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September 8, 2007 - Volume 1, No. 6
PLEASE OFFICER, UNDERSTAND WE CARNIVAL
This year
Brooklyn Carnival was quieter than usual. It
seems that every year it gets quieter and
quieter. There were a few back yard parties
but the energy was not there. The two weeks
that lead up to labor-day carnival was quiet
as a mouse. The usual music that one would
hear from cars, trucks and SUVs was not
there. Maybe it is because of the new noise
law. Most of the steelbands were in their
usual panyard. And, some of them were
ordered by the authorities to stop earlier
than usual. Again, the claims of noise came
from few residents (who called the police)
who can’t seem to have the patience to deal
with one month of steelband music. Some
bands were shut down around 11PM because the
police claimed that they received calls from
homeowners and tenants about the ‘noise’
from the bands. Some of the bands were lucky
(Dem Stars, D’Radoes, Despers USA, Cross
Fire and Pantonic) because they practiced in
industrial areas. Bands like Sesame Flyers,
Harmony and Hearts of Steel which practice
in Caribbean areas also were not stopped. I
understand that Sonatas was one of the bands
that was stopped early.
This year’s jouvert was exciting and
colorful although some masqueraders and
panjumbies experienced a little horrors with
the police. I can’t understand why the
police don’t get it. Panjumbies come to
jouvert to have a good time. We appreciate
the security from the police but they have
to comprehend our behavior. As a result, I
decided to try and explain we carnival so
that New York’s Finest (police) will
understand certain elements of our culture
in order to prevent unnecessary problems and
confrontation.
The steelbands try to be as orderly as is
possible. Steelbands are an intrinsic part
of the West Indian Day Carnival. WIADCA, who
sponsors the event, should have contacts
with the police Captains. They should meet
with them a few times every year to sort out
complaints and the logistics of the
carnival. There should also be meetings with
the police in the different local precincts.
So, we will not have the same problems every
year with the steelbands. There is a lack of
leadership among the steelbands to get their
message across to the authorities. I suggest
that the bands appoint a spokesperson to
represent their cause to the different
police precincts.
The steelbands are not leaving Brooklyn.
Brooklyn is the permanent home for New York
carnival and the steelbands will be there
every year come what may. The representative
should meet with the police throughout the
year so that their presence is known. They
should attend the various police functions
and mix with the authorities. Let the
authorities get to know the steelband
leadership. The steelbands have to learn how
to lobby for their artistic freedom. The
steelbands should volunteer to play for the
various functions and get to know their
precinct Captains.
The jouvert begins at 2 AM with bands
gathering at Grand Army Plaza on Flatbush
Avenue then on to Empire Boulevard and into
Nostrand Avenue ending at 10AM on Clarkson
Avenue. The route is peopled with steelbands
and participants (not onlookers) who walk up
and down, between the bands dancing and
greeting one another. Remember, the jouvert
is not a parade but a carnival. When someone
sees another they cross from one side of the
street to the other passing through the
bands seeking that person. There is no
reason for them to be stopped and turned
around. Panjumbies like to look for friends
and if they see one, they immediately run to
greet or call them. It’s a human instinct. I
would strongly suggest that the organizers
of the jouvert start the jouvert at a
different route. I want to suggest a new
route for the jouvert. The jouvert should
start at the corner of Empire Boulvard and
Nostrand Avenue. It should travel down
Nostrand Avenue to the corner of Flatbush
Avenue where it should end. This new route
would give the Caribbean businesses an
opportunity to make some money from the
jouvert. Nostrand Avenue is peopled with
Caribbean businesses. The steelbands could
solicit financial assistance from those
businesses for bringing to them patrons. The
jouvert should be a joint venture between
the steelbands and the Caribbean businesses.
I urge the Police Commissioner to send a
representative to Trinidad for carnival and
contact the local police to see how they
handle masqueraders and panjumbies on the
road. Most Trinbagonians are very respectful
of police and authority. So, don’t shout or
yell at them. A simple explanation will go a
long way to ease the tension. The jouvert is
an essential part of the carnival. And,
jouvert is a carnival and not a parade.
There are different rules for the carnival
as opposed to a parade. Panjumbies do not
stand idly on the side to look at the
steelbands. They like to participate by
entering the steelbands.
Carnival is mingling. As a result, people
walk up and down the street and enter the
bands to greet friends and family. After
they talk they will leave the band.
Participation is part of the carnival.
Sometimes they will get a little loud
calling out to people they have not seen for
years. And, when they see someone they have
not seen for years they get excited and hug
the person and start to dance. If you see a
group of people talking and laughing and
acting like they fighting, they are not.
That is how we express ourselves with one
another. We are very emotional when it comes
to carnival.
Another thing I noticed was that there were
not sufficient port toilets. When we drink
rum or beer we have to pee. So, please put
enough port toilets and put them close by. I
would urge users of the port toilets to try
and keep them clean. Another of our
characteristics is that we like to sit on
the road side. Please don’t disturb us.
After the jouvert we will leave. And, when
you see us waving our hands in the air we
are not fighting. And, please learn to
distinguish the different Caribbean peoples.
There is a difference between Trinidadians
and Jamaicans. Grenadians are not Barbadians.
If you look closely at the various flags you
can tell who is who.
I hope next year will see some changes in
the Panorama sound system. I hope the
steelbands stand up and demand a proper
sound system produced by Basement Recording.
Stay Blogged |
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P.S. For any carnival, steelband or local terms
used here, please go to the
Port of Pan ABC,
or you may contact this writer. Thanks for
reading. |
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