As we commemorate National Caribbean American Heritage Month, the tribute written by talented Poet Charmaine Allwood-Hanson sums up the history and cultural perspective. Be intrigued as you read.
WE ARE THE CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES AND ISLANDS CONNECTED BY THIS VAST BLUE SEA PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RACES RELIGIONS AND CREEDS
WE ARE THE CARIBBEAN A GREAT MELTING POT BRED FROM SLAVES, COLONIZERS MERCHANTS, INDENTURED LABORERS AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES CULTURALLY WE ARE SO DIVERSIFIED
WE SPEAK ENGLISH, FRENCH SPANISH AND DUTCH PATOIS AND CREOLE OUR LANGUAGES EMBODY THE NEW AND THE OLD
WE ARE THE CARIBBEAN OVER 26 NATIONS STRONG LET ME NAME A FEW AS THE LIST IS LONG
WE ARE GUYANESE, BARBADIAN BELIZEANS AND JAMAICANS PANAMANIANS, HAITIANS AND GRENADIANS CUBANS, DOMINICANS, AND ANGUILLANS WE ARE THE NATIONS OF ST. VINCENT MONTSERRAT AND MARTINIQUE WE ARE COUNTRIES, SMALL AND LARGE ISLANDS WHICH MAKES OUR REGION UNIQUE
WE HAVE MOUNTAINS, VOLCANOES AND TOURIST RESORTS WATERFALLS, HEALING AND HEALTH SPAS TOP NOTCH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES WE ARE KNOWN FOR OUR DIVERSITIES
WE HAVE MANY HISTORICAL SITES WE TRADE TOBACCO, SUGAR AND BANANAS…
Deep thought. Articulate she was as she shared her soul searching work to a global audience captivated by her eloquence during the historic inauguration As a writer and lover of words like she is, how could I resist the opportunity to share the work of a Quiet Storm, Amanda Gorman.
The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman, USA Youth Poet Laureate
When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast. We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, and the norms and notions of what “just” is isn’t always justice.
And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow we do it. Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.
We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.
‘This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge’: Joe Biden calls for unity in first speech as president – live
And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. We are striving to forge our union with purpose.
To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man.
And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.
We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another. We seek harm to none and harmony for all. Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true: That even as we grieved, we grew. That even as we hurt, we hoped. That even as we tired, we tried. That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious. Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.
What do I need to write my first book? That is the question I am often asked. After researching the topics of leadership and Success, I published over 6 non-fiction books, people figure that I am doing something right. Here I share 11 tips for beginners interested in starting their own Writing Journey
Aspiring Authors Writing Tips
Write. Keep writing.
Read a lot so you understand how others do what they do
Be yourself. Tell the story
It takes a lot of sacrifice so keep going.
Start writing. Just keep writing. Stand at a bus stop, look at a fence and …write. Sit in a cafe, get yourself a drink and write about the next person who walks through the door – not his description… but his life story, his family, his job. Just write
Read the classics and discover why they are rated so highly
If you don’t know what to write or have writers block, use writing prompts to get those creative juices flowing.
Don’t shy away from criticism. Being critiqued doesn’t always feel amazing, but it always makes you a better writer. Every time someone tells you what they think of your manuscript, you get closer to an objective understand of your work, which is invaluable
Don’t worry about perfection when you are writing your first draft. Good writing is re-writing
The hustle and bustle of the season. Families come together. The air is different. Nature speaks. Music and lights sounds in sweet accord. Travel soars. Food Galore. Delightful Gifts drolls stress for those in retail yet brings smiles as currencies are exchanged for sales. The beauty of the season can be seen through eyes of purpose.
Waves splashing. Seas rough. Birds chirping. Softly. Quietly. Then louder as if composing a song. As if complaining … oh why so rough?
Now they fly. They soar. They meander. Still chirping high above beneath the sky. The white clouds embrace.
Waves calm down. Storm’s afloat. Passes by the outskirts as if to say, I’ll stop by next time…whenever that is. Behind it leaves weeds on the shore. Washed up. All aghast.
She Reads By The Sea
Book in hand she reads by the sea. Listening. Listening to the sounds of the waves. The birds. People shouting indistinctly in the distance. Soaking up the sun. Then softly covered by the clouds. Be still my soul.
Trees. Palm trees sway softly. Tenderly. Hear the birds call. The sun shines brightly against the afternoon’s wave.
The Right Time To Write
‘Tis the right time to write. To pray. To listen to the still small voice. Speak. Help me listen. Help me hear you. Don’t let me miss what you must say.
A group of writers were challenged to a Write In, Write Out Session. After free writing for an hour, Akiim Jarrett wrote this spoken word that characterises his gift. Here I share:
Screams, Shrieks and Secrets
it screams – this secret of mine-
hidden heartbreak and soul-stirring agony,
so I crave peace.
a peace which remains unbothered
a peace ne’er t’be interrupted;
but these days dreams don’t get fulfilled and life rolls you along with the punches at whim.
it shrieks – this secret of mine-
divine calamity a beautiful harmony
can you see it in catastrophic splendor?
a jaw dropping visage,
an image and event to die for-
a living truth I’d reluctantly lie for.
it sounds off –
like the loud silence insecurities decorate-
a masterpiece that doubt artfully paints
can’t you see?
or will you see how this feels like it’s been before,
karmic justice settling the score-
quote raven or mock the peacock
choose that which haunts less is all I implore
secrets aside – lies do thrive
tis better to release than bury inside.
it can be different
things need not be the same
you can produce the change
from the inner stain of shame
Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works. ~Virginia Woolf
A group of writers were challenged to a Write In, Write Out Session. After free writing for an hour, Antoya Lee wrote this delectable piece that shows her talent waiting to be honed. Here I share:
What is Rape? Does it Require A “No?”
~Antoya Lee
If I push my beliefs, wants, and desires on you, and I succeed in having my way, should I be held accountable for my actions? If, my persistence made me successful in having my way but brought upon you harm and danger.
Or, should I be vindicated from my exploitation of your mind and body and be freed from punishment because of my intellectual ignorance? My mind’s ability to reason and understand based on the knowledge or lack thereof, stored within my mind.
Hear, the words, that proceed as I speak. Abuse and harassment, of any type: sexual, verbal, physical, mistreatment, recklessness, carelessness, ignorance and arrogance. Have you been impacted by such activities or behaviors? Were you the offender, or of your life, a victim of such social behaviors that are communicated amongst our social environment?
Sadly, were you an offender in any group or area of your social environment, where you mistreated, misrepresented yourself or something, in order to have your way and accomplish your desires and wants. Or, to support your beliefs and needs, with your friends, with your family, and coworkers, strangers and lovers, church or other group member affiliation.
Were you ever so persistent in having your way to the detriment of another against that person’s comfort and will?
Is rape or harassment just something sexual?
Or, could it be a form of social communication, verbally and physically, expressed in any type of social situation and setting amongst people in your social circle.
Could it be social manipulation, simply to accomplish one’s own disparate deeply desired wishes?
Not just sexual, but could rape simply, but greatly be social dysfunction, after all the offenses in every area of our lives that happened upon us, or we upon them.
I forgive you. Do you forgive me? Of social rape. Trying to have my own way.
My point: Lets be mindful of how we interact and how we share our habits with each other because rape is social contamination.
I want to write away. Basically get away somewhere by the beach or surrounded by nature, water flowing, birds singing, peace, quiet and natural stones. Without a Cur, I’d just write and write.
Slow pace. No rush. Quiet clear thoughts. Write away to help others. Oh for the time to write…just write.
