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March/April 2006 Volume 12 Issue 1 RREEGGEENNTT PPAARRKK IISS FFAALLLLIINNGG DDOOWWNN!! THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PAST AND FUTURE OF ’’S LARGEST PUBLIIC HOUSIING PROJECT

ALSO IIN THIIS IISSUE:y -WHAT’S CAUSING GUN VIIOLENCE IN ? -WHY TTC FARES ARE GOING UP...YET AGAIN -SHOULD DROPOUTS GET DRIVER’S LICENSES? -PROMINENT AFRIICAN CANADIIANS -HOW TO THROW THE ULTIIMATE PARTY A Youth Health and Culture Magazine Serving the Greater Toronto Area TTAABBLLEE OOFF CCOONNTTEENNTTSS FEATURE: Regent Park: Community of the Future ..12-13 FEATURE: Before Rosa Parks Was Viola Desmond...5 FEATURE: Prominant African Canadians from Toronto...6-7 FEATURE: Shop Till You Drop Dead...8 FEATURE: 50 Cent Lyrics Promote Gun Violence in Toronto...9 FEATURE: Why TTC Fares Are Going Up...Yet Again...18 FEATURE: My Home, My Igloo...19 EDITORIAL...3 WHAT’S YOUR BEEF?: TTC Fare Hikes and Government Responses to Gun Violence...4 LET CATCH DA FLAVA FACE OFF: Should High School Dropouts Be Prohibited from Getting Their Driver’s BE YOUR VOICE Licenses?...10 IN CONVERSATION WITH former residents Cathy Brennan and John Swindell...14-15 Catch da Flava youth magazine GLOBAL STRUGGLES: You Say You Want A Revolution: An Insider's Look at the 2006 is published by the Regent Park World Social Forum...16 Focus Media Arts Centre. The POET’S CORNER: Untitled...19 magazine is distributed free to THE CHOICE IS YOURS: Throwing the Ultimate Party...20-21 COMICS...22-23 libraries, community groups, and selected schools across down- town Toronto. VOLUME 12 ISSUE 1 MARCH/APRIL 2006 Subscriptions are available outside our delivery area. THE REGENT PARK FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE IS COMMITTED TO THE USE OF COMMUNTY-BASED MEDIA TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND ENGAGE YOUTH.REGENT PARK Catch da Flava welcomes letters FOCUS IS HOME TO: CATCH DA FLAVA YOUTH HEALTH AND CULTURE MAGAZINE, and articles from young people CATCH DA FLAVA ONLINE, CATCH DA FLAVA YOUTH RADIO ON CKLN 88.1 FM, (up to 24 years of age). EYE VIDEO YOUTH PRODUCTIONS, THE ZAPPAROLI STUDIO FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, Submissions should be no longer & THE UNDERGROUND MUSIC RECORDING STUDIO than 1000 words in length. PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR: ADONIS HUGGINS If you would like more EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: BO WEN CHAN information about how you can TREASURER & ADVERTISING MANAGER: EMMANUEL KEDINI contribute to Catch da Flava, call us at (416) 863-1074 YOUTH WRITERS AND EDITORIAL STAFF: BO WEN CHAN, CRAIG FORTIER, JENNN or submit directly to FUSION, OMAR HASSAN, ZAHRA KARA, EMMANUEL KEDINI, IAIN LEW KEE, [email protected] CHRISTIAN MUABI, ANGELA MUSCEO, RAYMOND WILSON, & TYRONE MACLEAN-WILSON. NEXT DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS: GUEST WRITERS: BO SAN CHAN, MICHEAL ALPERSTEIN, NATHEERAN L.K, ELLEN April 15, 2006 MIHAILOVICH, LISA VALENCIA-SVENSSON, ADAKU HUGGINS WARNER, IKORO SEKAI HUGGINS WARNER. Catch da Flava reserves the right to edit submitted articles THIS ISSUE OF CATCH DA FLAVA WAS SUPPORTED BY: THE TIPPET FOUNDATION, THE for space and clarity. ROTARY FOUNDATION, UNITED WAY AND THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH PROMOTION.

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Catch da Flava 2 March/April 2005 Editorial 399 black men in the late ering the dangers associated with stages of a disease called tobacco use. But the tobacco compa- syphilis. These 399 peo- nies lied to the public by saying that ple were very poor and there weren't any known negative lived in Alabama. During effects of tobacco use and continued the experiment they to sell their products. weren't told what disease they had or how serious A more recent example of lying by the it was. They were U.S. government was when official informed that they had Donald Rumsfeld stated to the press "bad blood" and that they on March 30, 2003, "We know where were being treated for it, [Iraq's WMD] are. They're in the area but the doctors had no around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, intention of curing their west, south, and north somewhat." illness. The object of the The truth is that no such weapons experiment was to see if were found, not to the east, west, there was a difference in south or north. Vice President Cheney the way blacks respond- said on March 16, 2003 "We believe ed to syphilis compared [Saddam] has, in fact, reconstituted to whites. By the end of nuclear weapons." The truth is that the experiment, 28 of the there was absolutely zero basis for men had died directly of this statement. CIA reports up through syphilis, 100 died of 2002 showed no evidence of an Iraqi Illustration by Micah Ian Wright related complications, 40 nuclear weapons program. of their wives had been ying outright to the public is infected, and 19 of their children had How is it that the governments and considered immoral, even by been born with congenital syphilis. large corporations were able to fool so Lthe media. But big businesses And all this happened just to find out many people? Because we didn't real- and governments have done this many that there was no difference in the ize the difference between news and times throughout history, swaying mil- way blacks and whites responded to propaganda. So the next time you hear lions of people's opinions away from syphilis. Not only is this an example or see something too unbelievable to the truth. of lying but it is also a case of med- be true, it probably is. ical racism. One of biggest examples lying hap- pened in the United States. Between Around the time that this was happen- 1932 and 1972, the U.S. Public Health ing--as early as the 1960's--scientists by Ikoro Sekai Huggins Warner, 12 Service conducted an experiment on from tobacco companies were discov- City View Alternative School Catch da Flava’s Special Magazine Issue id you know that Catch da Catch da Flava has evolved again into more. Also check out our new comic Flava is Toronto’s oldest run- a full-blown 24-page mini-magazine. section featuring drama from River Dning youth publication? It’s High. been around for over a decade, and The focus of this issue is on the has expanded from a stapled 6-page Revitalization of Regent Park, which We’d love to hear what you think quarterly booklet to a 12-page bi- is Canada’s largest public housing about our content and new format. monthly newspaper delivered to project. Other features include articles Email us your questions and com- schools, libraries and community on gun violence, TTC fares, promi- ments at: groups all across Toronto. This issue, nent African Canadians and much [email protected].

Catch da Flava 3 March/April 2005 What’s Your Beef? TTC Fare Hikes

I think it's unfortunate for students in Well I think the TTC price hike is going I think it's rotten. I think that the TTC general to pay that extra and for it to to cause a lot of problems for people should be more accessible and afford- go up. Because there are a lot of stu- who are not rich. I'm in a program able, especially to students. Having a dents out there trying to get their [Pathways] that gives me tickets to go viable transportation is really key to a Metropasses and tickets and doing all to school. For others it's going to be city's growth economically and if they they can to work part-time and do well hard for them because they are going hike it more people are going to take at school. So it's not right. to waste a lot of money each month and cars and bog down the way the city each year for people to go to school. moves, which is not going to be good for Toronto. -Nayan Kabir -Thaseepan Mariyanayagam -Benji Degraaf Government Responses to Gun Violence Dear Primiere, mum sentencing and a harsher justice tences and more police on the streets system approach overall will not work will be effective at reducing youth gun I am very concerned about rising inci- to address issues of gun crime by crime dents of youth gun crime in my city, youth. It also became painfully obvi- - repeal of the Safe Schools Act but I am even more concerned about ous that our public schools in Toronto - public awareness campaigns of how the simplistic responses of many of are really failing youth of colour, par- interrelated a) availability of racially- my political representatives to this ticularly black youth. conscious schooling and community issue. programs, b) creation of meaningful I urge politicians and leaders of all employment opportunities, and c) Regent Park Focus organized an political persuasions to work towards youth crime really are important panel discussion at the comprehensive, in-depth, real solu- - involvement of the youth themselves Toronto Reference Library last night, tions to the issues of youth gun crime who are at risk and who are involved Jan 26th. During the course of the in our cities. These solutions must with local organizations and initiatives evening, panelists and audience mem- include: such as Regent Park Focus. bers spoke of how mandatory mini- - no more pretence that tougher sen- by Lisa Valencia-Svensson Got A Beef? Don’t Just Sit There, Write About It! Submit to [email protected]

Catch da Flava 4 March/April 2005 Before Rosa Parks Was Viola Desmond iola that blacks were not allowed to sit in people should have to sit somewhere Desmo- the downstairs section; blacks were else. Then the manager and the ticket Vnd was only allowed to sit in the balcony. agent called the police. When the an African Because the lower section had a better policeman came, he dragged Viola out Canadian born view of the movie, she decided to sit of the movie theater. Then he put her in . downstairs. in jail overnight. When she was 32 years old, Soon afterwards, the ticket agent and Later when Viola went to court, the she owned a manager approached Viola and said, judge let her go. It took another eight beauty salon. "You are not allowed to sit there; you long years before black people could have to sit in the balcony; you bought finally sit anywhere they wanted in The event below happened nine years a balcony ticket." Viola said, "I'll be Nova Scotian theatres. before Rosa Parks’ famous incident. glad to pay for a downstairs ticket." The manager and the ticket agent Viola Desmond inspired a lot of black One day in 1946 as Viola was driving insisted, "You blacks are not allowed and white people to fight against seg- to a meeting, her car broke down. As to sit here." regation, and helped make our world a she waited for her car to be fixed she little better. decided to go to a movie. When Viola Viola got angry. She did not move by Adaku Huggins Warner, 11, bought her ticket she was not aware because she did not think that black Alpha Alternative School

Catch da Flava 5 March/April 2005 Prominent African Canadians From Toronto efore public transit appeared in Toronto, brave African Americans risked their lives to migrate along the Underground Railroad to Toronto. Roots can be traced as far back as the 1790s but most of the migration Boccurred in the 1850s to escape slavery and then again in the 1960s as Canadian immigration laws relaxed. Today, Toronto is home to more than half the black population in Canada. -By da Flava’s Jennn Fusion. PAST POLITICIAN WILLIAM P. HUBBARD NEWSPAPER WRITER & EDITOR MARY ANN SHADD

illiam P Hubbard was born in he oldest of thirteen children born to an abolitionist-dedicated Toronto in 1842 after his parents family, Mary Ann Shad was the first black newspaperwoman in Wwere freed from Virginia slave- TNorth America, the first female publisher of a Canadian newspa- holders. In his earlier years, he went to the per, and the publisher of Canada's first Anti-Slavery newspaper (The Toronto model school and became well- Provincial Freeman) in 1853. She was educated at a Quaker boarding known as a master baker and cake-maker, school in Pennsylvania and taught children before coming to Toronto, inventing and patenting his own oven. He where she honed her sharp tongue and punchy editorials. once saved George Brown, editor of the Globe, from drowning, creating a long-last- One day she saw a shoeless, coatless slave boy being pursued by slave ing friendship. At age 51, Hubbard tried his hunters. She grabbed the boy and ran to the nearest courthouse where hand at politics. He became the first she rang the bell to alert the town. African-Canadian councilor and served as Angry townspeople came out and "Acting Mayor" in 1904 and 1907. He was a chased off the slave hunters, relentless fighter for cheap, public electric once again upholding the poli- power and pushed for the creation of the cy of freedom that Canada Toronto Hydro Electric System. Hubbard promised. was also responsible for encouraging the acquirement of the Later in life, Mary Ann Toronto Islands. Shadd became increasingly George Brown of interested in the Women's the Globe Suffrage Movement and acknowledged earned a degree from Hubbard for his Howard University Law "splendid defense School. She truly lived by her of the public inter- own motto, "It's better to wear est." out than to rust."

BAPTIST MINISTER ELDER WASHINGTON CHRISTIAN

n 1826, this fiery African-born minister erected not only the first black church in Toronto but also the first black institution. He was noted as the first Baptist pastor in INorth America and was equally famous for his extensive missionary work in Connecticut and Boston. Father Christian continued loyal servitude to both black and white Baptists until his death in 1850. Located at 101 Huron Street (at D'arcy) in Toronto, the First Baptist Church not only became a communal structure in the city, but it was also a meeting place for Underground Railroad activities. To this day, it stands as a reminder of community and spirit.

Catch da Flava 6 March/April 2005 PRESENT

WRESTLER ROCKY JOHNSON SCIENCE FICTION WRITER NALO HOPKINSON

riginally born in his Jamaican-born Nova Scotia, daughter of famous Othis heavy- TGuyanese playwright and weight champion and actor Slade Hopkinson moved father of actor/wrestler to Toronto, where she has won "The Rock" found a several awards for blending happy home in Toronto. Caribbean folklore with science He has a lot to be proud fiction and fantasy. Her vivid of as a one-time winner details, regional dialect and of the WWF Tag Team characterization set her apart Championship with from other writers. Publishers Tony Atlas. In addition, Weekly said of her work, "The musical rhythms of he's held over 25 cham- Caribbean voices and the earthy spirit-magic of obeah; pion titles with the Hopkinson's writing is smooth and assured, and her charac- NWA, including four- ters lively and believable." Her book "Brown Girl in the time NWA World Tag Ring," won the prestigious Warner Aspect First Novel Team Champion, Brass Award in 1998. In addition to winning several writing con- Knuckles Champion, tests, Nalo is the recipient of the John W. Campbell Award Heavyweight for Best New Writer; the Local Award for Best New Novel; Champion. Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked him number and also the Ontario Arts Council Award for Emerging 211 out of the 500 best single wrestlers in 2003. Writers. (Visit www.sff.net/people/nalo)

SPRINTER DONOVAN BAILEY MUSICIAN K-OS

fter winning such he Trinidadian K-OS esteemed titles as (an acronym for A"World's Fastest TKnowledge Of Self) Man," "World Champion has captured the world's Sprinter," "Sprinter of the attention with his socially Decade," a rank among conscious rhymes, use of live "Top 10 Sprinters," and five performers, pianos, guitars Olympic gold medals, and his unique blends of hip- Donovan Bailey has since hop, jazz, reggae and pop retired from running to sounds. He has won at the focus on other endeavors. Source Awards for 2003 He's currently a spokesper- International of the son for Toronto's Big Year, the 2004 Canadian Brothers and Sisters, runs Urban Music Awards for Hip Hop Recording of the Year The Donovan Bailey Fund and Music Video of the Year (for B-boy Stance), the 2005 to help finance amateur ath- Juno Awards for Video of the Year (B-boy Stance), Rap letes to go for the gold, and Recording of the Year (Joyful Rebellion) and Single of the owns DBX Sports Year (); as well as the 2005 Much Music Best Management to help young athletes promote themselves. Pop Video award (Crabbuckit) and Muchvibe Best Rap "I want to give as many Canadians the opportunity to be Video (). In his song "Rise Like The successful," Bailey once said. "And if we can use their Sun," K-OS speaks words of inspiration to the youth of athletic gifts to get them a free degree or a free diploma today, singing, "Now, I'm not a teacher / Just trying to reach across the border then I guess I'm doing my job." (See ya / I'll make you recognize / The sun will always rise." www.donovanbailey.com) (Visit www.k-osmusic.com)

Catch da Flava 7 March/April 2005 Shop Till You Drop Dead one bullet would change that young violent tendencies. They can address girl's family forever and scare the concern of gun violence by giving Torontonians into wondering, who's internal help and access to social serv- next? ices in order to stop a known or sus- pected gun user. Like any disease, to The reason why our concerns about prevent further deaths, we must famil- gunfire should be elevated is because iarize ourselves with the root causes. the nature of Toronto's violence has We can't afford to let this disease changed. There has been an increase spread--we need to find a cure. in the number of shots fired in public Strategies need to be put in place so places, and the perpetrators are getting that crime is not only punished but younger. The Boxing Day shooting prevented. I should add that the was blamed on ten to fifteen members Canadian Criminal Code has not of a gang, and the two men who were found the right treatment; many first- later detained were seventeen and time-offences involving firearms only twenty years old. This isn't surprising, get one year imprisonments. since you can't been all that wise if you execute a gun battle in the middle The other day, my friend said, "Oh Jane Creba lost her life to gang of the day, on the busiest shopping man, I wish I had a gun." Then like violence on December 26, 2005 day of the year, in the busiest shop- dominos, the group around us admit- think it's a day that Toronto finally ping district of downtown Toronto. ted the same wish. "Why?" I asked, lost its innocence," Detective Because Jane and Allison Creba not even expecting a good answer. ISergeant Savas Kyriacou said after (Jane's older sister) had many connec- "It's cool," they all agreed. "We can Jane Creba lost her life. "It was a trag- tions who were my own friends, I'm rob kids we don't like." ic loss and a tragic day." starting to worry that we'll know the next gunshot victim, too. All the while I'm thinking, grow up. After Boxing Day passed, researchers There's nothing cool about ending up grieved as they tallied up the number Public health models treat gun vio- with a gun in one hand, and your bul- of homicides in 2005: 78 , lence like a disease, spreading from let in the body lying in front of you. including a record 52 gun-related teen-to-teen, manifesting itself in sick There's nothing fun about watching deaths--almost twice as many as last but succulent images of a pistol wailing mothers at a funeral or the year. The latest life lost by gunshot named after one tough letter and num- makeshift memorials at the scene of was a fifteen-year-old girl who was a ber, held by a sex symbol with pouty the crime. But I, like everyone else, star student and athlete. Her very pho- red lips or a powerful and unforgiving keep mum until the next person dies. togenic picture was on every front gangster. It's entertaining to visualize page in Toronto's newsstands. You ourselves holding a handheld cannon could tell she was going to have a and the one-touch power to BANG! bright future. our problems away. But often, gun- users aren't the television prototypes; Last Boxing Day while she was shop- the reason why more and more people ping on Yonge Street with her family, on our streets are armed is because of Jane wandered into a gang-related social, economic, community and psy- crossfire that suddenly erupted. chological issues. The disease on the Although seven other people were streets of Toronto spreads quicker injured, only Jane was mortally through peer pressure and irrational wounded. It only took one bullet in anger. Some cases are uncontrollable, the upper torso for her to make the which is scary, but in other situations, By da Flava’s Bo San Chan, 19, long list of gun-related deaths. That friends and families can respond to SOLE School

Catch da Flava 8 March/April 2005 50 Cent Lyrics Promote Gun Violence in Toronto apper 50 Cent has caused con- rifying their gangsta lifestyle. increase his music sales dramatically. troversy over a nationwide He probably loves the buzz about Rbillboard promoting his debut His lyrics are offensive, this style is being banned. One point that has been movie Get Rich or Die Tryin'. sexist, his message is dangerous. To generally overlooked is that 50 has a Apparently the billboard, which shows tell you the truth, I don't even listen to CRIMINAL record, which limits 50 with his back to the camera and a 50 Cent anymore. His songs are filled cross-border travel. The real question gun in his hands, promotes gun vio- with self-indulgent stupidity, yet here is not "Should he be banned from lence. The film was attacked by com- young people are all for it and want to the country because of his lyrics?" but munity and religious groups for the do the same thing he does. Vast "Should he be allowed in the country violent message it sends to viewers. In amounts of money have been spent just because he is famous?" fact, the operator of the billboard was putting up billboards with 50 Cent eventually forced to remove it in holding a gun to advertise his new No one can say for sure why gun vio- many places in the States. There was movie. Thousands of dollars have lence has become an epidemic in this also intense criticism about the mes- been spent to market his album, to city. One thing that is certain is that sage that the 50 Cent album Get Rich make sexist videos, and propagate 50 our role models should be there to or Die Tryin' sends to young people; Cent clone artists. When record com- inspire us, not to instill violent some worried that teens would think panies hit a successful investment, thoughts in our minds. How many that the only important thing in life is they go all out no matter what the more people have to die before we to make money through any possible cost. They're not selling 50 Cent understand that death isn't cool? avenue, even if it meanslosing your because they care about his message life or winding up in prison. These or because they think he's a talented concerns have become increasingly musician. They're selling 50 Cent important in light of the rise in gun because he moves like Celine violence in Toronto. Last year, there Dion. For now, he's a safe investment. were 78 homicides in Toronto, 52 of But when he stops selling albums, them gun-related. This was the most he'll climb to the bottom of a long and recorded number of shootings in one growing list of has-beens. year in the city. Some people have talked about ban- The violence has escalated to the ning 50 Cent, but this is an unrealistic point where people are starting to arm solution. If you ban 50 Cent, you have themselves because they're worried to ban every artist who talks about that other people are armed and dan- pimping or drugs or women; essential- gerous. With the rising gun violence ly you will have to obliterate most of Omar Hassan, 17, Eastern Commerce in Toronto promoting more violence, the rap industry. Furthermore, just Collegiate Institute the last thing we need are rappers glo- talking about banning 50 Cent will Quick Facts About Guns Of the 2 million currently valid and 2005. unsafe firearm use and storage, firearms licences issued under -Reasons why firearms licence drug offences and providing false the Firearms Act, there are: applications have been refused or information. -5,570 Minors Licences licences revoked include: a histo- -16,554 firearms licences were ry of violence, mental illness, refused or revoked for public the applicant is a potential risk Source: http://www.cfc- ccaf.gc.ca/media/program_statistics/defa safety reasons between 1998 to himself, herself or others, ult_e.asp

Catch da Flava 9 March/April 2005 NO!! YES!! recently proposed FACE OFF riving is a privilege legislation for Should high school dropouts be and not a right. AOntario high school DThis is one of the students recommends that prohibited from getting their few proposals that I high school dropouts should driver’s license? applaud the government for be denied their driver’s thinking of. If you drop out licenses until they are eight- of school, it shows that you een years of age. Currently, are immature and incapable 30% of Ontario high school of being responsible. You students are dropping out shouldn't be allowed to before grade 12. Along with pick up the keys and jump this legislation, the govern- into the driver's seat. ment plans to add more co- op and apprenticeship pro- You are an adult when you grams to help keep "at-risk" are eighteen. You can open students in school. your own bank account when you are eighteen, you I strongly disagree with this can rent an apartment by legislation. First, it's a viola- yourself when you are tion of our freedom of eighteen, you can vote at choice. Many students who the age of eighteen. Why drop out of school do not do should you be able to drive so because they want to quit before you are eighteen? It school, but because of their just makes no sense! It living situations or other does make sense to stay in obligations (like economic school, and worry about issues or becoming a teen parent) that force them take time your marks--not the car keys or getting a job. out of their education. Education is important, and graduating from high school Revoking a youth's license not only handicaps their ability gives you more opportunities. Most of the kids who drop to attain future goals, but places an even greater burden on out of school get a car and drive to their jobs. Some people our province's resources. It gives Where do you stand on this issue? might say, "This is good…they those who drop out of school even might be supporting their fami- fewer employment opportunities, E-mail your thoughts lies." I say no it's not; you can and forces teen parents to become and comments to: help your family and yourself more dependent on government sup- [email protected] much better with a high school port. Denying a troubled youth their diploma. When you drop out of driver's license may even limit their access to community school and get a job, you are most likely working at a job resources or counselling that they need in order to function that you are going to hate, and in the end you sell yourself on a day-to-day basis within a school environment. short. The jobs that dropouts get usually have no room for advancement. Coercing youths to stay in school by threatening to take away unrelated privileges like driving is not the way to So, to conclude, this is a great proposal and it should pass actually keep them there. It is up to administrators and with flying colours. Dropouts shouldn't be given driving teachers to help students deal with their personal difficulties privileges; they should think about their careers--not a job while striving to attain their academic goals, rather than at Taco Bell or McDonald's (you want fries with that!?). punish those who are genuinely distressed.

By da Flava’s Angela Musceo, 20 By da Flava’s Emmanuel Kedini, 24

Catch da Flava 10 March/April 2005 Catch da Flava 11 March/April 2005 Regent Park Community of the Future tant family occasions to the beat of ethic rhythms, socialize to urban rap, relax to Mozart's classics and dance to global fusion.

A post-modern community with its variety of family-owned restaurants will provide ample opportunities for residents to cultivate an appreciation for foods from all around the world. Residents will be cheerful when the Canadian hockey team beats the Americans, and share in the celebra- tions and heartbreaks whoever wins the soccer World Cup.

A post-modern community will recog- nize the vital importance of our envi- Regent Park now ronment in shaping our quality of life. Residents will strive for "zero waste" ifty years ago, Regent Park was English. It is a community that is sup- and separate organics (green bin), considered the community of portive of multi-religious sentiments, recyclables (blue bin), repair and the future. Over time, however, but is secular in its values and belief F reuse, and reduce garbage wherever people's views about social housing, systems. In other words a post-modern possible. They will be thrilled to have architecture and design have changed. community recognizes our contempo- their community gardens, and buy On February 13, 2006 residents joined rary setting and values it. For from local farmers and garden shops. Mayor David Miller and officials from instance, the musical ears of a post- all levels of government to celebrate modern resident can celebrate impor- Continued on next page... the start of the reconstruction of Regent Park. Over the next ten to fif- teen years, Regent Park will be rebuilt brick by brick.

With the start of this redevelopment, Regent Park will once again strive to be the community of the future. The question is, what kind of community will Regent Park become?

From a personal prospective, it is my desire to see Regent Park evolve into an organic urban post-modern com- munity. What do I mean by this? To me a post-modern community is a community that is multi-ethnic, multi- cultural and multi-lingual, yet operates using the international language of Regent Park of the future?

Catch da Flava 12 March/April 2005 Going... Going... Gone! ...continued from last page dents themselves. "creative class" without losing respect They should be excited to live near for its working-class origins. Although Riverdale farm and the park. One day, In the old Regent Park, most people many residents will aspire to higher I hope the Don River will be restored would not chose to live here and mov- educational institutions and strive for to its former condition so that people ing out of Regent Park is a success occupations that offer high-income can plunge in for a swim. story that gets told in Toronto Star. salaries, we recognize that many will Those who remain are perceived as continue to work in factories, restau- Everyone will share their knowledge the unfortunate underclass in need of rants, and retail stores earning rela- in Wikipedia, and create media using sympathy. But in a post-modern tively modest wages. Regardless of free and open source software, and Regent Park that will no longer be the our income status, in a post-modern expertise offered through a local case. In a future Regent Park, families community we will meet together in multi-media center. They will regular- of all income levels will aspire to live, homes, our lobbies, cafes, parks and ly visit the neighbourhood performing play and work there. neighbourhood centres to discuss arts centre to see independent films or issues, learn and support each other participate in a community theatre A future Regent Park will not be a and to build a voluntary, participatory, performance or modern and traditional utopia or a commune created by a res- and a democratic Regent Park. A dance. They will also learn arts and ident group of middle-class intellectu- Regent Park that will be a community crafts from a multitude of traditions als. Rather, I hope it will be a com- of the future. munity with the sensibilities of the and masters, many of whom are resi- by Natkeeran L.K.

Scenes before and after the phase 1 demolition of Regent Park. All photos of the redevelopment in progress were provided by da Flava’s Tyrone MacLean-Wilson, Christian Muabi and Raymond Wilson.

Catch da Flava 13 March/April 2005 In Conversation With... Former Regent Park Residents Cathy Brennan and John Swindell

lmost everyone knows that didn't start looking bad till about the free. There weren't any community Regent Park will look radically seventies. centers in Regent Park; there was just Adifferent fifteen years from now. the K Club and the boxing club. But how many of us know what da Flava: What kind of things did Regent Park was like fifteen or even you used to do? Cathy: We used to have dances in twenty-five years ago? North Regent Park. Well, John Swindell and Where the swimming Cathy Brennan do. John pool is. Back in the six- and Cathy are two former ties there also used to be residents of Regent Park, dances downstairs at the and Catch da Flava's church on 40 Oak street. Tyronne MacLean-Wilson had the opportunity to find John: Phil and the out what this neighbour- Mighty Expressions were hood used to be like. like one of the first soul bands from Regent Park. da Flava: When did you It was a very fun place, live in Regent Park and Regent Park. There used what school did you to be a movie theatre on attend? Parliament and Dundas where the health center is Cathy: I moved to Regent now, called the "Gay Park on February 1st, 1957, Show." It was quite a dif- I was five years old. I was ferent word back then. Catholic so I went to St. Paul's on Queen Street. Cathy: It was about a quarter to get in. They John: I lived in Regent used to turn the movie Park from 1960 till about off if people were mak- 1972. I went to Spruce ing too much noise. Court and then I went to There was another movie Winchester. theater that was located north on Parliament clos- da Flava: How has Regent er to Gerrard. [To John] changed? Do you remember the Sip and Bite restaurant? Cathy Brennen and John Swindell reminisce about Regent Park. John: The ethnic mix is It used to be on Gerrard different. It was mostly white back not far from Parliament. That's where then. Now it’s all different cultures. John: Right here at 600 Dundas there we used to sit around listening to the The buildings look run down. It didn't used to be a boxing club and we used jukebox pretty much like the Happy used to look that way. to box. We didn't have anything like Days. There were no skating rinks but Regent Park Focus. Back then the K in the winter they'd ice where all the Cathy: Yes, the old Regent Park Club was our hero. They took us off grass was in the North Regent field seemed pretty clean…we had nice the streets. They used to take us to and we'd all go skating. flowers and a garden in the front. It picnics and to camps and it was all Continued on next page...

Catch da Flava 14 March/April 2005 ...continued from last page John: I disagree. In poor places where NEWS FROM THE da Flava: Did you feel safe living everyone is poor you don't feel shame. NEIGHBOURHOOD here? But when you go outside Regent Park and you start to compare yourself to John: Many people who didn't live other people, like those in here felt it was unsafe but we didn't Cabbagetown, you feel inadequate. leave the boundaries of Regent Park We need to bridge this gap so that very often so we felt safe here. We young Regent Parkers can see that knew hundreds of people, unlike other people can do very well coming out of neighborhoods where you know like here. You can be a doctor! Just twenty or thirty. If we ever had trouble because your parents aren't doctors TCHC ANNOUNCES we could get help very, very fast. doesn't mean you cannot become one DEVELOPER yourself. da Flava: There were no problems? Eleven companies responded Cathy: I didn't really ever feel bad John: There was racism. When we to Toronto Community about living in Regent Park. I didn't Housing RPF for a developer were young there weren't many people really leave the boundaries of Regent to oversee design and to build from other races--it was all white and Park till I turned sixteen. There was Irish. So the racism back then was no envy of the rich because we never the first phase of the Regent towards Italians. Italians to us were saw it. Back then all the surrounding Park. TCHC recently anyone from Europe with an accent. houses in Cabbagetown were run announced that the Daniel’s The things people said about Italians down but in Regent Park we had it Corporation has been select- were terrible. It was because they were pretty good; we had the newer houses. ed. Construction is scheduled different from us. Today they [Cabbagetown] have five- to start in the fall. hundered-thousand-dollar houses so it ______da Flava: What do you think about the might be different, but back then we redevelopment? never envied anyone. RP TENENT ELECTIONS John: I hope that the middle-class peo- da Flava: I understand that every year On April 11, 2006 from 12pm- ple are welcome here. Middle-class all the former residents of Regent Park people come from a broader prospec- and Cabbagetown come together. 7pm Regent Park residents tive. It is important to learn from these will head off to vote in the people that there are other ways of Cathy: Yes it's great to see everyone. I TCHC Tenent Rep Elections. doing things. I exploded because I did can't think of anybody that didn't For more information contact mix with other people outside of come out of Regent Park doing well. Karima at 416-981-4079. Regent Park. Just because you’re from ______Regent Park and you think you’re all John: Yes everyone did well. big and tough and don't need to listen to them--that's a form of "ism" like THE REGENT PARK racism. All "isms" are closing doors. NEIGHBOURHOOD INITIATIVE YOUTH Cathy: I'm not as optimistic about the COUNCIL IS RECRUITING revitalization of Regent Park. I moved NEW MEMBERS! into a co-op and had a lawyer next door to me. Guess he wasn't doing too well. To learn more about the Youth He wasn't too happy if somebody was Council, please contact Saida paying less rent. People didn't mix. You Mohamed at 416-981-6738 or stuck to people with your own inter- email ests. If you were a single mother you'd [email protected]. stick with the other single mothers--it didn't work. To me putting the poor with the rich didn't work. da Flava’s Tyrone MacLean-Wilson

Catch da Flava 15 March/April 2005 Global Struggles You Say You Want a Revolution An Insider's Look at the 2006 World Social Forum ou can stand almost anywhere in downtown Caracas, YVenezuela and be surrounded by graffiti. This graffiti reflects the political history of a country undergo- ing a revolution.

As in most Latin American countries, the legacy of European colonization in Venezuela has created a society where the divide between rich and poor is severely lopsided (almost 80% of Venezuelans live in poverty). Venezuela is a country undergoing a massive social transformation, and it is because of this that Venezuela's capital, Caracas, was one of the cities chosen to host the 2006 World Social Forum (WSF). The World Social Forum is a large-scale meeting of peo- ple involved in social movements excellent series of workshops featur- young people like myself) who are from around the world who come ing revolutionary activists from the actually changing the world around together to discuss how they can build poorest areas in Haiti, including a them. They are challenging large alternatives to the current world we woman involved in poor people's water companies who have tried to live in. struggles in Cité Soleil. These work- sell them their own water, they are shops allowed for an emotional and challenging brutal governments, and In Caracas, over 100,000 delegates passionate discussion where they are opposing Canadian and met to hold workshops, participate in Canadians and Latin Americans American military occupation in their each other's events and to discuss how agreed to challenge their governments countries. What they all ask of us they can work together to further and to advocate among their own peo- young Canadians is a daunting task: to social change. During the WSF, I had ple for solidarity with Jean Betrand confront our own government and the opportunity to share spaces and Aristide (the ousted democratically stand up for ourselves in the belly of conversations with revolutionaries elected leader of Haiti) and the the beast. Revolutions cannot survive from Haiti, Zapatista guerillas from Haitian struggle for freedom. Canada in countries like Venezuela without Mexico, landless workers from Brazil has played a key role in the occupa- activists in Canada and the United and hip-hop crews from Colombia. tion of Haiti, and during these meet- States doing their part to build revolu- Many of the discussions flowed onto ings Canadians and Haitians discussed tions in our countries as well. And the streets and into parks and clubs, strategies for building strong solidari- then…quite possibly…another world where folks would dance until day- ty among poor people's movements in will be possible. light while talking about political Canada and poor people's movements organizing in their local communities. in Haiti. by *Craig Fortier, 24

One particularly memorable event was The World Social Forum gave me an *Craig Fortier went to Venezuela from opportunity to meet exciting and January 19th to January 30th 2006 as part of hosted by the Canada Haiti Action a research project at Ryerson University which Network (CHAN), which put on an determined people (many of them set out to study the World Social Forum. Catch da Flava 16 March/April 2005 Toronto Centre-Rosedale

Catch da Flava 17 March/April 2005 Why TTC Fares Are Going Up...Yet Again increase by 2%. Due to the high price of oil, the increase will not cover the $2.7 million increase in diesel fuel. Fares are also being raised due to negotiated salaries. The TTC might be able boost ridership by providing more frequent transit service, but for this to happen, costs will increase much more.

Hopefully the commission will be able to meet the shortfall before April and the changes won't be put into place. For future reference, the city needs to make a real, long term-com- mitment to improve the quality of service and increase transit funding. s of April 1st TTC passengers to $99.75. Unless Ontario Premier You can't have a transit system with- will be asked to pay more to Dalton McGuinty chooses to intervene out proper service. Aride the rocket. Due to the to cover the commission's shortfall, Toronto City Council refusing to meet these changes will remain in place. the TTC's proposed budget, the com- mission has had to find some other "I feel frustrated and it's going to be way of healing the $16.5 million worse for my parents," says an anony- shortfall. The increased fare will pro- mous student from Jarvis Collegiate vide the same level of service, but bet- Institute. "It's going to be frustrating, ter service on key routes. because they're raising the fare and my parents have enough bills to worry TTC fares will increase from $2.50 to about. This just adds on to the stress!" $2.75, while tokens and tickets will increase from $2.00 to $2.10 each. Departments are all asked by the City By da Flava’s Gillian "Jubes" Metropasses will increase from $98.75 of Toronto to limit their subsidy Johnson, 16, Jarvis C.I. Wanna Produce Your Own Tracks For FREE?

Come check out the brand new underground music studio at the Regent Park Focus. Work with industry professionals and learn to mix, record and produce your own beats for FREE.

Where we’re at: 600 Dundas St. E (rear basement) How to reach us: Call 416-863-1074 Our website: www.catchdaflava.com

Catch da Flava 18 March/April 2005 My Home, My Igloo AH-HAH! I see them! Both within of tips on how to cope if you, too, live stretching distance, no less. This is a in an igloo: good day. 1. Make friends with people who have My housemates enjoy keeping our all-inclusive heating. I have found that house at a CRISP ten degrees. these individuals like to take full advantage of this privilege. Unfortunately when we were choosing rooms in July, I was the first to jump 2. Spend a lot of time in public build- on the biggest room with the biggest ings. I like this one. I credit my windows. This, it seems, was a big improvement in grades this year to the pay eighty dollars a month in heat- mistake. 100% increase in time spent at my ing bills to live in an igloo. Each HEATED university library. Imorning, under my two down I figure that the temperature of my comforters, I cherish my last few room, factoring in wind-chill, rests 3. On the chance that all your house- moments of warmth. But even as I lie around five degrees Celsius. When I mates are gone, spike the heating in bed I am not at ease, for I know mention this fact to my housemates, while you have the opportunity, but that soon I will have to leave the who must have genetic makeups simi- make sure you adjust it back before warmth of my fortress and venture lar to that of a polar bear, they casual- they find out. throughout my room and, beyond this, ly respond: "Just put on another jack- my house. et!" 4. Finally, I cannot stress enough the need for a good winter jacket and Before leaving the heat of my sheets, I And I do. boots. frantically survey my room for my winter jacket and boots. I have thereby devised this handy list by Ellen Mihailovich, 21, Trent University

POET’S CORNER -By Micheal Alperstein

White knuckles grasp a key Is joy found? Hurting, sinking, feeling

Slowly, the grip loosens not a key at all But a Temporary thought. Merely illusion. cold, merciless

The cause of suffering is in the hand, The tight grip

Freedom and joy are the loosened hand, outside the claw, yet within the body,the being

they are within reach of an open hand, the moral? Centered and peaceful is but a letting go

Catch da Flava 19 March/April 2005 The Choice Is Yours Throwing the Ultimate Party (Without Getting In Trouble) friends will. Because there is a good chance that new acquain- tances will never see you again after your get-together, they can get away with pretty much anything, since it can be very hard to track down unfamiliar guests. RSVP may sound stuck-up and old-fashioned, but at least it makes your guests more accountable for the peo- ple they bring, and lets you know how many people to expect.

2. Booze patrol. One of the best ways to prevent mishaps is to eliminate alcohol altogether. It increases aggression, makes people impulsive, puts them at risk for engaging in unsafe sex, and generally turns people stu- pid. Regardless, a lot of people Throwing a party? Don’t let this happen to you! believe that a party just ain't a party without booze. If you are our parents have gone out of and other unpleasant side-effects of an going to have alcohol, have a desig- town for the weekend and left otherwise great celebration. These tips nated sober person serve the drinks, Yyou in charge of the house. are not only for when your parents are and always offer non-alcoholic alter- The first thing your friends ask when out and you want to throw an illegal natives. This allows you to control they find out is, "Are you going to soiree, but for any occasion you how much people are drinking and throw a party?" And while you would choose to share with a lot of people. prevents people from getting access to love to host the biggest, baddest bash more alcohol when they're already to ever enter school history, you're 1. Know who's coming. Open invita- smashed. (In fact, if anyone is really hesitant to respond when you remem- tions are begging for disaster. When drunk, your "bartender" can lie and ber the debacles from the last few par- you allow everyone including your offer that person something non-alco- ties you've thrown, not to mention that cousin's sister-in-law's nephew's best holic to sober them up.) broken window you're still paying for friend to come to your house, you're from your allowance (who knew glass asking for trouble. As fun as it may be If you are going to do BYOB, you cost so much?). to have the place packed from base- can't really monitor how much alcohol ment to attic full of interesting people, your guests consume without being If you still insist on throwing a party, anyone who doesn't know you very perceived as a drink-Nazi. here are some helpful tips on how to well will not respect your rules or minimize or prevent property damage property as much as your closer Continued on page ... Catch da Flava 20 March/April 2005 ...continued from last page nate one or two rooms for guests to turn away guests that you don't know. sleep in if they need to wait till morn- Be honest with your friends. If you One thing you can do is provide small ing to go home. don't want more than twenty guests at cups; this makes people think that your party, let them know that they they've had more drinks than they 4. Party-proof your property. are limited to two guests each. Ask actually have, and may slow them Accidents happen, but they're less friends to help set up and clean up. down. You can also bar anyone who is devastating when they don't involve a Even though you want everyone to obviously already intoxicated from priceless figurine or your family's mingle and have a good time, it entering your home (after all, they cherished photo album. Remove shouldn't be at the expense of your may not remember the offence the breakables and valuables from your own enjoyment. next morning). Finally, always have party zone and lock them somewhere food available in different areas of the safe. It seems obvious, but a lot of Preparation is the key to a successful house where partygoers may be people don't even think about doing party. These are just a few pointers to lounging. People tend to get hungry this until it's too late. You can also get you started. Every party and every when they drink, and eating sobers section off rooms or floors that con- group of people are different, and it's them up. (Try not to have ultra salty tain important items, and limit your up to you as a good host to think snacks, though, because they will gathering to one or two rooms (this ahead and keep everybody (and your dehydrate people even more.) also contains the mess, making parents' china collection) safe. cleanup a lot easier). Finally, put a lot 3. Contingency plans. No matter how of garbage bags out; people will use careful you and your friends are, it is them if they see them. The minute one possible that a few of your guests will or two napkins end up on the floor, get totally inebriated. This is why it's you can be sure that more will follow important to invite designated drivers, (this has been scientifically proven). get a list of cab numbers, and gather some TTC tickets before the party to 5. Put your foot down. This is your offer guests later on if they need them. house. Don't get peer pressured into After all, car accidents caused by allowing something to happen that drunk driving is the number one cause will get you into trouble with your of death among people 16 to 24. As parents when they come home. If your the host of the party you can be held friends respect you, they will respect legally responsible for any alcohol- your rules. Don't be afraid to tell peo- By da Flava’s Bo Wen Chan, 22, related fatalities if you let your guests ple not to touch the Royal Doulton or University of Toronto drink. It's also a good idea to desig- One Ugly House Party n North Vancouver, BC a Saturday front door smashed in by a computer According to police the girl had night house party hosted by a 13- monitor, almost all the windows planned a small party with a few Iyear-old girl on February 25th around the home shattered, and walls friends, but the word just got out there ended with a stolen car, a hospital kicked in. Some of the home's furni- and people kept coming. visit and nearly $70,000 in damage. ture and electronics were also destroyed. The family's car, a 2005 Source: http://www.canada.com/van- Responding to complaints, police SUV, was also stolen. couversun/index.html found about 200 teens--most aged 13 to 14--partying and fighting. The host- The girl who hosted the party was ess, meanwhile, was unconscious. The supposed to be staying at her mom's girl was rushed to hospital with alco- house that night while her dad was out hol poisoning, along with another of town on business. The girl told her young man who had minor injuries mother she was going to a sleepover from a fight. at a friend's house but instead went to her dad's vacant house. Among the damages police found the Catch da Flava 21 March/April 2005 Catch da Flava 22 March/April 2005 Catch da Flava 23 March/April 2005 WHAT’S UP AT REGENT PARK FOCUS

YOUTH WEEK/ MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK

Look out for our next issue exploring youth mental health and mental illness with cool events happening over YOUTH WEEK/MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK May 1 - 5. Stay tuned to Catch da Flava, 88.1 on Tuesday nights throughout April to hear about events happening for YOUTH WEEK/MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK week in May!

STORYTELLING WORKSHOP/FESTIVAL working with Regent Park Focus to help help people develop and express their The Arts and Culture Committee of the stories in a variety of creative ways. Regent Park Neighbourhood Initiative This could include visual arts, dance, (RPNI) is sponsoring a Storytelling song, drama, media arts or a combina- Workshop Project in Regent Park this tion of any of these mediums. At the spring/summer. The title of the project beginning of July, we will be celebrating is Where We’re From and Where We’re and sharing our stories in a festival. Going: Stories from Regent Park. If you would like to find out more We all have tales to tell and this work- about telling your story or about this shop will provide you with the opportu- project, contact Bethany Osborne, nity to tell those stories. Artists Community Engagement Worker, RPNI Gabriella Caruso and Andy Moro from at 416-981-4771 or by email at Red Pepper Spectable Arts will be [email protected].

CATCH DA FLAVA MAGAZINE DIVA’S GIRLS GROUP Want to write for Toronto’s oldest youth news Enjoy movies, trips, discussions and crafts. publication? Come out to our weekly magazine Girls 11-14, Sundays from 2pm-4pm. meetings Tuesdays at 6:00pm at the Regent Park Focus to get assignments and share your PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES! ideas. Learn the basics of digital and darkroom pho- tography FREE! Sundays from 2pm-4pm, open BREAKDANCING to youth ages 13-18. After School Photography FREE classes for youth 14-18 Mondays 6pm- Program for youth under 13 years old on 7:30pm. Beginners welcome. Thursdays from 3:30pm-5:00pm. THE UNDERGROUND MUSIC STUDIO CATCH DA FLAVA RADIO Work with industry professionals and learn how Tune in to Catch da Flava Radio every Tuesday to mix, record and produce your own beats for at 7:30pm on CKLN 88.1FM to hear interviews free. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from with special guests and participate in heated 5:00pm-8:00pm. FREE to youth 13-18. debates about issues YOU care about. Want to be a radio host or learn how to tech? Come to REGENT PARK FOCUS the Regent Park Focus on Tuesdays at 6:00pm. 600 DUNDAS ST. E (REAR BASEMENT) (416) 863-1074