Author: N Oji

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READING THIS J’CAN TRINI ANIMOSITY

Reading This J’can Trini Animosity

By N Oji Mzilikazi

Originally appeared in the Montreal Community Contact Volume 23, Number 25 December 12, 2013

Thirteen Jamaican nationals deported from Trinidad became the latest cause for the long-established Jamaican “Exceptionalism Bureau,” and “Hating on Trini Brigade,” to mount the mythical high horse of “Righteous Indignation,” claim victimization, pronounce Trinidad are denying Jamaicans entry, and issue a call for the boycott of Trini goods.

Every sovereign state retains the right of refusal, even when there are agreements between nations for the free flow of goods, persons and traffic — but don’t tell that to the Jamaican “Exceptionalism Bureau.”…

 

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Update: An Open Letter To Dr. Clarence Bayne

Update: An Open Letter To Dr. Clarence Bayne

By N Oji Mzilikazi

December 7, 2013

On November 28, 2013, I was served with papers threatening legal action over “An Open Letter To Dr. Clarence Bayne,” published in the Montreal Community Contact Volume 23, Number 19 October 3, 2013, and unless retracted within 10 days, be liable for compensation for damages past, present and future.

As serious is the matter, I laughed — and hearty at that, at this legal shenanigan of Clarence Bayne to silence criticism and dissent — that is a hallmark of a healthy democracy…

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Leadership Round-Table Discussion

Leadership Round-Table Discussion

SHOWING HOW DISJOINTED WE ARE

By N Oji Mzilikazi

Originally published in Montreal Community Contact Volume 23, Number 23 November 14, 2013

At a recent round-table discussion I attended about community, leadership, and what was needed to move the community forward, a lot of people and organizations were fairly and unfairly targeted…

 

To be continued

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Divali: Lessons For Personal, Community Rejuvenation

Divali: Lessons For Personal, Community Rejuvenation

By N Oji Mzilikazi

(Originally appeared in the Montreal Community Contact Volume 23, Number 22 October 31, 2013)

Asato ma sadgamaya

Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya

Mrito ma amrita gamaya

From appearance lead me to reality

From darkness lead me to light

From death lead me to Immortality

Namaste! Divali Greetings to Montreal’s Hindu Community, and to Hindus worldwide.

Divali, Dewali or Deepawali is one of the most important festivities in the Hindu calendar. Divali is for Hindus what Christmas is for Christians and Eid-ul-Fitr is for Muslims…

 

(Inspired by photos; memories of weekend retreats at the Shiva Lingam Temple with the likes of Collette Lee Loy, Mwanza Donkor, Ngina, Miriam, Marie, Alex, Phillip, Keith Saadik Edwards, the grace and kindness of Pa and Ma Nancoo, and my teacher Lutchman Singh.)

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America Invasion of Grenada: 30 Years On

America Invasion of Grenada: 30 Years On

By N Oji Mzilikazi

Originally published in the Montreal Community Contact Volume 23, Number 21 October 17, 2013

I pray for progress, I pray for stability

I pray for happiness

And a whole lot of love in meh country

— “A Prayer For My Nation”

— King Ajamu

The United States of America is inarguable the most powerful nation in the world. Thirty years ago, on October 25, 1983, America invaded the small Caribbean nation of Grenada — with all its military might, including US Navy Seals, the Delta force, a fleet of 23 warships with the aircraft carrier USS Independence, stocked with fighter jets and bombers, as if Grenada was an emerging superpower, and a threat to other Caribbean islands and to American hegemony…