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Masquerader Monday - 12.11.18 | Keisha













How and when did you first start playing mas? 
Was always a family tradition. I started playing mas once I got over the fear and misconceptions of certain bodies welcomed into playing mas.

What carnival experience has been your favourite (and most proud) to date? 
Any and every time I play Mas in the Islands.

What are some of your must-have carnival essentials? 
Comfortable Shoes, A cup for my drink lol and a live team ready to whine!

Describe your perfect mas experience: 
Outstanding perfectly-fitted costume (with no need for adjustments), great weather, great music, easy access to drinks and food, with a live and safe band to play with that has non-stop vibes! #NOSTUSHVIBES

What would you like to tell people about mas, that they may not know? 
That all body types are welcome not the stereotype images often sold, and that playing mas is a MUST –DO at least once in life, and that it is the most AMAZING EXPERIENCE you will ever have and is VERY ADDICTIVE

Would you change anything about playing mas in your city? 
Toronto needs to stop changing the routes for Christs sake and control them damn stormers , they have NO RESPECT FOR MASQUERADERS like they do in the islands. The stormers need to take a trip to the islands and gain a new found respect for masqueraders and an understanding of the history of playing mas and why it's important to the culture!

If you could play mas with one soca artist, who would it be, and why? 
ALL OF THEM!! Anyone for a love for soca and is spreading the beauty of soca to the masses is good ppl with me and is someone I WANT TO PLAY MAS WITH! SOCA TO THE WORLD!!!!

Do you think there is currently an unspoken age or size limit on playing mas? 
In some costumes (especially with China being responsible for building them lol) they are only available in certain sizes and options, which can be disappointing to some, and is definitely NOT FAIR!!! Mas should be available to all!

Do you have a message of encouragement for the #everyBODYplayahmas network? 
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK & THANK-YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND SPREADING OF BODY POSITIVITY TO THE WORLD! We need more pages like yours not only for the soca and Caribbean community but for our youth with so many fake images and perceptions of beauty and real bodies, I feel like our young girls are doomed.

Tell us about your journey to becoming a confident woman: 
Being resilient and having been through so much in life has made me the strong and confident woman I am. Also always remembering I have a child and nieces that look to me as an example of what a woman is. My role as a woman is to always remind them that we are capable of anything in this world, and that life will throw you curveballs and obstacles but you need to always take them on like a trained athlete, and no matter what God will get you through!

Do you have any mentors/role models who have inspired you along the way? 
All my female and closest male friends. They all have amazing stories and hearts of Gold. Their constant positivity inspires me daily!

How do you think movements like #everyBODYplayahmas assist masqueraders? 
It breaks down the stereotypes of body images, stops body shaming and empowers women, and strengthens body positivity.

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