the weakened version, calling it and other reforms passed in June a “revolving door for career criminals” at a July 11 event.

“It’s always been true that the benefits of freedom don’t generally don’t make it into the press,” says Jocelyn Simonson, a professor at Brooklyn Law School. What doesn’t make headlines, she says, are “homes and neighborhoods that are actually safer because people are free to go to work, take care of their kids, and be less

Statement from Julie Menin, NYC Census 2020 Director and Executive Assistant Corporation Counsel, NYC Law Dept

I likely to harm other people in the future because they haven’t spent time in a violent place like jail.”

New Jersey shows what solid data can achieve, Rahman noted. The state courts report from April 2019 showed there were 6,000 fewer people in New Jersey jails. But defendants were no more likely to commit a new offense or fail to show up for court appearance than before.

That report may have taken the air out of efforts to roll back the reform. Nine bills were introduced to the state legislature in the 2018-19 session that would have increased the use of bail, an informal count shows. By the 2020-21 session, that number fell to two.

“New Jersey was in some ways able to weather the backlash,” said Rahman.

“They had real-time data that was ready to go. It was centralized. Nobody was doubting its veracity. And that made a huge difference in being able to push

back against the same kinds of forces that we saw here in New York.”

In other states, bail reform is inching forward. Last year, Colorado eliminated cash bail for certain low-level offenses.

But a bill this year that would have broadened pretrial release in the state died in the legislature. The Missouri Supreme Court instituted new bail rules starting in July 2019 that require state courts to impose bail only if necessary for safety reasons.

Conversely in California, a ballot initiative sponsored by the for-profit bail bond industry is on the ballot in November—if passed it would overturn the state’s law ending money bail.l The Appeal https://theappeal.org/: “The Appeal is a non-profit media organization that produces news and commentary on how policy, politics, and the legal system affect America’s most vulnerable people.”

n response to today’s U.S. Southern District of New York Court’s ruling declaring that President Trump’s memo attempting to exclude undocumented immigrants from the apportionment count tied to the 2020 Census is unlawful, Julie Menin, Director of NYC Census 2020 and Executive Assistant Corporation Counsel, NYC Law Department issued the following statement: “Today’s ruling affirms what we already know all too well: that if something is hateful, incompetent, and illegal, President Trump isn’t going to be able to keep his hands off of it. No matter how many times he’s tried to undermine, thwart, or manipulate the census, he’s failed in court at every turn, and instead of focusing on protecting the people of this nation, he’s hard at work trying to find new ways to throw us in harm’s way.

Working with Attorney General Leticia James, NYC has previously taken the President all the way to the Supreme Court – and won – and today’s ruling proves that we will continue to prevail against these illegal and unconstitutional attempts to deprive our city’s immigrants of the money, power, and respect to which they are rightfully entitled.”l

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Economic Impact Payment Fix for 50,000 Eligible Spouses

BY KAREN HOBBS, FTC

A

re you married to someone who owes past-due child support?

Was your portion of the economic impact payment (“EIP”) mistakenly applied to pay your spouse’s debt? If so, you’re not alone. In mid-September, the IRS will automatically send “catch-up” payments to eligible spouses whose EIP was diverted to pay their spouses’ child support obligations.

According to the IRS, spouses who already filed “Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation” with their federal income tax return will automatically get their EIP portion in mid-September. If your EIP was diverted for child support, but you didn’t file this form with your tax return, you’re still in luck. You don’t need to file the form, and the IRS will be sending your EIP portion automatically at a later date.

In the meantime, remember: •You don’t need to do anything to get your money. The IRS will begin making direct deposits and mailing payments starting in mid-September.

•The IRS won’t contact you about your

Those Free COVID-19 Money Offers on WhatsApp and Facebook Are Scams

BY DIANA SHILLER, FTC

H payment. If someone does, it could be scam. Get the FTC’s latest information about Coronavirus scams at ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams.

To check the status of your payment, always start with the official IRS website: irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.l

Karen Hobbs is the Assistant Director, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

ave you seen a message on WhatsApp or Facebook offering you free help during the pandemic? People have reported seeing messages that seem to be from Pepsi, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, and other big-name brands. These messages all offer money to people who need it — through grants, coupons for food support, or other giveaways. But they’re all fake, and not from those companies at all.

You might get this kind of message, in English or Spanish, from a friend or contact. The message tells you to click a link to get your money. If you click, you might find a survey to take. Or they might ask you to enter your name, address, phone number, or other information. And they might ask you to forward the message to several friends to be eligible to collect.

But what these message are really doing is running a phishing scam to collect your information (and your friends’ info), and possibly putting malware on your phone,

tablet, or computer if you click the link.

There’s no money to get, and no help to be had. Just scammers. It could have been a real (and hopeful) friend who forwarded that message to you – but it could have been a scammer who hacked your friend’s account.

So, what do you do if you get one of these messages?

•Don’t click on any links. That could download malware, expose you to even more scams, or add your phone number to lists sold to still other scammers.

•Delete the messages – and certainly don’t share them.

•Call the friend who shared the message.

Did they forward it to you? If not, tell them their account might have been hacked.

If you already clicked or shared, run a security scan on your device to look for malware. And then share this blog post with the friends you forwarded the message to – and ask them to do the same.l Diana Shiller is an Investigator, Division of Marketing Practices, FTC

This is your city.

Do you know your zone?

Visit NYC.gov/knowyourzone or call 311 to find out what to do to prepare for hurricanes in NYC. #knowyourzone

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3:03:05 PM

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IN THE COMMUNITY Don’t Lose Your Home/ continued from page 1 distancing. According to the U.S. Department of Labor reports, over 2 million New Yorkers have filed for unemployment benefits within the last three months. Furthermore, New City Mayor De Blasio has since announced that 22,000 city workers are at risk of being laid off their jobs. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that many homeowners are having difficulty meeting required mortgage payments and are at risk of losing their homes due to foreclosure. To make matters worse, scammers see this as the perfect opportunity to prey on those in desperate need of help and steal their properties.

On September 3, 2020, Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, representing Senatorial District 19, held a live online seminar, with representatives from several community-based organizations, to provide information to the community to help prevent foreclosure protect homeowners from scammers. Senator Persaud was especially concerned because homeowners who fall within 11236 zip code in her district reported having the highest foreclosure rate across all of Brooklyn.

Also, senior citizens, who have been the scammers’ preferred victims, reside predominantly in Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Senator Persaud reported that creating a Cease and Desist Zone in East New York and teaching homeowners how to recognize scams has proven helpful. If you or someone you know has been the

victim of a scam, you are encouraged to report it. Senator Persaud said, “The Brooklyn District Attorney investigates scams. Attorney General of New York, Letitia James, investigates scams.”

“The Department of Finance has an alert after someone tries to steal your deed. Do not sign any documents for people you do not know – even if you’re trying to get a short sale of your property.

Slick people come to your home saying they can help you if you sign forms. Do not, I repeat, do not, do not sign your deed over to anyone. Do not take money.

If you take money, its seen as you sold the deed to your home.”, warned Angella Davidson, Program Director for the Foreclosure Intervention program of NHS Brooklyn (Neighborhood Housing Services).

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Homeowners beware of unsolicited phone calls, mail, emails, text messages, special offers, and people knocking on the door of your home offering to help you get a forbearance on your loan. You do not have to pay anyone to request a forbearance on your mortgage

loan, and several community-based organizations provide free services to homeowners. Therefore, do not delay in getting the help that you need. As soon as you feel you may be at risk of having problems, is the time to reach out to your mortgage servicer to discuss your options and one of the community-based organizations for counseling and assistance.

Each of the housing professionals who participated in the recent meeting with Senator Roxanne J. Persaud agreed that homeowners should take action immediately and reach out for help before they have a crisis.

Do not let fear or shame cause you to wait until the last minute to respond to foreclosure notices and/or apply for assistance.

If you do not respond to foreclosure notices within the time allotted, you make it easier for the bank to prove its case against you, and your home may be sold at a foreclosure auction. The chances of you getting your house back after it is sold at a foreclosure auction are slim, to none. Therefore, you want to respond immediately to foreclosure

notices.

Homeowners: Don’t just stop making your payments. If approved for a mortgage forbearance, it allows you to stop making payment on your loan without the fear of foreclosure.

Those payments are still owed and are put on the end of your loan. You may also request that the mortgage be modified to make it more affordable.

Counseling is essential to help homeowners figure out which of the available options will work best for them. Each of the housing counselors agreed that the One-Shot Deal loan program, offered by the New York City Human Resources Administration, maybe another option to help homeowners get back on track financially and request reductions in utility bills. Senator Roxanne J. Persaud stressed, “We can not afford to have middle-class homeowners who worked hard, lose their homes, and walk away.” The good news for homeowners is the moratorium on foreclosures and evictions is extended until December 2020, and no property will be foreclosed on during the moratorium.

Do not delay getting assistance. There are things you can do now to save your home. If you have questions about your rights as a homeowner, landlord, or tenant, if you have been scammed, fear foreclosure, or are being harassed for your inability to pay your bills, contact the Law Firm of Figeroux and Associates for a free consultation at 855-768-8845. Get the legal help you need now! l

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8

DIASPORA CONCERNS

Sen. Menendez & Rep. Watson Coleman Join New Jersey TPS Holders on Frontlines Combating Coronavirus

BY AMERICA’S VOICE

O

n September 10, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ12) joined Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders who are working on the frontlines of the Coronavirus pandemic in New Jersey to discuss their critical role in protecting New Jersey communities during this crisis, even as the Trump administration is trying to deport them.

Sen. Menendez and Rep. Watson Coleman have been fighting for a permanent solution to protect TPS holders and will discuss the urgency for Congress to act in the face of potential senseless deportations.

In New Jersey 7,500 TPS holders are working in occupations at the forefront of the COVID-19 response and 11,600 TPS holders are working in health care occupations alone nationwide.

“So much of the burden from the pandemic is falling on essential workers and many of them are TPS holders, who risk their lives to protect us,” said Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). “They comfort the

Sen. Menendez

dying and help the sick and do this without the proper protection they need. TPS holders are the heroes of the crisis.

Regardless of their place of birth these individuals undoubtedly represent the best of this country. TPS holders are risking their lives during COVID 19 but they are in the crosshairs as they risk their lives, their permanent status and legal protections. They are fighting the pandemic while also fighting Trump. It is time for the administration to treat them as essential workers instead of expendable and stop the attacks on TPS holders and lift the cloud of gloom over them.

The health of the nation must come

Rep. Watson Coleman

before the President’s anti-immigrant fight.”

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) said, “Thank you to the essential TPS workers that are here and sharing their stories, and Sen. Menendez for his leadership on this issue. “Amen!” If there’s anything positive that comes out of this pandemic, it’s the realization that our essential workers bring immense value to our communities and are the ones who keep us going. From truck drivers to hospital care workers— these are the people, who are mostly people of color, especially immigrants, who are making homes here. The idea that we would strip people like Leroy and Beatriz of their life here when it is most dangerous for their own health and the health of others is inherently wrong. The desire to take immigrants out in order to make America great is something we cannot tolerate.

I’m proud to be working to make sure all of our frontline workers get the protections and pay they deserve— and that they maintain the ability to work here— because they are our heroes. We need leaders like Sen. McConnell to grant these community members the frontline protections they deserve, and a pathway to citizenship as well.”

Leroy, a truck driver and Haitian TPS Holder from Maplewood, NJ, said, “I rely on TPS to be able to work and support my family. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to survive. I also provide an essential service as a truck driver and need TPS to be able to drive. TPS holders like myself have been in this country a long time, have U.S. citizen children and support our communities. Losing TPS would cost me my life. We need permanent protections.”

“As a TPS recipient I am asking Senator Bob Menendez and Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman to use their leadership to advocate in Washington DC on behalf of TPS beneficiaries and their families. Also, to protect children who were born in New Jersey and their parents who are TPS beneficiaries,” said Beatriz Rodriguez, a Salvadoran TPS holder and domestic worker/ community organizer at Community Center CEUS. “TPS recipients are essential members of our community. Many of us are on the frontlines in this pandemic: we are working in hos-

pitals, apartment buildings, supermarkets, caring for the elderly. We are also business owners. We are all contributing to the US economy. TPS holders are in a state of emergency, because our current status will end in January 2021. This is why we need legislation that leads us to permanent residency. Since I came to the US from El Salvador in 1991, I have resided in New Jersey. New Jersey has been my home, a place where I found economic and social stability. I have had stability thanks to TPS. My husband, also a TPS holder, found a job and thanks to his immigration status, he was able to access a job that provided health insurance. In the same year, I was diagnosed with cancer and I received treatment.

Thanks to my husband’s medical insurance, and thanks to TPS, my life was saved. That is what TPS is for me. It saved my life. I can’t imagine living without my TPS status. What TPS holders need right now is relief and a path to permanent residency. ” Douglas Rivlin, Director of Communications for America’s Voice, said “As we all know, Trump has made immigration and excluding immigrants his signature issue from the day he descended the gold escalator in New York City in 2015 to announce his candidacy by deeming most Mexican immigrants murders and rapists. Since then he has been relentless in restricting legal immigration and trying to end the asylum and refugee systems. He put children and families and those seeking safety in harm’s way. And he’s tried taking away the ability of long term, deeply rooted immigrants to work and live in the US legally by trying to end both the DACA program and restricting and ending the TPS program. On TPS, we are still awaiting a ruling in the 9th circuit Ramos case. The challenge is how Trump is ending the TPS program and it appears that even if a negative ruling is issued today, TPS holders would be safe until early next year after inauguration day. But, TPS holders are still in legal limbo, they’re unsure if their lives here in the US, which for some spans decades, can continue.”l

IMMIGRATION

Listen at www.askthelawyer.us

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IN THE COMMUNITY

10

What Rent Drop? Listed Prices Aren’t Budging Where COVID-19 Hit Hardest

BY RACHEL HOLLIDAY SMITH, THE CITY

I

n some parts of the city, rents have dropped since the COVID-19 crisis began. But for neighborhoods that felt the effects of the coronavirus most, listed prices have risen slightly, according to a new analysis.

The annual rental report by the apartment-listings site StreetEasy paints a very different price picture between the neighborhoods with the lowest coronavirus infection rates — primarily wealthier neighborhoods in Manhattan and Brooklyn — and the hardest-hit areas, mostly in Queens and The Bronx.

Between February and July of this year, rents fell by 1.9% in the zip codes with the lowest COVID-19 rates in the city, like Battery Park City, Greenwich Village and Tribeca, according to the report, comprised of market-rate listing data.

However, in the neighborhoods with the highest rates of COVID-19, per city health department data — East Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights topped the list — advertised rents have climbed a bit in the same time period, rising 0.3%.

People in Corona, Queens, walk along Roosevelt Avenue, Sept. 1, 2020. Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

The findings contradict the claim that there’s an “exodus out of the city,” said Nancy Wu, an economist at StreetEasy.

“That’s specific to Manhattan, and a lot of these Manhattan-esque neighborhoods,” she said. Elsewhere in the city, “it’s a very different picture.”

Eviction Fears Loom Large The StreetEast report released Thursday analyzed six years of rental data in the five boroughs through July of 2020, comparing ZIP codes with the highest tested rates of COVID-19 per 100,000 people since the start of the pandemic with those with the lowest.

Each pool of least- and most-affected neighborhoods was defined by StreetEasy by adding up top and bottom ZIP codes with the highest and lowest infection rates until they had 1 million people in each category.

Over that period, listed rents in the most virus-affected neighborhood rose by 22.1% while the least-affected areas saw advertised prices rise only 10% over the same period.

Some of the trend is attributable to the fact that, generally, areas with lower median rents tend to see price growth at rates faster than higher-priced neighborhoods, Wu noted — because “there’s more demand for affordable properties as other places get more expensive.”

But it also points to a confluence of factors and “housing stressors” that overlap in the communities that have experienced high COVID-19 rates, said Barika Williams, executive director at the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development, a consortium of nonprofit development groups.

Among the factors: overcrowding, a high share of families paying a large share of income on rent, and a concentration of essential workers.

“What we’re seeing in the lowerincome households and families — especially our immigrant communities, especially our Black and brown community — is that people are really staying put, trying to ride it out [and] having this month-to-month anxiety of, will I or won’t I be evicted?” Williams said.

The NYU Furman Center also found the areas hardest-hit by the coronavirus are home to more immigrants and Black

and Hispanic New Yorkers, and amass more evictions filings, than other parts of the city.

Oksana Mironova, a policy analyst at the anti-poverty research and advocacy group Community Service Society, noted that the StreetEasy data is limited.

That’s because it’s based on market-rate listings and does not include many types of housing such as illegally subdivided apartments, any unit rented by word of mouth, and subsidized apartments, including public housing.

But the report does confirm what Mironova said she has suspected for some time: Those who had few housing options before the pandemic are under even more pressure now.

“If you have a bad living situation, if you have an abusive landlord … you end up having to put up with negative living conditions. And I think all of that is probably getting amplified under COVID,” she said.

At the same time, higher-income people have more choice within the market, including “the option to leave,” she added.

‘Incredibly Frustrating’ In the wealthier parts of the city, residents seem to be exercising that option.

New data from real estate giant Douglas Elliman found the Manhattan vacancy rate had climbed to over 5% as of August, a first in the real estate company’s report. The median rental price in the borough dropped 3.9% since August 2019.

Williams of ANHD, however, warned against using Manhattan trends as a stand-in for the housing story in the rest of the city. To do so ensures people elsewhere are “rendered invisible,” she said.

“When you see this narrative of everybody is leaving the city, and rents are dropping … and you live in a community where people aren’t leaving, people are trying to figure out how to make things work day to day, where there’s very little affordable housing and you don’t have a whole lot of options to go anywhere else if you wanted to — it’s incredibly frustrating,” she said.

“What we’re perpetuating is this narrative of what is happening in predominantly white, wealthy neighborhoods is the story of New York,” she added. “And that’s just not true.” l This story was published on September 10, 2020 by THE CITY. “THE CITY (www.thecity.nyc) is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to hard-hitting reporting that serves the people of New York.”

Get more stories, news and updates at www.cawnyc.com

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11

IMMIGRATION

Diversity Visa Ban Struck Down by Judge

BY KATY MURDZA

A

federal judge ordered the Trump administration to resume issuing diversity visas on September 5.

Each year, the State Department uses a lottery system to select visa recipients from a broad array of countries. In April, President Trump banned diversity visa recipients from entering the country.

What is the diversity visa?

Congress established the Diversity Visa Program through the Immigration Act of 1990 to promote immigration from countries underrepresented in the United States. The law allows up to 55,000 people to be selected, but that cap was lowered to 50,000 in 2017. Only citizens of countries with fewer than 50,000 nationals admitted to the United States in the past five years are eligible to apply.

Applicants must have a high-school education or at least two years of recent qualifying work experience.

After lottery winners are selected out of millions of applicants, they are eligible to apply for a visa and must undergo intense screening in order to be approved. If the applicant’s visa is not issued by September 30, the end of the fiscal year,

they lose the opportunity to immigrate to the United States.

Why was the diversity visa banned in the first place?

President Trump announced the travel ban on many immigrants who seek to come to the U.S. permanently through their close family ties or the diversity category in April. In June, he extended the ban through the end of 2020 and expanded it to include several nonimmigrant categories, including H-1B workers and their spouses (H-4s), L-1 visas, and J-1 exchange visas.

When the administration announced the ban, the State Department had only issued 12,000 diversity visas for fiscal year 2020, leaving nearly 40,000 lottery winners waiting in limbo.

Did the ruling impact any other of the other visa bans?

The judge issued the order in a hearing on five consolidated lawsuits challenging the April and June bans. He failed to take action on other categories of people affected by the bans, including those applying for green cards based on family relationships in the U.S. and those who intended to travel with a work visa.

Many of these workers are in essential industries, including the medical field.

The judge also failed to extend the endof-September deadline when eligibility for a diversity visa will expire. However, he did order the State Department to “undertake good-faith efforts to adjudicate visas” by the deadline.

Why the Trump administration’s justification for the diversity visa ban is faulty.

The administration used the United States’ current economic downturn to justify the ban, saying that it would decrease competition for American workers. However, the ban did not include any meaningful economic analysis to support this claim, and its reasoning contradicts the opinions of economic experts.

President Trump has called for the end of the visa lottery since 2017, when he said that the program was “picking the worst of the worst.” The government has repeatedly used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to implement its restrictionist immigration agenda.

The diversity visa benefits the United States by adding diversity to our immigration pool and helping balance the current U.S. immigration system’s tendency to favor individuals who have close relationships with family members or employers in the United States. The Trump administration should not use a global crisis as a pretext to stop this and other immigration flows into the United States.l

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ISLAND FOCUS: BARBADOS

12

Barbados to Remove Queen Elizabeth As Head of State

BY BBC NEWS

B

arbados has announced its intention to remove Queen Elizabeth as its head of state and become a republic.

"The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind," the Caribbean island nation's government said.

It aims to complete the process in time for the 55th anniversary of independence from Britain, in November 2021.

A speech written by Prime Minister Mia Mottley said Barbadians wanted a Barbadian head of state.

"This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving," the speech read.

Buckingham Palace said that it was a matter for the government and people of Barbados.

A source at Buckingham Palace said that the idea "was not out of the blue" and "has been mooted and publicly talked about many times", BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said.

The statement was part of the Throne Speech, which outlines the government's policies and program ahead of the new session of parliament.

Barbados key facts: One of the more populous and prosperous Caribbean islands Gained its independence from Britain in 1966 Queen Elizabeth remains its constitutional monarch Once heavily dependent on the sugar exports, its economy has diversified into tourism and finance Its prime minister is Mia Mottley, elected in 2018 and the first woman to hold the post While it is read out by the governorgeneral, it is written by the country's prime minister.

The speech also quoted a warning from Errol Barrow, Barbados's first prime minister after it gained independence, who said that the country should not "loiter on colonial premises".

Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II visits Liverpool Albert Dock during her Diamond Jubilee tour of Great Britain, Liverpool, England. May 17 2012. Editorial credit: Shaun Jeffers / Shutterstock.com

His is not the only voice in Barbados that has been suggesting a move away from the monarchy. A constitutional review commission recommended republican status for Barbados in 1998.

And Ms Mottley's predecessor in officer, Freundel Stuart, also argued for a "move from a monarchical system to a republican form of government in the very near future".

Barbados would not be the first former

British colony in the Caribbean to become a republic. Guyana took that step in 1970, less than four years after gaining independence from Britain. Trinidad and Tobago followed suit in 1976 and Dominica in 1978.

All three stayed within the Commonwealth, a loose association of former British colonies and current dependencies, along with some countries that have no historical ties to Britain.l

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Education that fits your schedule Visit www.nacc.nyc/kaplan At check out enter the code Chamber5.

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FAMILY MATTERS

13

Making Visitation Work

BY FATHERS.COM

V

isitation. Even the word sounds ominous, like something you might do with a prisoner. If you’re a divorced dad who gets the kids maybe twice a month, I know this is one of the greatest challenges you face. You don’t have free access to your kids, and when you do see them, there’s pressure to make the most of your time together.

Unfortunately, kids sense that pressure and it changes things.

If you feel uncomfortable without always having something to do together, that might be a clue that there’s a larger issue that you and your kids need to discuss. But generally, in time, you can settle into a workable routine.

Let me offer a few suggestions that may help smooth out a tough situation, borrowing from Kenneth Parker and Van Jones in their book, Every Other Weekend.

First, give it some time. There are adjustments to make for you and your children. You’ll all have to take on slightly different roles, and make some changes. Be flexible in how you relate to your kids.

Second, stay loose. You may be tempted to cram your weekends full of hectic video arcades, all-day amusement parks,

exhausting zoo trips, loud pizza palaces and on and on. But remember to leave room for just hanging out together, or give your children choices of what they’d like to do. Capitalize on shared interests, or hobbies you can do together, where you’re free to relate to one another instead of being entertained. Eventually, as you all get used to the arrangement, you’ll spend more time camping, beachcombing, bicycling, playing board games, doing hobbies, and watching TV together. The artificiality or the feeling that you’re having a “fathering appoint-

ment” will fade soon enough.

Next, set aside a place in your house that’s just for your child, whether it’s a room, a corner, or a bookshelf. She needs to feel a connection to you and your house; she needs a regular reminder of the special bond between you two.

Fourth, don’t force your values on your kids. By all means, talk about your beliefs and what’s important to you, but also realize that your kids may be getting a slightly different message from their mother. Unless they’re doing the kids harm, you’ll probably have to live with her ground rules. Don’t put down her system—it will create a lot of confusion for the children. This is especially important in the areas of entertainment, behavior, household rules, and traditions.

Finally, be flexible and cooperative with your children’s mother. If she needs to change the arrangements this month, don’t refuse just to spite her. You aren’t obligated to do everything she wants you to, but your kids will benefit from seeing

the two of you cooperate.

And let me add this warning: The time may come when a child says, “I don’t want to go with you this time, Dad.” Your first thought might be, I’m losing my daughter, but you can’t listen to that voice. What’s really happening is that your child is changing, and that means the relationship is changing, too.

As a child grows, she acquires new interests, relationships, and commitments. Sometimes she’ll have other important things going on, and it’s time for a dad to be flexible and understanding. It does no good to force her to come with you or make her feel guilty about it.

Instead, just keep lines of communication open. Tell her, “Sweetheart, it’s hard because it seems we get so little time as it is. But I can live with that. I want you to know that I need to stay connected with you. You’re my daughter and I love seeing you.” Then, stay as involved as you can through whatever means are available — regular phone calls, e-mail, and letters. Maybe there will be other opportunities to spend time together.

The most important thing is that your child and her well-being is still a top priority. How you’re involved may change, but as a committed dad, you’ll find a way to make it work.l

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nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

nSPORTS

nHOROSCOPE

Kitchen Corner

JalapeĂąo-Cheddar Pork Chops

You Are Beautiful!

Act Like It!

H

ello again, this is Tarsha Gibbons, your lead stylist for everything fashion, color, and fun. Today let’s talk about not liking your body. There seems to be a shared way of thinking among many women, no matter their size. Your body belongs to you, and it is beautiful, no matter the shape of your body parts. You literally have to tell yourself daily, “I am great just the way I am.� The reason why is because you cannot separate your body from yourself so, if you think that way about your body, you feel that way of yourself. No Bueno!

You are a Rockstar, and You deserve better!! Find that part you like and make it dazzle. It can be your hair, your eyes, nails, cheekbones, calves, whatever it is, play it up.

I have been told that I have nice legs, so you know what? Dresses and heels for the win. My motto is, “Dress the body you are in a while creating the image you want.� Embrace what you got. When you start to think differently, you will begin to see yourself differently. That is all. It takes a little change in perspective. Did you know a positive attitude helps to propel you to the results you want? Darlin, your best days are ahead of you. Do not compare yourself to others or the “where I should be thought� in your head.

Comparison is the thief of joy. Please do me a favor, be amazing no matter what current state your body is in and take

these tips with you đ&#x;˜Š Legs – if you love them, as I mentioned earlier, dresses and heels for the win.

Arms – Short sleeve shirts, fitted buttondown shirts, tank tops with beautiful bracelets to draw attention to them Eyes – Mascara, beautiful eye shadow, colored eyeliner, and SLEEP Waistline – To enhance it, an A-line dress, a cute belt, high waisted pants, crop top. To hide it – Jersey knit material shirts and dresses, wrap dresses, leggings, and pretty-long sweaters and let’s not forget our friend, SPANX đ&#x;˜Š Neckline – Beautiful jewelry, low neckline shirt, strapless dress, earrings that dangle, and a push-up bra never hurt anybody!

Just a few tips to get you started: You are BEAUTIFUL!! Start acting like it.

Friends, ROCK YOUR DAY!! Until next time. l

Crunchy breaded jalapeùo and Cheddar tender pork chops with a delicious hint of lime! —zozobean04, Allrecipes.com

Step 3 Toss pork chops in the flour to coat.

Shake off excess, then dunk in egg. Coat chops in the chip and cheese mixture.

Ingredients Ingredient Checklist 1 egg 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 pinch ground black pepper Ÿ cup shredded Cheddar cheese Ÿ cup crushed jalapeùo potato chips (such as Miss Vickie'sŽ) 1 ½ teaspoons grated lime zest 2 eaches bone-in pork chops 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 teaspoon margarine

Step 4 Heat oil and margarine in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each pork chop until browned on the outside, 2 minutes per side. Transfer chops to a baking dish or foil-lined baking pan.

Directions Step 1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2 Whisk egg in a shallow bowl. Combine flour and pepper in another shallow bowl. Mix Cheddar cheese, jalapeno chips, and lime zest in a third bowl.

Step 5 Bake in the preheated oven until pork is no longer pink in the center, about 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 442.6 calories; protein 35.7g 72% DV; carbohydrates 12.2g 4% DV; fat 27.3g 42% DV; cholesterol 176.8mg 59% DV; sodium 254.5mg 10% DV.l Prep: 10 mins Cook: 40 mins Total: 50 mins Servings: 2

Follow me on Instagram: @tarshastyles Follow me on Facebook: TGImageandStyle Contact me: tgimageandstyle@gmail.com

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16

SPORTS & BOOKS

Naomi Osaka: How a Shy Introvert Has Found Her Voice to Become Tennis' New Leader

BY JONATHAN JUREJKO, BBC SPORTS

A

n Instagram story posted from a protest over the death of George Floyd was the first sign Naomi Osaka was beginning to find her voice.

After the killing of Floyd, a black man who died when a police officer kneeled on his neck for seven minutes and 46 seconds, Osaka flew to Minneapolis with her boyfriend, the rapper Cordae, to join those demonstrating their anger.

"My heart ached. I felt a call to action.

Enough was finally enough," she later wrote in an article for Esquire magazine.

Since arriving on the tennis scene as one of the world's brightest talents, the 22year-old has generally gone about her business quietly and without ever appearing to be all that comfortable in the limelight.

The softly spoken Japanese player has described herself as the "most awkward" person in tennis and gave what she said was the "worst acceptance speech of alltime" after winning the 2018 Indian Wells title.

Most onlookers were won over — that speech was an endearing, giggly and selfdeprecating monologue, one of the best but Osaka has rarely seemed at ease speaking in front of large crowds. At news conferences she would often shuffle uncomfortably in her seat before giving short answers or making references to Pokemon.

That does not mean there was not a powerful voice inside the three-time Grand Slam champion, who won the US Open for a second time on Saturday.

Only now, the world is starting to hear it.

Osaka was born to a Japanese mother, Tamaki, and Haitian father, Leonard, in the city with which she shares her surname, before the family moved to New York when she was three years old.

In her Esquire article, she discussed how her multicultural background has led to "people struggling to define" her.

"I'm a daughter, a sister, a friend and a girlfriend. I'm Asian, I'm black and I'm female. I'm as normal a 22-year-old as anyone, except I happen to be good at tennis. I've accepted myself as just me: Naomi Osaka," she wrote.

Another label which has been attached to her in recent months is: activist.

On the eve of the US Open, Osaka pulled out of her Western and Southern Open semi-final in protest at the shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man, by police in Wisconsin.

Her move, joining other protests by American sports stars, prompted the entire tournament to "pause" for the day.

"Before I am an athlete, I am a black woman," Osaka said. "And as a black woman I feel as though there are much

Naomi Osaka. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis."

Osaka decided to play the following day when the event resumed. While she says she is "more of a follower", her actions were decisive and commanding.

"I was waiting and waiting and then I realized I was the one who was going to have to take the first step," she said.

"I just wanted to create awareness in the tennis bubble. I think I did my job, I guess."

On the sport's biggest platform—a Grand Slam event, even one behind closed doors — her fight against racial injustice and police brutality continued.

Before and after every US Open match she wore a face mask bearing the name of an African-American person killed.

Breonna Taylor. Elijah McClain.

Ahmaud Arbery. Trayvon Martin.

George Floyd. Philando Castile. Tamir Rice. Each match she won before Saturday's final meant another chance to display a name. Her coach, Wim Fissette, said it provided her with the extra motivation to succeed.

"It's definitely helping her and giving her more energy," said the Belgian. "She wants to be a role model off court and knows it has to go with being a role model on court. It is a good combination."

Fissette became Osaka's coach in December, replacing American Jermaine Jenkins.

Last summer, Osaka, Jenkins and the rest of her team were in the United Kingdom for the grass-court season and preparing for a Women's Tennis Association tournament in Birmingham.

Together, they watched a Netflix series called When They See Us. The drama is based on the true story of five black, male teenagers from Harlem falsely accused of a brutal sexual attack in New York's Central Park.

Jenkins believes that was a pivotal moment in Osaka realizing she could use her voice more.

"I feel that gave Naomi, and everyone,

a different view and perspective on how black men in America are treated," said the now national coach at the United States Tennis Association.

"I feel that really touched her heart. Noone can really watch that without crying.

It made her really sad and we discussed it, had a conversation about it and it makes me proud to see her come out and be the advocate that she is.

"I met her at a time when she was still in a cocoon a little bit, right at the birth of her blossom in coming out and having a voice. You could see she was still maturing in that department. Now I feel she's at that next stage.

"As a black man in America it is empowering and makes me feel great, she is stepping up, taking the heat and standing up for what, in my opinion, is right. This is now her platform.

"She doesn't have to do it; she can easily stay quiet. I think it is brave and it makes me feel good inside."

Osaka using her platform as one of the world's biggest sports stars is not only raising awareness among fans, it is also making her fellow players take note.

Greek world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas was shown wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt during the US Open, with Osaka saying she was "super proud" of her friend for asking more questions about racial inequality.

When announcing she would not play at the Western and Southern Open, Osaka said the aim of her actions was to "get a conversation started in a majority white sport".

Many within the confines of tennis will not have an understanding of the racism suffered by black people.

To prove the point, even one of Osaka's former coaches, Sascha Bajin, was widely criticised for a social media post after Floyd's death where he said "color isn't an issue" in Europe.

Jenkins says being a black person in tennis can lead to a feeling of isolation and not being part of "the in crowd".

Even though there are several prominent black players — for example, the Williams sisters, Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff, Gael Monfils and Frances Tiafoe—there are few black administrators, coaches, agents, or members of the media.

American Tiafoe, who reached the last 16 at the US Open, said watching Osaka use her platform to highlight racial injustice has been "special".

"I bet a lot of people weren't for that, but she believed in something. She's coming out with a different mask every night.

She's trending. She definitely figured out, she's definitely woke," said the 22year-old, who also wore a Black Lives Matters mask and hoodie before his matches.

"I'm proud of her and I keep hoping

she's doing the same thing.

"I'm going to try to do my things on my front. Sloane is too. I know the Williams sisters are. All these guys. I'm just happy to be a part of that list."

Osaka, though, has a unique reach across the world because of her Japanese, Haitian and American heritage.

In her Esquire article, she also wrote about how tackling racism in Japan can be "challenging". Osaka herself was "whitewashed" in a cartoon advert by one of her sponsors in the country last year.

While her protests have largely been centered around American events, she hopes to use the global platform of tennis to shine a light on more social injustice.

"I feel like definitely that would be the end goal, because tennis is an international event. It's played by so many people around the world," Osaka said this week.

"I feel like there is always a very good opportunity to speak out about subjects. I feel like as soon as one player starts talking about it, then it kind of opens the door for everyone else."

Tennis is crying out for new, globally recognized faces to carry the sport forward, and for new leaders to emerge. The golden generation — fronted by Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray — is heading towards retirement.

Last year, Osaka struggled to deal with the pressure of being a leader and being the world number one.

After losing in the French Open third round last year, she said it was "probably the best thing which could have happened" and revealed she had been suffering from headaches because of the "stress" of being the top seed.

Before defending her Australian Open title in January, she talked about how she still found it difficult being described as a "top player". Handling the increased scrutiny was "tough", she said.

This fortnight at the US Open, Osaka has demonstrated her growing maturity and how she has learned to cope.

Exuding confidence on and off court, she has believed in her game and believed in her principles. Marrying them together has led to an unbeaten run of 11 matches since the sport returned, culminating in a third Grand Slam title.

Though undoubtedly already a superstar, she appears to be molding into a natural heir to the ageing icons. Talent on the court is what initially told the world she was special — now her actions and words are marking her out as an emerging leader with the power to inspire.

Jenkins agrees: "She is the future of the sport. And she's doing it now." l

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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

17

How to Adjust to Single Life After a Divorce

BY JANET HOWARD, 311.DIVORCE.COM

D

ivorce can be difficult for anyone, regardless of the situation.

Less finances and new circumstances can make life more challenging, especially when it comes to the change of marital status. Even those who file have to get used to the single life again.

Whether the divorce is pending or final, the following tips can make it easier to adjust to this new reality.

People change throughout their lives, especially during and after big life events. You’re not the same anymore, even if the union was short-lived. When a marriage ends after several decades, you might even forget how to get on without a partner. Regardless of how long the matrimony lasted and whether the divorce was amicable or not, use this time to get to know the new you.

In this context, being single doesn’t necessarily translate to availability.

Resist the temptation to hunt for a potential new partner. It takes time to process all the circumstances and sentiments brought on by the end of a marriage.

That’s why you should not rush into the dating scene.

In order to move on more quickly, try to part with items that remind you of your

ex-partner. This doesn’t mean getting rid of major items, such as a car or furniture.

However, you should at least part with personal items, especially photos and greeting cards. If this process seems difficult, place these items in storage.

If you still have the same real estate, make it your own. Take this opportunity to add personal style to the living space.

You could apply new paint colors and even alter the functions of rooms. If you don’t feel ready, it’s okay to start with small changes. Now is also your chance to get the things that your previous partner didn’t want around.

When you have to move, remember that feelings of resentment won’t make the situation better. Instead, use this opportunity as a fresh start. Even if the union produced children, you can decide how to personalize the new living space.

Even in the best of marriages, partners often make adjustments, even sacrifices, when it comes to hobbies and activities.

That’s why a divorce gives the opportunity to try out new interests. This is the time to take up hobbies, join groups, or enroll in classes. Most importantly, follow through when you want to try a new pastime.

If you’re not ready for a new level of socializing, do something different at home. Listen to music, read books, eat in bed, watch TV shows, or try new recipes.

The type of activity doesn’t matter that much, as long as it doesn’t involve trying to find a new partner.

At first glance, divorce might bring a certain level of loneliness or isolation.

However, all of these suggestions show how to healthily adjust to a single lifestyle. They can also help you become a better-adjusted individual. This transition is important so that you won’t attract the wrong kind of partner in the future.l

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CONVERSATIONS

18

Know The Signs: Help Prevent A Loved One’s Suicide Warning Signs for Suicide Individuals at risk for suicide may not communicate about their thoughts or intentions directly, but the following situations indicate your loved one may be at risk: •A person thinking about suicide may talk about having no reason to live.

Depression – the number one cause of suicide – is often related to a sense of loss and hopelessness. Listen to the person to see how they talk about dealing with detrimental events piling up.

BY WENDY MARTINEZ FARMER, LPC

A

true story by a Beacon Health Options employee: Anna was one of the most talented and creative people I had ever known, and just about everyone who met her felt the same. She was a perfectionist to a fault, and there was seemingly nothing that she did not do well. The one person who did not see this though was Anna herself. As I got to know Anna, she shared more and more about her struggle with depression from the time that she was a small child as well as her persistent feelings of not being good enough and not really fitting in. Eventually she had to be hospitalized and underwent electroconvulsive therapy. It was after this treatment that her symptoms finally began to improve, and this improvement would follow her through her final weeks. She was able to do things, without it seeming like such an effort, that she had not felt like doing in a long time. She went camping with friends, started planning a vacation for the upcoming summer with her family, and began talking about pursuing her doctoral degree. Sadly, these plans would never come to be. The details about her

final day are not known to me, as I was not with her. Many people were truly shocked because they had not been aware that Anna was struggling with anything.

Unfortunately, the story of Anna is not unique or unfamiliar to many people.

Often, the friends and families of people at risk for suicide have no idea of that risk. It’s only when there is death by suicide that people learn of the lifelong pain and anguish their loved ones suffered.

Sadly, many loss survivors are left with lingering questions and often, crippling guilt.

How did I not know? How could I not

have seen it? Why didn’t I do anything?

While behavioral health professionals have shared with family, friends, neighbors and co-workers that everyone can play a role in suicide prevention, we have fallen short when it comes to teaching practical ways to identify those at risk and how intervene which has left survivors feeling shame.

Recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Beacon wants to shed light on the warning signs and provide tips on what you can do to help.

•A person may appear to be preparing for some kind of end or departure from routine. For example, a friend calls late at night to apologize for a rift that occurred years ago. A co-worker trains a colleague to do his job. Be on the alert if someone you know starts tying up loose ends.

•Your loved one might talk or joke about different methods to die by suicide or you may find out they are researching suicide. Take all talk of suicide seriously.

Pay attention. Is this person dealing with many difficulties? continued on page 20

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CARIBBEAN STAR Toots Hibbert/ continued from page 1 the genre's name, on 1968's Do The Reggay.

Hibbert's family said he had died on Friday. The cause was not disclosed, but he had recently been taken to hospital with Covid-like symptoms.

The musician was later placed in a medically induced coma, and a spokesman said the musician was "fighting for his life."

A charismatic and soulful performer, Hibbert scored 31 number one singles in Jamaica.

Thanks to his full-throated vocals, he was often referred to as "The Otis Redding of Reggae"—but he was always Toots.

Barbershop beginnings The musician was born in May Pen, a town about 30 Miles west of Jamaica's capital, Kingston, in December 1942.

The youngest of seven children, he grew up singing gospel music in a church choir - but it was school where he formed his ambition to become a performer.

"We had to sing before class, sing in the morning," he told BBC 6 Music in 2018.

"And teacher said, 'Yeah, you have the best voice,' and gave me good encouragement."

His mother, a midwife, died when he was eight, with his father dying three years later. As a teenager, he moved to Kingston, where he lived with his older brother John (who had nicknamed him "Little Toots") and found work in a bar-

19 “So sad to hear of Toots Hibbert’s passing.

When I first heard Pressure Drop that was a big moment — he had such a powerful voice and on stage he always gave the audience his total energy. A sad loss to the music world.”

—Mick Jagger/Twitter

bershop.

There, he struck a friendship with singers Jerry Matthius and Raleigh Gordon, with whom he formed the Maytals.

In 1962, the year Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom, they were discovered by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, who signed them to his Studio One label.

Over the next 10 years, they released a string of hit singles including Fever, Bam Bam, and Sweet and Dandy.

But the group hit a roadblock in 1967, when Hibbert was arrested for possession of marijuana. He served nine months in jail and, on his release, recorded 54-46 (That's My Number) — a reference to his prison number.

It became one of the first reggae songs to receive widespread popularity outside

Jamaica, introducing many Europeans to the sound for the first time.

At the time, however, the word reggae didn't exist. The music, which was an evolution of ska and rocksteady, had been called blue-beat or boogie-beat until Hibbert intervened.

"The music was there and no-one didn't know what to call it," he told 6 Music.

"And in Jamaica we had a slang—if we're not looking so good, if we're looking raggedy, we'd call it 'streggae'. That's where I took it from.

"I recorded this song [Do The Reggay] and people told me that the song let them know that our music is called Reggae.

So, I'm the one who coined the word!"

The Maytals were part of a scene that included soon-to-be legends, such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Peter Tosh, and Jimmy Cliff; and

they recorded with everyone from the Skatalites to Prince Buster. "It was competitive and friendly, a golden time," Hibbert recently recalled in a profile for Rolling Stone.

The group scored a UK hit with Monkey Man in 1970, and, in 1972, Hibbert appeared in the ground-breaking film The Harder They Come.

The cult classic starred Jimmy Cliff as Ivan, a young man who travels to Kingston to seek his fortune as a singer.

The first time he enters a recording studio, The Maytals are recording a song — and his eyes light up with wonder.

The Maytals' song Pressure Drop was featured on the film's soundtrack — which introduced many US fans to reggae — and it was later covered by the Clash, cementing the group's reputation in the UK. In 1980, they entered the Guinness Book of World Records after a concert in London's Hammersmith Palais was cut to vinyl and released in just 24 hours, with Island Records boss Chris Blackwell personally delivering copies to record shops in his Mini Cooper.

A year later, however, Matthias and Gordon retired from music and Hibbert continued as a solo act.

Comeback and injury He assembled a new version of the Maytals in the 1990s and toured extensively — but made a more high-profile comeback with the 2004 album True Love. continued on page 20

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CARIBBEAN STAR

20

Toots Hibbert/ continued from page 19

Know the Signs/ continued from page 18

Boasting new recordings of his bestknown hits, the record featured a host of guest stars, including Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, No Doubt, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and the Roots.

It went on to win a Grammy award, rejuvenating the musician's career. He released a solo album, Light Your Light, in 2007 and hit the road for the Maytals 50th anniversary in 2012.

The following year, however, he was injured during a concert, and was unable to perform again until 2016.

"What happened was we were doing a college show, and one of the guys loved my music so much that he threw a liquor bottle onstage," he later recalled.

"I tried to catch it but it but it hit my head. It was a pity that it happened. It's taken me three years to make people happy again."

The fan was arrested—and Hibbert told the judge he had suffered "extreme anxiety, memory loss, headaches, dizziness and, most sadly of all, a fear of crowds and performing".

However, he requested that the 19year-old receive a light sentence. "He is a young man, and I have heard what happens to young men in jail," he wrote in a letter to the judge.

"My own pain and suffering would be increased substantially knowing that this young man would face that prospect."

The man received a six-month sentence.

How you can respond?

Ask the question If you are concerned that your loved one may be thinking of suicide, the most important thing you can do is ask the question. It is not easy, but most of the time individuals in such great pain are relieved that another person is willing to talk about such a difficult subject. There is no evidence that talking about suicide will cause suicide. It often prevents it. A good way to start is by saying something like “I have noticed you have had a lot of very stressful events in your life lately.

Sometimes people in your situation think of suicide. Are you thinking of suicide?”

“A hundred years from now, my songs will be played, because it is logical words that people can relate to.” —from a 2010 interview with Rolling Stone In the ensuing years, Hibbert recorded almost every day in his home studio; and recently released what was to be his last album, Got to Be Tough.

It was co-produced by Ringo Starr's son, Zak Starkey, who marveled at the musician's longevity.

"The power in his voice is beyond anyone I've ever met," he told Rolling Stone.

"And he has lived through all the generations of Jamaican music. He was at the forefront at the start, and he's at the forefront now. How incredible is that?"

In 2012, Hibbert explained his theory of

Available at Amazon.com

reggae in a profile for Interview magazine.

He described his songs as "a message of consolation, a message of salvation. The youth are going to the school and they have to listen to the words. The parents have to listen to the words. God has to listen to the words. So, we have to make it positive.

"If you sing nursery rhymes, it is nothing. You just blow up tomorrow, and the record dies at the same time. But if you give positive words, that song lives forever."l

Are you looking to get into the health & wellness business?

Contact:

Listen to keep them safe Be prepared to listen to their story. Talk to your loved one in a warm, nonjudgmental way. Say you care and want to help and give assurance you will follow through with your support. Make sure you ask them if they have already done something to harm themselves or have made a specific plan. If they have already set a plan in motion, seek the support of emergency services (911).

Seek help Remind the person they are not alone and reaching out shows courage. Many people have reached the same point in their lives but have managed to find their way back to a meaningful life. You and others are there to help and treatment for behavioral health is available and can be effective.

Most of us are not mental health professionals, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help a loved one who may be thinking of suicide. The most important thing you can do is to help your loved one get the care they need.

If you or your loved one is in a crisis and need help immediately, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text MHA to 741741. These services are confidential, free and available to all. l Wendy Martinez Farmer, LPC, Crisis Solutions Lead, Beacon Health Options

Stacy Young Board Certified Holistic Health Coach Tel: 917-459-8431 Stacy@HealthCoachStacyNYC.com

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21

TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

Dining Out Linked to Increased COVID-19 Risk

BY RALPH ELLIS, WEBMD

A

dults who tested positive for coronavirus were twice as likely to report dining at a restaurant compared to people who tested negative, the CDC said Thursday.

The finding came from a study involving 314 people tested for coronavirus on July at 11 health care centers in 10 states, the CDC reported in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The CDC said 154 people tested positive and 160 tested negative.

Participants were asked about wearing face masks, and about their work and social activities, such as going to restaurants, gyms, and the office.

The people who tested positive and the people who tested negative reported taking part in many similar activities. The major exception was going to restaurants, the study said.

“Adults with confirmed COVID-19… were approximately twice as likely as were control-participants to have reported dining at a restaurant in the 14 days before becoming ill,” the study said.

Dr. Todd Rice, a co-author of the report and an associate professor of medicine at

Did Someone Tell You to Pay with Gift Cards? It’s a Scam

BY TRACI ARMANI, FTC

M Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told NBC News that the findings were not surprising because people have to remove their masks to eat at a restaurant and may sit close together.

"If people are going to eat out, they need to be thoughtful about how they're going to do it," Rice said.

He said that when he goes to a restaurant, he wears a mask until his food arrives, doesn’t sit at a table next to other people, and asks to sit outside.

The CDC study did not specify whether participants sat inside or outside at

restaurants.

The study also said that among people who tested positive, 42% reported having “close contact” with somebody who had COVID-19, compared to 14% of people in the study group who tested negative.

Face mask usage was high among study participants, with 71% of participants testing positive and 74% of those testing negative saying they’d worn some sort of facial covering while out in public.l

aybe someone said you’ve won the lottery, a prize or sweepstakes. Or they claim to be from the government and tell you there’s a problem with your Social Security number. And, to collect your winnings or solve your problem, you have to pay with gift cards. But here’s the thing: anyone who insists that you pay by gift card is always a scammer.

If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away. When you contact the company, tell them the gift card was used in a scam. And then report it to the FTC. Remember to keep the gift card itself and the gift card receipt, and, have them available when you contact the company and the FTC. l Traci Armani is a Consumer Education Specialist, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

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22

ELECTIONS 2020

Winning the Presidency Won’t Be Enough: Biden Needs the Senate Too

BY DENNIS ALTMAN THE CONVERSATION

O

n November 3, Americans will vote not only for president, but for all members of the House of Representatives, a third of the Senate and a long list of state and local positions.

While the names of Donald Trump, Joe Biden and presumably others appear on the ballot paper, voters actually vote for a list of electors in each state, known as the Electoral College. Their composition is based on the total number of members of Congress from each state: so, California has 55 votes, and seven states plus the District of Columbia have three.

Hillary Clinton’s problem in 2016 was that she won huge majorities in several large states but lost most of the smaller states, which the system slightly favors.

The electors meet in each state capital and their votes are tallied and reported to a joint sitting of Congress. Members of the college are expected to vote for the candidate on whose list they appear. The Supreme Court has recently ruled to make this mandatory.

Australia borrowed the names of our two parliamentary chambers from the United States. But the crucial difference is that government here is determined by control of the House of Representatives.

In the United States, with a separately elected president, Congress is less pow-

Editorial credit: Aaron of L.A. Photography / Shutterstock.com

erful, and within Congress the Senate is the more significant.

While the representatives are apportioned according to population, each state has two senators who serve for six years. With the power to block legislation and senior executive and judicial appointments, a hostile Senate can make a president impotent in many areas of domestic policy.

In the 1994 mid-term elections, two years into the presidency of Bill Clinton, the Republicans captured both houses of Congress for the first time in 40 years. In the past three decades, there have only been eight years in which the same party

has held the presidency, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

This is not an usual pattern in American politics and, as long as the two parties straddled a wide range of positions, it did not prevent effective government.

Members of Congress were expected to vote according to the demands of their constituency, not the party. On crucial issues, such as civil rights legislation or the impeachment of Richard Nixon, they were willing to cross the floor.

However, over the past 30 years, party allegiances have hardened as the centre of gravity in the two parties has polarised. The once-solid Democratic

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South has become Republican heartland, strengthening an ever-growing rightwing base. Meanwhile, a reaction against the centrist policies of Clinton and Obama has led to a shift to the left by Democrats, causing problems for Democrats from conservative states, such as Senator Doug Jones from Alabama.

Jones is likely to lose a seat he won in a special election because his opponent was an alleged serial sex offender, so the Democrats need to gain five Senate seats to reverse the Republican majority. If the two parties tie, the vice president has a casting vote, which was the case when George W. Bush was elected in 2000.

That election marked the start of the “red” versus “blue” state terminology, which in American fashion reversed the usual assumption that blue was the colour of conservatives, red of radicals.

No other Democrat up for re-election looks vulnerable, but there are a number of states where the Republican candidate could lose. The tightest contests are in states that are not solidly red nor blue: Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maine and North Carolina.

The stakes are high: in North Carolina almost US$50 million (A$70 million) has been raised so far for the two candidates from the main parties. North Carolina is also a key state for the presidency, which is why the truncated Republican Convention was based there.

Like Arizona, it has largely voted Republican over the past 30 years, but rapid population growth is changing party allegiances. It might join Virginia as a former Confederate state now moving back to the Democrats.

The Republicans would need to win 18 seats in the house to regain a majority, which seems unlikely. Individual candidates matter a great deal, but few observers expect more than a handful of seats to change after the Democrats’ midterm success in 2018.

The greatest problem facing Democrats in November is the systematic way in which Republican state governments have made it more difficult for their opponents to vote. Republican state legislatures have limited the availability of polling stations, made registration more difficult and tightened ID restrictions: in Texas a gun licence is acceptable, but student ID is not. The president is constantly casting doubt over the election, aiming at postal votes in particular.

Few democratic societies have as low a turnout to vote as the United States. The Republicans believe this works in their favour and will do all it takes to keep the figures low. l Dennis Altman Dennis Altman is the Professorial Fellow in Human Security, La Trobe University

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