By Derrick Miller

“I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams,” sadly has become a reality for many.

Holiday trips are always important to reconnect with family and friends or taking a break from work.

For many immigrants who migrated to countries like England, US and Canada; from the Caribbean, Africa, and South America, heading back on holidays are cherished pilgrimages, but slowly becoming only a dream.

These breaks are also an escape from the brutal winter, an opportunity to show sometimes the opportunities migration has provided, and often to give hope and lift others out of poverty who were left.

However, for several years, it seems that only a telephone call (WhatsApp), Skype, and Facebook have become the only way to stay in touch.

These people are not staying away because of a cancelled flights due to severe weather, long passengers’ lines at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) check points from and fear of missed flights that remain a concern, or even losing few overlooked restricted items to almost undressing before boarding a flight.

However, I believe TSA agents have become an outlet where few travelers vent their frustrations from issues with the airlines.

Shortly after the 2008 global financial collapse, fuel costs went up tremendously, unemployment rose globally, and almost everything slowed that resulted in a recession.

The airlines passed on the added-fuel cost to customers by the way of a baggage fee.

This added fee saved several jobs, and that was a good for the overall economy.

Experts believed that it was temporary, but it has become permanent and no cap about how high it will grow from current rates.

Between 2009 and 2014, experts noted that the industry baggage fees have increased more than 60 percent and it has now become a billion-dollar fee industry.

Gas prices have since declined and the economy rebounded, but some travels experts argue that government policies or lack thereof have given airlines more access to the flying public’s pockets.

Many low budget passengers looking for bargains have been choked out of the cabin as profit from fees has gotten more attention while service diminishes.

On American Airlines, Delta, United and others, the first checked bag is about $25 and second $35 and, if you have to get that Christmas gift to Uncle Rupert in the Caribbean and other places, that (third) checked bag fee could reach upwards of $150.

It is better sending a barrel, and that has added fees after landing with additional local frustration.

What next; standing option, extra fees to stretch out your legs, check your wallet and pocket books if it is over 5 lbs, or an extra fare for being pregnant if the average age for a full-price ticket is now age two.

I am not sure if some of these airlines understand the budget stricken customers.

Friends and family are cutting back on these holiday trips. They only plan to fly if an emergency forces them to book a flight.

To attract more customers, some airlines are offering credit cards that will cut baggage fee once approved.

I caution that this only could create further debt.

Sadly, one has to spend about $3,000 within three months to receive extra points from the promotions.

These cards carries high annual membership fees, and that can easily amount to few pieces of checked luggage fees. Only few financial institutions control these cards, and options are limited.

Decades ago, Caribbean and other poor and developing countries owned several local airlines with international routes.

Today, that once pride of the region is off the radar from poor management and privatization.

The only issues they have had were late arrival and departures, but if you were 5 lbs over in baggage weight, you were still greeted with a smile and you are on your way with that gift to a loved one.

It seems even local government in these places has lost the ability to negotiate with these airlines as long as tourist are coming, while ignoring the amount of money natives who return on holidays spend in the local communities.

Today, a two star hotel for a family of four vacation with kids under age ten in these islands easily costs over $5,000.

Even changing a booked flight due to an emergency, or any other personal reasons could cost an extra $200, plus any changes in the original fare.

The few cheap e-mail alerts are not often real savings and almost like fake sales:

You are being forced to fly on certain days, or an overnight stay, and before an online transaction can be completed, an alert often remain that 30 people have already booked; and now that price just went up 50 percent.

An average flyer today has to be technology savvy with the ability to use multiple search engines to find a decent priced-ticket.

The air has become polarized, as have many ground communities between the haves and the have-nots.

This is what I call the economics of elimination.

Even with some third-party travel insurance to guard against unscheduled events, one needs an attorney to file a claim or interpret the rules.

TSA screeners are not the only issue that has left your pocket lighter from rejected items.

Recently I had to pay $37 for an older carry-on luggage I have used for years, but now considered too big to fit in prescreen bin at check in and now over-weight at 18 pounds.

I reached out to customer service and was told, “I did not pre-check carry-on bag online.” It was up to the check in representative, which I now call a collection agent.

I have seen passengers complain of being charged on return flights for the same carry-on luggage that went through on the outbound now considered too big on the return.

The days of boarding a flight with a home cooked meal or getting a decent one from the airlines are gone.

Pretzels now rule the air, and baggage fees seem to be more important than their customers are.

Flying now is like an Amazon economy where only the online cart rules.

Today, the once local brick and mortar travel agencies have been diminished with technology and that is not a bad thing.

However, these were cherished agencies where a family could sit with an agent and plane a vacation for a good rate.

I am not totally against some fees and taxes, as they are important to keep travel safe, such as the government-imposed September 11 passenger security fee, and yes to support infrastructure, and other employment.

It is no different from tolls on the road to keep it in good and safe conditions.

In addition, airlines are contributing to the economy from millions of employees worldwide.

Flying is also safer than several other modes of transportation, as many studies have shown and the airline industry knows that these passengers will still find a way to get home.

CNN reported recently that the industry saw a 4% increase from last summer’s all-time high of 222 million.

Today, families are more connected globally and so far apart:

Too bad, we cannot drive to some of these places, and avoid some of the horrible juices being served on flights or a small bag of pretzel or mixed-fruits, which one needs a knife to open.

It is not the TSA fault, as some would like us to believe.

I often remind friends or anyone else that the commitment to public safety by these TSA agents cannot be overlooked, as the terrorist networks’ mission is to inflict casualties and one has to stay vigilant because, despite these fees, we still like to land safely.

Breaking through the glass ceiling: On November 8, 2016, the world paused as it waited all night and watched one of the world’s most recognized woman’s quest to become president of the United States fall short in disbelief.

Several pundits and polls were wrong. The questions now are did she lose the election due to her political ideology; push back from the changing demographics of the country; disconnect with the working class, downtrodden, low voter participation, hidden racism, or a diminished journalism?

A few even blamed Oprah Winfrey, a media mogul and billionaire for what some saw a less than enthusiastic endorsement and even after she called for acceptance of the new president-elect.

However, it seems that elephant in the room still believes that it is not the role of women to lead a country, or even a bible school.

Hillary Clinton would have been the first woman president to hold the nation’s highest office in its 230-plus years of history.

Decades ago, she would not been permitted to vote and, if she was black, she would have been considered a property and three-fifths of a person. So there is some progress.

The result was painful for many, and communities were left divided. However, a few bright spots emerged after three more women became US senators and the Senate now has 21 out of 100.

It gives hope to young girls who were watching, especially women of color globally.

Kamala Harris was one of the new elected senators. She is the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica. She was first black attorney general of the state of California. She supports equal women’s rights, LGBQ, and equal pay. This is critical for continued mobility.

Although more women today have rights to vote, most are still seen as domestic helpers, whose role should be providing services to their families in the kitchen and other places in the home.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari recently said that his wife belongs in the kitchen and the other room after she questioned his leadership. And despite progress, some women still face danger in many countries and that only creates more barriers.

Fortunately, for few of us public safety servants the task continues, especially for victims of crimes where the centrality of women’s issues is woven into their safety and that will not change because of an election.

Why is this opinion appearing in the Caribbean news?

This election stretches beyond the US. It provides an avenue for a global reflection.

I thought about few Caribbean islands that should be proud as they were ahead for recognizing and have elected women leaders.

The late Eugenia Charles, first and only female prime minister of Dominica. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, former prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and Portia Simpson-Miller, former prime minister of Jamaica.

Other countries such as Australia, England, and Germany, Pakistan, and Liberia have already debunked a prevailing rotten domestic ideology about women’s capacity to lead.

The ongoing climb: Despite gains, and present barriers, leaders must mentor and promote new generations of women, and equally important know when to step aside to create a pathway for the next generation.

The never-ending quest for power can cause more division, disconnect and stymie new ideas and future leaders to drive policies for their advancement.

Living in political vacuum also has contributed to what appears to be decline in the representation of women in several local key government functions across these islands.

Many titles are now “former” for women, and that cannot become a comfort zone.

Quietly, I still believe that elephant in the room remain relentless in its opposition, and the local community suffers while they blame others.

Every election has consequences and, in these events, one side has to win. Nevertheless, losing an election does not mean that upward mobility for a woman is dead.

With more opportunities, security, preparation and collaboration, another woman will emerge.

After Mr Trump was elected, chatter emerged that people of Caribbean heritage should consider leaving the US. However, I believe that is not a good idea as the region still struggles on many socio-economic, and safety fronts.

A recent academic journal also noted that an absence of access to crucial career paths is critical especially for young women.  As a result, they are leaving to seek a better way of life elsewhere.

Additionally, during several conferences and workshops I have attended, a majority believes that, after an election cycle, the lack of congruity still roars, diversity, discrimination, gender bias, empowerment, depression, low representation in government, and business, and a constant vulnerability of becoming a victim of crime.

Domestic violence also remains an epidemic, especially Afro Caribbean woman. They have limited safeguards from being harassed, sexually stalked, raped, and other forms of exploitation.

These issues must be addressed to build a brighter future:

That image: I am not a scholar on women’s issues, but unapologetic and passionate on the hurdles they face in these poor communities from job discrimination, limited access to education, healthcare and other barriers.

The ongoing migration from the kitchen to the workplace by women globally; a few still find it hard to embrace an ever-changing world.

I have known several law enforcement female officers, who stay at a disadvantage to men. They are often overlooked for promotions and paid far less that their male colleagues for same work.

Studies have shown that significant gaps remain in how much they earn compared to men: another quest for equality.

Beyond the boardroom, grassroots social and economic growth strategies such as get-out-the-vote in an election is necessary to fight barriers.

Far too often, women’s leadership accomplishment and roles are seen more in a political cycle when it should have been an economic and academic platform that connects and advances their accomplishments to motivate other generations of women or an entire community.

Mrs Clinton’s failure to win a pivotal election should give women globally some psychological boost of what’s possible despite an underlying cognitive bias rooted in history.

Getting back to the fundamentals: In the mid 1840s, women’s movements staged marches in communities, churches and homes in the right to vote, and other civil rights movements for equality.

Today, connecting and mobilizing for equality sometimes takes more than likes on Facebook.

Social media has become a critical platform not only to collaborate, but also express oneself, connecting to the world, share ideas, and seek advice.

However, it is hard sometimes today to differentiate what is entertainment, or an important issue from the anything-goes reality social media platform. We have to get back to the community organizing.

It is also delicate balance between liberation and expression. Not everyone agrees on the same norms, virtue, or values.

In a divided society searching for a socio-economic and equality, often one can simply be judged by appearance even when all have the same ideology, moral compass, and academic qualities.

Society has to begin see these women’s issues as one and not those women over there because of cultural disconnect.

Unfortunately, some of the ghosts, despite modernization, coupled with an unwilling elephant who has decided to stay put, have shown that some changes are difficult.

The evolving woman remains critical for all society. This requires mobilization through common threads, education, acceptance and opportunities.

No one has to move to Canada, the Caribbean, or elsewhere: Regardless of location, start recognizing that socio-economic, cultural, and the justice elephant has to start seeing not only barriers, but also an inalienable right for all, because women and men are created equally.

 

On January 12, 2010, several began to take a closer look at island of Haiti after a massive earthquake displaced and killed hundreds of thousands of people in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

The images that plastered our televisions projected the vulnerability of families; especially young women and children living in deplorable conditions under tents, shacks and rusty sheet metals homes and without access to drinkable water or electricity.

As reported, millions of dollar pleaded and donated worldwide to the nation, combined with strategies with the US and other international agencies formed to focus on investments, infrastructure, energy and other economic development.

However, investigations later found that some agreements fell short from mismanagement, corruption and underperformed promises according to RT online and other news outlets.

After category 4 hurricane Matthew landed with 145 mph winds between October 4, and 5, 2016, as one of the strongest to land in Haiti in over 50 years, again, this crisis became another image of only seeing the dark side of this nation.

Matthews destroyed many homes, divided towns, with nearly 1,000 people killed and others displaced.

These reports remind us that not much has changed since the previous disasters.

Despite adequate preparation and resources from the government, even the death toll in the US reported about 33 killed between North and South Carolina.

Several hundred Haitians shown still living under tents, cut off from the rest of the country from due to mudslides, and living without safe drinking water, malnourished children, and other vulnerability to other diseases such as cholera.

Port-au-Prince again became an 1-800 hotline number for donations.

Haiti’s has a rich history and many are wondering how much more can this island bear.

I am not a scholar of Haiti’s politics, civil protection service, disaster preparedness, leadership, GDP, or religious philosophy.

Therefore, I will leave any deep attempt of its history, and culture to someone such as native opinion writer and columnist, Jean H Charles, and college friends from Haiti on its struggle and future.

I am an observer, and this is an opinion and not a scholarly paper on Haiti’s history, nor do I intend to make an argument for “reparation”, or how prior invasions may or may not have contributed to its struggles today.

Despite its democratic elected government, Haiti’s fate always is uncertain. And with ongoing protests, and people running out of patience, both human and natural disaster are inter connected.

Haiti has a history of dictatorship, and political infighting still roars like the storm as it struggles to find the right wave.

Historians argue that between 1791 to 1804 was what is called the Haiti Revolution against slavery, control over their destiny and other human rights. However, despite being the first colonized nation in the region to gain independence, Haiti it seems is always in search of its own economic identity.

Haiti has fought Napoleon’s attempt to reclaim France’s Saint Dominque as Haiti was known, as well as resisted the US occupation in 1915.

Although built on the back of slave labour, Haiti was the wealthiest French colony from the production of sugar, coffee, and other commodities according to historians.

Officials have argued that decades of asphyxiating policies from France to the US, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and other agencies have contributed to its decades of stagnation and inability to meet some basic needs of its people.

Haiti’s history never seems to be a guide to its future, but more of a hindrance.

Maybe Haiti’s tenacity to be left alone has excluded key financial investments.

Sadly, leadership for the past three decades seems like they arrived from default, or by selecting provisional presidents because of their likability to a few dominant nations.

No, Haiti does not need Wyclef Jean, a popular singer who is a native of Haiti or any other based on global popularity.

Although his foundation has done good work for Haiti, there are still questions if it has met some core principle of accountability surrounding donations, to prove transparency to gain public trust.

After Matthew landed, the US military sent a navy ship to help at the request of the USAID, and the State Department:

Even Daniel Snyder, Washington DC Redskins football owner, flew his private plane with two of his team players descended from Haiti, Pierre Garcon, and Jean Francois, according to the Washington Post.

I am sure there are many others with close ties that have given back in some from.

What next, after zinc homes have been remounted in the same spot when the river dried up again, the planes, media have left, and it rains again?

Haiti’s disasters are too common, whether political, economic, or social, artificial or systemic.

Nevertheless, Haiti is not alone fighting poverty, and searching for an economic identity, few of its neighboring islands were spared.

How would they have managed had Mathew taken a different path?

Some argued that Haiti’s location places it at the mercy of nature, but leaders and preparedness have to be more effective, not only to minimize the death toll after these events, but an opportunity to rebuild, and move people out of poverty.

With limited shelters, or even fear of losing personal possessions from people looking to exploit these disasters if one becomes displaced. As a result, many stayed home hoping to ride out these storms, and that become detrimental.

October 11, 2016, the New York Times, reported that the US has halted deportation for Haitians in the US illegally.

Despite the welcome temporary policy by advocates, this move cannot change Haiti’s economy. A nation that continues to hope without a clear path will be always looking to an escape route to fulfill a dream.

Today many of us are products of that same hope as our parents and grandparent left these poor regions to realize elsewhere.

From the south to north migrations, east to west across states and continents, people continue to move in massive numbers; to escape poverty, political turmoil, inequality, barbaric ideology, violence and other criminal elements, and intolerance.

Many places could use some rebuilding from these storms, and everyone must work together, put self-interest on hold because when these hurricanes come they do not discriminate based on age, sex, creed, color, culture, or economic status and even location.