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YACOS PUBLICATIONS publishes non-fiction books that provide solutions to life's problems. These books are about relevant issues and concerns in society particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean Diaspora, New York, the United States and the International Diaspora. The books are the end result of empirical findings from original studies and offer the reader critical analyses and scholarly data interpretations. *BOOKS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES* TO ORDER: Send money order (for the price of each book) plus $4USD for shipping and handling (for each book). SEND ORDERS TO: Dr. L. Trevor Grant Yacos Publications 15A Picton Street Trinidad, West Indies Phone: 1-868-338-4386(Trinidad) 1-868-799-5083 (Trinidad) Email - ltgrant@netzero.com or yacos@dr.com In Trinidad: Ishmael M. Khan, RIK Services Limited, The Blue Edition and the University of the West Indies Bookstore. In New York: A&B Books 223 Duffield Street Brooklyn NY 11201 (718)783-7808 Nubian Bookstores 168-14 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica NY 11432 WRITING CANDIDLY: NO VISION FOR HOMELESSNESS *Copyright 2008 by Dr. L. T. Grant* A daily walk or drive anywhere in scenic Trinidad would be interrupted by the sight of homeless men and women sleeping or lying on the pavement and sidewalk in tattered, very dirty clothing, smelling atrociously. Vagrants can be seen occupying sections of Frederick Street, on Independence Square under RBTT Bank, on Pembroke Street by the Ministry of Social Development, on Treasury Street by the Minstry of Finance, by the Red House, in Woodford Square, in Tamarind Square, on Duncan Street, on King'sWharf, the Market, Harris Promenade and Mucurapo Street in San Fernando, in San Juan, Couva, Chaguanas and other significant and busy locations throughout Trinidad. Homelessness or vagrancy is nothing new in the history of Trinidad but the new phenomenon of homeless men and women sleeping on the pavement in the morning, afternoon and evening during the peak hours in the busy capital city of Port of Spain is something new and is obviously a recent phenonenon. Many people see vagrants sleeping on the pavement at night but the homeless subculture have graduated now to taking up positions and sleeping wherever they want and whenever they want to regardless of the time of the day and regardless of what is going on around them. At night, the nowayrians literally take over the capital city as they are visible everywhere sleeping on their cardboard beds or on the hard, unclean concrete pavement. Some make their resting place in the cemetery, in the bus shelters, under trees, in abandoned buildings and wherever they feel safe from danger. These human capital are allowed to suffer and are humiliated by members of society who walk over them pretending that they do not exist and instead of clamouring for policies and programs to take them off the streets, many of them are silent and are unconcerned about the welfare of their fellow citizens.The Government has also failed miserably in eliminating homelessness and despite having a few community organizations where the homeless can go for food and clothing, vagrancy continues to be a major social problem in Trinidad and Tobago. With a rich, vibrant economy and great expenditure in construction (building capital) particularly in Port of Spain, Vision 2020 for Trinidad and Tobago is crystal clear. Homelessness is obviously not on the agenda. Hence, human capital and human suffering are unimportant and since the street dwellers have no fixed place of abode and do not participate in the electoral process, they have no political leverage and are not considered to be likely voters. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is no vision for the homeless, destitute population and their status would remain the same as it has for the last 50 years unless something is done now. Tall buildings can be constructed, roads can be repaired for Carnival 2007 and ICC Cricket, BWIA can be dissolved, VAT can be removed from some items but nothing, it seems, can be done for the thousands of poor, mentally and medically ill homeless men, women and children roaming the streets, parks and cemeteries of Trinidad. Why is it taking so long for the People's National Movement government to eradicate homelessness? Does the PNM government have a vision and a plan to eradicate homelessness in this small, developing but extremely economically rich country? If they do, why is it taking so long for them to eradicate homelessness and at the same time, rehabilitate and provide a continuum of necessary services to the growing number of destitute, sick, needy, desperate citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. WE MUST END HOMELESSNESS NOW... *TRINIVAL:CARNIVAL OF THE GODS* *Copyright 2008 by Dr. L. T. Grant* Without any doubt, the Greatest Carnival on the Planet is Trinidad and Tobago Carnival (Trinival) which is held annually on the small two-island republic two days preceding Ash Wednesday. Trinival is beautiful, exciting, well organized and loaded with entertainment, merriment, joyous festivities, gala celebrations, lavish parties, many, many masqueraders on Carnival days and numerous Carnival events and festivities. These are some of the reasons for making Trinidad and Tobago Carnival one of the most celebrated and talked about festivities on the planet because many surprises await you once you make the escapade to The Mecca of Carnivalesque activities. The joyous, fun-filled event is attended by revelers from all over the world who plan for and anticipate witnessing first-hand – the most unique, artistic form of cultural expression in the world. Carnival is a celebration that is magnetized by the huge, colorful depictions of historical phenomenon. The exotic grandeur of the costumes with the revelers swaying left and right to the infectious sounds of local music is not only enthralling but also simply breathtaking. Carnival is not only loaded with costumes, revelry, festivities, merriment and gala celebrations but is also therapeutic to the many who have traveled from afar to ease their tensions and get some reprieve from life’s stressors and struggles. Thus Carnival provides a cure for one’s ailment and frustrations. Carnival is bacchanal. Carnival is aesthetic and beautiful. Carnival is women, gorgeous women. The beauty of many Carnival costumes displayed by voluptuous women of all sizes and shapes all full of bliss moving towards a crescendo – a joyous crescendo – is not only captivating but has a surreal effect on masqueraders, revelers and onlookers. This crescendo is what excites the Carnivalist in the festive bacchanal and revelry. This is what makes Trinidad’s Carnival the most sought after festivity on the horizon as everyone – masqueraders, revelers and onlookers are possessed by the Carnival spirit, the Carnival trinity and the Carnival gods. The different depictions of historical phenomenon, creative and ideological perspectives and interesting interpretations of international and national events culminate in one explosion of color and fanfare that captures the imagination and excites you in a way that you did not know was possible. Once the Carnival spirit captures you, you have to obey the commands of the Gods and react accordingly. You have to dance, wine, gyrate, sing along and intoxicate yourself with the Carnival deity. You are finally hypnotized with the Carnivalesque behavior and you have received authorization from the Gods to play yourself and to enjoy yourself to the fullest without any inhibitions. Trinidad’s Carnival is special and is the one Carnival that you have to experience in your lifetime. The Carnival of the Gods is magical and unbelievable and is a spectacle beyond one’s imagination. Once you are involved in the mythical display of beautiful costumes, gorgeous women, Carnivalesque behavior and frenetic energy – you have been exposed to the world’s most beautiful expression of culture – Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. Therefore, you can tell everyone that you were a part of the magical, historical and creative phenomenon that is Trinidad and Tobago Carnival (Trinival). Politics, Competitions and Carnival 2008 Copyright 2008 by Dr. L. T. Grant Another chapter of Trinival (Trinidad Carnival) 2008 has come and gone and like the others; controversy, confusion, bacchanal and frustration over the decisions made by judges in the highly competitive Carnival events have left many confused over the qualifications of the judges selected by the Carnival interest groups – Pan Trinbago (pan), TUCO (calypso) and NCBA (mask) to be the ultimate decision makers in the various events such as Panorama, Calypso Monarch, Band of the Year, Soca Monarch, Road March… Since the judges’ decisions are always final, dissatisfied competitors could only complain but do not expect the results to be changed. In the meantime, mediocre, unqualified, biased, political stooges called judges are given the task to ensure that the political party faithfuls are adjudged the winners of the highly charged Carnival competitions. Thus, staunch PNM calypsonians like Michael Osuna (Sugar Aloes) and Weston Rawlins (Cro Cro) are not surprisingly declared winners of the top two positions in the Calypso Monarch 2008 thereby continuing the controversy of political interference and patronage in Carnival competitions. The Carnival culture in Trinidad and Tobago is (has been) controlled by the political party in power and the administrators, interest groups and key stakeholders are not surprisingly affiliated with the mighty People’s National Movement. These cronies are provided with directives by their political masters and consequently, these competitions are facades as the eventual winners are very likely to be party hacks of the ruling party. Therefore, the power and control of the party in power is manifested in the winners of the highly competitive, highly charged Karnevale events. Eventhough many competitors are faced with this unfair disadvantage, year after year, they enter the various competitions anyway hoping that they would be recognized by the public but since there is no longer a People’s Choice winner, they know that their chances of winning the highly sought after prizes are slim. Carnival 2008 had its highs and lows but overall there is much more work to be done by the controlling government ministers, bungling interest groups and confused Carnival stakeholders to showcase the true talent and creativity of its people. The persistent last minute political decisions, political interference and late start to Carnival shows must be eliminated if Trinival is to maintain its status as one of the best Carnivals in the world. However, there are too many political cronies holding important and strategic positions in Carnival who are devoid of administrative skills and are more concerned with appeasing the political machinery than in implementing new measures in order to get maximum output from the Greatest Spectacle on Earth. These mediocre political stooges must not be allowed to ruin the culture of Carnival as they have been doing over the years.	Carnivalitis: The Conflicting Discourse of Carnival provides a new and important insight into the highly successful and growing phenomenon that is Trinidad's Carnival. Dr. Grant provides a very interesting and critical account of the cultural festival of Carnival and looks at the relationship between Carnival and current social problems such as crime, homelessness, child abuse and poverty. The blatant exploitation of Carnival by pseudo-leaders, increasing restrictions, police harassment, ineffective Carnival leadership and the powerlessness of Carnivalists are explored. Price: $13.95 ISBN 0965373444 Paperback, 176 pages, 2004
The Politicization of Foster Care in New York City provides anecdotal and empirical evidence of the myriad of problems that children in foster care in New York City have been experiencing over the years, and documents many of the inherent problems of the burgeoning, child welfare bureaucracy, the Administration for Children's Services (ACS). The Politicization of Foster Care... is a scholarly, comprehensive analysis of the crisis driven, labyrinthine foster care system and is loaded with statistical information not available elsewhere. Price: $13.95 ISBN 0965373401 Paperback, 144 pages, 1996	Undocumented, Illegal and Scared: The Experiences of an Illegal Alien is the personal account of an illegal immigrant from Trinidad who made his way to Canada, St. Croix and New York seeking better opportunities for himself and his family. The book provides factual documentation of Dr. Grant's entry into the United States without proper immigration documents. Dr. Grant provides bold, valid criticisms of the United States immigration policies and the government's failure to create progressive policies to reform the immigration system. Price: $10.00 ISBN 096537341X Paperback, 96 pages, 2000
Breaking Up Families: Biological Parents' Views of Kinship Foster Care provides empirical evidence of the experiences of biological parents' whose children were placed in the kinship foster care program in New York City. Many parents had bad experiences with the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) and expressed strong sentiments about the agency and its workers. Breaking Up Families... adds new knowledge and meaning to the kinship foster care phenomenon and biological parents' provide valuable information about their experiences with the hostile,insensitive, cruel child welfare agency, ACS. Price: $19.95 ISBN 0965373436 Paperback, 272 pages, 2004	The Nowayrians: Homelessness in Trinidad and Tobago provides primary, empirical, quantitative and qualitative data from studies conducted with homeless men and women living on the streets of Port of Spain. Four extensive, anecdotal testimonies of the homeless experience are also presented in this startling, revealing expose of homelessness in Trinidad. Study findings and a sociodemographic profile of the homeless are documented in the book. Price: $17USD, $100TT ISBN: 0965373452 Paperback, 176 pages, 2008
Trinival: Carnival of the Gods is an analytical look at the culture of Carnival as it is celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, New Orleans, Canada, England, Spain, Switzerland and other Carnival cities. Many new topics are introduced and discussed in this fascinating book including the sexuality and sensuality in Carnival along with the music, costume and political dynamics. The East Indian influence and contribution to Trinidad Carnival along with a brief history of Chutney music concludes a very stimulating, informative, unique book. Price: $20USD, $125TT ISBN: 0965373460 Paperback, 176 pages, 2008	IDENTIFYING THE FACES OF HOMELESSNESS On the afternoon of February 24^th2008, I decided to take one hour from my busy schedule to physically count the number of homeless men and women in the Croisee, San Juan and known homeless locations in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The numbers below reflect my findings. San Juan - 21, Tamarind Square - 43, Woodford Square - 7, By RBTT Bank - 7, Treasury Street - 7, Victoria Square - 10, Lord Harris Square - 4, Frederick Street - 21, Pembroke Street - 5 for a total of 125 homeless men and women. Of this total, 87 percent were African, 13 percent Indian, 94 percent male and 6 percent female. Obviously, the faces of homelessness in San Juan and Port of Spain are overwhelmingly male and of African descent. Interestingly though, many of the more familiar homeless faces at the above locations were not present during my hour of study. In this caring society (Trinidad and Tobago) with so many innovative people, where $148 million was spent on a home for Emperor Manning (plus $100 million to furnish it) and $500 million is being debated to purchase a Bombardier Jet for the same Emperor, it is clear where the focus of the PNM Emperor and his Government lies. While thousands of homeless, poor, marginalized people are suffering and living on the streets, the PNM Government is spending millions on itself while ignoring the needs of many who are in poor health, hungry, sick, addicted, diseased and living in sub-standard conditions.

YACOS PUBLICATIONS

Books that make a difference in people's lives