CTNov08.qxd 11/9/08 1:28 AM Page 1 PRESORTED NOVEMBER 2008 STANDARD ® U.S. POSTAGE PAID MIAMI, FL PERMIT NO. 7315 Tel: (305) 238-2868 1-800-605-7516 [email protected] [email protected] W e cover your world Vol. 19 No. 12 Jamaica: 654-7282 THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING NEWS MAGAZINE Grenadian sociologist Claude Douglas argues that the Caribbean’s attitude to homosexuality is changing and tolerance has increased significantly. He blames that partly on America’s cultural invasion of the Caribbean, page 8. ~ Democrat Barack Obama is elected president of the United States, the How does first African American to hold the Caribbean nation’s highest office, ending visual and lit- erary art eight years of Republican shape cultural White House rule under identity? Is George W. Bush and there artistic offering hope to Caribbean value in people in the U.S. and the Jamaican region, page 3. dancehall? Is skin bleaching and hair straight- ening forms of artistic expres- sion? These and other questions were explored by critic and writer Annie Paul at a sympo- sium in Miami, page 17. Former sprint World Champion Lauryn Williams, of the United States, believes the prolonged backlash against Jamaica’s successful outing at the recent Olympic Games is totally unjust, page 19. CALL CARIBBEAN TODAY DIRECT FROM JAMAICA 655-1479 INSIDE News . .2 Local/FYI . .11 Business . .16 Health . .22 Feature . .7 Caribbean Foods . .12 Arts/Entertainment .17 Region/Politics . .23 Viewpoint . .9 Tourism/Travel . .15 Sport . .19 CTNov08.qxd 11/9/08 1:28 AM Page 2 2 CARIBBEAN TODAY November 2008 www.caribbeantoday.com NEWS President Préval calls for U.S. Grenada’s P.M.meets Bush WASHINGTON – Grenada’s a matter we are going to fol- Prime Minister Tillman low up on,” he said. to end deportations to Haiti Thomas last month held talks with United States President CRISIS MIAMI – Haitian President Préval told the Americas Meek, who last month led a George W. Bush, with trade, The meeting also touched René Préval has reiterated his Conference in Coral Gables, delegation of U.S. legislators on security and climate change on the current global financial fervent appeal to United Florida last month. a fact-finding mission to Haiti, foremost among their con- crisis, in particular high food States President George W. Préval said while he had said it was unconscionable that cerns. and fuel costs with Bush Bush to grant temporary pro- personally told Bush about his the White House had continued “We are not only neigh- inquiring after the welfare of tected status (TPS) to Haitians deep concerns, he will again to deport Haitians while the bors but we share a common ordinary Grenadians. living illegally in the U.S. write him on country suffers. tradition, so we are concerned Overall, Thomas, who is Préval’s call came at a the matter. “It’s gone far beyond rea- about the security of the the current chairman of the time when the French-speak- son for the administration not region, trade and climate Organization of Eastern ing Caribbean country faces a PUSH to give Haiti some relief,” he change,” said Thomas after Caribbean States (OECS), massive task to rebuild in the Two said. meeting with the president for characterized the day’s delib- aftermath of a series of deadly Florida Meek, who represents just about half an hour at the erations as “interesting” and storms, which killed nearly Democratic Miami, said Haiti “over-quali- White House. said he looked forward to 800 people and also destroyed congressmen fies” for TPS, bestowed when Thomas, who recently strengthening and deepening homes, crops and infrastruc- have been the U.S. government deter- took over the leadership reins of the relationship between ture. It also came against the pushing the mines eligible nationals are Préval in Grenada also used the the U.S. and the Caribbean. backdrop of a recent decision Bush adminis- temporarily unable to safely opportunity to appeal to the It was Thomas’s first visit by U.S. immigration officials tration to per- return to their home country U.S. president, who demits to Washington since he led to temporarily halt the depor- manently cease deportation because of ongoing conflicts, office in January next year, for his National Democratic tation of Haitians. of Haitians because of the environmental disasters or support in the restoration of Congress to victory in general Préval cautioned against a hardship being experienced other “extraordinary and tem- his country’s centuries-old elections on July 8, defeating resumption of deportations in the impoverished country. porary conditions.” Parliament building that was the Keith Mitchell-led New because of the economic chal- Kendrick Meek and Alcee L. Hastings, who represents destroyed by Hurricane Ivan National Party that had gov- lenges faced by Port-au-Prince. Hastings, strong Haitian advo- the city of Miramar, outside in 2004. erned the island since 1995. “This is a chance for the cates, have assailed the admin- Miami, said, in his letter to “I regard that as a very In March, the newly elect- U.S. administration to put in istration’s policy on Haiti, stat- Bush, that Haiti can “hardly important institution within ed leaders of The Bahamas, place for Haitians, the tempo- ing that Haitians have, for too sustain the lives of those cur- the democratic system and it Barbados and Belize also met rary protected status that has long, been victimized by rently living within its borders.” seems as if President Bush with the U.S. leader. already been granted to other Washington’s “double stan- sees it as a priority too, so it is countries in the region,” dard” immigration policies. ® ® Haitian strongman jailed Jamaican-born pilot helps Miami for fraud in New York students ‘Build and Soar’ NEW YORK – A United “This case, while serious JUDITH HUDSON city youth and minority stu- Kenneth Mack, 15, also States court has sentenced for- in and of itself, takes on an dents to pursue careers in avi- from Norland, agreed that mer Haitian paramilitary leader added resonance given the ation and aerospace. hard work paid off. Emmanuel Constant to up to current global financial crisis,” Gentle, quiet, always ready to help,” Clovealy “We had an open door “It was hard work putting 37 years in prison for his role in he said. policy,” Irving said of the stu- the plane together,” Mack a mortgage fraud scheme in “While the defendant and “Irving beamed with pride as she described her son. said. “We stopped and rested, New York that bilked lenders his confederates cannot be but we continued until it was out of more than $1 million. held accountable for the Her words rang true as Barrington Irving gladly finished.” In his sentencing remarks nationwide economic melt- Irving has no plans to go late last month, Justice down and the foreclosure cri- stopped to take pictures with anyone who asked. He around the world, at least not Abraham G. Gerges, of the sis, this scheme, and others on another solo flight. Instead, State Supreme Court in like it, have played a role in indulged the young mother screaming out from the crowd he dreams of working with at- Brooklyn, linked Constant to the situation.” risk children. He wants them the American foreclosure cri- Constant’s lawyer Samuel that her son wanted to meet him, and the teacher speaking to know that they can accom- sis and the current global eco- Karliner planned to appeal. plish whatever they desire. nomic turmoil. on behalf of her mentally- ® challenged students who des- “I want them to look at perately wanted to take a pic- me and realize that if I can ture with their hero. achieve my dream, they can It was only a year ago that too,” he said. the 24-year-old Irving made his- His mission will also take tory as he circled the globe in a him to Jamaica where youths single-engine aircraft. Not only there will be able to share in was he the youngest person to Irving his vision. achieve that feat, but Irving was “My dreams started when also the only Jamaican-born dents. “We weren’t interested I met a Jamaican pilot named African American to do so. in their past, just what they Gary Robinson,” Irving No wonder, therefore, that wanted to do now and in the remembered. “He asked me on Oct. 16, thousands con- future.” if I wanted to be a pilot; if it verged at the Opa-Locka weren’t for him I would not be Airport in South Florida to HARD WORK here today.” celebrate another of Irving’s The students appear will- Miami Commissioner achievements – building a sin- ing to go along. Thomas Barbara J. Jordan, said gle-engine plane in 10 weeks Nelson, a 15-year-old from Irving’s speech and manner- with the help of 60 students Norland who helped build the ism make him seem much from Norland and Carol City plane, said he always wanted older than in his 20s. high schools. This time Irving’s to be a pilot. “He is an inspiration just flight was not around the “Hard work will pay off,” like the plane said,” Jordan world, but around the airport, he said. “Barrington is the exclaimed. showcasing their creation. greatest person now in avia- The students were select- tion, and to get the opportuni- Judith Hudson is a freelance ed as a part of Irving’s “Build ty to work with him was great. writer for Caribbean Today. and Soar” aviation program I hope that I get to work with designed to encourage inner- him next year.” ® CTNov08.qxd 11/9/08 1:28 AM Page 3 November 2008 CARIBBEAN TODAY 3 NEWS www.caribbeantoday.com Obama whips McCain, sweeps into U.S.