Turn Your Life Around

 

 "Turn Your Life Around" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Turn Your Life Around

 

 From shadows deep where darkness thrives,
A plea resounds, for changing lives.
To you who walk in paths astray,
Who sow the seeds of disarray,
Whose hands are stained, whose hearts are cold,
A different story can unfold.
The path you tread, it leads to pain,
A bitter harvest, naught to gain
But isolation, fear, and dread,
A life unfulfilled, a spirit dead.

Behold the tears your actions sow,
The innocent who suffer woe.
The broken trust, the shattered peace,
The fear that knows no sweet release.
Is this the legacy you crave?
A name remembered for the grave
Of decency, of hope, of light?
To dwell forever in the night?

But hear, a whisper, soft and clear,
A chance awaits, dispel all fear.
A dawn can break, a sun can rise,
Reflected in awakened eyes.
Turn your life around, the moment's now,
Before the final, solemn bow.
Cast off the chains of vice and greed,
Plant different, purer, noble seed.

Father's Day Drumbeat

 

 Father's Day Drumbeat 

 

Me playing around with the goatskin junkanoo drum on Father's Day back in 2019. Tryin' a new rake 'n' scrape beat. My cousin Claudia joined in with a shake dance. lol. We all jus' havin' fun.😊 Nassau, Bahamas. View video.

 

 The Beginning of the End - Funky Nassau album cover 1971

 

 

The Beginning of the End: The Funk Pioneers of The Bahamas

 

Introduction

In the pantheon of Caribbean music, reggae, calypso, and soca have long held dominant positions. However, nestled within the sonic shores of The Bahamas, a unique blend of soul, funk, and island rhythm gave rise to a sound that captivated both local and international audiences in the 1970s. At the heart of this innovation stood The Beginning of the End, a Bahamian funk band formed in 1969, whose energetic grooves and powerful instrumentation brought them a brief but impactful prominence in the global music scene. With their breakout hit "Funky Nassau", they not only carved a space for themselves in music history but also contributed to expanding the possibilities of Caribbean musical identity. This essay provides an in-depth, factual, and comprehensive look at The Beginning of the End—their origins, music, influence, and legacy.

An Alarming Crisis: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors in The Bahamas Driven by Maternal Involvement

 

"Exploitation" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

An Alarming Crisis: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors in The Bahamas Driven by Maternal Involvement

 

Officials in The Bahamas have expressed grave concern over an "alarming increase" in the commercial sexual exploitation of minors, particularly highlighting the deeply disturbing trend of mothers prostituting their own female children to meet financial obligations. This report will expound on this critical issue, exploring its complex underlying causes, devastating impacts, and potential strategies for mitigation.

The Life of Sir Randol Fawkes and the History of the Labour Day Movement in The Bahamas

 

 Sir Randol Fawkes
Father of Labour in The Bahamas

 

The Life of Sir Randol Fawkes and the History of the Labour Day Movement in The Bahamas

 
Introduction

Labour Day in The Bahamas is a significant event that symbolizes the achievements and struggles of the working class. This day is also a tribute to Sir Randol Fawkes, a pivotal figure in Bahamian labor history. Known as the "Father of Labour" in The Bahamas, Sir Randol Fawkes' contributions were instrumental in shaping the labor movement and securing workers' rights.

 

Read full article

Scurvy Dog!

 

"Scurvy Dog!" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Visit my Tropic Gallery

The Power of Imagination: The Importance and Significant Contribution of Creative People and Creative Industries to a Country

 Imagination is more important than knowledge - Albert Einstein

 

 "Artist on Duty" - ©A. Derek Catalano

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The Power of Imagination: The Importance and Significant Contribution of Creative People and Creative Industries to a Country

In any nation, the pulse of progress is often measured in terms of economic output, technological innovation, and infrastructure development. Yet, beneath these concrete indicators lies a vital, often underappreciated force: creativity. Creative people and creative industries—artists, writers, poets, designers, filmmakers, musicians, dancers, architects, game developers, advertising professionals, bloggers and countless others—are not just cultural ornaments. They are economic drivers, social transformers, and national assets. Their meaningful contributions permeate every aspect of society, shaping identity, stimulating growth, and fueling innovation. This essay explores the multifaceted importance of creative individuals and industries, highlighting their economic, cultural, educational, and societal impact on a country.

Rite of Passage

 

 "College Student" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Rite of Passage: Meaning, History, and Modern Relevance

 

Introduction

Across cultures and centuries, human societies have used rituals to mark the transition from one stage of life to another. These are more than just ceremonies — they serve as emotional, social, and psychological thresholds. We call them rites of passage. While some are ancient and sacred, others have evolved into modern practices that still serve the same core purpose: to signify growth, change, and entry into a new role or identity. This essay explores what rites of passage are, where they come from, how they appear today — including something as seemingly mundane as moving away to college — and why they matter now as much as ever.

Don't Give Up

 

 "Reach the Top" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Don't Give Up

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening—wherever you are in life right now, this message is for you.

If you're tired, frustrated, overwhelmed, or just plain stuck, I want you to stop for a moment and hear me loud and clear:

Don’t. Give. Up.

Happy Mother’s Day

 

"Happy Mother with Children" - Bahamas AI Art

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

Happy Mother’s Day

Not just a day, but a lifetime earned—
In quiet hours, in bridges burned.
In scraped knees wiped, in hard truths told,
In arms that shield, in hands that hold.

You are the engine that never stalls,
The steady step when the burden calls.
The softest touch, the sharpest mind,
The one who waits, the one who finds.

You made a home out of fractured things—
A coat of warmth, with broken wings.
You read the room when no one spoke,
And bore the weight so we wouldn’t choke.

Ākāra - A Bijayini Satpathy's Choreography

 

 Ākāra - A Bijayini Satpathy's Choreography

 

My son Carlito will be dancing in Utah. 

 

Ākāra is retelling of quintessential dances of Odissi when it emerged as a national dance - expressed through young global practitioners of today, whose life and realities are far and unfamiliar to the land of Orissa. - View Instagram post.

 

Related video:  PRAVESH Odissi Performance

Related article: Shirley Bass Foundation Sponsors Bahamian Dancer

The Generation Gap

 

 "The Generation Gap" - Bahamas AI Art

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

 

The Generation Gap

They say we live in different worlds,
But sleep beneath the same blue sky.
You tap a screen to chase your dreams,
I built mine brick by brick, by try.

You speak in gifs, in memes, in snaps,
I wrote in cursive, mailed with stamps.
You stream your music from the clouds—
We spun it slow on vinyl clamps.

We watched the clock; you watch your feed.
We mowed the lawn; you plant a seed—
A digital one, that blooms in likes,
While we were told to “earn our stripes.”

Cloning: Science, Ethics, and Perspectives in The Bahamas

 

 "Cloned" - Bahamas AI Art

ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

 

Cloning: Science, Ethics, and Perspectives in The Bahamas

Cloning is the process of creating a genetically identical copy of an organism. The science behind cloning has evolved rapidly since the 20th century, with landmark achievements like the cloning of Dolly the sheep in 1996. There are two primary types of cloning: therapeutic cloning, which produces embryonic stem cells for medical treatment, and reproductive cloning, which aims to create a living organism genetically identical to the donor. The implications of cloning span scientific innovation, ethical dilemmas, and societal impacts.

Obeah Man

 

"Obeah Man" - Bahamas AI Art

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

The Current State of Employment in The Bahamas

 

 "Employment in The Bahamas" - Bahamas AI Art

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

 

The Current State of Employment in The Bahamas 

 

Executive Summary

As of mid-2024, The Bahamas has achieved its lowest national unemployment rate in 16 years, standing at 8.7%. Despite this progress, youth unemployment remains a significant concern at 19%, with nearly 8,000 young individuals aged 15–24 unemployed. Additionally, a substantial portion of the workforce lacks formal qualifications, highlighting challenges in aligning educational outcomes with labor market demands.

Bahamas Artist Registry

 

"Harbour Island Alley" - ©A. Derek Catalano

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The National Artist Registry Project is the final component of the Joint SDG Fund Programme (The Bahamas & Bermuda) Building Back Equal through Innovative Financing for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment comprised of various UN agencies inclusive of UNESCO.

The Project forms a centralized database or platform that catalogs and showcases information about creatives and their works.

 

Register now: Bahamas Artist Registry

 

Related news story: National Cultural Artist Registry Website

Related article: The Evolution of Bahamian Art

Related article: The History and Evolution of Bahamian Music

Related article: Importance and Contribution of Creative People and Creative Industries

He Is Risen

 

"He Is Risen" - ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6

Stained glass window at Christ The King Anglican Church, Ridgeland Park, Nassau, Bahamas.

 

View: Weep Not

View: Right Hand of God

Weep Not

 

"Weep Not" - ⒸA. Derek Catalano

But Jesus turning unto them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children." Luke 23:28.

 

Stained glass window at Christ The King Anglican Church, Ridgeland Park, Nassau, Bahamas.

 

View: He Is Risen

View: Right Hand of God

You Live What You've Learned

 

 "You Live What You've Learned" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

You Live What You've Learned

In the cradle of dawn, where the first lessons bloom,
A child’s wide eyes drink the world’s costume.
The hum of a lullaby, soft whispers of care,
Plants seeds of love in the heart’s tender lair.
Each stumble, each giggle, each tear-streaked face,
Carves pathways of knowing, a map of life’s grace.
For you live what you’ve learned, in the marrow, the bone,
Your soul’s quiet compass, through fields yet unknown.
 
The schoolyard’s rough edges, where friendships are forged,
Teach trust and betrayal, where young hearts are gorged.
A teacher’s stern voice, or a book’s open gate,
Unfurls the mind’s sails to navigate fate.
Arithmetic’s logic, the poet’s sweet rhyme,
Build scaffolds of thought that endure through all time.
Yet beyond the chalk dust, life’s lessons unfold—
The sting of a slight, or a kindness retold.

Humble Yourself

 

 "Be Humble" - Bahamas AI Art

  ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Humble Yourself

Walk steady, but not too tall,
For pride will rise before the fall.
A fleeting crown, a hollow throne,
What good is power when you're alone?

Humble yourself, bow your head,
Remember where your journey led.
The hands that lifted, words that healed,
The unseen forces fate concealed.

The seed does not demand the sky,
It waits in patience, buried dry.
Through storms and seasons, heat and cold,
It finds its strength, it breaks the mold.