CARIBBEAN TODAY - usw^caribbeantody..c.I VIE W P 0 I n T Jamaicans abroad have equally been beacons of The burden of e) achievement ~ consul general (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9) I am privi- leged to extend warmest greet- ings to the Jamaican com- '. munity, and t ' indeed the many well Li& wishers and SANDRA friends of GRANT- Jamaica, who GRIFFITHS have come together to commemorate the 47th anniversary of our nation's Independence, which includes for us the celebration of Emancipation Day on Aug. 1. We celebrate our national festival from July 31 to Aug. 6 this year under the theme: "I Believe in Jamaica", and here in Florida, we have amplified it in the theme of our annual thanks- giving service to specify the cel- ebration of "Our Nation, our Family, Our Home". We celebrate with great pride, and as we mark this august occasion with a variety of community experiences, we do not refute the fact that chal- lenges at many junctures have accompanied our journey. But, equally, none can deny that over these 47 years we have earned through the determined efforts of our scholars and political thinkers, our entrepre- neurs, our athletes, the expo- nents of our creative arts a multiplicity of triumphs that any nation would indeed be proud to claim, all on the merit of our inspired talents. BEACONS Jamaicans abroad have equally been beacons of achievement in as many fields as they have dared to conquer. Individually and collectively our people contribute positive- ly to world society, here in the United States as elsewhere, and embellish from day to day the luster of our nation's accomplishments. A sense of self, and a blessed and unique ingenuity of spirit and deeds have been traditional hallmarks of our people. We are thankful to our ancestors, our pantheon of national heroes, the ordinary heroes amongst us in our fami- lies, who have all shaped our society to the good. We thank the Almighty for the forbearance and forti- tude that has sustained our nation thus far. We move for- ward with certitude that if we hold fast to our worthy tradi- tions, that spirit that we foster in our homeland and share boldly with the world, will lead us to reap just rewards. Let us celebrate together therefore fully confident that with the strength and maturity of a great nation we will contin- ue to achieve. In this spirit, we join hands and hearts whether at home or from more distant shores, and at the same time renew our faith in our home- land Jamaica land we love. The above "Message of Emancipation and Independence 2009" was delivered by Sandra Grant- Griffiths, consul general, Consulate of Jamaica. 0 Obama's new racial doctrine (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9) someday he could bridge it. His sermon to the NAACP - he preached too much to call it a "speech" reveals how well he learned his lessons. It remains to be seen how the NAACP uses those les- sons. Other organizations like the National Urban League or 100 Black Men already emphasize economic develop- ment and family-mentoring programs that build the black community's internal strengths. Today's NAACP sees their goal as "social jus- tice", not "social service," as Chairman Julian Bond has put it. But the families left behind by the civil rights rev- olution need both. 2009 Clarence Page. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc. 0 DAVID "WAGGA" HUNT MEMORIAL FOOTBALL CLASSIC AUGUST 22, 2009 The Florida Chapters of the KC and Calabar Old Boys' Associations jointly present: The hiaugural David "Wagg" Hunt Memorial Classic Saturday, August 22d Even begins at 12:00 pam. at Miramar Regional Park 16801Miraar Pkwy Miramar, forida 33027 Food, Fun and Music (DJ SiddyBee) with two games scheduled: I nitad.ni Match: Cornwall vs. Munro David Hunt Tropy Mach: KC VS. Calabar lMmcal fnm hacs i 'it oloani lw lishinp swhKaiWCtip aW('W inllA. ir, toWmml th inmI 4fonf JmalinuLJx u NJI lia1r. Imj K(Cmal a (arljtuMiminag ouih.kii -Wji VIluL August 2009 react? Now that's the ultimate baggage, as all the crosses known to mankind will be unleashed. EXTREME Still, those are extreme cases. The more common ones are like marrying someone and finding out that she was a low life in a past life. Oh yes, it has caught many an unsuspecting man who didn't take the time to do the necessary background check. As soon as the honey- moon is over and they move into the house, the suitcase is opened. Along come her mother, uncle, two brothers and a cousin, to take up resi- dence as the tenement yard is visited upon you, much like the plagues of Egypt. And so the demons are released. The quarrels and cantankerousness are beyond belief, plus the words that fly out of her mouth, combined with her attitude are mind-baelinei- Then to make it worse, you find out that her n ipli-\i."' is really her child from a previ- ous relationship. All the trou- bles of the world, unleashed on your universe. It happens to women too, as men bring home outside children that they somehow e1 >rg, li" to mention. For peo- ple who have never experi- excess baggage enced such horror, it may seem a bit far-fetched or even impossible, but these things do happen, so just give thanks that they don't happen to you. But victims do tell their tales of woe. Have you ever heard the term Warrior Woman? Well they do exist, and like the Vikings, Huns and Vandals of old, they are not happy unless they are war- ring, as it's all they know. Naturally they would never attract a man if they dis- played such tendencies, so they act docile, like they can't mash ants, almost playing pos- sum, until it's too late, then they unleash their fury on you like a Banshee on crack. So how do you avoid this? Well, be careful who you pick up, do a background check like what those stores do on you when you're buying stuff on hire purchase. Ask plenty questions about the person, seek out their friends or even past lovers if possible, test the waters, and most importantly, don't be hasty. If perchance your lover has neither baggage nor big luggage, then give thanks, but then again, you may be the one who's afflicted and weighed down. seidol@hotmail. com 0