Filmstrip
Photo: Landscape of Memory by monkeyinfez
Once more my vision is warped
By an invisible force which does not exist.
No bars
No walls
No gaping chasms
To separate me from my dream.
Yet I am still separated from my dream.
Distanced from myself
Walled into myself
Afraid.
Afraid to step beyond what I can perceive.
Afraid to step beyond that I am deceived.
Afraid to step beyond what I think others think
Of me.
So I am boxed in
In a cage of film
Just watching the world go by.
How it ought to be
In my mind.
I rewind
I start over
I change what I want
To suit what I think others think I need.
Oh if I could only break through
This film strip in front me eyes!
The lies
The tales
My story
Their story.
And see for real
And live for real
What I know I need to do.
If only I could rip apart
This thin
Invisible
Non-existent barrier
That separates me from my dream.
I’ve seen it so many times
On this film strip
Played over
And over
And over again.
Until I sigh
For to me it’s just a movie.
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Marcus King
Born and raised in Barbados, Marcus King began writing at an early age and has found joy in developing thoughts and ideas into works of art. He has written frequently in The Edit magazine as a student at Glasgow Caledonian University and holds a BSc in Mathematics. He is currently pursuing an MSc in Risk Management. Blogs: The Silver Chair & From The Journal. Twitter: @gsucram
Eating Bajan in the Bay, or Tasting Home Far from Home
:: by A. Naomi Jackson ::
The best cure for spiritual exile is to go home. And so that’s what I did this spring break. Well, sort of. Instead of traveling to my ancestral home of Brooklyn, I went to California with two missions in mind: eat well and chill hard. My first stop was Oakland and Miss Ollie’s, a pan-Caribbean restaurant in that city’s slowly but surely gentrifying downtown corridor.
Growing up, eating out wasn’t a thing my family did. My parents cooked every night from a menu my father painstakingly typed and posted on the fridge each week. Saturday nights, my stepmother declared her kitchen closed for business. Those nights, we ate out from one of four places – the Chinese spot around the corner, the best pizza parlor this side of Nostrand Avenue where you could buy a slice with a subway token, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Danny & Pepper, the rightfully famous jerk chicken spot on Flatbush Avenue. Put simply, eating out was something that white people did, and something we did sparingly. Even then, eating out meant buying food and bringing it home to eat it together.
Sarah Kirnon chef/owner
The result of this relationship to home cooking is that I came to think (and still do) that my parents’ food was the best. And even though my assimilation has meant that I now enjoy eating out, I still look sideways at Caribbean restaurants. I make a few exceptions – Allan’s Bakery, the dueling Ali’s roti shops in Bed-Stuy and Flatbush. So when I heard about Sarah Kirnon’s experiments in Caribbean cooking in Oakland,from her partner (a dear friend of mine), I was both excited and suspicious. Given that Oakland is not exactly known for a bustling Caribbean community with a discerning palate to crown or refute champions of their cuisine, I wondered how this would go.
That said, my experience at Miss Ollie’s, named after Kirnon’s Bajan grandmother, did not disappoint. The first night, I ate pepperpot (oxtails included) and the most incredibly prepared ground provisions. I thought I’d been transported to the upper room when I bit into the fried chicken – perfectly crispy, piping hot, and with a burst of herbs cooked right into its flesh. It wouldn’t be saying too much to write that this was the best fried chicken I’ve ever had.
The next evening was an entirely different spread – perfectly sweetened bakes and saltfish (a take on the Trini staple buljol), fried plantains with garlic aioli, greens with just the right amount of bitterness and texture to make eating them seem the opposite of a chore, and the piece de resistance, rice and peas with freshly grated coconut.
The creole doughnuts at Miss Ollie’s I think, are something everyone should eat before they die. They had me wanting to kiss the cook. With the role of cook’s kisser taken, I decided to just take one more bite to solidify my gastric memory, and vow to never, ever forget the way I got to taste home so far away from my parents’ kitchen.
All Photographs, taken at Miss Ollie’s by Eric Wolfinger
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A. Naomi Jackson was born and raised in Brooklyn by West Indian parents. She is currently studying fiction at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She traveled to South Africa on a Fulbright scholarship, where she received an M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Cape Town. She is currently working on her first novel, Star Side of Bird Hill.
Toronto Link Up: Nayani Vathsaladevi-Thiyagarajah
The internet is a powerful space for building connections but nothing beats meeting in person. I am in Toronto preparing to present my research on cultural memory & the Grenada Revolution at a conference on Latin America and the Caribbean this Friday (more info). I’ve decided to spend extra time here connecting with my sister and my beautiful niece & nephew but also with some of the dynamic people who live here. Sharing the inspiration of these incredible change makers is crucial to me, so this “Toronto Link Up” mini-series will be the pathway for connecting you to their stories.
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After viewing the short film, Shadeism, and using it in a body image workshop at Camp Glow last summer, I was very excited to meet up with the creator Nayani Vathsaladevi-Thiyagarajah this morning. We shared our stories over much needed hot drinks at Rachel’s Coffee House on Yonge St. Nayani’s parents immigrated from Sri Lanka as refugees in the 80′s. Growing up in a city as culturally diverse as Toronto she describes her reality as one that is filled with many second mothers hailing from Jamaica to Somalia. Her own mom has spoken to this blessing by saying, ”You guys have come here and now you have family all over the world.” Nayani takes her love and responsibility to this global family seriously and has worked as part of a number of collective creation projects with youth, using art to make her communities stronger. She is a part of T-Dot Renaissance a collective of emerging and interdisciplinary artists, working and rooted in Toronto, hailing from all over the global south. In fact, the founder Amanda Parris is of Grenadian background (and is featured in Shadeism).
Artists of T-Dot Renaissance
Nayani pursing a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies at York University but has no ambition of being bogged down in academia. She is hands on and all about being the ground level and making an impact from there. I spoke about my work as a yoga teacher and the way I see it as a small act of revolution. This lead us to discuss the necessity of nurturing and healing on both individual and collective levels. Then she dug into her bag and pulled out a book that looked incredible, The Radical Doula Guide by Miriam Zoila Pérez. Whether through film, community art projects, potentially becoming a doula or a combination of these modalities, Nayani’s desire is to support women of color in honing their voices and trusting both their voices and their bodies again.
Support Nayani’s vision by donation and/or spreading the word about her campaign to make Shadeism into a feature length documentary. ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT!
Follow Shadeism
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Malaika Brooks-Smith-Lowe
Co-Founder Groundation Grenada
Malaika Brooks-Smith-Lowe is a Grenadian contemporary artist and activist. She is director of public Relations at The Grenada Goat Dairy Project. She is also co-founder of Spice Harmony Yoga Studio in Calivigny St.George, Grenada. Malaika is a certified yoga teacher, holds a BA in Studio Art from Smith College and is pursuing her MA in Cultural Studies through University of the West Indies.
Happy International Women’s Day!
As I sat down to create a post in honor of all of the dynamic women identified people of the world, this video by Arc Magazine popped up on my facebook newsfeed and the timing ended up being perfect. Vincentian co-founders Holly Bynoe and Nadia Huggins are incredible examples of woman who are making powerful change in the spirit of love and community. Arc is a non-profit biannual and online publication dedicated to contemporary Caribbean art. Arc emphasizes the undeniable connection between art and our societies. It foregrounds the ways that artists engage with our politics, hopes, fears, inequalities, desires and pleasures. I am a proud owner of the 1st three limited edition issues of Arc’s mind blowing print publication. I’m really looking forward to adding issues 4, 5 and 6 to my collection (late birthday presents definitely accepted). I’m also humbled to be feature as an emerging Caribbean artist in their July 2011 issue. Holly and Nadia are both personal inspirations of mine but in addition, their work through Arc inspires our vision for Groundation Grenada. We feel like a small part of a creative, critical thinking and compassionate movement in the region. Have a look at their latest video, it is a beautiful crafted homage to what Arc is and the artists it nurtures.
Happy International Women’s Day!
P.S. International Women’s Day Mixtape?!
International Women’s Day is an important day for many of us. It provides each of us with an opportunity to reflect on all the critical contributions women around the world have made. Acknowledging these contributions, and in the spirit of sisterhood and solidarity DJ Afifa and Amina Doherty, two other incredible women making waves in the Caribbean, have once again come together to co-create a compilation of music that honours the voices of some truly brilliant womyn artists. Get the FREE DOWNLOAD of the SO((U))LHERVERE mixtape at Follow Her Footsteps.
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Malaika Brooks-Smith-Lowe
Co-Founder Groundation Grenada
Malaika Brooks-Smith-Lowe is a Grenadian contemporary artist and activist. She is director of public Relations at The Grenada Goat Dairy Project. She is also co-founder of Spice Harmony Yoga Studio in Calivigny St.George, Grenada. Malaika is a certified yoga teacher, holds a BA in Studio Art from Smith College and is pursuing her MA in Cultural Studies through University of the West Indies.
Human Rights Discussion this Friday! (Postponed)
Our Co-founder, Richie Maitland, is Grenada’s freshest face on the Human Rights and Constitutional Law scene. He has published work about sexual minority/gender discrimination in the region and is a strong voice in the struggle against homophobia. Richie has been invited by the St. George’s University Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPHPM) to be a part of it’s first…
Human Rights Panel Discussion on Marginalized and Vulnerable Populations
DPHPM Conference Room
St. George’s University
Friday March 8, 2013
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Error of Repetition (Where are You?), 2011 by Titus Kaphar
This inaugural discussion will focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) health, stigma, rights, and violations in Grenada and around the world.
This event is open to the public and refreshments will be served.
Dr. Peter Gamache, a Visiting Professor from the Turnaround Achievement Network located in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA will facilitate the discussion. In terms of the format for the event, the first part of the discussion will focus on understanding the needs of the LGBT community, and the second would center on discussing the feasibility of next steps for research, advocacy, and policy by using structural change objectives.
We look forward to seeing you there on Friday! In the meantime, take in this music video for ”Minority” by award-winning Namibian acoustic soul artist, Shishani. Its smooth melody and straight forward lyrics are a call for justice and equality of all people regardless of differences.
How does migration affect you?
Labour Day – New York
by amataiclaudius (flickr)
You would be hard pressed to find a Caribbean person who doesn’t have family or friends who have migrated to another country or who hasn’t migrated themselves. So when we got word about this year’s United Nations (UN) World Youth Report (WYR) on Youth Migration and Development we chose to spread the word. There is a unique way for YOU to be involved! Keep reading to find out about this fresh opportunity to do small creative project that will actually make a big impact. This is also a great idea for teachers to consider sharing with their students. Comment & let us what you think and also tell us if you participate!
The World Youth Report seeks to offer a multidimensional account and/or perspective of the life experiences of young migrants and young people affected by migration. To learn more about it click here.
According to a UN report, young people represent a major proportion of those migrating annually given that in many cases, the age range 18 to 29 accounts for between 36 per cent and 57 per cent of international migrants.
The Report aims to highlight some of the concerns, challenges and successes experienced by young migrants and other young people affected by migration (i.e. including sons and daughters of migrants (second generation), young people left behind by migrant parents in countries of origin, return migrants,etc.), from their own perspectives, based on their own experience, and in their own voice.
Airport by marcovdz (flickr)
The survey is closed BUT the UN is inviting young people to contribute paintings, animations and photographs to the Report!
Submissions should highlight:
- The positive and negative impacts of international or internal migration, in a sending or a receiving country and how his has affected your family, your community, or, your country.
- You can address these through: a social and economic perspective (for instance, increased opportunities for young people, brain gain and remittances versus mass youth migration, brain drain and undocumented migration).
- What young people and youth organizations are doing to address the negative impacts of migration and also to enhance the benefits of youth migration in their communities or countries.
Send us your media contents to youth@un.org no later than 10 March 2013.
Photos
Photos submitted by participants should capture youth in migration or youth-left behind by migrant parents (in different places and under various conditions) in a creative and original manner. Young photographers are invited to focus specifically on migrant conditions, gender issues, discrimination, irregular migration processes, migration to cities, poverty and its linkages with migration, among other issues. You can also send us photos that illustrate young people taking action on migration and development issues. Please email your photos to youth@un.org with the subject line: UN World Youth Report – Photos.
Illustrated Front Cover
This is a challenge for a great young artist or illustrator: we are looking for a really striking image that reflects the theme of youth migration; use your imagination to create an image that will make others understand how young people are affected by migration and why migration is an issue of concern for young people. Please email your submissions to youth@un.org with the subject line: UN World Youth Report – Illustrated Front Cover
Our first official Maroon Retreat!
Malaika & Mimi Chiq talking about Maroon Retreats on Chit Chat talk show.
After a trial run last year we are excited to officially announce and offer you Maroon Retreats, Groundation’s collaboration with Chiq Haven! These retreats are designed to bring people together in a spirit of collective growth. Our vision is to create spaces for the people of our beautiful country to nurture themselves and connect with others that, perhaps, they may not have connected with otherwise. Everyone is welcome so we already have a variety of visitors and primarily local residents registered.
Mimi Chiq, the founder of Chiq Haven, is a certified massage therapist and our co-founder, Malaika Brooks-Smith-Lowe, is a certified yoga instructor. Together they, and the teams that they gather for each retreat, will offer a rich experience that is affordable and full of positive vibrations. It is a movement of positivity really.
Nuff said for now because we only have 7 spots left for this Sunday’s Maroon Retreat at Mango Bay Cottages in Woodford, St.John! We are so thrilled to be linked up with Mango Bay for this, owners Syisha & Peggy Williams have a holistic vision that is in sync with what we are aiming for. For little more than the cost of a full body massage, see what you get at Maroon Retreat below. Consider joining us this Sunday. We would love to connect with you.
P.S. Why “Maroon”? Well Maroons were people who ran away from enslavement and created self-sufficient societies particularly in places like Jamaica and Guyana, which had the vast mountains to secure them. In Grenada, the concept of Maroon evolved to refer to a spirit of people coming together in a village effort to get things done. So for instance, someone might hold a maroon to build a fence around there house inviting people to lend their time to the effort. In situations like this there is often a communal pot being cooked and drinks to share so it is both productive and social. It is in this spirit of community that we bring you Maroon Retreats.
