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Growing up both black & white

David Greaves

By DAVID GREAVES
I have spent the better part of the last couple of weeks having “out loud” conversations with myself about what is happening in our world, asking myself questions that are inconceivable. It essentially boils down to one question though: Why? Why are there people that feel so differently than me or you or most God-fearing people?

David Greaves (right) with mother Faigie, father David, and brother Daniel

Why is it that in the year 2020, when we look outside or on our TVs, we cannot see the difference between today and 50 or 60 years ago or the last 400 years? Why is it that Black men and women can be killed in the streets, by the police no less, and there is no one that can stop this?
And the most difficult of questions: Why is it when we hear of another Black man being killed in broad daylight, having the life choked out of him, slowly, by the police, while we can hear him begging for his life – why is it we are not surprised? We are horrified but not surprised, and that is stomach-churning. If you were not from this world, you would certainly not believe it.
I’d like to think that if any one of you had witnessed this that you would have tried to intervene. How come no one even tried?

David’s sister Adonna

Throughout the past weeks I have been trying to understand how I feel, I mean beyond the obvious outrage. My father is Black – born and raised in Trinidad, West Indies (the Caribbean). My two sisters and my brother are also Black (or brown some would say) and somehow, I came out white. Well my mother is white, so I am not a total anomaly.
Someone once asked me if I identify as Black? It was an interesting question and is still difficult to answer. How can I identify as Black when I am as white as they come, but how can I not when most of my immediate family and my father’s side of the family are? I am immensely proud of my Black and Jewish heritage, but I would be disingenuous if I did not admit that there have been times when I have felt fortunate to have been born as I am.
This is not a racist thought, obviously, but it is a guilty feeling …that I feel safe, safer than my own siblings likely do and we live in Canada, a “safe country,” is a feeling of guilt and frustration for me — a guilt that there are two realities for people including my own family, that although we don’t see each other as different or anything other than family, that we have had a much different experience, I’m sure.
There are times when these differences are highlighted, like the other day when my mother told me she called her other son, my brother, to remind him to be careful – something that, I am embarrassed to admit, didn’t even cross my mind as I live in this racial fog that is my reality. Likely my brother and sisters have had to have the “talk” once again with their kids about what to do it they ever get pulled over by the police. That’s a conversation I will never have to have with my white kids – at least not in the same way and with the same fear.

David (centre) with brother Daniel and sister Phyllis

My nephews and nieces range from 16 to mid 20s, and I’m sure they know what they have to do if they ever get pulled over: keep their hands in plain sight on the wheel… and answering, yes sir, officer, yes ma’am, officer… Imagine being so fearful, especially of those that are supposed to be there to protect you. It is important to acknowledge that there are mostly good cops out there – some of them are my friends, but you don’t want to take the gamble in the off chance you are the unlucky one to have drawn the bad apple and, as recently witnessed on “live” TV, George Floyd drew a number of bad apples that day.

What happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis has been happening countless other times for decades, even centuries, and it is despicable. If you are a member of the human race, you should feel outraged. Although we live in Canada, and things appear less amplified, white privilege exists. I’ve enjoyed it without ever really knowing or thinking about it. It really wasn’t until I watched Alex Haley’s “Roots” in the late 1970s that I really understood the history of Black slavery in America. I remember to this day how moved, emotional and sad I was. I was around 11 years old at that time, my dad was Black and I couldn’t believe the world he had to live in. I could not believe the white world of yesterday but I was certain that it was all in the past and the world had changed…
When I think back to that question that was asked of me, I don’t identify as Black. How could I? I have never walked in that skin. I think of it on occasion, but mostly I don’t think of it all. And I guess that’s it, really; I don’t think of it because I can blend into the scenery where in most places – in predominantly white countries, people of colour cannot. And, as we have seen for decades and even centuries, this has been the cause of so much inexcusable brutality.

The question now is not “WHY”? The question now is “WHEN”? When will we push long enough for change to be implemented? When will we step out of the comfortable scenery that we, the White privileged have been blending into for so long and use our voice, our vote, our collective power to demand a change? Posting black squares on Instagram, as I did, is a start but I – we – you must do more.
“…the blackest of berries yield the sweetest juice…”
“It is a cruel jest to tell a bootless man to lift himself up by his bootstraps” -MLK Jr.
(This story first appeared on The Times of Israel website.)

 

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The Allure of Cherry Scents in Modern Fragrance Trends

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One of the most famous perfumes of the generation is the Tom Ford Lost Cherry and the well-loved fragrance is simply unbeatable. They’re so developed, deep, and warm. For customers looking for a more affordable option, perfumes like Ambery Cherry have found a nice middle between luxury and attainability.

Why Cherry Scents Are Having a Moment

Cherry fragrances offer sophistication, freshness, and complexity. These perfumes strike a perfect balance between sweetness and adulthood, making them suitable for any occasion and mood. Cherries are a symbol of indulgence, delectability, and nostalgia. There are several fragrance users who want more than just a nice and simple scent; they’re looking for a story too.

For this reason, a lot of perfumers have gotten extra inventive with their cherry notes, including other notes that establish a unique story. Almond notes, tonka bean, smoky undertones – anything that can place wearers directly on a unique pedestal in an olfactory universe. With this newfound creativity, cherry-scented perfumes have become a genre of their own in the world of luxury perfumes.

Cherry Fragrances and the Senses

Just imagine the moment when someone with cherry fragrance sprays it on their skin. The first notes that blossom through are of tangy, sweet cherry juice. You are then transported to an orchard bathed in sunlight. That is the kind of sensory experience you get with a cherry fragrance.

They’re the right mix of elegant and playful and warm and bold. Again, the likes of Tom Ford Lost Cherry have raised the bar when it comes to making a perfect fragrance. This has, in turn, resulted in the likes of Ambery Cherry becoming easily available to the masses.

Cherry Scents as Personal Statements

Fragrances are not just some additional accessory but an extension to your personality. Cherry fragrances, with their warmth and alluring nature, allow the wearer to make some pretty unforgettable, striking statements everywhere they go. The kind of people who stop and give them a try are people who enjoy timeless elegance while remaining modern and fresh! There is something about cherry fragrances that intrigues you. You just can’t pinpoint what it is but they smell divine.

Finding the Perfect Cherry Fragrance

Given that cherry fragrances are so hot right now, you might find yourself doing a double take as you try to navigate your next move. The best way to decide is to choose one that aligns with your personal style. If your tastes run to the daring and complex, Tom Ford Lost Cherry might tickle your fancy.

If you are after a comparable experience at a more appropriate price tag, there are options like Ambery Cherry as alternatives. They make cherry perfumes accessible to everyone, no matter how deep their pockets are. This will only mean that more of us will experience and fall in love with this note.

Embrace the Cherry Trend

Cherry perfumes are for everyone but many already know this, especially now that there are affordable alternatives. For those who are regular shoppers at luxury perfume counters, don’t let this amazing scent escape your growing collection. Welcome to the beautiful world of cherry perfumes. Now that there are pocket-friendly yet luxurious editions, what is stopping you from considering them?

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Advanced Servers for Lightning-Fast Performance

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Cutting-edge Graphics Powered by HTML5

The design makes or breaks the online casino. Some even say it’s as important as games. With HTML5 used in CrazyVegas, there’s nothing to worry about. The game design and graphics look and act just about the part. All modes can be played on any size screen without a clumsy or confusing transition.

From playing that latest slot to getting into that poker final and anything in between. There’s a clear view of all the visuals and there are no visual bugs that make it painful on the eyes. All thanks to magical HTML5.

AI and Machine Learning for Personalized Experiences

Beneath the system, the AI and machine learning algorithms are creating a uniquely designed gaming world for each player. CrazyVegas uses AI to analyze players’ input and then provide real-time gameplay and promotional offers depending on this player’s preferences.

If the AI detects this player has a preference for games that require more strategy (e.g. BlackJack) then this could result in higher table games or even more game tips to help you play and win. This has made the system create an experience built for the people who play it. But decentralized at the same time.

Secure Transactions with Blockchain Integration

Security is paramount in any online casino, and CrazyVegas doesn’t disappoint. By utilizing blockchain technology, this online casino can provide an unprecedented level of security (and transparency) online — beyond anything else in the industry. With blockchain, user funds are safe and games are fairer.

Any transaction (e.g., deposit, withdrawal) is encrypted and transmitted securely, channeled onto a decentralized contract ledger that ensures your money plus data are safe from any kind of hack.

Mobile Optimization

With the days we live in now, online gaming is a form of relaxation and this casino is just as good as its competition. It is mobile-friendly, meaning a customer can play whenever, wherever!

Thanks to the design and discomfort of cookies, this online casino is for any player. It doesn’t matter if you are at home or just about anywhere, you can definitely play your favorite games on your mobile.

Fair Play with RNG Technology

One of the most important aspects of online gaming is fairness. CrazyVegas has this well covered and uses Random Number Generator (RNG) technology throughout its games to ensure that all game outcomes are entirely random.

Third-party independent testing ensures this remains the case, and our users can be certain they are all in with a fair and equal chance. And with us, the gameplay really is a play that can be trusted!

The Future of Gaming at CrazyVegas

As technologies evolve, we evolve too. CrazyVegas always follows the edge of the possible and even more, providing all the incredible tech pieces to give you more depth and more awesomeness in your gambling. Imagine walking into your VR casino, chatting with other players and a dealer in real time, or using AR to make your gambling appear right on your dinner table! All the tech pieces are endless, and we will take it all to provide the best new experiences to our players.

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Features

Remembrance of Things Present

Bill Marantz

By BILL MARANTZ When I woke up, on Monday, November 11, I forgot it was Remembrance Day. Or, as the “Chosen People” call it, Groundhog Day. Aka: “today.” True, as usual, I had pinned on a fake poppy (that, as usual, had fallen off) but that is the extent of my involvement in this memorial holiday. You don’t have to be reminded of something you can’t forget.

Take the Holocaust.

Please. As far as Velvel Marantz is concerned, Yom Hashoah is redundant. An annual guilt trip I’ve been on since the age of ten, shortly after Donald Trump’s previous incarnation made an ash of himself, and his “Final Solution” was revealed. To atone for the sin of being born in Canada, and being too young to be forced to risk my life on a European battlefield, I would lie awake, in bed, and torture myself with fantasies of being tossed into a roaring fire, kicking and screaming, as the iron door shut behind me. In my innocence, I didn’t realize it was not my European brothers and sisters that were fuel for Adolph Hitler’s “ovens,” but their lifeless remains.

When I learned the true details of their martyrdom, I had a slightly less harrowing nightmare to conjure up. One that involved “shower rooms” that dispensed Cyclone B, rather than H2O. This may seem like a rather morbid turn of mind but I am not an exception, but the rule. That’s what Judaism is all about. Remembrance of things present. Every morning, the first thing we do, is count our blessings. Recite fourteen prayers of thanks that can be summed up in a single prayer: “Thank you, ha’Shem for letting me wake up.” And every Saturday, and Jewish holiday, we recite a passage from the same book we’ve been reading for several thousand years. Lest we forget where we came from, and where we don’t want to go.

Again.

It’s like a joke my late friend Ron Brooker, who worked for Fox films, used to tell. The Jolson Story and Jolson Sing Again were such big hits that they were thinking of making another sequel: Jolson Sings Again and Again.

Jews dominate the movie industry but we don’t all go to the synagogue. Or “Temple,” as my New York cousins say. Not all Jews are created equal. There are secular Jews, self-hating Jews and assimilated Jews, who don’t “identify” as Jews (to use the current jargon). But there’s no escape. It’s like the Mafia. “Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in!” Judaism is not a choice; it’s “bashert.” A blessing and a curse. Like winning a Gold Medal in the women’s 100 meter butterfly and still having to pee, standing up. To paraphrase my favorite author, Isaac Bashevis Singer: “If you ever forget you’re a Jew, don’t worry, there will always be a Gentile around to remind you.”

Which is why I don’t bother to celebrate Remembrance Day.

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