Letter from the Publisher

Kellie Balkissoon

Recently, one topic continues to be brought to my attention by our readers; media and how it influences young women and men today. What puzzles me however is the fact that the media affects about 95 percent of all youths in today’s society.

Media can be used in a good way and but more frequently in a bad way. It affects youths in ways I’m sure they don’t know about as yet. In schools and at home, teachers and parents are constantly stressing the importance of using the internet in safe ways. As always, not a lot of youths listen to these warnings which leads me to my advice to those who use social websites including Facebook, MSN, Twitter and Blackberry Messenger, just to name a few.

A common problem we see today, is posting any and everything on websites such as Facebook. Information such as relationship status, employer, pictures and even what they’re thinking/feeling is out in the open for the world and yes not just your friends, but the world to see. This information, which should be considered personal, becomes a free for all. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing because I do have a Facebook account but all I’m trying to say is watch what information you put on the internet because it can get into the wrong hands and you can find yourself in a lot of trouble, and this goes out to everyone not just the youths.

For example; let’s say Mary puts every detail about her life on Facebook. She has details about what’s going on between her and her family, information about her boyfriend, places she’s going to, places she’s been etc. Now let’s say Ann sees all these things and uses it against Mary, and starts rumours about Mary. For one, Ann should be minding her own business and not getting herself involved in someone else’s life. But at the same time, Mary cannot really say anything to Ann because Mary is the one that wanted to put her life out there. In simple words, if you do not want anyone to talk about your life, then keep certain things to yourself.

Now that we’ve dealt with the negative impact, let’s talk about the positive. Sometimes people put certain things on Facebook to share events in their lives with their family and friends. In some cases, family members live abroad and they want to keep in touch with loved ones or maybe it’s a way to look back at memories and reminisce on those times.

Whatever the case may be, the media can be used for both positive and negative meanings but it is up to you to use it at your best interest. Starting unnecessary conflicts are, well unnecessary. If there are certain things you don’t want the world to talk about then maybe you shouldn’t have those “friends or people” on your list. Perhaps you shouldn’t post every single item

about your life on the websites.

Another reason why youths tend to display their whole lives on Facebook is because they want the world to see how “happy” and “great” their lives are opposed to everyone else’s. They post pictures of their “friends” and where they go or what they do, and it’s really not necessary. People do this because they want to portray a certain image to everyone else.

My advice is simple: be who you are. Once you stop doing what you think everyone wants you to do and stop trying to portray a certain life, your life will change and believe me, it will change for the better. Once you start thinking about yourself, there may be certain friends who walk out of your life and

when they do, that should show you that those individuals weren’t really your friends to begin with.

I would like to end by reminding all our readers to once again look out for Caribbean Xpress’ next issue which will be right after the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival. Our staff will be covering all the biggest fetes this upcoming weekend and will be front and centre at all the biggest shows.

Our photographers will be around, so make sure you look your best for a chance to be in our next issue. Also, look out for exclusive interviews with your favourite artists. Yes Toronto, Caribbean Xpress is doing it big and I invite you all to be a part of this revamp. Caribbean Xpress: Keeping you in touch with the Caribbean.