IslandMix - View Single Post

Moderator · 07-16-2003, 11:39 AM

Here is the info that was given to IMIX and included in our latest newsletter (check inbox today)... pls provide some feedback on what can be done... and I invite WIADCA to send a official response to webmaster@islandmix.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Exploitation on the Parkway?

The West Indian American Day Carnival (WIADC) in Brooklyn is the largest North American Parade by share virtue of spectators. WIADC also boast the oldest West Indian Parade outside of the Caribbean. What makes this entity tick, and Why is there so much “commese” around putting the parade together?

History

A governing body called the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) controls the parade. WIADCA has been in existence for over 35 years! Carlos Lezama who is the brainchild of this organization had the foresight to grow the carnival into what it is today for millions of people outside of the genre to enjoy our culture. Hats off to you Carlos! When the carnival first started there were only a few small bands on the parkway that were not really organized as they are today, but just merely chipping down the road to steel drums and iron. One of the most notable organizations that has been around since the carnival’s inception and continues to thrive, is Hawks International & Borokeete USA. The carnival originally started as a “Trini Ting.” However, more islands have become more and more involved representing their country and the carnival continues to grow in the numbers of participants and spectators. However all that glitters is not gold, everyone has a story! So what is the story behind the carnival on the Parkway? Is it exploitation or is it business as usual? You be the judge, read on…

The story

To be able to comprehend the story you will need a brief synopsis of business 101 and the semantics behind a parade. If you are an investor in a business and this business thrives and gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI) would you continue to invest more $$ into the business? You would be crazy not to do so. A carnival parade typically brings in millions of the dollars into the state/city/province in which it takes place. Typically the state/city/province will assist in funding (sponsoring) the infrastructure of that parade to insure its sustainability. This is done in Trinidad & Tobago, Caribana, London all over the world except in New York. So one will have to ask, who benefits from the Carnival on the Parkway? Is New York City not investing the necessary funds into the carnival? More importantly, why hasn’t anyone taken a stance against this to represent the Caribbean demographic? Research has indicated that the Labor-day carnival generates in excess of $300 million in revenue for the city of New York in which none of it is returned for further investment to grow the business (remember business 101 theory). So why hasn’t the governing body done something about this exploitation of the parade, the culture, and our people?? To answer this intoxicating inquiry, you will have to understand the underpinnings of WIADCA.

WIADCA

This 35 year old institution which is supposed to be custodian of one of the richest cultural expressions of the people of T&T, is a family ran business. Carlos Lezama is no longer at the helm of WIADCA. The organization (family) is now operated by his daughter Yolanda Lezama. This organization collects all
monies, sponsorships, registrations fees, and takes care of all fiscal matters related to the carnival. This organization answers to no governing authority, therefore their activities often go on without being monitored to ensure that ethical standards are being kept.

It would take many hours of discussions to outline the many problems, which is the life of WIADCA. The one question that has gone unanswered for over 3 decades is, what happens to the monies that WIADCA receives as a 501 c 3 not-for-profit entity? Why are their books not open for public review as stipulated by
law as a publicly supported entity? What is wrong with this picture?

WIADCA’s Response?

WIADCA has many political contacts from the Governor all the way down to the New York City Council in their corner. In essence they get funding on behalf of the Steel and MAS bands that they do not redistribute as required by contract to the entities that actually bring the productions. In fact in 2002 they
received over $50,000 from the New York City Council for support for the carnival. A couple of questions should arise here, where did the money go? Why are they settling for this “chump” change when the returns are over $300,000,000. In essence WIADCA has opted to settle for penny support while the $$$ generated from the carnival are channeled into other non-participating communities. WIADCA has failed to articulate the economic and political clout, which is ours to utilize. Take reference to the Puerto Rican Day parade that does not even pull half the participants that the Labor Day Parade draws yet they have a tremendous amount of support from the State/City/Corporate Sponsorship. In 2003, WIDICA is slated to obtain over $600,000 from the New York City Council for the benefit of the entities that actually bring the production. What’s going to happen this year? With the current economic climate and the lack of fund raising ability by the bands, will we see noted MAS bands on the Parkway in 2003? Hawks? Borokeete? Blackfoot? Last year Hawks boycotted in protest and Issued a statement called “Pause for the Cause?” Is this the beginning of the end or change for the sake of the perpetuation of our cultural expression abroad?

Future of Labor Day on The Parkway

The Labor-day carnival spectacle is facing a slow death for want of financial support. In the past the bands relied on back yard parties as a means of raising funds. This method is unique to Brooklyn and acknowledged by the community as indeed a source of annoyance to the neighbors who are subjected to the blaring DJ music on weekends. With the institution of project “Nighten-gale”-a quality of life law in NYC, where outdoor parties are prevented after a certain hour citing noise pollution- these means of fundraising are stifled. So what are the alternative means of raising funds for the production on the parkway? More importantly why is it that the producers of this product have to go through this task? Are they indentured servants working for New York City & WIADCA? A note must be made that it is not only the MAS bands, but the Steel Bands also have been feeling the pain for over 3 decades. A typical production cost to bring a band on the parkway is estimated anywhere between $15,000 - $60,000 depending on the size of the band. WIADCA’s prize money for first prize is $500. This is an absolute insult! How is change to be inflicted on this entity for the sake of our culture and what is
rightly ours!

What can we do?

Pressure has to be placed on WIADCA to either stand up and fight for what is ours as a people or step aside and let others who are more savvy and empowered to get things done on our behalf effect change. We need leadership. We need suggestions from the carnival goers and what has to be done to help maintain and grow Brooklyn Carnival. Want your voice to be heard, send an email or write to:

-Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz: (askmarty@broooklynbp.org)
209 Joralemon St Brooklyn New York
11201 USA

-Send WIDCA a message directly: younglao@optonline.net or info@wiadca.com or write to 323-325 Rogers Ave Brooklyn, NY 11225 or call 718 467 1797

Other Notes: Most recently it has been suggested by the city (security council) that the parade should end @ 4pm... i bet you never heard about that or when the last meeting was held and what was discussed... there were even other suggestions that would attack the culture of the parade... get involved ppl... attend the public meetings... become aware... this aint time to attack and become part of the problem... let voice our opinion and come up with a solution

07-16-2003, 11:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 1998 Location: Online Posts: 3,570	Exploitation of Parkway!? Here is the info that was given to IMIX and included in our latest newsletter (check inbox today)... pls provide some feedback on what can be done... and I invite WIADCA to send a official response to webmaster@islandmix.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Exploitation on the Parkway? The West Indian American Day Carnival (WIADC) in Brooklyn is the largest North American Parade by share virtue of spectators. WIADC also boast the oldest West Indian Parade outside of the Caribbean. What makes this entity tick, and Why is there so much “commese” around putting the parade together? History A governing body called the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) controls the parade. WIADCA has been in existence for over 35 years! Carlos Lezama who is the brainchild of this organization had the foresight to grow the carnival into what it is today for millions of people outside of the genre to enjoy our culture. Hats off to you Carlos! When the carnival first started there were only a few small bands on the parkway that were not really organized as they are today, but just merely chipping down the road to steel drums and iron. One of the most notable organizations that has been around since the carnival’s inception and continues to thrive, is Hawks International & Borokeete USA. The carnival originally started as a “Trini Ting.” However, more islands have become more and more involved representing their country and the carnival continues to grow in the numbers of participants and spectators. However all that glitters is not gold, everyone has a story! So what is the story behind the carnival on the Parkway? Is it exploitation or is it business as usual? You be the judge, read on… The story To be able to comprehend the story you will need a brief synopsis of business 101 and the semantics behind a parade. If you are an investor in a business and this business thrives and gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI) would you continue to invest more $$ into the business? You would be crazy not to do so. A carnival parade typically brings in millions of the dollars into the state/city/province in which it takes place. Typically the state/city/province will assist in funding (sponsoring) the infrastructure of that parade to insure its sustainability. This is done in Trinidad & Tobago, Caribana, London all over the world except in New York. So one will have to ask, who benefits from the Carnival on the Parkway? Is New York City not investing the necessary funds into the carnival? More importantly, why hasn’t anyone taken a stance against this to represent the Caribbean demographic? Research has indicated that the Labor-day carnival generates in excess of $300 million in revenue for the city of New York in which none of it is returned for further investment to grow the business (remember business 101 theory). So why hasn’t the governing body done something about this exploitation of the parade, the culture, and our people?? To answer this intoxicating inquiry, you will have to understand the underpinnings of WIADCA. WIADCA This 35 year old institution which is supposed to be custodian of one of the richest cultural expressions of the people of T&T, is a family ran business. Carlos Lezama is no longer at the helm of WIADCA. The organization (family) is now operated by his daughter Yolanda Lezama. This organization collects all monies, sponsorships, registrations fees, and takes care of all fiscal matters related to the carnival. This organization answers to no governing authority, therefore their activities often go on without being monitored to ensure that ethical standards are being kept. It would take many hours of discussions to outline the many problems, which is the life of WIADCA. The one question that has gone unanswered for over 3 decades is, what happens to the monies that WIADCA receives as a 501 c 3 not-for-profit entity? Why are their books not open for public review as stipulated by law as a publicly supported entity? What is wrong with this picture? WIADCA’s Response? WIADCA has many political contacts from the Governor all the way down to the New York City Council in their corner. In essence they get funding on behalf of the Steel and MAS bands that they do not redistribute as required by contract to the entities that actually bring the productions. In fact in 2002 they received over $50,000 from the New York City Council for support for the carnival. A couple of questions should arise here, where did the money go? Why are they settling for this “chump” change when the returns are over $300,000,000. In essence WIADCA has opted to settle for penny support while the $$$ generated from the carnival are channeled into other non-participating communities. WIADCA has failed to articulate the economic and political clout, which is ours to utilize. Take reference to the Puerto Rican Day parade that does not even pull half the participants that the Labor Day Parade draws yet they have a tremendous amount of support from the State/City/Corporate Sponsorship. In 2003, WIDICA is slated to obtain over $600,000 from the New York City Council for the benefit of the entities that actually bring the production. What’s going to happen this year? With the current economic climate and the lack of fund raising ability by the bands, will we see noted MAS bands on the Parkway in 2003? Hawks? Borokeete? Blackfoot? Last year Hawks boycotted in protest and Issued a statement called “Pause for the Cause?” Is this the beginning of the end or change for the sake of the perpetuation of our cultural expression abroad? Future of Labor Day on The Parkway The Labor-day carnival spectacle is facing a slow death for want of financial support. In the past the bands relied on back yard parties as a means of raising funds. This method is unique to Brooklyn and acknowledged by the community as indeed a source of annoyance to the neighbors who are subjected to the blaring DJ music on weekends. With the institution of project “Nighten-gale”-a quality of life law in NYC, where outdoor parties are prevented after a certain hour citing noise pollution- these means of fundraising are stifled. So what are the alternative means of raising funds for the production on the parkway? More importantly why is it that the producers of this product have to go through this task? Are they indentured servants working for New York City & WIADCA? A note must be made that it is not only the MAS bands, but the Steel Bands also have been feeling the pain for over 3 decades. A typical production cost to bring a band on the parkway is estimated anywhere between $15,000 - $60,000 depending on the size of the band. WIADCA’s prize money for first prize is $500. This is an absolute insult! How is change to be inflicted on this entity for the sake of our culture and what is rightly ours! What can we do? Pressure has to be placed on WIADCA to either stand up and fight for what is ours as a people or step aside and let others who are more savvy and empowered to get things done on our behalf effect change. We need leadership. We need suggestions from the carnival goers and what has to be done to help maintain and grow Brooklyn Carnival. Want your voice to be heard, send an email or write to: -Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz: (askmarty@broooklynbp.org) 209 Joralemon St Brooklyn New York 11201 USA -Send WIDCA a message directly: younglao@optonline.net or info@wiadca.com or write to 323-325 Rogers Ave Brooklyn, NY 11225 or call 718 467 1797 Other Notes: Most recently it has been suggested by the city (security council) that the parade should end @ 4pm... i bet you never heard about that or when the last meeting was held and what was discussed... there were even other suggestions that would attack the culture of the parade... get involved ppl... attend the public meetings... become aware... this aint time to attack and become part of the problem... let voice our opinion and come up with a solution