New York, USA - After reading Pantonic captain, Wayne Bernard’s, post about this topic, I felt the need to address the same issue. It’s no secret that the majority of the Brooklyn pan scene is comprised of young adults and teenagers who anxiously wait for the Saturday before Labor Day in the hopes of winning Panorama. We spend all of our summer nights in panyards and racks, instead of parties and BBQs, to ensure victory in competition; that is, when we get the chance to. It’s sad that the NYPD (New York Police Department) and certain Brooklynites cannot see things this way.
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DOES THE NOISE POLLUTION APPLY TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS WHERE THERE ARE NO PEOPLE IN EAR SHOT?? IT IS RIGIDLY APPLIED WHEN BLACK FOLKS ARE INVOLVED. EVEN AT A HOUSE PARTY. IT IS RACISTLY APPLIED. paddy corea
It's time to get Al Sharpton on the case.
I do understand the predicament of the NY pannist but the NYPD has the noise polution laws to enforce. Could the NY scene turn to enclosed auditoriums where the sound would not be disturbing to the community??
Are you serious? Is that the reason why they 'break up' all parties around labor day? Is it "noise pollution' or non-sensitivity to the artform or the community? Is the community complaining? You can't take a big block party and put it into Lincoln Center.
No this is why they break up parties all year round. There is a new noise control law, around 2005, that even applies to bars and other place that play music at night. Special emphasis is given to windows and doors. And it is not one special community it is all over NYC. Are you saying that this community should be treated special??
Is the new law enforced all year in ALL communities? I don't think so. Maybe you are not aware of the fact that there is a concerted effort from some special communities to stop the W.I A labor day parade.
I was hanging out at Albemarle and Nostrand in Brooklyn on Friday night, where "Hearts of Steel" hosted a well attended party on Friday night.
There was good food, the crowd was joyful and orderly , and the hosts, "Hearts of Steel" had a nice little repertoire of tunes to entertain the pan people.
The vibes were good, the pan was sweet and apparently it had been going on for several nights prior.
The only concern was how soon the police would stop the party, as the did on the following night.
Most steelbands practice for the Carnival, expecting to be stopped at any time
The steelbands are an important part of the West Indian Labor Day celebrations, which also generate revenue for the city's coffers.
Judging by the presence of politicians at the Labor Day Parade, they recognize the importance of this event to the community and to the city as a whole.
This also means that the community has political clout.
How about our leaders using some of that political clout to get some concessions for steelbands for the Labor day weekend?
Maybe it is time the community leaders ask these politicians to do more for us than just show up on Eastern Parkway?
And BTW (this is embarrassing) I was hanging with some cheap, friends who only have a platonic relationship with the pan , so I missed the Panorama :).
Next year, however, as they say, come hell or high water......
For the past 20 or more years the NYPD under orders from Mayors and politicians who owe their aliegence to another Bklyn group of people have been trying to disrupt our West Indian carnival. They have been trying to move us off the parkway onto Fulton St. They have blocked every attempt by the Black community to rename eastern parkway to CARIBBEAN PARKWAY. This is not new. Since Shirley Chisolm retired from the political scene their efforts became BOLDER. Rudi Giuliani was acting on their behalf when he promulgated his executive order banning beer and booze at the carnival which resulted in the scaling down of support from several of our biggest sponsers (Guinness Heineken and others). Their efforts continue. WE,, apparently dont see the need for using political muscle so we are left dangling in mid air like a Limbo dancer. This is NOT a cultural problem this is a POLITICAL problem with RACE as a big factor. These same people who are attempting to disrupt our cultural activities have huge street activities that shut down large areas of Bklyn and are NOT interfered with by the NYPD,,as a matter of fact the NYPD assist, serve and secure them to the max in THEIR activities. WIADCA does NOT put up any challenges to police dictums about anything relating to,, the constricting or supressing of americas largest street parade (our carnival). They accept it bible fashion. Have you noticed that in the last 15 years the carnival has become shorter and shorter?? Why would a bandleader put all his energies and time and money in an enterprise that only allows him 2 or 3 hours to display his skill and talents?? Why should a steelband practice night after night to hone their skills just to be disrupted and frustrated by malevolent police behavoir??? Until WIADCA and other organizing bodies raise these issues with OUR politicians and put pressure on them, (all of them) we might NOT have a carnival at all... LONDON and TORONTO dont have this problem They have now surpassed NY in quality and scope because their municipal powers work WITH the organizing groups in those cities NOT AGAINST THEM. LONDON has now gone to a 2nd day of carnival with the support and assistance of the LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL. Also they dont have a group of singularly hostile citizens that act against them. paddy corea...Panist.
Paddy, That Political Clout sounds like them Jews (Rabbis) Them Rabbis rule Brooklyn, if they tell the Police "Jump" the police will say,, "how high" (No offence to the ones that wear the little hat on their head) I am just calling it as I see it.
events. I think it is time to take our culture to an area where it would be appreciated. We don't have to
accept being swept off the Parkway at 3pm every year.