Phagwah Celebration: Held in Richmond Hill, New York 3/22/2008
March 22, 2008
I attended the Phagwah parade this morning, which commenced at 130th street on Liberty Avenue in Queens and culminated at Smokey Park on 125 street and Atlantic Avenue in Queens.
What a vivid display of West Indian pride and heritage based on the principles of Hinduism. I particularly enjoyed the mix of people from the community that came out on the streets to “Play Phagwah” so to speak with dyed powders, multihued confetti and dyed liquids that everyone sprayed or rubbed on each other when ever possible. I myself got into the mix of things even though I held a camera to capture the highlights of the celebrations. The Tassa drums and upbeat Caribbean music kept the event alive. At times, I thought of leaving the camera to the side and just slip away amongst the crowd and soak in the moment with the community but unfortunately I could not; I wanted to capture the event on video for this website. Periodically, when I glanced at my clothes, I felt satisfaction with being West Indian and being able experience the cultural assemble. My estimate was probably in the lines of 2000 people that came out for the celebrations. Liberty Avenue and Smokey Park was as multicolored as it would ever be given the colorful walkways and people covered in all colors imaginable. At Smokey Park, various religious groups shared songs and dances that were favorites amongst the community. Guyanese and Trinidadians alike waved their national flags in symbolism of their identities. Community leaders that organized the processions were the ones that directed the highlights of the celebrations and helped to keep order with assistance from the 106 police outpost.
What dawned on me however, was the dichotomy that existed within the very community that partook in the Phagwah celebrations. There were children and adults alike that came out to enjoy in the festivities. But not so long ago, may be a month or so back there was a rally in regards to the massacres in Guyana. I counted not more than 200 people, less than one percent children, But today there was 2000. Now I had to ask myself how come and why other that fact that today was about “fun” and the rally for the people that died at Lusignan and Bartica, a “chore.” It seemed to me that the community so nit in the values of religious precepts was secluded or self isolated from the less “amusing” occurrences. This was the only conclusion I could deduce. Two important events occurred in Guyana and these events should have been a wake up call for a dispersed people to rally together and try so secure some solution to the problem back home. But the opposite occurred. Why is this? In the African American community, the NAACP among many other groups fight for justice. The Hassidic Jews are well organized in getting their community the necessities for communal survival. The Hispanics have numerous representations in legislatures and local offices. What about West Indians? Where are we represented? Nowhere, and that’s the truth of the matter.
So here is my conclusion until someone or event/s proves me different. We are a people bent on being capitalists and we are living Charles Darwin’s pioneering quote “survival of the fittest.” As a community we celebrate in the good times and remove ourselves in times when we are needed the most. We expect laws to be in favor of us but we are unwilling to sacrifice our time to get them implemented. We want good schools for our children so those of us who can afford to, move into better school zones rather than work to fix the ones we already have. We complain about the neighborhood we live in the amenities available to us but we do not band together to ask for them. The truth is that we do not believe of the strength in numbers and working to benefit our neighbors. We are too busy when the community needs us but are we really or do we just make excuses because of indolence. Today has proved this theory for me. We are a selfish race and where do we go from here? It hurts a human being and more so as West Indian living in the U.S, to actually realize that my identity is tied to the foods I share and the structure of my physical self. Other than that where are the ties and don’t tell me religion? It seems that religion bounds a set group of people under a large umbrella and even under that large umbrella; varying groups are covered under smaller one.
This tells me that there is a lot of work to be done and it is up to the emerging cohort to want that change. The problem is that there is no motivation for the younger ones to embrace that zeal. But for those of us who are fighting and believe in change, we will have the greener pasture one day to graze. The United States is our home whether we accept it or not. For those of us who dream of back to Guyana to live, think again about realities of Guyana and the utopia will quickly dissipate because Guyanese are living in fear right now. Twenty years ago, Guyana was the very way it is today. The schools are broken, the healthcare system is diluted and the Government, well I said my piece my past writings.
In a community such as the as that of the West Indian, being dispersed alone is all the more reason for us to band as one unit. For some of us, it is too late but I am speaking to the younger cohort. We are the ones that will secure brighter days for our children and ensure our fate for generations come.
Andrew
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Comments
6 Responses to “Phagwah Celebration: Held in Richmond Hill, New York 3/22/2008”
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Andrew I understand your feelings on the lack of support shown at the rally compared to the turn out for the parade. On a larger scale, its the same way most people feel about the West Indian day parade. We go crazy and dress up and even prepare months before to celebrate our culture but to take a stand and support a cause we aren’t present. Even simple things as voting so our people could have a voice in this country, we wont do. I can’t name the amount of times I’ve asked “who are you voting for this year” and I get the “No one” answer. I just shake my head at those people. We sometimes fail to realize there are power in numbers and let’s face it we are spreading to almost every neighborhood in Queens. We aren’t just in Ozone Park and Richmond hill anymore. I’m new to the web site and I wish I knew about the rally, It would of been my honor to attend. The thing is I had no Idea, I wonder how many others would of shown up if they were aware.
Yes, it’s sad Guyana is not in better conditions as it could be, but you can’t say it has not made progress in the last 10-20 years. The progress it has made is probably not what many has hoped for, but that is to be blamed on both the government and the people. It’s sad to see so many people accept that Guyana is hopeless and there’s simply no point in trying.
All I see Guyanese people do is complain. They complain about how corrupt the government is, how bad living conditions are, etc., but how many are making changes? How many are taking a stand to do something about it besides yap their gums about how things are not how they should be? Where are the politicans who wants to change their country? Where are the doctors and nurses in the hospitals making changes in the healthcare system? They are all trying to leave Guyana because they believe their country is hopeless and are looking for something better. And the only ones who are standing up and doing something for their country and their people are those who are greedy and corrupt. So tell me, how can the system change?
And no that doesn’t apply to everyone, but most Guyanese.
“We expect laws to be in favor of us but we are unwilling to sacrifice our time to get them implemented. We want good schools for our children so those of us who can afford to, move into better school zones rather than work to fix the ones we already have. We complain about the neighborhood we live in the amenities available to us but we do not band together to ask for them.”
It’s funny you say that because for most people that is their mindset not only in the U.S., but in Guyana and other countries as well.
Could you say Murphy’s law applies here as well? Hmmm…
Annand…Can you enumerate the progress Guyana has had over the last 10-20 years and could you share your experience in Guyana, past and present if any and make reference to the questionable progress you so think Guyana has benefited from?
Angela,
It;s not a matter of awareness. We are far from that and here is why. Phagwah celebration in past years were held on Sundays instead of Saturdays. The very same orgainzation that organized the said rally sperheaded the specifics of the parade. 2008 being the first year that the parade was held on a saturday…everyone who needed to know of the change of date in some way knew of the new date,, With that said, I leave it to you to make a conclusion…