Photo from Ayissha Aie Samuel –> What’s Going on St.Thomas? “We scream that we need to do better for our children yet still we won’t support them. They worked hard to put on a show but have no audience to show off for. Shameful and distasteful. Each year is worse than the last. Soon children parade will cease to exist and for what…a horse race. Well I hope horse race get rain out and I personally feel horse race could get move to Thursday after J’ouvert. If you ain’t feeling this post then go so. ——->
#USVI Children’s Parade 2017 Day Changes to increase adult attendance; horse races to be held on Thursday after J’ouvert.
“We scream that we need to do better for our children yet still we won’t support them. They worked hard to put on a show but have no audience to show off for. Shameful and distasteful. Each year is worse than the last. Soon children parade will cease to exist and for what…a horse race…” ~Facebook Photo from Ayissha Aie Samuel posted to the What’s Going on St.Thomas? facebook group
As I search and review all of the comments in response to the press release sent out from the USVI Government House, I wonder if anyone else is seeing the pattern. Adults that are clearly saying they don’t believe the day change will make a difference. While there are some celebratory comments from people who are happy about the decision, a large amount of the comments reflect the belief that it, “Still isn’t going to make a difference ‼️‼️If people wanted to go Children parade they would,” ~De’Shaee Henley
The resounding chorus of naysayers continues with troubling realities that make a point towards the decline of our value system and priorities.
“Hopefully it makes a difference, but I never thought the day it was on before was the issue. The issue was and is the ppl who prefer not to support the children, but prefer to go on the track to show off their outfits,” ~ Lynnesha Richards
The now trumpeting elephant in the room can’t be ignored. Are our priorities THAT skewed that we don’t see the need to support our youth especially during a time when their violent behavior outweighs their positive contributions and actions? What does this reflect on our community and the government that guides it?
We are thankful that the decision was made after listening to the outcry from people who stood up for the youth this past Carnival, but are we putting a bandaid on a festering tumor?
Here’s the original email with the announcement. Sent on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2016 at 10:38 PM
Source: gvinews@vi.gov
According to Mr. Potter, “Everyone was cooperative and united behind the same goal, which was to encourage more spectators to support the children during their parade.” He said that over the years, the number of people attending the children’s parade was declining in proportion to increasing numbers attending the horse races. “We want to recognize the efforts of the children to put on a great parade”, the Acting Governor stated, “and reward them with visible appreciation.” He added that the Police Commissioner has assured all concerned that changing the day of the horse races to J’ouvert Thursday would be perfectly manageable from a public safety perspective.
As for me, I lost interest in certain aspects of Carnival, but the parts that teach youth about our culture and history will always interest me. I’m happy that Mario Picayo’s sharing his photos from Carnival in different locations so I’ll be happy to attend the opening of Caribbean Carnival Portraits at the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts Gallery (St. Thomas).
We will also have the book Caribbean Carnival Portraits for sale based on the original exhibit presented in Havana, Santo Domingo, and New York.
The opening will be on Friday June the 3rd, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
It’s never too late or too early to celebrate the beauty and majesty of our history through the various cultural expressions of Carnival. Free and open to the public all month!
