Conventional wisdom holds that celebrations marking major milestones in people’s lives or in a country’s history are like magnets that bring people together.
The same holds true for tragedies, which may involve loss of life, widespread damage to property or disruptions in the way people go about their business.
Combine those bits of reality and the result explains why hundreds of Bajans and other West Indians came out full force in New York City last weekend.
The milestone was the 46th anniversary of Barbados’ Independence, which was celebrated in New York with a church service at the historic Bedford Central Presbyterian Church on Dean Street in Brooklyn. The tragedy that stirred the interest of Bajans was a gala benefit for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
“We must count our blessings and try to help others as we think about our good fortune as an independent nation, about the effects of Sandy and what it has done to so many communities,” Reverend David Henry, a Bajan Methodist pastor on Long Island, said at the service.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart put it differently in a message to Bajans abroad that was read by Lennox Price, Barbados’ Consul General to New York.
“Reflection on the pursuit of national independence provides a timely reminder of the importance of taking responsibility for our lives and our own future,” Stuart said.
“Countries pursue independence because they want to take their destiny into their own hands and mould that destiny as they wish. That desire inspired the founding fathers of our nation in 1966 and motivated them to end our status as a colony of Great Britain.”
But amid the prayers, religious hymns, organ music, Independence tributes, scripture readings, musical renditions, national anthems, presentation of colours and a sermon, there were reminders of what Hurricane Sandy left behind: people made homeless temporarily or permanently or in dire need of clothes, heat, transportation and other necessities of life.
Helping hurricane victims and saluting Barbados on its Independence anniversary were the key goals of a “benefit” held at Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct in Queens that raised thousands of dollars.
Before the storm struck and paralyzed New York and New Jersey, the Young Barbadian Professional Society (YBPS) had planned its seventh annual Blue Yellow Blue Night: Lucky 7 gala but decided to turn the function into a Sandy relief effort with the active support of Barbados Cancer Association USA, Inc., Barbadian Charitable Organization of New Jersey, and the Council of Barbadian Organizations of New York (CBONY) and its member associations.
“The benefit was very successful financially and otherwise. The proceeds are to go to the Sandy Relief Fund,” said YBPS co-founder Renee Cutting.
“We were heartened by the support of so many people who attended the function. The presence of Mikey [Barbados’ soca monarch] stirred excitement. He performed extremely well. We were really very fortunate to be able to secure his participation. It was all for a good cause. People are really in need of help.”
CBONY’s president Junior Perry, who attended both the gala and the church service, joined in the appeal for assistance to Sandy victims and said the benefit was a good example of the way Barbadian organizations were linking arms to aid those who were hard-hit.
But Mikey wasn’t the only artiste from Barbados who stirred up the audience. Sister Margarita Marshall delighted the congregation at the church service with her rendition of popular gospel music.
In his sermon, Reverend Steve Foster, priest in charge of the Church of St Boniface in Lindenhurst, Long Island, reminded worshippers it was essential that no children in or outside Barbados and the United States were left behind when it came to education, health and overall development.
“We must encourage our children to dream,” he said.
Foster also urged the congregation and others to think about the Barbados they would like to see when the country celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Two Bajans received awards: Mari Davis, YBPS Member Of The Year, was awarded at the benefit, while Sheila Leach-Holder was presented with an award by the Consul General at the thanksgiving service.
Rev. Eddie Alleyne coordinated the service.
Caribbean consular representatives from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda attended the religious celebration hosted by Reverend Dr Clive Neil, pastor of the Bedford Central Presbyterian Church.