42nd Annual West Indian Day Parade, Brooklyn 2009

The Annual West Indian day Parade never disappoints. Music, food, parade, festivities and everything in between here and the smallest village in Trinidad is on full display at New York's largest parade. From a photographer's standpoint, it's challenging yet fun to photograph this parade. Challenging because of the enormity of the crowd, and everything happens in a flash so you have to be quick! But it's also fun, because there is so much to photograph. I've been going to the West indian Parade since I was a kid growing up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn where the parade begins. I have fond memories of going as a family, sitting on my dad's shoulders to view the vivid display of costumed revelers gyrating to the beats of island music. We also used the opportunity to sell items like leather handbags made in Haiti, Records, and anything else we wanted to get rid of, because with a crowd of a million or so people, we were sure to sell our wares.

This year, I went as the lone photographer, seeking to capture an aspect of my West Indian heritage and to share amongst the pride . The parade is many things to many people. But to me, it's a day to celebrate West indian Heritage, Culture and Pride, embracing our rich history and paying homage to our not-so delicate past. All in all, it was a great day. In all four hundred photos I've taken, I edited down to this lot. Hope you enjoy it!

Click on any image to enlarge.

Colorful costumes and masqueraders are a highlight of the West Indian Day Parade.



































Millions of spectators flock to Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn for the annual West Indian Day Parade making it the largest parade in New York.





Another aspect of the parade that is as apparent as the spice-scented air is the heightened sexuality, which plays out right in the open. Don't be mistaken though, the "dry hump" that is pictured here, while reminiscent of intercourse, is actually the way many young parade goers express themselves with this provocative dance to Calypso music.


















Feeling "nice". Whether by spirit or sauce, either way it's all good. This woman's blissful look immediately caught my attention as I was reminded of how I too sometimes wish I was away from it all, if only for these few moments.




Vendeuse de drapo (Flag seller with Haitian flags prominently displayed).



FOOD! Another reason to head to Eastern Parkway for the West Indian Day parade. You can sample the savory spiced blends from virtually any caribbean nation ...in some cases, on the same block! I had an oxtail roti that was slammin'!


Jerk chicken




Fritters being prepared from the back of a truck. This reminded me of how resourceful black people are, and how for some folks back home, this is a matter of life and death.



Grilled corn on the cob.



Filling a roti with curried goat.



Of course I had to give props to my Haitian people representin' at the parade!




Young Haitian crew. At least they were keepin' it real by speaking our native tongue called creole.




Haitian grandmother enjoying the festivities. I wish I had known my grandmother.




Haitian truck and crowd in the parade.



Parade-goers.









These cops obviously wished they were anywhere but here!



Words of encouragement from the troupe's coach.





Moko Jumbie, (man on stilts).



Island trinkets for sale.




Young girl gets a perfect view of the parade...from the top of her dad's head.







HAPPY WEST INDIAN DAY 2009!

Chasing Certainty

you will never find your way
for as long as you run sideways
in the dark

you will never know the truth
until you live your truth

you cannot recognize the moment
the NOW
as long as your heart is left behind
stuck in a hurt-filled rut



you will get there though
because your spirit demands it

LET GO

you're not alone
but your demons should be

when u are finally free
you will know it

because nothing else will matter.

Look, now...

seperated at birth
that part of me remains
hidden from you
searching for me
and all that i could be
if it were true
that i couldnt love you
despite your clenched fist
and my open heart.

do u know who i am?
not like Will
but the way of the light
that illuminates the path
and connects ur dots
that eventually lead to me.

what has gone missing
for far too long
i try 2 complete
without competing
with the demons and dragons
of your fiery past.

look at me now!
who do you see?
or can u describe
how i came 2 be?

(I didn't think so...)

I miss my mama.

Tuneday the boy-gay

Tuneday
is here
Wednesday
where he can be gay
till Friday
all day
and on the seventh day
some will say
act like you did
on Monday.

Pavan at Jones Beach Sunset, 2009

My beautiful friend and fellow photographer Pavan.

Not because...but...

not because I AM
but because you were

not because i live
but because you fear

not because i fly
but because u creep
(or crept)

not because i see
but because you can't
(or won't)

not because of reality
but because of perception

not because of my light
but because of your shadow

not because i'm free
but because ur not

not because i live
but because u exist

not because my life is dictated by people who mean nothing to me
but because yours is

not because i've seen
but because you remembered

not because i'm "right"
but because I'm honest

not because i'm told
but because I believe

not because of you
but because of me.

Games and Rides...Good times at Coney Island, 2009

...continued from the Coney Island series, 2009.



Waiting on line for the Wonder Wheel.



Faceless couple in an embrace at the Wonder Wheel.



The Wonder Wheel, Coney Island.



Boys aboard the Polar Bear Express, a Coney Island favorite.




My favorite game in Coney Island since I was a kid. Aim and fire the water gun into the clowns mouth, which inflates the attached ballon. First one that pops wins. I like how the baby in the background is hanging in there too!



"Play it Your way"...the nerve-racking quarter game.



Big stuffed prizes await the winner of the Horse Race.



I remember riding these plastic motorcycles chasing and dogding on the moving screen.




Ambivalence about challenging the mechanical arm wrestler.



Freefall, free kids.




Father makes sure his son is prepared to fly.




They don't touch you, do they???", asked this tense woman as she got strapped in for a ride through the Coney Island Haunted House.

Coney Island Culture; Urban revitalization on its heels

No matter the view, an endless mix of people and culture come to Coney Island in search of fun or peace. I wonder what the vibe will be like once the Urban Revitalization is completed. Will the mix of culture continue to blend or will it sift out like flour in a sieve? What will the "new" Coney Island offer? And to whom? It remains to be seen, but in the meantime, we salvage what final moments of what will soon be considered "what used to be".