West Indian Day Parade

Today was a beautiful day in NYC and I was looking forward to going to the West Indian Day Parade. It had been many years since my grandmother first took me to see it and I remember it being extremely sexual. The gay men were out in force, scantily dressed, rubbing on each other and tons of people were drunk.

After living so close for so many years I decided to attend today and I was pleasantly surprised. The love for each own's Caribbean country was quite evident. (I'm African-American) The flags were waving, whistles were blowing, and the music was pumping. As I got closer to Eastern Parkway I could smell the foods, jerk chicken, roti, sausages, parmesan corn on the cob, middle eastern chicken, hot dogs, Mister Softee, Italian ices, and plenty of water was available.

I loved the colors of the floats, and the reggae and soca music busting a hole in your chest. The dancing was infectious and I couldn't help but release the african spirit in me. As I was dancing I felt hands on my hips and someone grinding up on my ass. My first instinct was to push him off but I continued to dance and enjoy the music, besides as the music went by so did he. I continued to laugh and be happy while enjoying the many cultures of my neighborhood. At one time you would have never saw me on Eastern Parkway on Labor Day but today I was there and next year I will be there again.