Brooklyn, NY – August 06, 2005 — In response to a recent article published by the New York Daily News, which suggested that Haitians and Jamaicans would face a ban from this year’s Labor Day Parade on Eastern Parkway if they did not adhere to the dress code, Opa reached out for clarification. We spoke with Ms. Jean Alexander, board member and director of marketing for the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), to address these concerns.
Cheyna Pierre: Hi, Ms. Alexander. My name is Cheyna Pierre from Opamizik.com.
Ms. Jean Alexander: Spell that for me, please.
Cheyna: That’s O-P-A-M-I-Z-I-K dot com.
Ms. Alexander: OK, how may I help you?
Cheyna: I have a few questions regarding this year’s parade. An article in the New York Daily News mentioned that Haitians and Jamaicans might be banned from participating if they don’t wear costumes. I was also informed that this issue was discussed in a recent meeting, and it appears that Haitians and Jamaicans are being singled out.
Ms. Alexander: What is it you want to know?
Cheyna: First, can you confirm if there is a ban on Haitians and Jamaicans for this year’s festival?
Ms. Alexander: No, there is no ban. We are simply enforcing existing rules.
Cheyna: I understand the importance of costume regulations, but isn’t there a way to address this issue without excluding groups? In this country, we value freedom of expression. Shouldn’t T-shirts be considered acceptable if they are seen as costumes by some?
Ms. Alexander: Having T-shirts instead of costumes does not align with the traditional spirit of the carnival. In Haiti, costumes are a fundamental part of the celebration, and we aim to maintain that same spirit here. The parade attracts people from around the world, and having a mix of costumes and casual wear disrupts the cultural integrity of the event. We’re not trying to exclude anyone; we’re preserving the tradition for future generations.
Cheyna: I’ve also heard that the committee is requiring Haitians to provide their own security for the parade. Shouldn’t the police be handling that?
Ms. Alexander: The city has mandated that each group provide its own security. The parade costs $300,000 this year, and we must meet this budget by Monday the 8th. We need to adhere to these rules to ensure the event runs smoothly. This includes preventing non-band members from jumping on floats and obstructing the parade. Thus, each band must arrange their own security.
Cheyna: Do the costumes need to be approved by the committee?
Ms. Alexander: Costumes don’t need formal approval. We encourage participants to be creative, perhaps by adding feathers or flowers to existing outfits. The key is for everyone on a float and the ground walkers to coordinate and maintain a cohesive look.
Cheyna: Can you comment on the statements attributed to you in the Daily News article?
Ms. Alexander: The comments in the Daily News were misrepresented. Ms. Casimir spoke to me, but her article misquoted the context of my statements. I plan to issue a press release in the coming days to clarify the situation and address any misconceptions.
Cheyna: Thank you for your time, Ms. Alexander.
Ms. Alexander: You’re welcome. Goodbye.
Photos courtesy of WIADCA
