It’s about that time party peoples. Time fe jump up jump up pon de parkway. For those that don’t know, every Labor Day for umpteen years the West Indian community of Bklyn, NY has held a parade down Eastern Parkway to celebrate Caribbean life, culture, peoples, etc. etc.
It starts with J’ouvert (late night/early morning party in the streets) and ends with a massive celebration complete with half nekkid girls, soca/calypso/reggae music blasting, all manner of food being sold, and of course, every flag of the Caribbean being waved.
I hear it’s a good time but me ain’t know cuz I never been.
I know, I know. “What!? How you living in Bklyn all a you life an’ never been pon de parkway? What kinda Guyanese are you?” I hear some form or fashion of this phrase every year. And every year I think, ‘hmm, maybe I’ll go for a little bit this year. see what all de fuss is about’. Then when I realize all the confusion, noise, congestion, unbelievable numbers of dumb ass men/boys who will be spending the day ‘pssst, pssting’ the women who pass, sheer amount of soca/calypso that will be played (I can only take 2 soca/calypso songs then I”m done), I change my mind and find myself on the opposite end of Bklyn, just to avoid the madness.
I’m sure it’s a great time, I have plenty friend dem who does play mas or get their hustle on selling food or memorablia, but that kinda scene ain’t for me. But for y’all who does go, have fun, be safe and mind ya manners.
