Caribbean Perspectives: The Flight of the Phoenix

7/28/2019 Caribbean Perspectives: The Flight of the Phoenix

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Table of ContentsPresident's Address pg 3Whos who of CSA (E

-Board)? pg 4Whos who of CSA (Interns)? pg 5

Culture Night 2013: The Flight of thePhoenix pg 6-9

City of God pg 10

Ill Concepts of a Caribbean Womanpg 11

Pum Pum Tun Up & the Commoditi-zation of Our Women pg 12

Transforming Our History pg 13

The Immortality of the CaribbeanHousehold pg 14

The Way of the Warrior pg 15

Forward Home: The Power of theCaribbean Diaspora pg 16

From the Ashes of My Ancestors pg17

The Birth of an Olympic Legend pg18

The Beauty of a Place Not Traveledpg 19

Caribbean Girl pg 20

CSAs Soca Mix pg 21

A Love Letter for a CaribbeanWoman pg 22

What You May Not Have Heard pg23

Celebrating 35 Years of Excellencepg 24-25

CSA Cares Initiative pg 26

Spring into Action pg 27

Editors Address

Founded in 1977, the Caribbean Student Associa on

begun last semester by celebra ng our 35th birthday. Thirty -ve years of being an SA chartered organiza on. Thirty - ve

years of Caribbean events on Binghamton Universitys campus.thirty - ve years of poli cal ac vism. Thirty - ve years of com-munity service. And thirty - ve years of educa onal and recrea-

onal general body mee ngs. To sum it all up, 35 Years of Ex-

cellence! And a er looking back at all the things CSA has done,Im looking forward to the next 35 years.

It is with great pleasure that I bring you this edi on of Caribbean Perspec ves. Mirrored a er the theme for our 32nd

Annual Culture Night, this issue of Perspec ves, The Flight of the Phoenix , is designed to highlight the death, rebirth, and lifeof the Caribbean. It will also highlight the various legacies that

Caribbean countries have le behind.

I encourage you to ip through the pages of this publi-ca on and immerse yourself in the rich culture and tradi onsof the Caribbean. Allow yourself to take a journey on The Flight

of the Phoenix .

One Love,

Alicia Johnson

Poli cal Coordinator


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Presidents Address Dear Reader,

If you are reading this, you have taken the time to review our latest edition of Caribbean Perspectives. Thank you. The

executive board has been working tirelessly to ensure the timely completion of this publication and successful execu-

tion of Culture Night. It gives me great pride in knowing that we have accomplished both. The Caribbean Student Asso-

ciation at Binghamton University would like to thank everyone who attended Culture Night featuring Caribbean Queen:

The Flight of the Phoenix. With each event hosted by our organization, we hope that all in attendance leave with a

greater appreciation for our rich and diverse culture. Our deepest gratitude is extended to Shannon, Sasha, Sharix, Ra-

dairis, Nikita, Melissa, Ashley, Gabriella, & Danielle: the nine beautiful women who participated in Caribbean Queen,

making this the most diverse pageant in our history. A special thanks also belongs to the amazing performers, judges,

interns, volunteers, host, and photographer and make up artist, who helped make the event a success. I cannot conclude

without acknowledging Miss Nickesha Kelly, CSA alumnus and pageant coach extraordinaire. Your commitment anddedication to CSA throughout the years is something we all find extremely admirable.

The Flight of the Phoenix is a constant reminder that out current incarnation is a path of ex-

pansion and growth. It is also a reminder that our journey is an infinite adventure in which we

can decide at any time, that our old self has completed its cycle of usefulness. Once we decide

to leave our old selves behind, we simply need to follow the example of the Phoenix: immerse

ourselves in the spiritual fire of sacrifice and transformation and use the ashes of our old self

to create the new person we are destined to become. The Flight of the Phoenix was not only

the theme of this years Culture Night; it is also reflective of a transformation among my own

executive board. Death. Transformation. Renewal. We have endured and overcome innumer-

ous obstacles since our inception. We have learned invaluable lessons along the way and mov-

ing forward, will use our experiences to preserve the legacy of our prestigious organization. .

The phoenix is the only creature known to rise from its own ashes, and can simply be inter-

preted to mean that the end is only the beginning. T hank you for your continued support. We

have only just celebrated 35 years of excellence, and look forward to another 35 years of lon-

gevity. Please be on the lookout for all that we have in store for the remainder of the semester.

In Strength, Unity & Resistance,

Crystal Peters

President 2012 -2013
https://www.facebook.com/events/326293724157089/?group_id=0https://www.facebook.com/events/326293724157089/?group_id=0https://www.facebook.com/events/326293724157089/?group_id=0https://www.facebook.com/events/326293724157089/?group_id=0


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Whos who of CSA? Meet the 2012-2013 Executive Board

President Crystal Peters Vice President Shaloma Wagstaffe

Treasurer Dajion Grant Political Coordinator Alicia Johnson


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Danielle Ramkissoon Krysten Barnes

Cerisse Need Kyle Hodge

Whos who of CSA? Meet the 2012-2013 CSA Interns

Javon Venzen


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Culture Night featuring Caribbean Queen:The Flight of the Phoenix

Name: Shannon SpearingYear: Junior Major: Africana Studies & History Country: An gua & Barbuda Legacy: The beach is an signi cant aspect of An guan life. So splendid,so exo c that we were sure to engrave it on our ag. The red symboliz-es the blood shed from our enslaved forefathers. The blue symbolizes

hope; the black represents the soil and our proud African heritage. Theseven Point Golden sun represents the dawn of a new era and nallythe V represents our Victory from Bri sh colonial rule and our recentemergence as an independent na on. When proudly holding our agwe are able to express our pride, love and recogni on of our struggles,victories, and the beauty of our wondrous country.

Our 32nd Annual Culture Night was bigger and be er than ever! There were nine contestants repre-sen ng nine di erent Caribbean countries, ne Caribbean cuisine, student performances, and a theatri-

cal produc on. We celebrated our 35th year of being an SA chartered organiza on in style!

Introducing the nine contestants who competed for the tle of Caribbean Queen:

Name: Sasha Powell

Year: Junior

Major: Socio Cultural Anthropology w/ a minor in Global Studies & Theater

Country: Barbados

Legacy: Barbados is one of the wealthiest countries in the Caribbean; in fact

were the 51 st richest country in the world. Yes were rich, but we arent justrich in money, were rich in culture. It is easy for Caribbean Islands to lose

tradi on by becoming Americanized but we s ll embrace one of our richest

cultural iden es, crop over.

Name: Sharix Alicea

Year: Freshman

Major: PPL & Psyschology w/ a minor in Socio -Cultural Anthropology Country: Cuba

Legacy: Cubas legacy lies in that of revolu on and change through

combina on of the past and present. Chris na Milian, Gloria Estefan,

Ana Cris na, Pitbull, and Celia Cruz as well as dozens of other famous

Cuban musicians are the last legacy of the Cuban musical revolu on.

The con nuous produc on and mixing of Cuban music through thesear st are what will con nue this legacy for decades to come.


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Name: Radairis Diaz

Year: Junior

Major: PPL & Human Development

Country: Dominican Republic

Legacy: Most people know the Dominican Republic for its tourism andsites. But the country is more than just a rac ons. The Dominican Re-

public was the rst city to be found in the New World. It was the path-way that lead the way to every other island that was discovered. The Do-

minican Republic is a country of rsts! It is home to the rst cathedral inthe New World, Santa Maria La Menor; the rst monastery; the

rst hospital; the rst university; the rst military fortress; and therst courthouse.

Name: Melissa Trejo

Year: Sophomore

Major: PsychologyCountry: Hai

Legacy: Hai is the rst independent na on in the Caribbean andthe rst black republic in the world. Its o cial language is French,

but the people mainly speak creole. It was once considered the dia-

mond of the Caribbean because it was rich in resources.

Name: Nikita Felix Year: Senior

Major: Sociology

Legacy: It's not that Guyana doesn't have the Bobby Seals, the

Mar n Luther or Malcom X . We are rarely given the chance to

show what greatness lies within our na on. Walter Rodney wasamongst the few who stood up against poli cal and social ine-quality and he came from my country - Guyana - bringing poli caluproar and awareness throughout Jamaica, Guyana, Guinea and

here at Binghamton University.


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Name: Gabriella Layne

Year: Junior

Major: English with a concentra on in Global Studies PPL & Psychology w/ a

minor in Socio -Cultural Anthropology

Country: St. Vincent

Legacy: What I admire most about my Caribbean country, is what truly makes it

di erent from the rest. Our ability to maintain tradi onal and moralis c values

in an era that has lost this essence. Ins lling the importance of generosity, as

well as familial and community structure, are the humbling and rewarding lega-

cies of my country that truly make me a proud Vincen an. These are the uniqueaspects of my country that I would like to see con nue, the core of its values

and richness that should never change. Part of the legacy that I would like to

see employed in my country, is the con nuance of prosperity in these areas

that are implicit to its iden ty and virtue.

Name: Danielle RamkissoonYear: Freshman

Major: Electrical Engineering

Country: Trinidad & Tobago

Legacy: On the 26 th of May 2010, Kamla Persad Bissessar was elected asthe rst female Prime Minister, and since then the country has made a

turn for the be er. She has broken gender barriers within the country

proving that it is possible for a trini woman to be successful. Her powerful,

triumphant voice ar culated that we will build on our collec ve strength

and character and every one of us will rise. She insists that noone , woman, man nor child, will be le behind while she is in power. Kam-la has encouraged many females in the country to strive to achieve greaterthings in life, to go against ALLstereotypes and become who they wish tobecome, the very essence of this year's theme.

Name: Ashley Mitchell

Year: Freshman

Major: Psychology

Country: Jamaica

Legacy: In recent years, we have transi oned from our rich cultured entertainment to

focusing on making more dancehall and less cultural reggae music. It may be due to our

current mindset that this is all that is expected from Jamaica. We have fooled ourselvesin thinking people just want to hear dancehall, so it is the only thing we can produce.

Jamaica has evolved from every obstacle we have faced as a country. I don't want Jamai-

can music to evolve to a point where it no longer re ects our roots, our past, our histo-

ry. It's more than feel -good music. It's the music that calmed the riot. I want to see Ja-maica liberate itself from this mindset. I want a Jamaica where the ar sts incorporate

the roots of Jamaican music. We can remove all boundaries of stereotype and exploit

the cultural resources that God as well as history has placed at the feet of the unique

island of Jamaica.


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And Miss Caribbean Queen 2013 is:


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Sta s cs

Close to 220 children and adolescents under 18 years of age, die every day of domes c violence that means 80 -thousand children a year In Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean the annual reported incidence of HIV is three to six meshigher in women aged 1524 than in men In La n America and the Caribbean, some 35 million children between 3 to 18 years of age do notgo to school at all The number of La n American and Caribbean migrants increased in the last decade to nearly 25million in 2005. As many as 25 - 32% of those in the 12 -24 years old range are su ering from at least one risky be-havior

Risky behavior de ned as alcohol and drug abuse, early/unprotected sex, low academic performance,

crime, violence, and school deser on is an issue in La n America and the Caribbean. Some Caribbean countries

require addi onal a en on such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Hai and Barbados.

Seeing the mul tude of issues among the youth and realizing that things are ge ng worse rather than improving,

the governments of the Caribbean region have put preven ng and controlling risky behavior at the core at the

agenda. Through research into the issue it is recognized that the rst step is to implement interven on and risk

recogni on abili es in teacher development programs. The second thing looked into was that isolated and spo-

radic interven ons are not e ec ve. Instead a strategy needs to be applied that uses a common set of de ned

indicators for which areas should be focused on.

Programs that came into being based on those approaches followed a few rules that would result in the most

e ec ve outcome. The most important of these being to reach out to the youngest ones rst as early childhood is

when posi ve and nega ve make a di erence in personal growth and development. The Support for a Seamless

Educa on System Program has been running in Trinidad and Tobago since 2009. It aims to improve the quality

and equity of early childhood and primary educa on through its poten al to contribute to the childrens long

term social, cultural and economic development. This program also makes use of the knowledge that strong so-

cial skills and a sense of belonging are important in avoiding those risky behaviors. In 2002, a program in Guyana

was started to improve the literacy skills in the educa on cycle by implemen ng math courses vie Interac ve

Radio Instruc on. The program known as the Basic Educa on, Access and Management Support (BEAMS) mainly

seeks to improve the quality of educa on similar to another program in Jamaica iden ed as The Primary Educa-

on Support Project which provides specialized support for students who fall behind.

These programs are a step in the right direc on as they give the necessary support in the educa on and socialaspect. Through improving these areas they are equipped to improve their nancial situa on as an average of 39% of the youth in La n America live in poverty. This will lead less crime as the ci zens will be kept busy andhave their own belongings. Considering such programs have been put in place gives hope for the future to con-

nue addressing the prevalent issues of the Caribbean youth as it may be quite easy s ll to fall vic m to the sur-roundings.

City of God By: Dajion S. Grant


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Ill Concepts of a

Caribbean Woman By: Crystal Peters

Ti any is 16 and pregnant and does not know what to do or who to tell, as abor on is not an op on. To make

ma ers worse her older sister stumbles on her posi ve pregnancy result. Ti anys life is spiraling out of control but she

is soon surprised by what she discovers about her sister

There are thousands of girls, young women, roaming the island streets that are just like Ti any. Whose experiences do

not always meet societal expecta ons, and whose families are almost always not recep ve. Depreciated, despaired,

and demolished, these young women descend into a dream -like state they wish they could forever occupy. For Ti any,

she is constantly awakened by her senses: the stench of vomit that lls her lungs, the sounds of cri cism drumming her

ears, the an cipated looks of disproval twis ng her gut, and the feeling of shame running through her body so much

that it has stolen what goddess remained in her.

But what about her sister? Should she provide her with some sort of solace or comfor ng words of wisdom? It seems

her sister is just as lost as she is, unable to cope with the harsh reali es of life. Help is needed, but nowhere to be

found.

Abor on. Domes c Violence. It does not end there.

The Ill Concepts of the Caribbean Woman exposes and speaks openly about disturbing issues within the Caribbean that

are well and truly hidden. These issues are so destruc ve that many women become isolated and consequently lose

themselves. As the narra ve develops, each issue meanders into the other showing each

character that they are not alone. Ti any and all the women go on a journey of self -

discovery and self -development into understanding their ac ons. This book de nitely re-

veals the taboos of Caribbean women, the stories that always go unmen oned. I implore

all of you nd yourself a copy in your spare me!


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On February 15, 2013, the Caribbean Student Associa on had an intriguing generalbody mee ng en tled Pum Pum Tun Up. The tle of this general body mee ng was inspired

by the song Pum Pum Tun Up by Baby Cham. The general body mee ng started with an icebreaker where the room was split into two groups. Each group was given a list of names, likeBuga Punany, Benz Punany, Honda Punany etc. represen ng di erent values of the vaginas,and a list of number ranges represen ng the number of sexual partners. The task for bothgroups was to match the number range to the name/phrase; ideally, the higher the price of the car, like Buga or Benz or Lexus, the fewer sexual partners. This ice breaker was inspiredby Vybz Kartels dancehall hit, Benz Punany.

The ques on was posed as to whether or not these songs were degrading to women.Some people said that the words of the song are o ensive when they actually listen to what isbeing said, while other people said that the song has a good beat where everyone enjoys it at

par es. But does the environment in which the song is being played change what is being saidin the song? No. Not only do the songs portray a certain image, but females them self make itok by bragging about having a tun up pum pum or saying that they have a benz punany.Some people found that the comparison of an in mate, private, personal, almost sacred partof the body to an inanimate object such as a vehicle is unacceptable. Why must a price or val-ue of ones vagina be placed? How was this value determined?

By the end of the general body mee ng everyone had a chance to express their opin-ions on how females represent themselves. The valid point of females giving false representa-

on through the way they dress was brought up. Some of the males in the room said that theywould be more inclined to approach a girl who was dressed more provoca ve if he was seek-ing sex rather than a rela onship. However, some females rebu ed and said that some mesgirls dress the way they do for style reasons or for them to feel more con dent by accen ngone asset to distract from another that they may not like as much.

The discussion then revolved around judgment. Judging is everywhere, someonesays. Someone in a professional uniform will be judged just as much as someone in the leastbit of clothing. How you look, how you dress, how you present yourself is what people rstsee. They do not see your resume, or your personality or your real character when they rstlook at you. They see what you look like and judge you upon that un l they can know you

be er. Unfortunately, this is the society we live in,where we are all judged upon how we look and fromthat we are classi ed into a eld which may not be

correct. She is wearing this ou it... she must be easy.She has that on... she is way too hard to get. Althoughones appearance may be an indica on of whom theyare as a person, it is not always the case.

For judgments to stop being placed, we needto stop making them. In order for women to stop be-ing degraded in songs, we need to stop making it ok.

Pum Pum Tun Up & the Commoditization ofOur WomenBy: Danielle Ramkissoon


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Waves crash against the boat White men yell at the auc on

Mother's shed tears for their cap ve chil-dren Longs days in the heat of the elds Short nights that should last longer Cracks of the whips that tear their skin Screams of the women who nine monthslater give birth to fair -skinned babies Barks of vicious canines

Pressure of blas ng water Bombings of God's founda on Assassina ons of our big brothers Protests for non -violence Boyco s for simple opportuni es Marching of a million men Integra ng in Li le Rock to segregate ourminds from racism

These are the memories cemented inBlack History Our history Our ancestors struggled through theirnightmares to give light to our dreams And here we are We have grown Grown from a ba ered dog to a champi-

onship show dog with pride Our present is the reason why Rosa Parkssat

Why Mar n Luther King Jr. dreamed Why Malcolm X said "By any means nec-essary" They are why we are who we are today

They are Black History It's our turn now to contribute to BlackHistory Our turn to be the dream Dr. Kingdreamed of Our turn to be the the person Rosa Parkssat for Our turn to be the change Obama spoke

of Our turn to be Black History Because we are Negros We are African -Americans We are the race of love...peace...and soul

Transforming Our History By: Anonymous


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The Immortality of the Caribbean

Household By: Cerisse Need The family is the most important ins tu-

on in any society. It is through the family unit or

household that values, norms and roles arepassed on from one genera on to the next. In the

Caribbean especially, the norms and values that

form the backbone of our way of life, are those inwhich the importance of family unity, respect for

authority, discipline and educa on are empha-

sized.

A typical Caribbean Household is one that holds

strongly to the values of unity and togetherness.

While a household in general refers to a group of persons living together under the same roof,

mainly consis ng of parents and children, most

Caribbean households are much more than this.In a typical demonstra on of family unity, very

o en grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cous-

ins, sons and daughters are all found living in veryclose proximity to each other, or even in thesame house under the same roof. In this way re-

sponsibili es and resources are shared, less pres-

sure is put on parents as the sole providers andcaretakers, and all family members grow and de-

velop together, each playing a vital role in the life

of the other.

Children are taught from a very tender age to

show respect to elders and persons in authority.We could never refer to such persons by usingtheir rst names. It was Miss, Mister, Aunty or

Uncle. As a result, many Caribbean children canboast of having many aunts and uncles even

though their parents are both only children.

Discipline and educa on are also key elements of Caribbean family life, and this educa on does not

necessarily refer only to academics, but evenmore importantly, to the valuable life lessons that

can only be taught by those who have experi-

enced life in all its fullness. Some of my fondestchildhood memories are of my en re family,

grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, all

of us si ng out on the verandah in the late even-ing, the younger ones listening intently to the life

stories of the elder ones. I wouldnt trade the les-sons learned in those moments for all the school-

ing in the world.

Immortal living forever, never dying I stronglybelieve that those values, con nually handeddown from one age to the next, make the Carib-bean household Immortal. As the product of a

Caribbean household I can vouch for the fact thatthe norms and values passed on to me throughthis vital societal ins tu on have stayed with meto this very day and will remain with me un l Idie. Through all lifes changing scenes, in mes of joy and mes of sorrow, from genera on to gen-era on, they remain, unchanged, immortal.


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The Way of the

Warrior

by Kyle Hodge

The Caribbean is no stranger to con ict. Its history is laced with examples where ordinary men

and women opposed perceived injus ces and uni ed others. These people are known as the warriors

of The Caribbean.

One such warrior was Toussaint Louverture, the original leader of the Hai an Revolu on. This

revolu on has been regarded as one of the largest and most successful slave revolts in the western

world. At the me of the revolu on, slavery was s ll legal in all of Europes colonies in the Caribbean

including Saint Domingue, known as Hai in the present. Through his leadership, the enslaved blacksled an assault against the planter class and abolished slavery in Hai . However, some warriors like

Louverture pay steep prices. Napoleon Bonaparte sent his Brother -in-law to France which resulted in

the capture of Louverture. He and his family died in a prison in France. However, the Hai ans retaliat-

ed under the command of his lieutenants and liberated Hai . Even through his imprisonment and

death, Mr. Louverture was able to inspire his people. However, it would seem that the French had the

last laugh as Hai is currently the poorest country in the Western hemisphere despite its earlier

achievements.

Another warrior of the Caribbean was Dr. Eric Eustace Williams of Trinidad and Tobago. O en

called the Father of the na on by Trinidadians, he was one of the most signi cant leaders in public

service of Trinidad. Dr. Williams became the rst prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Being a warri-

or in the Caribbean also means that one does not try to avoid making di cult decisions which can

result in con ict. Williams led Trinidad and Tobago into the Federa on of the West Indies and to inde-

pendence within the Commonwealth in 1962. The decision to join and subsequently leave the West

Indies Federa on had long las ng e ects on a empts to unify the Caribbean. However, Dr. Williams

made the decisions that he thought would best serve his people.

Despite the short lived success of individual islands, the islands are being slowly being su o-

cated by some of the developed countries. Only by channeling the ideas of gures such as the Caribbe-

an warriors can the Caribbean on avoid disaster.


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Forward Home: The Power of the

Caribbean Diaspora By: Shaloma Wagsta eThe Caribbean is most always noted for its aesthe c beauty. So much so that the Caribbean has

become the premier des na on for those seeking a tropical vaca on. In recent years Caribbean enthusiasts

have made the argument that countries need to create other avenues to gain revenue. It is in my opinion

that the Caribbean should cling to an old saying If it aint broke dont x it. This is not to say that coun-

tries should forgo projects to diversify what they o er to the global market, but instead revel in current ac-

complishments.

There are many bene ts both domes c and foreign that can be a ributed to tourism. An aspect

that o en goes overlooked or that is generally unknown is the impact that tourism has on the preserva on

of the environment. When thinking of why these des na ons are so heavily visited one thing should come

to mind - the lush landscape that covers Caribbean countries. It is no coincidence that these countries are as

beau ful as they are heavily traveled. The preserva on of the ow of tourists goes hand in hand with the

preserva on of their environment. The 1990s in the Caribbean were marked by e orts to create legal pro-

tec on of the environment. This was accomplished with the crea on of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustaina-

ble Tourism and the Caribbean Hotel Associa on Environmental Commi ee in 1992 and 1995 respec vely.

With the implementa on of these coali ons the Caribbean is one of the few regions that has made preser-

va on of ecosystems one of its main poli cal pla orms. With the deple on of the environment becoming a

large problem more countries should take heed and follow the path of the Caribbean.

In addi on to protec ng the ecosystems of these tropical islands, most noted and generally known

is the e ect tourism has on local economies. Tourism acts as a jumper cable for impoverished communi es.

Tourism provides numerous job opportuni es that wouldnt exist otherwise, such as local tour guides and

excursion providers. There are programs that encourage the use of local producers such as cra speople and

farmers. By doing so there is constant recycling of funds in these tourist towns. Not only do small business

owners get the chance to capitalize on tourism but all inhabitants of tourism towns. When tourists spend

money it is assis ng the economy in becoming stronger and self -su cient so that there are funds that canbe allocated to social programs.

Tourism should be looked at as one of the few ways the Caribbean can self -sustain itself. It pro-

vides the means of execu ng the programs necessary to build an economy that can rival those of the world

powers. We should never regret or be ashamed for capitalizing on the aesthe c beauty of the Caribbean.


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Fire.

The only one who was there

When the first light -skinned, straight haired

Man set foot on my land;

Land mine by 10 generations of

Inheritance.

Fire

Burned in those huts, free.

Free from tyranny, free.

Free from economic gluttony, free.

Free from killing sprees, free.

FireCan recall a time

When life was rhythm, dance and rhyme

A symphony of nature

Starring the rich brown -hued

Bodies of my ancestors, fine -tuned

To be harmonic with your ancestors

Creating the perfect - pitch melody known

As our

Ancestry.

Only Fire

Remembers who danced,

Who sang, who taught,

Who cooked, who fought

Who loved

In her presence.

So it was with burning tears

That Fire watched our ancestors Taken shaken to their core

By the broken artery known as slavery

At the hands of colorless men.

Fire watched, torn apart

As those men shackled black limbs,

But Fire wasnt merely a spectator.

She came with them, and promised

Never to leave

She helped to conceive the notionThat black meant more than

Sugar cane for field slaves

While house slaves set tea leaves

Fire vowed that one day

We would thank them for listening

And so they listened.

Fire set up shop in

My Caribbean ancestors heart, Jump -starting the flat -line

Europe created

And recreated its identity

So it could see free once again.

When Europe said no,

Great -great -great -granddad pushed forth

Because Fire said so

And so,

Fire taught our ancestry to read, write,

Fight for the freedom Fire knew so well;

Its hard to tell Fire no

When Fire burns like hell.

Fire.

Wedded to our ancestrys hearts

She kept her ring after they departed

And embraced their brown bodies

As fodder for the corroboration of their legacy:

You, Me.

And from the Ashes of our Ancestors,

We rise,

Because the Fire passed to us

Never dies.

From the Ashes of My AncestorsBy: Stephon L. Braithwaite - Martin


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A lot of legends, a lot of people, have come before me. But this is my me A few wordsfrom track legend and one of Jamaicas prized na ves Usain Bolt. Usain Bolt is not just running his

way to the track hall of fame, but he is also considered one of the fastest people ever. He holds both

100 meters and 200 meters world records, and in conjunc on with his teammates he set the world

record in the 4x100 meters relay. Bolt also is the rst man ever to win six Olympic gold medals in

sprin ng, and he is a ve me world champion. In 2009 he set the 100 yard meter record at 9.69seconds. These are just a few of Bolts many accolades, but one cant help but wonder where it all

began for the Track Legend.

Bolt was born on August 21, 1986 in Sherwood Content in Trelawny, Jamaica to Welleseley

and Jennifer Bolt. Bolt was one of three children, and he spent most of his childhood years playing

football and cricket. His parents owned a local grocery store that was the main source of income for

his family. Bolt rst began to show hints of his poten al greatness when he a ended Waldensia Pri-amary school, he competed in the annual na onal primary -school, at the age of twelve he was re-garded as the fastest runner over the 100 meters distance. Bolts track excellence followed him tohigh school and in the year 2001 Bolt won his rst annual high school championships medal. His

me of 22.04 seconds in the 200 meters awarded him a silver medal.

Led by new coach Fitz Coleman Bolt made the decision to turn professional in the year2004. He ran 200 meters in 19.93 seconds breaking the world junior record, and was awarded the

Aus n Seafy Trophy for the second year in a row. Despite his success Bolts progress was halted due

to a hamstring injury he su ered. He was eliminated from the rst round of the 2004 Athens Olym-pics because of it.

Bolt refused to let his injuries deter him from achieving track greatness. In 2005 Bolt joined

forces with coach Glen Mills. Even though Bolts work ethic improved under coach Mills he was onceagain bi en by the injury bug in the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki. Bolt quali ed for the

compe on, but his injuries prevented him from further par cipa ng. Mills and Bolt stayed persis-

tent in their endeavors gh ng through Bolts injuries.

Usain Bolt was nally able to get over injury and receive his rst gold medal during 2008Summer Olympics in Beijing. During the 200 meter Bolts main focus was obtaining a gold medal.Bolt breezed past any compe on and was favored to win a gold medal. Bolt proved believers rightwhen he won gold with his me of 19.30 second se ng a new Olympic record. Bolt success has con-

nued to follow him with more record braking performances and more gold medals. Usain Bolt in-spires those who come from Jamaica and the rest of the West Indies. He also helps give the world aposi ve image of Jamaica.

The Birth of an Olympic Legend By: Devon Lapierre


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Many people have heard of it, but aren't sure exactly where itis. They know it's an island, someplace in the Antilles archi-

pelago. Do they imagine it to be hip and sophisticated, or more authentic, discreet, and laidback?

This tiny rock, smaller and less populated than many villages in the Frenchcountryside, has few resources other than its charm, its perpetual sunshine, the under-water wealth of its Marine Park, and its protected landscapes.

Of course, the island is an excellent tourist destination, one of the most variedand upscale, with villas, hotels, spas, some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean, awide choice of leisure activities and nautical sports, prestigious sailing regattas, a fullcalendar of cultural events, and the irresistible allure of great hopping.

St. Barthelemy (St. Barts) has some 21 white -sand beaches, and while all are public and free, few are crowded, even in high season. The best known is St -JeanBeach, a sun -splashed crescent divided by the Eden Rock promontory. The uncrowd-ed strand at Gouverneur Beach, on the southern coast, is gorgeous, ringed by steepcliffs overlooking St. Kitts, Saba, and Statia (St. Eustatius). Equally fine is GrandeSaline Beach, to the east; lack of shade doesn't deter the nude sunbathers.

When it comes to shopping, St. Barts wins the prize hands -down for the best inthe Caribbean -- it's Paris by the sea. And even better, It's duty and tax free. You canfind stylish, high -quality clothing in even the most basic -looking shops. The pharma-cies are shopping havens, where the famouslyexquisite French skincare lines and toiletriesare a pleasure to browse. Even the grocerystores are a marvel, with imported Frenchcheeses, pts, wine, and the French version of canned ravioli.

The Beauty of a Place Not Traveled By: Javon Venzen


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Caribbean GirlBy: Anthony Pereira

When I grow up a Caribbean Girl is who I plan to make my wife

Because the hips she whining with double as the cradle of life

Her beauty is a ame and I may be a fool to try and hold it

But even if I get burned I thank Jah for the moment

She got my heart bea ng at higher paces, under cardiac arrest for defying poe c jus ce

Do anything to get into her good graces, but her momma raised her not to trust it

Telling her that my love is due to the view caused by them pum pum shorts

The statement has proof; I mean I am youth so I wont deny truth of course

But I am not so shallow that dont no ce how that smile complement those dimples

Beau ful mind the mind the crown jewel of your temple

Was raised right since the days of being a pickney, you know who and what to believe in

That why I view being with you, as entrance to the Garden of Eden

Our union will be my personal triumph, my rode to Zion

But even if the path is rough, the bu alo soldier in me will ght on

Un l I claim my Caribbean Queen, in her arms where dream is

Well burn bright forever like the feathers on the wings of a phoenix.


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CSAs Soca Mix Its Carnival me in Trinidad and Tobago! A me of music, dance and celebra on. Couldnt y out to the island

to hear the latest soca? Well dont worry, CSA has you covered. We have compiled a Soca Mix of this years

Carnival music and even put them on CDs. Just for you!

2013 Soca from Trinidad & Tobago Carnival:

FOG -- Machel Montano

Indian Gal -- Machel Montano & Drupatee Stranger &Farmer Nappy

Wining Queen -- Denise Belfon

Permission Granted -- Patrice Roberts

Feter -- Benjai

Life of the party -- Machel Montano

Di erentology -- Bunji Garlin

Call my name -- Destra

Bam Bam -- Shal & Dras c

Play D Mas -- Shal Manager

Tobago Love - Shurwayne Winchester

Stages -- Bunji Garlin

Savage -- Bunji Garlin

Possessed -- Machel Montano & Kerwin Dubois

Spread a li le more -- Patrice Roberts

We Cyah Stop -- Terri Lyons

Fete Forever -- Megan Waldron

Handle it -- Nadia Batson

No Lie -- Machel Montano

Come for dat -- Kes

Turn up the sound -- Nessa Preppy

Par er -- 5 Star Akil Fete of the year -- Kerwin Dubois

We Limin -- Shal & TC

Friends for the night -- KI Prescrip on -- Ravi B

Whole day -- Devon & Sean Caruth

Drunk -- Farmer Nappy

Drinkin Rum -- Machel Montano

Fireman -- Nadia Batson

We n -- Kerwin Dubois We not stopping -- Shurwayne Winchester

One Love Represent -- Machel Montano & FreetownCollec ve

We want drinkz -- Lil Rick & King Bubba

Waistline Energy -- Lil Rick Backaz Kerwin Dubois

Wuk up Workout -- Alison Hinds

Doh Mind My Business -- Machel Montano

Doh Bother We -- Lil Rick & Benjai

A.T.O.A -- Benjai

Body Working -- Kes

No Lokani -- Prophet Benjamin

Wake it up -- Terri Lyons

Carry on -- Destra

Energy High -- Machel Montano

Doh Tell Mi -- Nadia Batson

Yuh Role -- Kerwin Dubois

Journey Con nues -- Bunji Garlin


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A Love Letter for a Caribbean Woman

By Anonymous

My Darling,

I read your pre -valen ne's le er sent out to island men and thought I would respond.The verses below were penned just for you, my Caribbean woman.

The velvet sound of your voice is the comfort of my soul. Carved in me and wri en onthe ne lines of in nity is the depth of emo ons that moves within me for you.

Communica ng through whispers of desire, I now know, that had I not said what I need-ed to. Today, I would have been merely an average man. Oblivious to the cap va on of you, taken away from the ful llment you have given me anew.

How do I make you see that my life is a wasted en ty without you being here to share itwith me? Preachers can tell of the wonders beyond the skies, but my heart can oratevolumes about the enchantment of your love.

Beau ful rainbows sca ered across elds of sapphire and emeralds cannot compare tothe wonders of you. I close my eyes & I inhale the ecstasy of your grace & touch. Emo-

ons dancing freely with the energy of a raging re.

This island man's only bliss frankly is to see a smile upon my island woman's face when-ever you are near me. Loving you, island woman, is that part of me that gets sweetereveryday. Tell me the imaginings of your soul because I swear with you is where myheart feels whole.


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What You May Not Have Heard:Headlines from Around the Caribbean

Jamaicas Prime Minister, the Most HonourablePor a Simpson Miller, has been chosen by TIMEmagazines editors as one of the 100 Most In-

uen al People in the World. According toTIME, this coveted list recognizes the ac vism,innova on and achievement of the worlds mostin uen al individuals and includes people whoinspire, entertain, challenge and change theworld.

An annual list now in its 9th year, the TIME 100 selects a prized list of pioneers, moguls, lead-ers and icons. Prime Minister Simpson Millers inclusion is among other world leaders, includ-ing United States President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and IsraeliPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As a country we are proud that our Prime Minister is being recognized on such an in uen allist, said Dr. Wykeham McNeill, Jamaicas Minister of Tourism and Entertainment. As her vi-sion for the country is being no ced, its crucial for all of us to do our part to ensure Jamaicacon nues to shine in the global marketplace.

Mrs. Simpson Miller, who has been in poli cs for almost four decades, made history in 2006by becoming the rst woman to be elected Prime Minister of Jamaica. In 2011, she was re -elected to lead the country. Congresswoman Yve e Clarke from New York's 11th District, inher tribute to the Prime Minister in the magazine, salutes her as one who embodies strengthand inspires a new genera on of Caribbean women to get involved in public service and tomake a di erence.

According to Jamaicas Director of Tourism John Lynch, the selec on places Jamaica in an fa-vorable light, which could lead to addi onal conversa ons with tourism investors.

Were hopeful that our Prime Ministers visibility around the world will assist in drawing addi-onal a en on to the island, said Lynch. As the tourist industry con nues to recover from a

very challenging global economic environment, were proud that Mrs. Simpson Miller is recog-nized as a posi ve in uence on notable pla orms such as the TIME 100 list.


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Celebrating 35 Years of ExcellenceCSA was founded on August 23, 1977 on the Binghamton University campus.

August 23, 2012 marked the beginning of the 35th year of us being a Student Associa-

on chartered group on this campus. For 35 years, we have been excelling on Bing-hamtons campus and providing a home away from home atmosphere for our mem-

bers. Everything we do is for the be erment of students on Binghamtons campus and

for the local Binghamton area. Throughout the years, many of our alumni have had numerous memorable mo-

ments that they could only experience by being a part of CSA. Below are some of those memories:

Hey CSA! First of all Congrats on 35 years! I would have to say that my favorite

moment or best experience was de nitely eboard mee ngs. We spent so much

me in that o ce, came up with brilliant ideas, sine not so good ones. We got

along, we disagreed. I mean it was a good me.

-Raisa Staine

One of my favorite moments of being on CSA was the CSA

Rave: The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies). It was a new event

that brought excitement to the campus that was very suc-

cessful. It made me proud to be on CSA.

-Daniel Richmond

Happy 35 years of prosperity, excellence, and excelling in every endeavor that we take part in.

I would have to de nitely say that my nest memories of CSA was during the 2009 -

2010 school year during my tenure as Public Rela ons Representa ve. It was an

amazing experience and the key that I can remember was involvement. Involvement

in everything. We were involved with the community at large, we were involved on

the campus. And it was a tough year because we faced a lot of adversity, but every-

one showed a good face and put a good foot forward. So I de nitely have to say that

was my most ne memory. Keep excelling, keep achieving, and keep accomplishing

every goal and represen ng for the Binghamton university campus. Take care CSA - instrength, unity and resistance.

-Aaron Wilson


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In thinking about CSA and what CSA has meant to me from the me I spent at Binghamtonun l now, so many warm feelings come to mind, so many thoughts, so many memories, and somuch angering feelings as well just thinking about CSA mee ngs and the drama and the con-

icts that existed. However the thing that comes to the forefront is home. CSA has been ahome to me and I s ll consider it a home to me now from day one when I rst came to Bing-

hamton. Coming from Brooklyn and coming from one kind of environment to now coming toupstate New York into an place that just felt so di cult - the minute I walked into the union theCSA president at the me came up to me and said Youre joining us and from that day un lnow, CSA has always been a part of me.

-Jessica Jean -Marie

There are so many ne CSA moments I have, but my fondest was de nitely one nightwhere we were planning for Carnival and myself and a really close friend of mines gotinto the biggest argument. It was so impassioned, so full of convic on about what wewere going to do about Carnival - how we were going to plan it - and there was this bigdiscourse about what we were going to do. As soon as the mee ng was over, 12 am onthe dot, myself and this friend walked out of the mee ng hand -in-hand discussing trivialthings like boys or what we were going to wear the next day. And the greatest thingabout CSA is that it creates these rela onship - business rela onships and friendships insuch a way that they are inseparable. So you can argue one minute and turn around andbe friends with that person the next. And there are no hard feelings. Thats what I really

appreciated most about CSA. It created these real pragma c friendships that werent easily sev-ered.

-Ruth Jean -Marie

My favorite memory of CSA was playing Pa y in CultureNight and then helping to write the play the next year.

-Aleisha Forbes


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CSA Cares

Initiative

Barrels of Love Barrels of Love is our newest philanthropic ini a ve to help people in the Caribbean. We are

collec ng school supplies and clothing to send to children on the island of Grenada. We are

also collec ng monetary dona ons as well to be used to purchase these school supplies and

clothing. If you would like to donate or want any more informa on, then feel free to email

[email protected].

Socacize Socacize is a crea ve blend of high/low aerobics combined with African and Caribbean dancemovements. The music used is Calypso, Soca, Chutney, Zouk, Reggae, Salsa, Dancehall and on

occasion drums. This exhilara ng Caribbean workout also focuses on cardio weight and

strength training to help you tone those troubled spots: arms, abs, legs and bu ! SOCACIZEtargets all age groups. Join CSA twice a month & get ready to move your mas!

Dollars for Scholars Dollars for Scholars is a community service ini a ve to help someone in the Binghamton area.We are raising money for a scholarship to award to a gradua ng senior at Binghamton High -

School. We raise money by having our semi -annual Sip & Thri event toward the end of thesemester. Sip & Thri is our very own thri store that is held at the Binghamton High School.

We collect any used or new items from Binghamton University students and sell them. If youwould like to donate or want any more informa on then feel free to email

[email protected] .


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2.1.13 BSUs Black History Month Kickoff Celebration 2.5.13 BSU, LASU & CSA-African Diaspora Cooking Class2.8.13 BSUs Poetry Jam 2.15.13 CSAs Pum Pum Tun Up & the Commoditization of Our Women2.16.13 CSAs Culture Night featuring Caribbean Queen: The Flight ofthe Phoenix

2.19.13 P.U.L.S.E. & MCS2s Who Am I? 2.28.13 BSUs Black History Month Keynote Speaker Joseph RevRunSimmons3.2.13 Thurgood Marshall Pre- Law Societys Watch Your Step3.8.13 MCS2s Gentlemen of Quality (GQ) 3.9.13 HaSA Night: Nap Avanse3.15.13 ASOs Threads of the Motherland Fashion Show 3.20.13 CSAs AALANA Food Festival 4.4.13- 4.7.13 JUMP Nations Annual J.U.M.P. Weekend 4.13.13 CSAs Unity Roll Bounce 4.14.13 CSAs Caribbean Breakfast 4.19.13 BSUs Mr & Mrs. BSU Pageant4.19.13 CSAs Old -School Fete: Reggae vs Soca Edition4.20.13 CSAs Car Wash at Auto Zone4.20.13 ASOs Afahye Banquet 4.27.13 CSAs 2nd Semi -Annual Sip & Thrift 4.27.13 DCXs Hip Hop Rocks the Runway Fashion Show

5.3.13 BDR Expose: Cirque Du Soleil5.4.13 Binghamton Universitys Spring Fling 5.8.13 CSAs Cram Jam 5.10.13 CSAs End of the Year CurryQue w/ BSU 5.11.13 CSAs End of the Year Pool Party


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Caribbean Perspectives: The Flight of the Phoenix

Documents