www.TheCaribbeanCamera.com February 14, 2019 ISSUE NO: 29/41 TEL: 416.412.2905 FAX: 416.412.3605 Tribute to Miss Lou BOONOONOONOS BRUNCH: Dr. Sylvanus Thompson, a member of the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board, is surrounded by members of a dance troupe which performed at the annual Boonoonoonos brunch organized by the Jamaican Canadian Association in Toronto. It was held to celebrate Black History Month with a special tribute to the late Louise Bennett-Coverley, affectionately known as Miss Lou, who has been described as the Mother of Jamaican culture. This year marks the 100th anniversary of her birth. The brunch was held at the Jamaican Canadian Centre last Sunday. There is always Two Black Canadian Racism on something cooking singers win the Hill in Nevis Grammy Awards Page 3 Page 8 Page 10 www.thecaribbeancamera.com THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA Thursday, February 14, 2019 1 2 THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA Thursday, February 14, 2019 www.thecaribbeancamera.com NEWS Parliamentary Protec- quoted as saying that tive Services about the “ this incident is one Cries of racism on the Hill incident, according to a example in a larger n official in- Liberal MPs Greg news release from the picture of anti-Black vestigation has Fergus (Hull-Aylmer) FBC. racism in Canada Abeen launched who heads the feder- Senator Bernard is Turn to PAGE 12 into what angry Black al Black caucus, and Canadians across the Andy Fillmore (Halifax) country have described asked Speaker of the as an incident of racial House Geoff Regan to profiling on Parliament investigate it. Hill. Many have con- “This place be- demned it as anti-Black longs to all Canadians,” racism. Fergus said. “Therefore, The incident hap- Len Carby Greg Fergus I ask you to investigate pened two Mondays ago their meetings with the this matter immediately inside the Parliament ministers. and to suggest mea- building as a large In a statement sures to make this place group of Black people last Thursday, FBC the welcoming and from various cities and spokesman Len Carby open place it should be towns in Canada were said that, according for all Canadians.” waiting to meet several to people involved, a Regan responded government ministers security guard respond- that he takes the matter for scheduled discus- ed to a complaint from “very seriously,” and sions. a government employee promised to look into it. Just the day before, who had been taking Nova Scotian Sen- members of that group pictures of the attend- ator Wanda Thomas had attended the clos- Wanda Bernard ees. Bernard, who is leading ing session of the Na- According to re- “He responded by a Senate inquiry into tional Black Canadians ports the Black gath- labelling the delegates anti-Black racism, has summit held February ering, which included ‘dark-skinned’ and since sent an offi- 1-3 last at the National many young people telling them to leave, cial complaint to the Arts Centre where the from different parts of even though estab- implementation of the the country, were not lished regulations allow Canadian Strategic Plan acting in a disorderly civilians with the appro- for the International manner or causing priate pass to be in that Decade for People of any disturbance as space,” Carby said. African Descent: (2017- they waited to meet the The FBC said it has 2024) was discussed. ministers. requested a meeting And before leaving The Federation of with Prime Minister Ottawa to return home, Black Canadians (FBC), Justin Trudeau as it on Monday February 4 one of the groups which seeks a “formal com- last, they were to meet had organized the sum- mitment to end racial with eight government mit, said several partic- profiling at the federal ministers during what ipants in the “lobbying level.” they called “Black Voic- event,” were asked to And the matter was es on the Hill lobby wait in a parliamenta- raised in the House of day.” ry cafeteria ahead of Commons. www.thecaribbeancamera.com THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA Thursday, February 14, 2019 3 NEWS Proposal for child care at Brampton City Council meetings Brampton City city.” easier to have their voic- to make the cost worth- shortly. Councillor Charmaine Councillor Williams es heard in the council while. “I cannot agree with Williams would like to who is the mother of chambers. “I really haven’t the figure put forward by see parents attending five children, said she However, there was heard too much about city staff. I think when and taking an interest in knows the challenges some opposition to the parents not being able to we go back and look at council meetings. that Brampton residents proposal when city staff come to council because more cost effective ways, And towards this face and understand the reported that providing of a lack of child care, “ we’ll come up with a end, she has proposed need to “build a better child care during council he said. good solution for our that city staff find a way Brampton for all fami- meetings would cost Councillors have city,” Councillor Wil- to provide cost-effective lies, seniors and small as much as $38,000 since asked city staff liams told the Caribbean child care during the Charmaine Williams business owners.” per year, or $1,000 per to explore the option of Camera. meetings. “I think it’s import- She said that her session. partnering with local “ I do not think the “We need to build ant that we as a city proposal has received One Brampton YMCAs to help reduce cost should be more bridges to democracy break down any barriers favourable response from City Councillor, Gur- costs. than what my husband and we need to encour- that prevent families some councillors and preet Singh Dhillon, A new report with and I would have to pay age families to partic- from participating in all that she has heard from expressed concern that respect to the child care when go out for a night ipate in municipal af- of this — the decisions constituents who have the program wouldn’t proposal is expected to and hire child care,” she fairs,” she said. that we make here in the said that they wish it was generate enough interest be brought before council added. ‘Youth level up’ to be launched in Toronto on February 23 By Lincoln DePradine “innovators and risk-tak- Experience’’. operates Performance who runs his own suc- new event on this ers’’. It will be held on Plus One Incorporated. cessful youth program’’. year’s Black His- “I also hope that it Saturday, February 23, The full-day event is The Greater Toronto tory Month cal- inspires them to become starting 9 a.m., at The targeting youth ages 12 – Area, said Neysmith, is A positive role models in endar is a youth-focused YMCA, 20 Grosvenor 19. However, Neysmith “brimming’’ with youth gathering in Toronto that their respective commu- Street, in Toronto. said parents, guardians talent. chief organizer and host, nities,’’ said Neysmith, “I would like to make and other adults are “Sometimes they Claudene Neysmith Claudene Neysmith, says who is responsible this an annual event,’’ also being invited to be just need a little glimpse is designed to inspire putting together “Youth said Neysmith, a Howard exposed to “five dynamic into what their future of self, to set a path to young people to be Level Up – A Leadership University graduate, who entrepreneur speakers can be. They need to see success, happiness and and several volunteers’’ where their principles, ultimately to have the that include a filmmaker, goals and ideas can take ability to give back to a model, a DJ entertain- them,’’ she said. their community. This ment company owner, a “Youth need vi- event offers that open sports manager, a “well- sion, goals and mentors door to our youth.’’ known Spoken Word who know what it is to For advance regis- Poet-Hip-Hopreneur’’, aspire to be yourself and tration, visit eventbrite. and a “community leader inspired by that sense ca 4 THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA Thursday, February 14, 2019 www.thecaribbeancamera.com NEWS Activists in the Black community talk about personal risks By Lincoln DePradine ism are not for everyone. Steele’s fellow panel- eople who act on You have to have a con- ists were BLM-Toronto’s behalf of the Black crete stomach to go into Hudson; lawyer and ac- community as the cesspool of cleaning tivist, Anthony Morgan; P up some of the stuff that and activist and journal- social activists, have de- scribed a life of personal has been happening to ist, Desmond Cole. risks that impact on us,’’ said Valerie Steele, Morgan and Cole health and careers. who was a panelist for related their concern “Social activism is Saturday’s discussion for family members as really hard and its really on “Black Leadership & they go about their social risky,’’ Sandra Hudson, Social Activism’’. activism work. co-founder of Black Lives Another panel on Cole said he also Matter (BLM) – Toron- Saturday addressed the has received threats on to, told participants at topic, “Black Leadership his life, with his work a two-day Black Histo- & Partisan Politics’’. not allowing him to be ry Month symposium Steele, a community “sleeping as I should, not at York University in organizer and longtime eating as I should, not Toronto. member of the Black resting when I should. Jean Augustine in discussion with (l-r) Desmond Cole, Sandra Hudson, Prof. Carl James, Valerie Steele and Anthony Morgan “Black Leadership, Action Defense Commit- I’m a freelancer and so Partisan Politics & Social tee (BADC), said she has it feels like every day is a Activism’’ was the theme her “battle scars to show’’ work day’’.