Enduring Tribute

You may not know -- but our community knows.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Gun violence is a pressing issue that continues to plague communities across the country, disproportionately affecting Black men. 

In 2023 - gun violence impacted the 10th Annual Worcester Caribbean American Carnival - we had to conclude the event early due to a shooting that happened adjacent to the event: there was an immediate response by many to point the finger at the event. The prior day, gun violence interrupted Boston’s “Jouvert” event, which precedes the annual Caribbean Carnival in the city. The events are not the problem. The people the events represent and have in attendance are not the problem. The problem is an irrational obsession in this country with firearms and an outright refusal to take responsibility or accountability for it. The problem is people with racist views that could see nothing else but Black people gathering and had a problem with that. 

In response to the crisis of gun violence in our communities- many Black men are actively engaging in their communities to combat gun violence and promote positive cultural change. My husband, Daniel, was one of those people. The co-founder of the Worcester Caribbean American Carnival and a certified OG that did the work. He turned around his life and stood as an example that it could be done. He stood beside me yearly to ensure the carnival happened and that we always stayed as close as possible to the culture. The son of one of the original steelpan players, he was a proud Trinidadian who always wanted to make sure the stories told of Black people and Caribbean people were true to our history, a tribute to our African ancestry, and empowered the generation coming behind us. 

We must recognize and uplift these individuals, like Daniel, who are often unsung heroes who significantly impact their neighborhoods. They are usually overlooked and judged for their past, which brings them to where they can do the work. Recognizing and celebrating these Black men is crucial because they are actively working to address problems that disproportionately affect their communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black men are more likely to be victims of gun violence than any other demographic group. By taking a stand against gun violence, these men are not only working to protect their communities, but they are also advocating for a safer and more just society for all.

By engaging in this manner, they are helping to combat gun violence and promote a culture that challenges negative stereotypes and narratives that often portray Black men as only the perpetrators. They are helping to fight the narrative that the Caribbean Carnival is just a “big party in the streets” - the Caribbean Carnival is rebellion and liberation.  

“Culture is a way of coping with the world by defining it in detail.” by Malcolm Bradbury.