J'Ouvert and the discussion about discussions about its safety continue to dominate our area. I urge you to check out your local politicians (conspicuously missing YOUR council person and Haitian J'Ouvert supporter Mathieu Eugene, go figure). I'm a fan of all four of these folks (Adams, Williams, Cumbo, Parker), and I think they speak to the crux of the matter, with the two most germane points:
1: You cannot stop the spontaneous celebrations of J'Ouvert
2: One cannot completely contain violence on Labor Day, or any other day, and therefore equating J'Ouvert and violence is not apt
3: The issue of gun violence is separate and way more crucial
Errol Louis, more combative even than usual, makes the sound argument that:
A: By sanctioning J'ouvert with a permit, encouraging people to congregate en masse along a parade route that is essentially a police zone, you give the false impression that this is a safe event.
Great to hear our representatives, albeit without Walter Mosley (who thinks J'Ouvert should be canceled) and Diana Richardson. But I gotta say...the "discussions" go in circles and no one is particularly adept at saying what needs to be said, in the Q's most humble opinion. Nothing. Step back from the police state. Don't sanction anything. Let it be what it is. Let people decide for themselves whether to go or not and where to celebrate. We tried the over-policing and surgical lighting. Go back to how it was, and have a nice day. J'ouvert. Here to stay.
NY1 Online: Emotional Debate About the Future of the J'ouvert Celebration
1: You cannot stop the spontaneous celebrations of J'Ouvert
2: One cannot completely contain violence on Labor Day, or any other day, and therefore equating J'Ouvert and violence is not apt
3: The issue of gun violence is separate and way more crucial
Errol Louis, more combative even than usual, makes the sound argument that:
A: By sanctioning J'ouvert with a permit, encouraging people to congregate en masse along a parade route that is essentially a police zone, you give the false impression that this is a safe event.
Great to hear our representatives, albeit without Walter Mosley (who thinks J'Ouvert should be canceled) and Diana Richardson. But I gotta say...the "discussions" go in circles and no one is particularly adept at saying what needs to be said, in the Q's most humble opinion. Nothing. Step back from the police state. Don't sanction anything. Let it be what it is. Let people decide for themselves whether to go or not and where to celebrate. We tried the over-policing and surgical lighting. Go back to how it was, and have a nice day. J'ouvert. Here to stay.
NY1 Online: Emotional Debate About the Future of the J'ouvert Celebration