Halloween Goes On
“They said we were on our own,” I overheard an official looking man say about West Midwood’s annual Halloween Parade. When we are on our own, we pull together as a community.
Discussion on various boards, including Flatbush Family Network, talked about the pros and cons about going ahead with Halloween. Those against argued that so many people have been hurt, critically, and now is not the time to play. Our hearts go out to our neighbors. Ditmas Park, sadly, lost two young community members, and our friends and families in nearby neighborhoods are still tallying their losses. No doubt: we are still hurting.
Those in favor, including community members who suffered destruction, looked at All Hallows’ Eve as a chance to bring the community together to begin healing. Indeed, an email went out announcing, and I paraphrase, ‘The Show Must Go On…but we need help.” The announcement encouraged neighbors to bring refreshments to share. Folding tables with orange, plastic table clothes were set out and neighbors brought homemade and store bought goodies.
There had been a tree straight across Glenwood only hours before, but a crew made it disappear, so neighbors marched around the whole of the malls instead of just one block. And no police presence, obviously, even though there usually is, to block traffic–cars just stopped and waited, and neighbors directed traffic.
We can take advantage of this trio of holidays—holy days—of which we are in the midst to begin the healing process. All Hollows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and Dia de los Muertos—Day of the Dead—are to ward off roaming ghosts, to celebrate martyrs, and to honor our friends and family who have gone before us. Ditmas Park came together, each individual for private reasons, to respect and honor what we have gone through together.
More photos from Stephane:
Council Member Jumaane Williams was one of the many people who stopped by. Photos below by Stefan Ringel/NYC Council:
And some more that we took:
Many more photos are over on our Flickr. Any others you’d like to share? Please send them to ditmasparkcorner@gmail.com and we’ll add them.
