REFLECTION & REASON

Culture is defined as the collective manifestation of arts and human intelligence . It is something we all create, together, in order to represent our community's existence. Our culture is how we present ourselves to others. How we celebrate our unique belongingness. How we communicate what we view to be traditional, important, and significant. In Toronto, our annual Carnival celebration (formerly and affectionately known as Caribana) is the most visible display of Caribbean culture across the country. In fact, it used to be the largest street festival amongst ANY culture in North America. Used to be. This year looked kinda scanty. Naturally, there are individuals who take the various elements of their individual cultures very, very seriously. The foods they eat, the way they dress, how they conduct themselves, and the languages they speak. They hold on to these elements proudly, as it is these factors that solidify their purpose, and dictate how they interpret the world arou

Wow. This book was fantastic. And refreshing. Authentic, and entertaining. It was the perfect mix of familiar Toronto landmarks and streets, with a captivating story line. It was an encouraging introduction to novelist Selwyn Jeffers that makes me anticipate more urban fiction greatness from this first-time author. It is everything I believe " Canadian Urban Fiction " should be. Honest. Gritty. Culturally-specific. Naturally Canadian, and aurally accurate with an exciting plot. I just LOVED reading the dialogue between the characters, and turning each page in hopes of discovering familiarity and social awareness with each chapter. " The Vapours " is the inaugural novel from author Selwyn Jeffers , a Toronto-based screenwriter, poet, and blogger. It's a story about a Caribbean-Canadian university student named Shawn who is weeks away from completing his business degree, while also raising an infant, nurturing a relationship, and finding time to gallivant w

Now that Toronto Caribbean Carnival season has passed, and the festivities formerly known as "Caribana" are a few weeks behind us, I can't help but reflect on what this occasion has meant to the city, the country, and the Caribbean culture. Here are our thoughts, on behalf of myself and Kya Publishing (who have been involved in the administration and production of carnival on the mas band level since 2011), as posted on our speciality site: @CarnivalSpotlight earlier this week. "It's more than just  # JumpingUp  in costume, dancing on Lakeshore Boulevard, taking selfies with  # SocaArtists , having the biggest  # SoundSystem  and the prettiest truck  # OnDeRoad , and IG recording the  # WickedestWine . It's more than just  # CostumeDesign , and parade logistics, media appearances, and the coveted  # BandOfTheYear  title. Each year our  # TorontoCarnival  comes and goes. For 51 years we have looked forward to this  # CaribbeanCommunity  celebration, a

If you could provide a young person in your community, a family member, or a peer with a handbook for life management and self-empowerment, I believe that you would be pleased by picking up " Cultivating Minds to Own Thyself " by Cleveland author Jameel Davis. It's hard to review the book without acknowledging the individual behind the words. And to acknowledge the writer is to confirm that he lives what he believes, he practices what he preaches, and he is a man of conviction. To witness the way Jameel Davis conducts his life and business, is to verify that his words of wisdom are genuine. " Cultivating Minds to Own Thyself " covers a range of topics from identity to the education system, retirement, relationships, and spirituality. There are questions and quotes, and there's even space for writing notes on the pages as well. Overall, the book can be viewed as a self-help guide to living a life of integrity and progress. The back cover copy states