I woke up this morning heavy in my heart about what was going on with the racist NYPD officers and their remarks towards the West Indian community and our Labor Day parade.
I live in Central Brooklyn, which is represented by Congresswoman Yvette Clark (Jamaican descent) and which is also home to the annual West Indian Day Parade.
So, this morning I got into action. I emailed the offices of several council members including Letitia James, Jumaane Williams and Yvette Clark about joining forces with the West Indian youths in a peaceful protest of which I received replies of solidarity.
Though I have never been a big fan of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), their practices and their lack of structure, I decided that I should also reach out to the “governing” body for the actual event.
So I wrote an email to Briding Newell and Jean Alexander, members of WIADCA, which has been the organizing body for this parade for the last 44 years!
Here’s my email sent at 12:55pm today:
Dear Ms. Briding,
My name is Jay and I was the only press official from the West Indian media community that was present at yesterday’s presser held at City Hall.
I am sure that you are aware of the stories that I have published on my blog and the opinions that have been addressed.
As a young West Indian woman, I am passionate about rallying other West Indian youths to a peaceful protest against the recent racist remarks by the offending NYPD officers in their facebook group, “No More West Indian Day Detail” and I am lobbying our elected officials to stand by us. However, I firmly believe that the West Indian youths should gather together under the umbrella of WIADCA.
Not only is this a powerful idea, but it would do a lot for your (WIADCA) image in the community, especially amongst the youth. From your lack of communication and lack of visible outreach to our community (outside of carnival) our West Indian youths have lost faith in you. We need WIADCA to step up and take the reigns. We need to believe in you.
You are the “governing” body for the West Indian Day Parade and the elderly voice in our community. However, we the young people hold the keys to preserving our heritage and this parade for our future generations.
The bigotry and racial profiling displayed is only but a few of the things our West Indian brothers and sisters endure on a daily basis because of their skin, their accents and even their address.
WIADCA we need you and would like to work with you on a unified front to get the Mayor of NYC, the Police Commissioner and the Public Advocate to take proper actions in to getting those cops fired. Furthermore, we would like to work together with you in fostering better community relations with the NYPD and the West Indian community – year round.
It is no secret where you stand in the eyes of the majority. You have the legal and government backing and we have the youths!
We need you just as much as you need us.
Can we formulate a plan with you for immediate action? Will you reply?
President Lezama-Clark will you stand with us?
Regards,
Jay Blessed
I didn’t edit my email to make me look good here, this is exactly what I wrote.
I am sure many of you will agree, but I also sure many of you will dissect this letter and show all the wrong phrases and words I used until there’s nothing left.
I was hoping..again…Briding Newell or someone from WIADCA would prove me wrong but they proved me so right!
Check date on this comment I posted on their page
Later this afternoon, I followed up on my email with a call and guess who answered? Briding Newell!
I was left aghast when the very same woman I reached out to for help, was rude, loathsome and down right nasty when she laughed in my ear, said she was too busy to talk (because she was writing a grant) and then hung up on me!
This just proves that WIADCA really don’t give a flying two hoots about the West Indian community or culture. The only reason for their existence now, is to fill their pockets!
JAYBLESSED.com has been trying to facilitate discussions and movement in reaction to the offensive remarks, but what is WIADCA really doing?
Listen to my podcast from last night HERE or watch HERE.
Flood WIADCA with calls and tell them how you feel about their late response and lack of action here: 718-467-1797 or email wiadcabriding@aol.com.
You can call me a firebrand or you can call me a revolutionist but one thing you can not call me is lazy and a bystander!
I am 100% Caribbean and I live in this city and have experienced my own share of injustices and racism.
If YOU are really about something, then I urge you to stand up for our community, for our culture, for our parade and let your voices be heard. Let us join together as a unified front to get action from the New York Police Department and the New York City Mayor.
Those cops need to be fired, point blank!
And WIADCA needs to shape up or ship out!
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December 8, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Jay, I am extremely proud of you and your stance and action on this issue. We need more like you girl
December 8, 2011 at 6:37 pm
OMG she had the audacity to laugh?? I couldn’t exactly voice my opinion because I was busy with final exam preparations, but I am very passionate about this ordeal as well. It literally made me sick to my stomach as I read the comments on that FB page, and the excerpt of the article you posted. Jay, i truly believe that YOU are the ONLY voice that the WI community in New York and i commend you on your valiant efforts. Much love, Coretta.
December 8, 2011 at 7:22 pm
You’re post shows a lack of professionalism on your part and your actions do more to further divide the community, than create solidarity. It seems more like you’re trying to make a name for yourself and I’m not impressed.
December 8, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Really,
I would love to know what have YOU been doing to voice your concern? Are you like the other folks who just lay back while the NYPD and our “so called reps” show no respect for us as a community? You are really just a waste of time…I support Jay Blessed for being a VOICE of reason and representing us when YOU and WIADCA turn your backs on us. We need to hold WIADCA accountable for NOT fighting with us or for us…so “Really” I am NOT impressed with you…go find something better to do with your time or SHUT THE HELL UP!
December 8, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Thank you for your comment Ma’am. What do you now propose you and I do now?
December 9, 2011 at 12:53 am
Really, Are you serious??? how does her post show a lack of professionalism? Do yourself and everyone else a favor and just “hush” Standing up for what you believe in and bringing awareness to the community about ongoing problems and trying to find possible solutions is NOT a lack of professionalism my dear. If her posts represent a lack of professionalism then your post represents a COWARD. Don’t be a part of the problem.
December 9, 2011 at 1:50 pm
You did not tell the full story. Upon your question as to whether I had read your email, I expressed that I was not able to read emails and had next to no time, because of our submission for a grant due that day. You asked a very acrid question… “was that (writing a grant) why WIADCA didn’t submit a response to the media until it was too late.” I then said to you that if you called to argue instead of communicate it would be better to speak another time when you were interested in TRUE communication. WIADCA is in the process of an important dialogue in reference to the NYPD facebook we have not ignored it or left it alone. We are working with several organizations and requesting direct significant meetings with officials. If you have no idea about this work, and you are a true journalist, how do you condemn it? Now that I see your response on this website I am assured that this exchange was for you an opportunity to position yourself and your work. When you are ready for REAL WORK and TRUE responses and HONEST dialogue…. please call again. We would love to work with our community youth on many levels and within many topics. Your idea is great … but your approach has to change. In the meantime we would appreciate an unbiased and less self centered approach to a very real and life threatening topic.
December 9, 2011 at 2:10 pm
I have called WIADCA on several occasions and from the time someone answers the phone, they give you attitude and a disrespectful tone, as if they do not know how to answer the phone at a place of business.
I have made my point and by still not responding to my email but rather choosing the website approach (which apparently finally got your attention), you have also made yours.
I will not be calling WIADCA again. I have done my part and the organization shows yet again the attitude of “we don’t need you.”
By the way, my question to you was, “Is the grant writing the reason why WIADCA gave a late response?” That is when you laughed and said you did not have time for dancing over the phone, that you will read my email tomorrow and you don’t have time for this….CLICK!
And about my approach…did this story not get your attention?
Ms. Briding, please tell me how does someone angered about this NYPD situation and passionate about her West Indian people, get the attention of those who seem quiet, lazy or slow to action?
Any smart person or organization would want to have passionate people on their side as opposed to have them against them.
If you need help, then you can surely reach out to JAYBLESSED.com and we will be glad to assist WIADCA in whatever way we can. After all, we reached out to you.
In the future, we would love to be kept abreast on your plan of action so that our readers can also be in the loop and participate.
All the best.
December 9, 2011 at 3:54 pm
I’m sorry to say, but I don not blame Ms. Briding for not responding to you directly becasue of your approach. You attract bees with honey, not vinegar.
On another note, WIADCA and the the “wonderful” NYPD are not responsible for the behaviors of the West Indian community. WE ARE. Say what allyuh want, but WE have to make the change. I can’t recall such savage, violent and sexual behaviour on the streets of Port-of-Spain as a child/teenager/young woman for Carnival. The lewd behavior of the females, the cage bras, the body parts (especially the ones that should not be exposed to the general public!!), displayed on Easter Parkway and even on the streets of Port-of-Spain, and other Caribbean islands – are not a TRUE representation Carnival.
December 9, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Vale Girl, thank you kindly for your comment.
What do you suggest we do now?
Have you lobbied any of your council members or even WIADCA to put pressure on the NYPD for their cops threatening to bomb our parade and wipe us ALL out?
Please suggest how we can rectify this issue.
December 9, 2011 at 4:24 pm
I too would like to know what you are doing Vale Girl? The blame falls on WIADCA for their lack of not representing us! They have the loudest voices in the Caribbean Community and they are sitting around doing NOTHING…what’s the point of us supporting them when they don’t support or fight for us? Most of the crime that takes place during the parade is done by black Americans! When the PR Parade is going on in the city and we hear all the same ish we don’t the NYPD acting this way!
So back to you Ms. Vale…what are you doing?
December 9, 2011 at 2:08 pm
WIADCA has been a shameful representation of our community. For way to long it seems that their efforts have been self seeking as a long standing “Caribbean” entity.
They are”busy writing a grant” question is ….. who does that grant represent….. not “we” the people? because “we” as a people should be more accomplished by any standards considering WIADA’s decades of existence. They, in my opinion need to step up or step down or add new blood with fresh eyes to help them redeem the lack of community service year round not just during the Labor Day festivities.
December 9, 2011 at 2:23 pm
I too wrote an email to every single member on WIADCA’s board. I have yet to receive a response from anyone. I am not old enough to share peoples sentiments about how WIADCA behaves within the community, and I do not live in Brooklyn. Thus, I never attacked WIADCA, I simply posed questions, answers and solutions. The problem I now have with WIADCA is that their reputation is taking the focus off the real issue. Every SINGLE TIME I have tried to get the word out there in an effort to group people to fight this situation, they have combated me with “Where is WIADCA? Where are our leaders? This is their job… How far will we get by ourselves?” In defending and trying to deflect attention off of WIADCA I have embarrassed myself!! WIADCA has proved these people right, and in the end I get the “I told you so” and now look like the bobolee who didnt listen. GREAT! Thank you Ms. Birding, Thank you WIADCA! Because of you, those officers will continue to “protect and serve” we “zoo animals who deserve to be dead.” HOW DO YOU PEOPLE SLEEP AT NIGHT?! This is a COMMUNITY ISSUE… so what makes you think you can keep things under wraps, and then lash out at Ms. JayBlessed when she asks the questions we all want answers to? There is a simple solution– involve the community, keep the community abreast of what is going on and what you all are doing.
December 11, 2011 at 8:09 am
Do you notice how much time this is taking? There are two issues at hand. One, the behavior on the Parkway, how do we address it? Secondly, a detailed concerted effort to address the vile attitude toward people of Black and Brown hues from some NYPD officers sworn to protect and serve all New York’s population.
BUT look at how much time is spent on what are perceived as WIADCA’S ills! All of this “Passion” can be directed toward solutions. It is so fashionable in the community to denigrate WIADCA. But I do not understand what that accomplishes. In 2012 it will be 45 years of Labor Day developed, fought for and maintained by…guess who?… WIADCA.
I am sure that MACY’s, Columbus Day, the Gay Pride and the Puerto Rican Day Parade have some issues with their organizations as well. Do you hear it and see it everywhere on the internet? Do you think that it serves the Carnival or our culture to have those who do not want the Parade to continue to see and hear the complaints and inner squabbling? It supports their cause! They point to it and say… see even their own people don’t want it!
What is it about us that we would rather fight each other and stand on the sidelines and complain, than help? Do you know how much it takes in time money energy and work to make this happen every year? Do you know how many fights we have to keep the Parade going from NYC agencies, Fire, Sanitation, DOT, NYPD costs, organizations, elected officials, Community Boards and elsewhere?
And when it comes to Grants… who is a multimillionaire and will be our benefactor? Please step up! Then I could spend less time anxious about money! How will we pay for the multitude of expenses if we are not raising money from somewhere? Will you cover the insurance costs alone? Will you write the check for the Parkway?
AND let’s talk about the myth of WIADCA and money. We struggle every single year! The amount of money that we raise from sponsors has never been enough to cover the cost of Labor Day. We are required to cover the costs and insurance of all NYC and its agencies. We must hold harmless many of the organizations that help or assist in any way. More and more costs, regulations and cut backs increase our costs! WIADCA ticket sales should be much higher but we are always trying to allow the community access to everything that we do. The amount of personnel and hours that we need to put all of the events and programs into place is very large. Clean up and security alone is enormous. I could go on but WIADCA has always given much more than it receives and is NEVER acknowledged for it.
The good that the 44 years of Carnival has presented is rarely discussed. The amount of time and energy that the Board and members put in without pay is rarely looked at. Why do we cut off our nose to spite our face?
Instead of saying… WIADCA has some work to do… There are things that I do not like… Let me keep hammering at them to assist in developing these side aspects and issues that mean so much to me. If I am a grant writer, let me step up and offer assistance for no remuneration or personal benefit. If I am connected to a corporation that may be a sponsor let me connect WIADCA to the right people and let me push from inside. If I am in marketing let me develop a program for those things that I think they lack and present a well thought out selfless team to carry it out. That is the help that WIADCA needs. These are the things that the larger community does for its events and organizations. AND THEIR ARGUMENTS STAY WITHIN THEIR OWN CIRCLES! We rarely hear about them. But they say my community, my organization “right or wrong”.
I will not be back to this site. It is developed to complain and criticize and there is sooooooooooo much to do… you cannot even imagine!
When you who disparage WIADCA are ready to understand all that is upon her shoulders and willing to work with her when it is easy and when it is not… I hope you do so for the sake of CARNIVAL, the culture and for the sake of the community.
For if WIADCA fails and goes BELIEVE ME so goes Carnival! All of the enemies of Carnival including the changing culture of the Brooklyn community will rush in, once they see WIADCA blink, to give Carnival its final blows! There will be nothing and no one to stem the tide!
BELIEVE ME…..…
December 11, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Ms. Briding,
I thank you for taking the time to respond yet again. Hopefully we would be able to move pass the hurt and truly work together for the betterment of our community.
I wish you nothing but the best in your endeavors and despite your proclamation of not being “back to this site” I hope that one day we can work together as a collective force of one people for a common cause, which is to preserve our West Indian culture and our parade in New York City.
Please feel free to send any press releases and updates to http://www.JAYBLESSED.com as we will certainly make sure of the dissemination of your information.
Regards.
December 11, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Briding, this is the FIRST time in my 18 years in living in this country I have ever seen a full explanation of the happenings within the organization in the handling of the West Indian Day Parade. We spoke on Thursday (or Friday) and I expressed the need for the community to know what the org. is doing, For too many years WIADCA has not communicated its goals for the parade and the Caribbean community. We need to hear from you: in town hall meetings, online forums, newsletters etc etc.
Some of us have gotten together and started an online group greared towards gathering input from Caribbean people across the country, on identifying issues facing this parade and other carnivals in other states. We are also discussing solutions to these issues!.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/276667995716937
We are ready to meet with WIADCA to discuss the challenges and solutions! Our group have identified some key things. Let us get together and make the West Indian Day Parade 2012 the best EVER!
TIME FOR ACTION!
December 11, 2011 at 11:49 pm
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February 15, 2013 at 3:16 am
Nice answer back in return of this difficulty with real arguments and telling all concerning that.