LIWI68

IN THE FIELDS AGAIN

LIWI68 — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 04:26:45 +0000

This VIDEO is extremely powerful and one that will resonate within our community for several years to come. Every now and then we need to remind our selves of how far we have come but also how far we still have to go.

(((+))) We Africans often take history as it has been narrated to us and do little questioning. But, as the proverb tell us, unless we have our own story-teller, the oppressors will always have the best part of the story. To free ourselves from oppression, we must tell our history from our own viewpoint.

Lincoln Alexander dies at 90

LIWI68 — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:33:14 +0000

“Throughout my life I have believed thoroughly in the power of education, and that belief is the grand gift of my mother, Mae Rose, gave me. The title of this book, the quote “Go to school, you’re a little black boy,” is hers, and I have used it to honour her insight and wisdom. Those words, her words, have been a the core of what I have accomplished in this life. She was a mere maid, but her knowledge and foresight transcended her station in life; she knew that accepting defeat was easy, but success was possible, and education was the vehicle to take you there. She was right, and it has.” – The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander

Lincoln Alexander, the popular former lieutenant governor of Ontario, has died at age 90.

Alexander, Canada’s first black MP and cabinet minister, was lieutenant governor from 1985 to 1991.

Alexander was well liked by people of all walks of life and loved to joke about a highway in Hamilton being named after him even though he never held a driver’s licence.

He was MP for the riding for Hamilton West from 1968 to 1980.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of the Hon. Lincoln Alexander, 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario,” current Lieutenant Governor David Onley tweeted Friday.

“A great Canadian, a great man. In the name of Her Majesty and the people of Ontario, our condolences to his wife Marni and his family,” Onley said.

By Richard J. Brennan

Charles Roach Rest in peace knowing that you contributed so much to our society.

LIWI68 — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 02:53:22 +0000

Charlie Roach was a human rights activist and lawyer who fought for migrant rights, battled systemic racism and advocated for equality in community halls, on the streets and in court.

A leader in Toronto’s black community, he died of brain cancer Tuesday, still fighting to gain Canadian citizenship without swearing an oath to the Queen. He was 79.

One of the founders of the original Caribana festival, Roach played an important role in creating civilian oversight of the Toronto police force. He also encouraged non-whites to run for public office.

He did this as a landed immigrant of more than 50 years because he refused to take the oath to the Queen as part of Canada’s citizenship ceremony. He began a fight to have the oath removed in 1988, a cause he continued until his death.

It’s an unlikely legacy for a man who started as a man of the cloth, an immigrant who arrived to study at the University of Saskatchewan, his eyes on the priesthood.

Roach was born the son of a trade union worker in Belmont, Trinidad and Tobago, on September 18, 1931.

“He was very much inspired by the civil rights movement in the States,” said Peter Rosenthal, his friend, colleague and lawyer in his bid for citizenship.

Drifting away from theology and influenced by the civil rights movement, Roach went on to study law at the University of Toronto, was called to the bar in 1963 and opened his own practice in 1968. In the 1970s, Roach fought for people seeking refugee status, as well as the rights of migrant workers.

When Buddy Evans, 24, was shot dead by a police officer in 1978 during a brawl at a Toronto disco — an event that led to an 11-week inquest — it mobilized the black community. The government responded by creating a civilian complaints commission pilot project in the 1980s.

During that time, Roach co-founded the Black Action Defence Committee with Dudley Laws, Sherona Hall and Lennox Farrell. Questioning whether police were able to properly police themselves, the group fought for civilian control of policing. In 1990, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was launched to investigate civilian deaths and injuries involving police officers.

Roach was one of the founders of the Caribana festival in 1967, which would become an internationally known event celebrating island culture, now called the Scotiabank Carribean Carnival. He helped set up the Movement of Minority Electors in 1978 to encourage non-whites to run for public office, and he was appointed lead defence counsel at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, from 1998 to 2005.

His final fight, for the right to gain citizenship without making the oath to the Queen, began in 1988.

“He wanted to be a Canadian citizen very badly,” Rosenthal said. “On the other hand, he was extremely principled and felt that he could not take an oath to allegiance to someone else, in a situation indicating that there was not an equality with somebody by virtue of birth.”

On Tuesday, before Roach’s death, his wife, June Thorne-Roach, pleaded for him to granted honorary citizenship.

“He is fading away pretty quickly now. I know that it was his life dream to be a citizen of Canada,” Thorne-Roach told the Star. He died later that night.

In Wednesday’s session of Parliament, MP Andrew Cash (NDP-Davenport) asked the Speaker to award Roach posthumous citizenship.

“Over his 57 years in Canada, Charles proved himself to be an exemplary Canadian citizen — in every way but name,” Cash said.

In his final days, Rosenthal said, Roach kept in good spirits, singing some of his favourite songs (including the refrain, “diddly diddly diddly dee /free the land from bigotry”) and staying optimistic.

“He wasn’t just teaching us how to live, he taught us how to die,” Rosenthal said.

Roach is survived by June, his wife of 10 years, and four children. Arrangements are still to be finalized for a public memorial.

By Jeff Green

Positive (((+))) Thursday: “Do what you love. Love what you do.” ― Unknown

LIWI68 — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 02:28:14 +0000

(((+))) This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don’t like something, change it. If you don’t like your job, QUIT. If you don’t have enough time, STOP watching T.V If you are looking for the love of your life, STOP; they will be waiting for you when you start doing the things you LOVE.

6th Annual Manifesto hits Toronto

LIWI68 — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:41:22 +0000

On September 23rd, 2012 the 6th annual Manifesto Festival of Community and Culture wrapped up at Dundas Square.

Sunday’s all day outdoor block party saw Yonge & Dundas Square transformed into a multidisciplinary urban arts playground, highlighting some of Toronto’s finest artists, and vendors. Numerous workshops along with a bboy/bgirl open dance floor and open graffiti wall, were just a few of the many things spectators could have participated in at this unique event.

Manifesto’s “Live at The Square” included main-stage performances from local Toronto artists like Maestro Fresh Wes, Andreena Mill, Michie Mee, and Toronto’s upcoming artist Shi Wisdom.

PHAROAHE MONCH x BBNG // “SIMON SAYS” // MANIFESTO 2012 // LIVE AT THE SQUARE from themanifesto.ca on Vimeo.

The closing hour saw MeLa Machinko alongside the main attraction, Pharoahe Monch, as they performed various hits. Special thanks to Pharoahe Monch’s label, W.A.R. Media (We Are Renegades), for stopping by the LIWI booth and supporting the brand by wearing various items during their performance.

LIWI had the wonderful pleasure of once again being one of the vendors showcased at this annual event. After a great showing of support last year, LIWI once again had a successful outing displaying their new designs along with some of their popular designs from previous events.

LIWI would like to thank all of those individuals who bought an item, or simply dropped by to say hello and voice their support. Honorable mention goes out to 2 Rude, David “Clik” Cox, and Amanda Parris, for purchasing and wearing our latest hoody.

A special shout out goes out to fellow tent vendors Nigel John from “Legin Knits”, Chris from “Doing it Well” and Les from “The One Clothing”, whose brands were also on display alongside LIWI merchandise.

Photographer: Sandra Stanisa & Wade Hudson

Positive Thursday: “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” ― Jimi Hendrix

LIWI68 — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:02:26 +0000

Too often in life we seek only to be heard instead of truly listening to, and understanding those who matter to us most– the ones that we love in this world. Jimi knew, and it would serve us well (me especially) to heed his wise words. At the end of the day, it’s the love that we give and receive– in other words, relationships, that make this life beautiful and worth living. Sometimes we must decrease so that the relationship can increase. After all, what’s more important– being happy, or proving how smart we are and being right all the time?

“I’m the one that’s got to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
― Jimi Hendrix

INTRODUCING THE DR. JOHN CARLOS 1968 COMMEMORATIVE “LEGACY” PACKAGE

LIWI68 — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 01:16:55 +0000

I am proud to introduce and launch a special package brought to you by JC68 called the “Legacy” Package. This package will include a signed copy of my book titled The John Carlos Story: The Moment That Changed the World, a signed copy of a “1968 Reminisce” digital print and one of the available sizes “Unity” fist tee.

A great deal for all my fans and supporters out there. Your continued support and following has truly been a blessing and a renewed motivation for me to keep doing what I have been doing for so many years.

Package Details:

A) signed copy of The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World

B) A signed copy of a “1968 Reminisce” digital print

C) Your size in the John Carlos signature series “Unity” fist tee

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR COMMEMORATIVE “LEGACY” PACKAGE DEAL

Thank You all!
Dr.John Carlos

Check out latest video: Major Lazer “Get Free”

LIWI68 — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 01:04:52 +0000

Check out the first single and video by Major Lazer titled “Get Free”, off the new album “Free The Universe”, produced by Iconoclast. This unique video, which was shot in Jamaica by SoME, features a cameo appearance of LIWI’s orginal “1968″ t-shirt.

Donovan Bailey supporting and wearing “UNITY” tee

LIWI68 — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 00:45:20 +0000

The “MAN” himself Donovan Bailey supporting and wearing Dr. John Carlos’s signature series t-shirt titled the “UNITY” tee. LIWI is proud to welcome Donovan into the LIWI family and wishes him success with his new endeavors.

Let’s take an Olympic stand for human rights, and boldly promote one of the most famous gestures in Olympic history, with the John Carlos Signature “Unity” T-shirt. Made from 100% cotton, and ranging in price from $20 to $25, John Carlos’s silhouette can be seen standing within this iconic gesture. Bearing the Olympic ring colors of blue, yellow, black, green and red, these colors symbolize and translate the purpose of the Olympic Movement. Dr. Carlos’s signature eloquently finishes off this authentic and unique design. “There are Man made icons and then there are God made icons… you decide” – Dr. John Carlos

The Gift of Life: Royette Baptiste 1971-2012

LIWI68 — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 02:12:09 +0000

“You can’t lead the people if you don’t love the people. You can’t save the people if you don’t serve the people.” ― Cornel West

Last week we lost a great friend and Visionary. Royette Baptiste, TV host of Caribbean Vibrations, passed away most unexpectedly. Words cannot express my shock and sadness at this terrible news about our friend. First and foremost, my sympathies and prayers go out to Alain and the Baptiste’s family. This is also a great loss for the commmunity who have worked so closely with Royette over the years. Royette had such a vibrant and youthful entrepreneurial spirit. I was just thinking about my last conversation with her and Alain about shooting them in an upcoming LIWI Campaign; she was so thoughtful and optimistic about the future.

The funny thing about life is that we take it and the people in it for granted. The length and quality of our life is not always within our control. We treat each moment as though it is owed to us. We waste time, and we miss opportunities, but the thing that most of us miss out on most is love.

We are constantly running around feeling that everything is more important than actually living and enjoying our life. The lesson I have learned in my life is that nothing is guaranteed, but most importantly what I learned is that the time that we can spend with our loved ones at any minute can be cut short. For that reason I try to make sure that the people in my life know how I feel about them by my actions and in my words not just because I want them to know but because I don’t want to miss the opportunity and I want to have no regrets.

We should take advantage of all the opportunities we have in order to make an impact with our lives. Because you may only get one chance. Each person has talents/gifts that God placed in them…as well as qualities that make that person unique in their own way.

When you or I come up with our own game-plan for this thing called “life” we tend to be unhappy no matter how good things appear to be on the surface. If you look around our society today, read the paper, watch the news, etc. you’ll hear about senseless murders, suicides by people who seemed to have it all together, spouses cheating on the one they made a life long commitment to, children having their own children, money-moguls wanting MORE money and the list goes on and on and ON!!!!

We all put so much ahead of our happiness and well being, but at the end of the day it is really all about the love. Cars, houses, and things unfortunately most people don’t realize can’t really make you happy, and once acquired most people find their lives very empty. The key is listening to what your life is trying to tell you, by following your inner voice, and placing your goals on paper, you well mentally see doors open that will help you to organize, and walk your own unique path.

Okay, I said I would end this off so in closing I would like to leave you with this: In God you will find your purpose. It’s in Him that you’ll find peace when you make that choice to follow His purpose and plans for you when everyone is telling you to do something else. In order to accomplish your purpose…your reason for being here today you have to make God the center of it all and all you have to do is believe and follow Him and the example He set (P.U.S.H.)

Pray Until Something Happens

I am sure that everyone who knew Royette will join me in saying; Royette thank you for your friendship and inspiration, thank you for your dedication to all that you did for the Carribean community.

You we truly be missed.