#group shows in Trinidad and Tobago

[sexypinkon]

Sexypink - Carnival shows aplenty.

[adeleisexceptional]

                             A    D    E   L    E       T    O    D     D

                        FLAG WOMAN - embroidery on canvas

[octahedral-chaos]

Don't know why I'm feeling so sappy but after watching "The Dragon Paradox," I kind of want to talk about some childhood memories I do remember.

For the longest time, I remembered being... alone. Different. I wasn't like my peers. In primary school, while most kids were running around in the courtyard or hanging out with their friends and such, I was alone. Well... not really alone since one of my relatives worked in the school so I usually go by them. But I usually just... draw. Draw dragons, dinosaurs, wolves, stuff like that.

If it's not drawing, it's reading. I love nonfiction books. Especially about animals, and nature. I vaguely remember this one book that had a picture of a clay stop-motion styled hadrosaur (An extremely outdated one to boot!) In one of the pages. An entire book on moths and butterflies. A book on dinosaurs. My entire early childhood was spent looking at animals, feeling an odd sense of kinship with them.

I never really fit in, especially in a culture like Trinidad and Tobago. There's this focus on loudness, in a sense. Carnival, limes, fetes, it's a culture focused on partying, yet... I never really understood that appeal. I hated loud noises, people scared me somewhat, even merely talking loudly could make me flinch. I... never really fit in.

This, coupled with the fact that I usually got along well with older family members and such, meant that my way of trying to fit in was to stamp out anything that I deemed "childish"; Bright colours, cartoons, stuff like those I tried to get rid of. Just so I could feel a sense of belonging to somewhere at least. But that backfired....

Spectacularly

I was still feeling rather alone. Even when I did get my first friend, I... didn't really feel connected. All I rambled about was The Last Guardian and I... I wasn't too sure if they were getting annoyed with me. So I still felt alone, made worst by the fact that this point was one of my lowest points in life.

Skipping to early high school, I was still alone, but managed to interact with people decently. I wasn't too sure on friends... but I did managed to make a few of them during the lockdowns. And for my stamping out of my "childish joy?"

Well... that didn't last.

I got into OCTAHEDRON, and started falling in love with things that are cringy again. Feeling genuinely in love with this game.

And then Worldless came along... and sparked me into feeling GENUINELY connected with others. Feeling like someone else understands what I went through; the alienation, feelings of difference, all of it. It feels like at least someone else finally understands the feeling of loneliness, even though you're surrounded by people who loves you.

And the funny thing is? Every. Single. Thing I was interested in is rather obscure.

Thylacines, Yi qi and Siats Meekorum. TY, Freedom Planet and Dust: an Elysian Tail. OCTAHEDRON and Worldless. Every single one of these things were rather obscure when I got into it. I still remembered how OCTAHEDRON basically made me get Tumblr in the first place, trying to find people who's into the game.

And I think, maybe I feel connected to the obscure because it's familiar. The feeling of loneliness and being an oddity. Being alone. It was like a mirror to my experience, being surrounded by people yet not feeling like any one of them considers you their friend. Being so, so alone despite being surrounded by others, others who don't think, talk or act the way you do, and not even understanding why. Why everyone feels alien, why you don't feel like you fit in anywhere.

This got a little long, so I'm ending it here. Thank you, thank you Mystic and Sqarlet and Hope and Peep and Tea and others, as well as my IRL friend group, for making me not feel alone. For showing me that hey, it's okay to be different. Thank you so, so much.

Thank you.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 9.18 (after 1920)

1922 – The Kingdom of Hungary is admitted to the League of Nations. 1927 – The Columbia Broadcasting System goes on the air. 1928 – Juan de la Cierva makes the first Autogyro crossing of the English Channel. 1931 – Imperial Japan instigates the Mukden Incident as a pretext to invade and occupy Manchuria. 1934 – The Soviet Union is admitted to the League of Nations. 1939 – World War II: The Polish government of Ignacy Mościcki flees to Romania. 1939 – World War II: The radio show Germany Calling begins transmitting Nazi propaganda. 1943 – World War II: Adolf Hitler orders the deportation of Danish Jews. 1944 – World War II: The British submarine HMS Tradewind torpedoes Jun'yō Maru, killing 5,600, mostly slave labourers and POWs. 1944 – World War II: Operation Market Garden results in the liberation of Eindhoven. 1944 – World War II: The Battle of Arracourt begins. 1945 – General Douglas MacArthur moves his general headquarters from Manila to Tokyo. 1947 – The National Security Act reorganizes the United States government's military and intelligence services. 1948 – Operation Polo is terminated after the Indian Army accepts the surrender of the army of Hyderabad. 1948 – Margaret Chase Smith of Maine becomes the first woman elected to the United States Senate without completing another senator's term. 1954 – Finnish president J. K. Paasikivi becomes the first Western head of state to be awarded the highest honor of the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin. 1960 – Fidel Castro arrives in New York City as the head of the Cuban delegation to the United Nations. 1961 – U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld dies in an air crash while attempting to negotiate peace in the Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 1962 – Burundi, Jamaica, Rwanda and Trinidad and Tobago are admitted to the United Nations. 1962 – Aeroflot Flight 213 crashes into a mountain near Chersky Airport, killing 32 people. 1964 – The wedding of Constantine II of Greece and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark takes place in Athens. 1973 – The Bahamas, East Germany and West Germany are admitted to the United Nations. 1974 – Hurricane Fifi strikes Honduras with 110 mph winds, killing 5,000 people. 1977 – Voyager I takes the first distant photograph of the Earth and the Moon together. 1980 – Soyuz 38 carries two cosmonauts (including one Cuban) to the Salyut 6 space station. 1981 – The Assemblée Nationale votes to abolish capital punishment in France. 1982 – The Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon comes to an end. 1984 – Joe Kittinger completes the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic. 1988 – The 8888 Uprising in Myanmar comes to an end. 1988 – General Henri Namphy, president of Haiti, is ousted from power in a coup d'état led by General Prosper Avril. 1990 – Liechtenstein becomes a member of the United Nations. 1992 – An explosion rocks Giant Mine at the height of a labor dispute, killing nine replacement workers in Yellowknife, Canada. 1997 – United States media magnate Ted Turner donates US$1 billion to the United Nations. 1997 – The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention is adopted. 2001 – First mailing of anthrax letters from Trenton, New Jersey in the 2001 anthrax attacks. 2007 – Buddhist monks join anti-government protesters in Myanmar, starting what some call the Saffron Revolution. 2011 – The 2011 Sikkim earthquake is felt across northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and southern Tibet. 2012 – Greater Manchester Police officers PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone are murdered in a gun and grenade ambush attack in Greater Manchester, England. 2014 – Scotland votes against independence from the United Kingdom, by 55% to 45%. 2015 – Two security personnel, 17 worshippers in a mosque, and 13 militants are killed during a Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan attack on a Pakistan Air Force base on the outskirts of Peshawar. 2016 – The 2016 Uri attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India by terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed results in the deaths of nineteen Indian Army soldiers and all four attackers.

[armchairfootballer]

How good is Canada?

This year's Copa América opened with the defending Copa (and world) champions, Argentina — led by one of the greatest players of all time — against a nation that had to win a playoff match against Trinidad & Tobago to even qualify. While the world #1 ranked team emerged victorious, much of the post-match commentary focused on the positive performance of their 48th-ranked opponents, Canada.

After a 2-0 lost to La Albiceleste, the Canucks posted a victory against Peru and held on for draw against two-time champions Chile. And despite being the lowest ranked team in their group and being on no one's list to progress far within the competition, Canada advanced to the quarterfinals having scored only 1 goal throughout the entire group stage.

A quarterfinal win against Venezuela on penalties catapulted Canada to the semifinals of the oldest and one of the most prestigious international soccer competitions in the world, not to mention a rematch with Messi and Argentina. And while the Reds would once again fall short, pundits described their performance as "gutsy."

So how good is this Canada team under new head coach Jesse Marsch? Do they actually have what it takes to make some waves as they co-host the 2026 World Cup? Or are there factors beyond his control that will always limit approbations to mentions of their "effort" and "spirit"?

A History of Not Meeting the Moment

This isn't the first time Canada has gone unexpectedly deep into a tournament. They won the 1985 CONCACAF Championship to earn the confederation's lone qualification spot for the 1986 World Cup. Although they were drawn in a tough group with the Soviet Union and France, Canada still disappointed fans, losing all three of their games and failing to score a single goal.

At the 2000 Gold Cup, Canada defeated Mexico in the quarterfinals, an ascendant T&T in the semis, and guests Colombia in the finals to win the tournament — the only time a country other than the U.S. or Mexico has ever won it.

Canada was tops of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying in 2022, equalling Mexico's record but maintaining a far superior goal difference. Under coach John Herdman, the Reds rose from 72nd to 33rd in the world rankings. But their showing in Qatar was only marginally better than at Mexico '86.

While experts agreed they were the better side in their opening contest against Belgium, the team still lost 1-0. Like in their recent loss to Argentina, Canada was lauded for excellent player and for "bringing it" to one of the world's top squads. But the team would then suffer further defeats to eventual semifinalists Croatia and Morocco. The only silver lining was a goal for Alphonso Davies in the 2nd minute of the Croatia match, Canada's first in a World Cup. (The goal against Morocco was an own goal.)

Canada's history of regional success has consistently been followed by failure on the international stage. But can they break the cycle before June 12, 2026, when the first World Cup match in Canada will be played at Toronto's BMO field?

What Team Canada needs

Canada Soccer sure hopes Jesse Marsch knows how to alter the Canucks' fortunes. He may be blessed with a generation of players stronger than any other in the nation's history.

Alphonso Davies isn't a soccer superstar, but he's certainly one of the most respected players in Europe. His speed and versatility are tremendous assets for Bayern Munich, for whom he's played a key role in winning five Bundesliga titles and a Champion's league trophy. But he's the only player Canada has at that level.

Other strengths include Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, and Ismaël Koné, all playing in Europe's top leagues, and Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio.

But watching Canada play, it's clear that their talent can't compete with the top soccer-playing nations. Their finishing is sub-par. Their pass accuracy usually sits in the 75%–85% range, but they often seem to make the *wrong* passes. These are "football IQ" issues that come with experience of playing at the highest levels, something that Canada needs more opportunities for. Back-to-back World Cup appearances may help somewhat, but going deep into competitions like Copa América may be what's needed.

There's also an over-dependence on Davies in the big games, which Canada will need to overcome. That's where Jesse Marsch can really help develop things until Canada has an experiential record befitting of a top team.

Building a soccer culture

But personnel is just one piece of a much more complex, multi-dimensional puzzle. Marsch (and any future head coach) will need the support of Canada Soccer, an organization which itself may be immature and inexperienced compared to their international peers.

And, obviously, Canada needs to invest in soccer programs from the base level up, in an effort to build a culture of excellence and develop future talent.

But we can't fall into the trap of saying that Canada doesn't have a culture that supports football. Let's remember — our women's team has a historical ranking of 9th in the world, a World Cup semifinal appearance, Olympic gold, and two Olympic bronzes.

While part of that record may be attributable to the underdevelopment of women's soccer in other nations that put a lot into their men's game, we must still acknowledge the exceptional job Canadian women have done on the world stage. The 2018 decision to hire Herdman, then the women's coach, as the men's coach was evident of Canada Soccer's commitment to develop the men's game as well.

In the short-run, it may take a run of strong performances in high-level games. But Soccer Canada will need a much more robust long-term plan if Canada ever hopes to match, or even surpass, the achievements of their strongest CONCACAF peers and rivals, and — more importantly — build a reputation as a soccer nation worth taking seriously.

[recentlyheardcom]

In a dingy, dimly lit brothel, Maria explains how she left her young child behind in crisis-hobbled Venezuela to work as a prostitute in Trinidad and Tobago, hoping to earn enough money to return home and start anew.The English-speaking island lies only 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) away, making it an attractive destination for tens of thousands of Venezuelans who have fled there in recent years in search of a better life.Most are undocumented and work for peanuts, exploited by traffickers, pimps and failed by the system, observers say.Hundreds are women who end up selling their bodies, some willingly, some not, most living in grim conditions without freedom of movement or even the right to use their cellphones at will.Maria, who did not want to give her real name, said she has to work back the $500 she owes the traffickers who arranged her recent passage to the Trinidadian capital, Port of Spain."I hope to do so in a month or two. Then, work one or two more months and return to Venezuela with the money to open a business," the 25-year-old told AFP over the loud music pounding through her workplace and temporary home.Prostitutes told AFP they earn about $12 to $24 of the $30-$60 charged by a brothel for 30 minutes spent with a client.A john wishing to take a woman home, or to a hotel, has to fork out a minimum of $150 -- about equal to the average monthly salary in Venezuela.Also from her earnings, Maria said she had to pay $50 a month for the "rent" of her small brothel room. With what she can stash away, she has big dreams of opening a small shop back home."It's fine," she says, resigned to her fate.Maria knew what she was getting in to when she left Venezuela.Many others do not.- 'Sexual merchandise' -According to a 2021 report on sexual slavery by the NGO Connectas, over 21,000 Venezuelan women and girls fell victim to human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago in the previous six years.Most were between 18 and 25, some younger, lured by promises of gainful employment."They lose their freedom as soon as they set foot on any Trinidadian beach, and their 'original sin' is an alleged debt that these women can only pay by becoming sexual merchandise," said the Connectas report.About seven million of Venezuela's 30 million inhabitants have left home in the face of an economic crisis that has slashed GDP by 80 percent in 10 years.Officially, there are 60,000 Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago, which has 1.4 million inhabitants, although NGOs estimate the figure could be much higher -- as much as 10 percent of the population.Only about 9,000 have legal status."People call us. We fetch them on the Venezuelan coast... We pay the Trinidadian coast guard $1,500," a boat owner who transports migrants told AFP on condition of anonymity.Since 2018, more than 100 people have died in the crossing.Once in Trinidad, rights groups say migrants are abandoned largely to their own devices.Figures from the Trinidadian Financial Intelligence Unit showed that in the four years to 2020, human trafficking added $2.2 million to the country's economy, according to the Connectas report.- 'They take advantage' -Exploitation stretches beyond sex work to the construction, cleaning and services industries."If (the work) is hard and underpaid, it's for us. The Trinidadians do not accept to work for the salaries we do," said a Venezuelan ex-soldier who works at a car wash for the average wage of about $3 an hour. "Sometimes the boss doesn't pay you the hours you worked because he knows you can't report it, they take advantage," added a construction worker.Opposition MP David Lee, while pointing out the "security risk" posed by unvetted, undocumented migrants, said the government nevertheless had a responsibility to look after them.It is "a big human rights issue," he told AFP."They (migrants) are really at the mercy of the population of Trinidad and Tobago."pgf/jt/mlr/fb/st

[fishbreedsblog]

A Comprehensive Guide to Koi Guppy & 7 Facts

 Welcome to this full guide about how to take care of Koi Guppy, breed them, and do other things with them. Koi Guppies are very pretty fish that have won over the hearts of many aquarium owners. This article will tell you everything you need to know about Koi Guppies, including where they come from, how they live, what they eat, how they breed, common health problems, and special things to keep in mind.

This guide will tell you what you need to know to keep your Koi Guppies healthy and happy, no matter how much experience you have with fish tanks.

Details about everything

Koi Guppies, which are also called "Fancy Guppies," come from the fresh water of Venezuela, Barbados, Trinidad, and Tobago in South America.

Size: On average, Koi Guppies grow to be 1.5 to 2.5 inches (3.8 to 6.4 cm) long, which is small enough for aquariums with less space.

If you take good care of your Koi Guppies, they can live for about two to three years, but some have been known to live up to five years.

Most of the time, Koi Guppies are calm and friendly. They get along well with non-aggressive fish and add more life to community tanks.

People know Koi Guppies for how beautiful they look. They come in bright oranges, reds, blues, and yellows, among other colors, and often have patterns that look like Koi fish. Most of the time, their fins are long and flowy, which makes them look elegant.

Types and Colors: There are many different types and colors of Koi Guppy. People know about red Koi Guppies, yellow Koi Guppies, and black Koi Guppies. Each fish is different because its colors and patterns are different.

Needs a home and a tank

In their natural habitat, Koi Guppies live in ponds, slow-moving streams, and shallow water with a lot of plants. Warm water is good for them.

Size of Tank: A tank for a small group of Koi Guppies should be at least 10 gallons (38 liters) big. This will make sure they have a nice place to live.

Water Parameters: Koi Guppies do best in warm, moist freshwater. Keep the pH between 6.8 and 7.8 and the water temperature between 24°C and 28°C. Check the water quality often and make sure it is filtered well to keep things in good shape.

Set up the tank. Plant a lot of real or fake plants in it to make it look like their natural home. You can hide behind rocks, driftwood, or in caves. Use fine gravel or sand as the substrate to keep the guppies' fins from getting hurt.

Putting food in

Diet: Koi Guppies eat a wide range of foods because they are omnivores. Give them flakes or pellets made for tropical fish that you can buy at a store. You can feed them live or frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia to give them the nutrients they need.

How they eat: Koi Guppies eat a lot, so they should be fed small amounts of food several times a day. Make sure they eat the food quickly so they don't get too fat and the water quality stays high.

Having babies

Koi Guppies are livebearers, which means they don't lay eggs but instead give birth to fry that can swim away on their own. The females carry fertilized eggs around with them until they are ready to have babies.

Give the female a separate breeding tank with lots of plants or plants that float so she can hide and have her babies. Make sure the water is clean and keeps a temperature of about 78°F (25°C).

The male guppy starts the process of mating by showing off its bright colors and moving its fins in strange ways. When the female is ready, they mate, and she stores the sperm so that it can be used to make babies in the future. The female fish gives birth to live fry after being pregnant for 20 to 30 days. Keep the young fish away from the adults so they don't get eaten. Feed them the right amount of food for their size so they can grow.

Frequent health issues

Koi Guppies are usually healthy fish, but they can get sick from things like fin rot, ich, and problems with their swim bladders. Keep an eye on the water parameters, feed a balanced diet, and practice good hygiene to keep health problems to a minimum.

Check the water quality often, change some of the water, and put new fish in a quarantine tank before adding them to the main tank. Give them a balanced diet and don't crowd them too much to boost their immune system. If you see any signs of illness, you should talk to a knowledgeable aquatic vet or an experienced aquarist right away.

Things to consider

Koi Guppies are usually calm, so they can live with fish that don't attack. But don't put them with fish that bite their fins or fish that are too aggressive and could hurt their fins. Small tetras, calm gouramis, and other community fish get along well with each other.

Instructions for Special Care: Koi Guppies need special care for their soft, flowing fins. Don't put anything in the tank that is sharp and could hurt the fins of the fish. Also, change the water often and make sure the filtration is working well to keep the water clean and prevent infections.

Legal Restrictions: If you own or breed Koi Guppies, it is important to know and follow any legal rules or restrictions that come with it. In some places, owning or trading these fish may be against the law, or you may have to follow certain rules. Make sure you follow the local laws and rules by finding out what they are.

In the end,

In conclusion, Koi Guppies are interesting fish that add color and life to aquariums. If you take good care of them and give them a good place to live, you can enjoy their beautiful colors and graceful presence.

This detailed guide has talked about how to take care of Koi Guppies, including general information, what they need for a home, what they eat, how they breed, common health problems, and special things to keep in mind. You can give your Koi Guppies a happy and healthy home by following these rules and paying attention to what they need.

[brookston]

Holidays 8.11

Holidays

Alcatraz Day

Annual Medical Check-Up Day

Brother's Day

Burry Man Parade Day (Scotland)

Cheech and Chong Day (San Antonio, Texas)

Chris Hemsworth Day

Constitution Day (Anguilla)

Day of the Latvian Freedom Fighters (Latvia)

Dog Days of Summer end

811 Day

Festival of Happy Feet

Fiesta de Santa Clara (New Mexico)

Flag Day (Pakistan)

Freethinkers Day

Gai Jatra (Cow Festival & Remembrance of People Died Last Year; Nepal)

Gay Uncles Day (a.k.a. Guncles Day)

Global Kinetic Sand Day

Green Bay Packers Day

Health Center Staff Appreciation Day

Heroes' Day (Zimbabwe)

Hug a Tiny Day

Ingersoll Day

Inula Day (French Republic)

Koomu Alezer’i (Elder Scrolls)

Miracle Treat Day (Canada)

Mountain Day (Japan)

National Align Your Teeth Day

National Canine Companion Graduation Day

National Day of Civic Hacking

National Face Mask Day

National Hip Hop Day

National Minority Day (Pakistan)

National Model Aviation Day

National Presidential Joke Day

National Safe Digging Day

Nutritionist Day (Mexico)

Play in the Sand Day

Presidential Joke Day

Roller Rink Day

Son and Daughter Day

SOS Day

WIT Brag Day

World Krill Day

World Steelpan Day (Trinidad & Tobago)

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Fufu Day

National Bakewell Tart Day (UK)

National Instant Coffee Day

National Panini Day

National Raspberry Bombe Day

National Raspberry Tart Day

2nd Friday in August

Gals Night Out [2nd Friday]

Grey Cat Day [2nd Friday]

Hartjesdagen begins (Little Hearts Day; Netherlands) [Friday before 3rd Monday]

Kool-Aid Days begin (Hastings, Nebraska) [2nd Friday thru Sunday]

Lake Michigan Day [2nd Friday]

National Blood Book Awareness Day (UK) [2nd Friday]

National Kool-Aid Day [2nd Friday]

No Man's Land Celebration [2nd Friday]

Shop Online for Groceries Day [2nd Friday]

World Cross Stitch Day [2nd Friday]

Worldwide Art Day [2nd Friday]

Independence Days

Balochistan (from UK, 1947) [unrecognized]

Chad (from France, 1960)

Ebenthal (Declared; 2014) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Ancestor Day III (Pagan)

Athracht (a..k.a. Attracta; Christian; Saint)

Byron (Positivist; Saint)

Clare of Assisi (Christian; Saint)

Clare Foley Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Claude Joseph Vernet (Artology)

Day of Honor for Oddudua (Santeria)

Equitius (Christian; Saint)

Fiacre (Christian; Saint)

Gaugericus (a.k.a. Gery; Christian; Saint)

Great Quackini (Muppetism)

John Henry Newman (Church of England)

Mick Foley Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Philomena (Christian; Saint)

Rakish Bandhan 2022 (Hindusim) [Last day of Śrāvaṇa]

Rum Quaffing Day (Pastafarian)

Susanna (Christian; Saint)

Taurinus of Évreux (Christian; Saint)

Tiburtius and Chromatius (Christian; Saints)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [32 of 53]

Prime Number Day: 223 [48 of 72]

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

The Abyss (Film; 1989)

After Dark, My Sweet, by Jim Thompson (Novel; 1955)

Almost Human (TV Series; 2013)

American Graffiti (Film; 1973)

Atypical (TV Series; 2017)

C’est Chic, by Chic (Album; 1978)

Childhood's End, by Arthur C. Clarke (Novel; 1953)

Dangerous Minds (Film; 1995)

Danny Deckchair (Film; 2004)

Doug (Animated TV Series; 1991)

Down to Earth, by Jimmy Buffett (Album; 1970)

Food for Feeding’ (Disney Cartoon; 1950)

Free Ride, by The Edgar Winter Group (Song; 1973)

A Hard Day’s Night (Beatles US Film; 1964)

Hey, Soul Sister, by Train (Song; 2009)

His Hare Raising Tale (WB LT Cartoon; 1951)

Le Freak, by Chic (Song; 1978)

I Left My Heart in San Francisco, by Tony Bennett (Song; 1962)

In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World (Anime Film; 2017)

The Life of Emile Zola (Film; 1938)

The Magicians, by Lev Grossman (Novel; 2009)

Need You Know, by Lady Antebellum (Song; 2009)

Orphan’s Benefit (Disney Cartoon; 1934)

Party in the U.S.A., by Miley Cyrus (Song; 2009)

Pete’s Dragon (Film; 2016)

The Ren & Stimpy Show (Animated TV Series; 1991)

The Replacements (Film; 2000)

Rugrats (Animated TV Series; 1991)

Runaway Brain (Disney Cartoon; 1995)

Step Up (Film; 2006)

The View (TV Talk Show; 1997)

A Walk in the Clouds (Film; 1995)

What If…? (Animated TV Series; 2021)

You Beat Me To the Punch, by Mary Wells (Song; 1962)

Today’s Name Days

Klara, Susanna (Austria)

Jasminka, Jasna, Klara, Suzana (Croatia)

Zuzana (Czech Republic)

Herman (Denmark)

Sanna, Sanne, Susanna, Suusi (Estonia)

Sanna, Sanni, Susanna, Susanne (Finland)

Claire, Gilberte, Suzanne (France)

Klara, Susanne (Germany)

Efpious (Greece)

Tiborc, Zsuzsanna (Hungary)

Chiara, Lelia, Susanna (Italy)

Liega, Olga, Zita (Latvia)

Klara, Ligija, Visalgas, Visvilė, Zuzana (Lithuania)

Tarald, Torvald (Norway)

Aleksander, Herman, Ligia, Lukrecja, Włodzimierz, Włodziwoj, Zula, Zuzanna (Poland)

Zuzana (Slovakia)

Clara, Susana (Spain)

Susanna (Sweden)

Susanna (Ukraine)

Laila, Layla, Leila, Leilani, Lela, Lelia, Nayeli (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 223 of 2024; 142 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of week 32 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 4 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Ji-Wei), Day 25 (Xin-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 24 Av 5783

Islamic: 24 Muharram 1445

J Cal: 13 Hasa; Sixday [13 of 30]

Julian: 29 July 2023

Moon: 20%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 27 Dante (8th Month) [Byron]

Runic Half Month: Thorn (Defense) [Day 14 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 52 of 94)

Zodiac: Leo (Day 21 of 31)

[blacktravelersnetwork]

Journey to the World's Largest Carnival: A Black Traveler's Guide to Experiencing the Magic!

If you're a lover of music, dance, culture & fun, then have a Trip to the world's largest carnival. It should be on your bucket list. This massive event, which attracts millions of visitors from around the world, is an opportunity to experience a diverse range of cultural traditions & performances all while immersing yourself in the vibrant energy of the carnival.

For black travelers, attending the world's largest carnival can be an enriching experience. However, there may be unique challenges and considerations to keep in mind when planning your trip. That's why we've created this comprehensive guide to help you make the most of your experience.

Why the World's Largest Carnival Should Be on Your Bucket List?

The world's largest carnival has a rich and fascinating history. It originated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the early 1700s & has since spread to other parts of the world. The carnival is now celebrated in many countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Spain, and the United States.

At its core, the carnival is a celebration of life, culture, and community. It's a chance for people of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities to come together and enjoy music, dance, parades, and other festivities. For Black Travelers, the carnival can be an opportunity to connect with their cultural heritage and witness the contributions of black communities to global culture.

The Ultimate Guide to the World's Largest Carnival

Once you arrive at the carnival, you'll be immersed in a whirlwind of music, dance, and color. There are many events and activities to enjoy, including parades, concerts, street parties, and cultural exhibitions. To make the most of your experience, be sure to plan and prioritize the events that interest you most.

Some of the must-see performances and experiences include the samba parades in Rio de Janeiro, the steelpan competitions in Trinidad and Tobago, and the flamenco shows in Spain. You may also want to explore the local cuisine, visit museums and historical sites, or participate in workshops and classes.

Navigating the Carnival as a Black Traveler

While attending the carnival can be a thrilling and unforgettable experience, there may be some concerns or fears that black travelers have about navigating the event. Some potential challenges may include language barriers, cultural differences, and safety concerns.

Attending the world's largest carnival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can be enjoyed by travelers of all backgrounds. For black travelers, the carnival can be an especially meaningful & transformative experience. So what are you waiting for? Find Family & group packages to South Africa. Start planning your journey to the world's largest carnival today!

[sexypinkon]

Sexypink - A gathering/conversation instigated by Christopher Cozier. “…In Trinidad, the art encounter and or transaction often seems to exist outside of historical trajectories with a fake and mysterious notion of universal standards or quality - can we question or just accept this?” Cozier Based on conversations which took place at Alice Yard over the last year, Christopher Cozier, rather than having a “one man” exhibition, invites artists Amir Denzel Hall, Bianca Peake, Elechi Todd and Khaffi Beckles, to open the conversation; to think about the meaning of making and process within and from our geographic location. Why Now? is an assembly of ways of working and ideas. Asking about collaboration, our art market space, local art history, how and why work is viewed and consumed. What are the degrees of consonance and dissonance? Why associate? Why share space? Why make art here? And Why Now?

[adeleisexceptional]

Lord Kitchener - Flag Woman [1976 Road March]

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 8.11

Holidays

Alcatraz Day

Annual Medical Check-Up Day

Brother's Day

Burry Man Parade Day (Scotland)

Cheech and Chong Day (San Antonio, Texas)

Chris Hemsworth Day

Constitution Day (Anguilla)

Day of the Latvian Freedom Fighters (Latvia)

Dog Days of Summer end

811 Day

Festival of Happy Feet

Fiesta de Santa Clara (New Mexico)

Flag Day (Pakistan)

Freethinkers Day

Gai Jatra (Cow Festival & Remembrance of People Died Last Year; Nepal)

Gay Uncles Day (a.k.a. Guncles Day)

Global Kinetic Sand Day

Green Bay Packers Day

Health Center Staff Appreciation Day

Heroes' Day (Zimbabwe)

Hug a Tiny Day

Ingersoll Day

Inula Day (French Republic)

Koomu Alezer’i (Elder Scrolls)

Miracle Treat Day (Canada)

Mountain Day (Japan)

National Align Your Teeth Day

National Canine Companion Graduation Day

National Day of Civic Hacking

National Face Mask Day

National Hip Hop Day

National Minority Day (Pakistan)

National Model Aviation Day

National Presidential Joke Day

National Safe Digging Day

Nutritionist Day (Mexico)

Play in the Sand Day

Presidential Joke Day

Roller Rink Day

Son and Daughter Day

SOS Day

WIT Brag Day

World Krill Day

World Steelpan Day (Trinidad & Tobago)

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Fufu Day

National Bakewell Tart Day (UK)

National Instant Coffee Day

National Panini Day

National Raspberry Bombe Day

National Raspberry Tart Day

2nd Friday in August

Gals Night Out [2nd Friday]

Grey Cat Day [2nd Friday]

Hartjesdagen begins (Little Hearts Day; Netherlands) [Friday before 3rd Monday]

Kool-Aid Days begin (Hastings, Nebraska) [2nd Friday thru Sunday]

Lake Michigan Day [2nd Friday]

National Blood Book Awareness Day (UK) [2nd Friday]

National Kool-Aid Day [2nd Friday]

No Man's Land Celebration [2nd Friday]

Shop Online for Groceries Day [2nd Friday]

World Cross Stitch Day [2nd Friday]

Worldwide Art Day [2nd Friday]

Independence Days

Balochistan (from UK, 1947) [unrecognized]

Chad (from France, 1960)

Ebenthal (Declared; 2014) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Ancestor Day III (Pagan)

Athracht (a..k.a. Attracta; Christian; Saint)

Byron (Positivist; Saint)

Clare of Assisi (Christian; Saint)

Clare Foley Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Claude Joseph Vernet (Artology)

Day of Honor for Oddudua (Santeria)

Equitius (Christian; Saint)

Fiacre (Christian; Saint)

Gaugericus (a.k.a. Gery; Christian; Saint)

Great Quackini (Muppetism)

John Henry Newman (Church of England)

Mick Foley Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Philomena (Christian; Saint)

Rakish Bandhan 2022 (Hindusim) [Last day of Śrāvaṇa]

Rum Quaffing Day (Pastafarian)

Susanna (Christian; Saint)

Taurinus of Évreux (Christian; Saint)

Tiburtius and Chromatius (Christian; Saints)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [32 of 53]

Prime Number Day: 223 [48 of 72]

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

The Abyss (Film; 1989)

After Dark, My Sweet, by Jim Thompson (Novel; 1955)

Almost Human (TV Series; 2013)

American Graffiti (Film; 1973)

Atypical (TV Series; 2017)

C’est Chic, by Chic (Album; 1978)

Childhood's End, by Arthur C. Clarke (Novel; 1953)

Dangerous Minds (Film; 1995)

Danny Deckchair (Film; 2004)

Doug (Animated TV Series; 1991)

Down to Earth, by Jimmy Buffett (Album; 1970)

Food for Feeding’ (Disney Cartoon; 1950)

Free Ride, by The Edgar Winter Group (Song; 1973)

A Hard Day’s Night (Beatles US Film; 1964)

Hey, Soul Sister, by Train (Song; 2009)

His Hare Raising Tale (WB LT Cartoon; 1951)

Le Freak, by Chic (Song; 1978)

I Left My Heart in San Francisco, by Tony Bennett (Song; 1962)

In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World (Anime Film; 2017)

The Life of Emile Zola (Film; 1938)

The Magicians, by Lev Grossman (Novel; 2009)

Need You Know, by Lady Antebellum (Song; 2009)

Orphan’s Benefit (Disney Cartoon; 1934)

Party in the U.S.A., by Miley Cyrus (Song; 2009)

Pete’s Dragon (Film; 2016)

The Ren & Stimpy Show (Animated TV Series; 1991)

The Replacements (Film; 2000)

Rugrats (Animated TV Series; 1991)

Runaway Brain (Disney Cartoon; 1995)

Step Up (Film; 2006)

The View (TV Talk Show; 1997)

A Walk in the Clouds (Film; 1995)

What If…? (Animated TV Series; 2021)

You Beat Me To the Punch, by Mary Wells (Song; 1962)

Today’s Name Days

Klara, Susanna (Austria)

Jasminka, Jasna, Klara, Suzana (Croatia)

Zuzana (Czech Republic)

Herman (Denmark)

Sanna, Sanne, Susanna, Suusi (Estonia)

Sanna, Sanni, Susanna, Susanne (Finland)

Claire, Gilberte, Suzanne (France)

Klara, Susanne (Germany)

Efpious (Greece)

Tiborc, Zsuzsanna (Hungary)

Chiara, Lelia, Susanna (Italy)

Liega, Olga, Zita (Latvia)

Klara, Ligija, Visalgas, Visvilė, Zuzana (Lithuania)

Tarald, Torvald (Norway)

Aleksander, Herman, Ligia, Lukrecja, Włodzimierz, Włodziwoj, Zula, Zuzanna (Poland)

Zuzana (Slovakia)

Clara, Susana (Spain)

Susanna (Sweden)

Susanna (Ukraine)

Laila, Layla, Leila, Leilani, Lela, Lelia, Nayeli (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 223 of 2024; 142 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of week 32 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 4 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Ji-Wei), Day 25 (Xin-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 24 Av 5783

Islamic: 24 Muharram 1445

J Cal: 13 Hasa; Sixday [13 of 30]

Julian: 29 July 2023

Moon: 20%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 27 Dante (8th Month) [Byron]

Runic Half Month: Thorn (Defense) [Day 14 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 52 of 94)

Zodiac: Leo (Day 21 of 31)

[fatehbaz]

Prior to the First World War, sprawling European empires collectively controlled roughly 80% of Earth's landmass. [...] [A] new study by an international collaboration of researchers shows how the legacy of colonialism is still deeply entrenched within scientific practice across the Caribbean archipelago. [...] "We wanted to provide a solutions-based approach," said lead author Ryan Mohammed, a Trinidadian biologist and postdoctoral research associate at Massachusetts' Williams College. [...]

Islands have played an essential role in the origin and development of ecology and evolutionary biology and are often viewed as natural laboratories [...]. "When trying to understand these processes, you go to islands because they're isolated, they seem controllable [...]," said senior author Alexis Mychajliw [...]. The Caribbean islands are a biodiversity hotspot that have attracted naturalists for centuries. But, Mychajliw explains, they also have a long history of human habitation: They've been the home of Indigenous communities for thousands of years, and they were the first European colonies in the Americas, calling into question whether current patterns were caused by "natural" processes.

"Viewing these spaces as natural laboratories also implies that people haven't had a role in shaping them in the past," she said.

The idea that Indigenous communities in the Americas made no lasting alterations to their environments, known as the "Pristine Myth," has been debunked on multiple occasions but is often still the default notion in environmental and ecological studies. Even when properly accounted for, deciphering the signature left by more than 5,000 years of human habitation in the Caribbean can be challenging. "When Europeans 'discovered' the Caribbean islands, what they saw and recorded wasn't necessarily the natural state of the region's biodiversity," said senior author Michelle LeFebvre [...]. "For example, Indigenous people moved animals up from South America and in between islands, resulting in a biocultural diversity. [...]”

-------

Caribbean researchers attempting to piece together the natural history of the archipelago's more than 7,000 islands run up against multiple obstacles. One of the most formidable of these is a lack of access to specimens. To illustrate this issue, the authors conducted a global analysis of digitized natural history collections from Trinidad and Tobago, which showed that the vast majority are housed in North American and European Institutions. The same pattern holds true for other islands in the Caribbean as well. [...]

The exportation of natural-history specimens directly curtails local research and education, but it also has more subtle and pernicious effects that influence everything from cultural identity to conservation. 

Mohammed referenced a fossil from an extinct group of giant armadillos found in Tobago. Researchers have known that Trinidad was once connected to current-day Venezuela based on similar fossils found in both countries, but the bone plate from Tobago is the sole piece of evidence that indicates all three were likely once a continuous landmass, he said.

"If we didn't know of this fossil's existence, we wouldn't know about that connection. The problem is, that fossil doesn't reside in Trinidad and Tobago; it's currently elsewhere."

Such fossil specimens in the tropics tend to be rare compared with temperate environments, as the warm and moist conditions near the equator result in the rapid decomposition of plant and animal remains. Trinidad is a spectacular exception to this rule. The island's southern spur is home to the largest tar pits on the planet, which entomb a plethora of fossils in sticky, viscous asphalt deposits. Giant ground sloths, armadillos, relatives of modern elephants called gomphotheres, and rodents were all pulled from the surrounding area in the early 20th century when foreign oil companies began pumping out asphalt for export.

Of the 68 known mammal fossils excavated from the pits, the majority are located outside of Trinidad, and nearly all of the preserved plants, birds and insects referenced in early manuscripts from the time seem to have disappeared entirely.

An international collaboration of researchers from multiple institutions is now spearheading an effort to return these fossils to Trinidad.

-------

Text, image, caption, and headline by: Jerald Pinson. “The persistent effects of colonialism in Caribbean science.” Published at Phys dot org. Story provided by Florida Museum of Natural History. 1 June 2022.

[photonflight]

🌺Caribbean Representation Through my Apprentice 🌺

Asks open for this article btw.

Why do this?

Growing up in the Caribbean, I never saw myself in media, nor did I see anyone representative of myself in popular media. I’m Trinidadian- but representation for Caribbean people has usually been limited to Jamaican. Jamaica has a beautiful culture, but like the other Caribbean islands, their culture is different.

This is why Dominique is Trinidadian coded, and mixed race (over 90% of Trinidadian people are BIPOC or mixed race). I wanted to feel seen and represented, and I wanted other Caribbean (especially Trinidadian BIPOC) women and girls like myself to feel properly represented by her. I wanted to show us that we CAN exist in fantasy worlds and be portrayed in a way that’s neither stereotypical nor offensive.

Many times in the media, whenever there’s a Caribbean character included (which is a very rare occurrence) they are given a Jamaican accent by default even when they’re not Jamaican, which has resulted in many people believing that there is one collective Caribbean accent (as a Trinidadian person I can’t begin to tell you how many non-Caribbean people have addressed me with “yea mon”.)

As a matter of fact the islands have their own different languages. Trinidadians speak Trinidad Creole, not Jamaican Patois.

A few examples I can think of would be

Ajay Chase- Apex Legends (Haitian, but has a Jamaican accent)

George- Metal Gear Rising (Guyanese, but has a poor Guyanese accent which sounds more Jamaican, and the vernacular he speaks with is more (stereotypically) Jamaican than Guyanese)

Sebastian- Disney’s adaptation of The Little Mermaid (Tobagonian (btw the country I’m from is called Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹) but has a stereotypical Jamaican accent)

Haitians speak Kweyol, not Jamaican Patois.

Guyanese people speak Guyanese Creole, not Jamaican Patois.

Tobagonians speak Trinidad and Tobago Creole, not Jamaican Patois.

These are all different languages entirely.

Additionally, no Caribbean people were included in the creation of OR the voicing of these “Caribbean” characters.

How is Domi different?

In short? Domi is a Caribbean, mixed WOC with a Caribbean mixed WOC Experience created by a Caribbean, mixed WOC

In long?🤣 read below

Origin

Domi is a Trinidadian-coded apprentice. While her country of origin, which isn’t Vesuvia, does not parallel the real Trinidad and Tobago, she has certain experiences that are common with Trinidadians who are like she is, is canonically confirmed to have an accurate and inoffensive Northwestern Trinidad accent, and her main outfit is colored after the national flag of Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹.

Experience

In BIPOC societies like Trinidad and Tobago, there are two interconnected experiences that stand out. Colorism, Featurism and Fetishization AND Identity Crisis

Colorism, Featurism and Fetishization

The term Colorism refers to prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group.

Naturally then, as a result of colorism those with lighter skin tones are elevated within that group. A group which in Domi’s case makes up the entire society.

Featurism refers to the elevation of somebody’s features due to their proximity to whiteness and then results in the Fetishization of people who do have said features within the same ethnic group.

Domi grew up in a society that praised features and skin complexions by their proximity to whiteness, with an older sister who encompasses everything the society praised.

While Domi resembles her father, her sister Scarlet (named after the Scarlet Ibis, the National bird of Trinidad and Tobago) looks like their mother.

While Domi and her sister are both mixed BIPOC (and of course we come in different colors, shapes and sizes), Domi has darker skin than her sister does (though she is still of a light complexion) darker eyes, and darker curlier hair.

Her sister has fairer skin, blue eyes and straight dark hair.

Therefore within a society like this, it is natural that it is her sister that would’ve been elevated and praised for her beauty over Domi.

This has impacted her in various ways from a very young age, pushing her to overwork herself to be perfect at everything to make up for her lack of beauty, and as a child would constantly use glamor to give herself “better hair” and “nice eyes” (terms that result from the fetishization of certain features within BIPOC societies.)

Domi and Scarlet ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Identity Crisis

As is the case with many BIPOC who belong to families where many different ethnicities combine, Domi experiences an identity crisis.

Many Caribbean BIPOC ask themselves

-what am I?

-who am I?

-where do I fit in/belong?

-who do I identify with?

And I know that this is the case for many non-Caribbean mixed people as well. It’s not an isolated incident although this post deals specifically with the Caribbean experience.

Domi also deals with not feeling as though she fits in with either side, not being enough like her mother’s side (mixed Asian, dragon) and also not being enough like her father’s side (mixed Black and White, human).

Dealing with this causes her to question where she belongs, and second guess meeting new people for fear of what they’ll think of her.

Does Domi look like me?

Yes. The arcana IS a self insert game and people that look like us don’t appear very often regardless. Her appearance and specific ethnicity is inspired by me, as well as is the coding of her nationality (which of course is shared with 1.4M people)

However, her experiences, though loosely based on mine, are not isolated and were not based on my own so much as it was based on that of other mixed WOC I personally know and wanted them to feel heard.

Me vs My Apprentice 🌺 you can see where the inspiration starts and also stops🤣

[aquariumdrunkard]

The Aquarium Drunkard Show: SIRIUS/XMU (7pm PDT, Channel 35)

Sliding off the coast of California — the Aquarium Drunkard Show on SIRIUS/XMU, channel 35. 7pm Pacific, Wednesdays. No static at all.

Intro ++ Ngozi Family – Kumanda Kwa Bambo Wanda ++ Cisneros And Garza Group – I’m A Man ++ Ify Jerry Crusade – Everybody Likes Something Good ++ Los Issufu and His Moslems – Kana Soro ++ Whitefield Brothers – Joyful Exaltation ++ Gene Boyd – Thought Of You Today ++ Little Sister – Stanga ++ Dwight Sykes – Bye ++ Jingo – Keep Holding On (Part 2) ++ Unique Madoo – Call Me Nobody Else ++ Trinidad and Tobago Steel all Stars – Do your Thing ++ Rikki Ililonga – Sansa Kuwa ++ The Zion Travellers – The Blood ++ Lee “Scratch” Perry – Paraíso Islámico ++ Harry Mudie – Heavy Duty Dub ++ Nino Nardini, Eddie Warner & Roger Roger – Shut Up ++ The Black Beats – The Mod Trade ++ Atomic Forest – Obsession ’77 (Slow) ++ Stone Coal White – You Know ++ Serge Gainsbourg – Panpan Cucul ++ Bernard Estady – Cha Tatch Ka ++ Benny Soebardja & Lizard – Candle Light ++ Brigitte Fontaine & Areski – Petit Sapin ++ Eduardo Mateo – Niña ++ Emmanuel Brun – La Voix Psychédélique ++ Rikki Ililonga, Musi-O-Tonga – Sheebeen Queen ++ The Equatics – Merry Go Round ++ The Sha La Das – Open My Eyes ++ Jason Joshua & The Beholders – Can’t Keep A Good Man Down ++ Sugar Candy Mountain – 666 ++ Menahan Street Band – Dust To Dust ++ Antena – Camino Del Sol ++ Sessa – Grandeza ++ Monster Rally – Animals ++ Javelin – Tell Me What Will It Be? ++ Surprise Chef – All News Is Good News ++ Abdou El Omari – Fatine ++ PAINT – Ta Fardah (instrumental)

[jennymanrique]

Ethnic businesses in the post-pandemic: catch the boom or left behind?

Since the pandemic started, 200,000 small U.S. businesses have closed permanently. Access to federal loans was limited. How can ethnic entrepreneurs stay afloat during the country’s economy reopening?

From its spot on iconic U Street in Washington, D.C., Ben’s Chili Bowl has served diners for more than six decades: demonstrators from the civil rights march led by Dr. Martin Luther King, African Americans from segregated communities, tourists from all over the world, presidents and politicians.

Ben and Virginia Ali opened this place in 1958, and despite all the history it’s seen, its experiences in the last year were unique.

“Nothing has been as challenging as this pandemic — it’s been a very difficult time for us,” said Virginia Ali, 87. With her children, she continues running the small business that features a chili prepared with spices from Trinidad and Tobago, her husband’s native land. Ben Ali died in 2009.

“We have lost many friends, and seen the impact on many lives that depend on the Chili Bowl remaining open,” Ali said during an Ethnic Media Services-hosted press briefing. It focused on how COVID-19 has affected more than four million minority-owned U.S. companies whose annual sales total close to $700 billion, as well as their role in the looming economic opening.

“When the pandemic hit in March, we had the busiest schedule,” Ali said, “with two large groups of students coming to Washington. Even United Airlines had a story (about us) on the cover of its flight magazine, but we didn’t get the benefits of that because flights were no longer in the air.”

From having its business open almost 20 hours every day, the Ali family went to six days, offered curbside pickup and donated food to the Howard University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center medical staff, and to firefighters, teachers and protesters in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

“We began to receive letters and donations from all over the country, so we took those funds and gave back, preparing lunches for these front-line workers,” Ali added.

Ben’s Chili Bowl received a loan during the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a federal incentive to help small businesses continue to pay wages during the pandemic. The restaurant had to shift its focus to e-commerce in order to ship its famous smoked salmon with homemade hot chili sauce across the country, and the family plans to expand the franchise.

“We are still struggling, but it is good to know that there’s help available because all small businesses need it to survive,” Ali said.

May 31 was the last day for small business owners living in low-income neighborhoods to apply for the third round of PPP loans.

According to Everett Sands, CEO of Lendistry, a minority-led entity that helped thousands of small businesses secure these loans, COVID-19 exacerbated those enterprises’ already precarious situation. They had limited access to capital, lacked the infrastructure to apply for loans or contracts and couldn’t self-finance in the long term.

“We’ve been trying to educate small businesses about the different opportunities to receive capital, not only from federal programs, but from state programs,” Sands said, referring to initiatives in New York, Washington, D.C., and California, which offer guaranteed loans for micro-businesses that don’t have collateral. “As a result of the American Rescue Plan, most states received roughly a billion dollars to help these small businesses increase their revenues.”

Small Business Administration programs include loans, a restaurant relief fund and venture capital investments. To apply, a company need only show the sole proprietor’s gross revenue, and is not excluded if, for example, the proprietor has been guarantor on a defaulted student loan or has a criminal history.

“For amounts less than $150,000, most of the red tape or the bureaucratic process of a loan has been cleared away,” Sands explained. Nevertheless, he clarified that the remaining money available is for Community Financial Institutions and Minority Deposit Institutions or small banks, generally those with less than $1 billion in assets.

According to a University of California at Santa Cruz study, 41% of African American businesses and 32% of Latino businesses closed in the first months of the pandemic. Also, almost 40% of immigrant-owned businesses do not apply for loans because they believe they will be rejected.

In fact, many of the first PPP loans went to multi-million-dollar companies that had relationships with banks and staffed plants with as many as 500 employees, rather than to micro businesses like local dry cleaners or nail salons.

“It was particularly hard to access for black, brown and Asian communities,” said California Rep. Ro Khanna, a member of the Congressional Small Business Caucus. “And so I am a supporter of Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Vice President Kamala Harris’ bill that would set aside funds for these entrepreneurs of color.”

The Saving Our Street Act would allocate loans of up to $250,000 to businesses with fewer than 10 employees.

Khanna believes it is possible to distribute the money taking into account the racial and gender diversity of the business owners.

“In this next quarter, we’re going to have a pretty good recovery,” he said. “Consumer spending is at 10% growth. I think small businesses are going to come back strong. The problem is a lot of businesses that have had to close may not be able to reopen. And that’s where we have to focus: on assisting with debt forgiveness and capital for those businesses that would not survive.”

Originally published here

Want to read this piece in Spanish? click here