Abstract
The paper looks at the economic and social situation in the Oakwood/Eglinton areas, examining the integrationist efforts which have been undertaken to alleviate some of the struggles men, women and children face. The paper discusses the inclusionary tactics practiced by the larger communities housing Afro-Caribbean families and investigates the barriers which frustrate any sort of integrationist initiative. The paper concludes that the past and present have been difficult for recently-arrived Jamaicans in a city that prides itself on its racial tolerance, but there is hope that concerted community action can brighten the future.

From the Paper
"The first thing which must be done in a paper of this sort is to look at the economic and social situation which exists within Oakwood and within Eglinton. In truth (simply by glancing at the ward profiles provided on the official web site of the City of Toronto), it appears as though Oakwood and Eglinton are not conjoined as many might think at first glance. Furthermore, a look at the city's neighborhood profiles is only a little more helpful - and it, too, marks the two areas as distinct. Be that as it may, some things can certainly be deduced which offer insight into how the Jamaican community is treated in Canada. For one thing, when looking at household income distribution in the neighborhood of Oakwood-Vaughan (for 2001), it is striking that the income bracket with the largest percentage of the population is that bracket housing those making $10,000 - $19,999 per annum. Ironically, the next-largest income bracket is comprised of those making $100,000 per annum or more (City of Toronto, "Oakwood-Vaughan: Social Profile #3," 3)."

Tags:immigrants, inclusion, integration, racism, ethnicity, income, prejudice

Abstract
This paper attempts to show the errors made in generalizations of Caribbean families. The paper talks about how one Caribbean family is discussed using North American or European models that may not suit Caribbean societies. The paper also points to generalizations that emphasize the lower-class Afro-Caribbean family as somehow typical.

From the Paper
"Models of male marginality and female domesticity have to do with ideas of power, sexuality and gender, in different kinds of Caribbean families. The result of different ideals for men and women has been assumed to create a big gender gap in Caribbean cultures. These are said to have shaped the nature of the family quite strongly. In the past, errors have been made in comparing Caribbean families to those in North America or Europe, or by assuming only one or two models of how the Caribbean family might be different. "

Tags:genderroles, caribbean, theory

Abstract
the paper discusses how Makeda Silvera, in "Man Royals and Sodomites: Some Thoughts on the Invisibility of Afro-Caribbean Lesbians," presents a fascinating critical history of lesbians in the Afro-Caribbean community, and the social, cultural and political complexities surrounding lesbian identity in both the colonial and post-colonial contexts. This reflection paper focuses particular attention upon Silvera's discussion of the roots of gender discrimination against Afro-Caribbean lesbians in the social/cultural determinants of male patriarchal sexual authority within the Afro-Caribbean community.

From the Paper
"Makeda Silvera, in "Man Royals and Sodomites: Some Thoughts on the Invisibility of Afro-Caribbean Lesbians," presents a fascinating critical history of lesbians in the Afro-Caribbean community, and the social, cultural and political complexities surrounding lesbian identity in both the colonial and post-colonial contexts. This reflection paper will focus particular attention upon Silvera's discussion of the roots of gender discrimination against Afro-Caribbean lesbians in the social/cultural..."

Tags:gender, identity, caribbean

Abstract
This paper explores some of the parenting beliefs of church attending ethnic minority mothers. It specifically examines African/Afro-Caribbean mothers from East London. The paper discusses their values and beliefs in relation to their daily interactions with their teenage children. It analyzes the data using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach to ascertain emergent themes and structures.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose of the Study
Research plan
Introduction
Relationship Between Systems of Meaning and Mental Health
Religion
Therapeutic Work and the Use of Religion as a System of Meaning
Debates Relating to Religion and Spirituality in Work with Family Systems
Belief
Religion and Effective Family Functioning
This Seems to be a New Section on Methodology
Motherhood and Ethnic Minority Women
The Growth of Church Attendance in Minority Groups in the UK
Suicide
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Incredibly powerful and talented Black lesbian and bisexual women have either isolated themselves in lonely closets or succumbed to drug addiction, and even committed suicide because they feared both societal and familial rejection. From a historical perspective, the pressure lesbians faced in the past is understood. However, even today, black lesbians in the upper echelons of society still have to choose between silence and success (Asanti, 2001). Until the year 1969, most people who identified as GLB generally could not be open about their sexual orientation and publicly respected in the United States, unlike to European countries. Same-gender sexual behavior has existed throughout history;. However, until about 1850 the labels heterosexual, lesbian, and gay male did not exist in Western societies. Many adolescents are likely to experience sexual interests and behaviors for the first time in their lives during puberty. Many sexual attraction, but not self-label as lesbian or gay male (Anhalt et al., 1998)."

Tags:suicide, ethnicity, minority, culture

Abstract
This paper gives an in-depth analysis of the issue of racism in Canada, focusing on the ethno-national enclaves in Toronto, and further focusing on Afro-Caribbeans. The paper examines how Afro-Caribbeans adjust to life in Canada's largest city. In particular, the paper looks at the economic and social situation to be found in the Oakwood/Eglinton areas. In so doing, the paper addresses the integrationist efforts which have been undertaken to alleviate some of the struggles such men and women (and children) face.

From the Paper
"The issue of racism is one that many Canadians are reluctant to talk about - but it is an issue that will not be going away anytime soon. With this grim truth in mind, the next several pages will look at the situation facing Afro-Caribbeans as they adjust to life in Canada's largest city. In particular, the paper looks at the economic and social situation to be found in the Oakwood/Eglinton areas. In so doing, the paper will also look at the integrationist efforts which have been undertaken to alleviate some of the struggles such men and women (and children) face; time will also be..."

Tags:caribbeans, oakwood, eglinton

Abstract
This paper discusses Caribbean families and how even though they are marked by internal consistency and continuity of Caribbean kinship, they also have been shaped by the factors of slavery, plantation systems, and poverty. The paper further discusses how the Caribbean has its own family ideology and culture, and the Afro-Caribbean family system contains such basic principles as matrifocality and deep kinship networks. Jamaican society has a long history of family and conjugal union breakdown.

Tags:expectations, contrast, youth

Abstract
This essay examines the migration to Guyana of East Indian women in the context of indentured servitude, racism and early capitalistic exploitation. Particular attention is paid not only to why they arrived in Guyana but also how their culture changed and adapted in order to survive in its new environment. As is argued, the culture of East Indian women in the Caribbean was historically as a consequence of indentured servitude separated from the culture of Afro Caribbean women and the broader tradition of struggle against oppression in the colony.

From the Paper
"While most Canadians' views of Caribbean islands such as Guyana are that they are populated by people of African descent whose ancestors were brought as slaves to work on plantations during the colonial era, this view ignores the significant population of East Indian descent in islands such as Guyana. These Indians were brought to Guyana in a process known as "indentured servitude" which was one of the most "successful" programs of the British imperial state of the 19th century."

Tags:culture, guyana, women

Abstract
This paper explains that merengue, a combination of African and European musical influences that is uniquely Caribbean, is a distinctive, enduring musical form associated with the national identity of the Dominican Republic and the dictatorship of Trujillo, who mandated that it be played all the time. The author points out that, traditionally, merengue music was played with four primary instruments, each of which had their part to play within a basic 2/4 signature and a series of set periods that took the merengue in and out of call-and-response patterns. The paper relates that the merengue has changed over the years from a proletarian means of expression to an international medium, more Euro-centric in origin than African drumming or reggae, although it still represents an Afro-Caribbean synthesis of European forms.

From the Paper
"One of the key representational artists to emerge for merengue during the 1960s was Johnny Ventura. Ventura brought outside influences to a new kind of merengue that was classically Dominican in flavor (and more direct than big-band salon merengue), but also brought some of the elements of disco into the equation. Ventura's brand of merengue utilized traditional form and instruments such as the guitar and guira, added an expanded horn section, and kept the rhythm steady with a bass drum. Ventura's lyrics were often full of social and political commentary, which brought new life to the standardized lyrics perpetuated under the restrictive dictatorship. Ventura also took some cues from the flash and glamour of soul and Motown singers from the United States, incorporating onstage dance-moves and stylish outfits. He is seen to have started what came to be the modern tradition of merengue groups, along with fellow innovator."

Tags:ventura, dance, trujillo, afro-caribbean, call-and-response

Abstract
Introduction to Platonic thought on purposes and nature of education, models of induction, the student helped towards the values allowing success within the society; contrast with origins and aims of the 'black focused' school that is actually to be an Afro-Caribbean-focused school though 60% of persons from the community complete high school, apparently not discouraged by a non-'African' curriculum. Student raises several other conceptual criticisms.

From the Paper
Inquiries Into Schooling 1^st Short Assignment In the article, "A Schooled Culture," Matt Hern discusses the educational system and debate on what it means to be educated versus uneducated. (2003) Education implies "something that people do to others for their own good, moulding and shaping them, and trying to make them learn what they think they ought to know." (2003 110) The last is interesting to examine in relation to Plato whose Republic conveys that those responsible for educating the young are to make them good citizens, sharing knowledge about `the good' with the upcoming generation. (2001 211-212). Both

Tags:induction, plato, afro centric school

Abstract
This paper describes opposition to the Afrocentric school proposed by activists as a response to a high Afro-Caribbean dropout rate in Toronto that is discussed as a generic 'African' problem. The paper makes reference to various media materials including UK/US observations.

From the Paper
"In late January of 2008, the Toronto District School Board (TSDB) approved an Afrocentric school that is expected to counteract a 40% dropout rate among `black' students compared to a generic 25% rate. (Carter 2008) The matter of a high `African' drop out rate is linked by activists to a curriculum and school culture not `African-centred' but the chair of the TSDB, John Campbell, stated that the new school will address a high Afro-Caribbean drop out rate, not the generic `black' or African rate that activists mention. (Carter 2008) Activists working towards the school seem..."

Tags:toronto 2008, afro, school, critique