The Mighty Sonatas Steel Orchestra on Eastern Parkway - 1985 Brooklyn Carnival
New York, USA - From its very arrival on these shores there has been an uneasy and sometimes very contentious relationship between the Steelpan, its community, and all aspects of New York law enforcement. Just read Rudy King's accounts of his early encounters with NYPD (New York Police Department), or Mr. Caldera Caraballo's first-hand accounts of Pan and Carnival clashes with police in Harlem that led to the eventual moving of Carnival to Brooklyn (see the Steelband Raids by Peter Noel), and the Sonatas panyard shutdown of 2010 which is like a scene out of "Die Hard". And who can forget the numerous NYPD facebook posts calling for "a bomb to be dropped" on the annual Labour Day Carnival revelers - probably the most peaceful celebration in the history of man? Where else can you bring millions of people together year after year to just smile, sing and dance? Additionally - you will never find a culture, religion or people more welcoming, peaceful, all-embracing and open 'to a fault,' than the NY Steelpan community.
Champion Despers USA performing on the steps of City Hall in the 90's
Given the historical and recent friction between NYPD and the steelbands of Brooklyn for simply gathering for band practice and playing music over the years, the latest outcome from the Eric Garner case is very, very troubling. Moreover, one cannot wonder if the accompanying video was simply akin to tragic "reality TV" - an occurrence that ended up for some as "Entertainment for you, Martyrdom for me" as stated by the group Third World in "96 Degrees In The Shade."
There is another Third World song written by Stevie Wonder that seems far more appropriate at this juncture - "You're Playing Us Too Close."
And the melody that you are playing
is in the wrong key
For Jah's choirs that sings out to all
live in world harmony...
Third World
...We're gonna raise our conscious
high
So Jah Jah Love can rule the world
I'm gonna
raise my conscious high
So Jah Jah Love can rule the world
We're gonna raise our conscious high
So Jah Jah Love can
rule the world
You've gotta raise your conscious high
So Jab Jah Love can rule the world
I'm gonna raise my
conscious high
So Jah Jah Love can rule the world
Hundreds of NYPD officers take up assault position outside of Sonatas Steel Orchestra Pan yard as they practice for Panorama 2010 (photo: A. Lovell)
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