Hispanic leaders need reconciliation for return of parade
The 54th Annual Hispanic Day Parade in New York City delivered mind-jolting pageantry and beauty as floats, bands and dancers turned Fifth Avenue into a kaleidoscope of color.
Wow. Just my second visit to this event and this time offered a front-row seat to this celebration that enhances Hispanic culture during Hispanic Heritage Month and increases interests in all aspects of Latino history beyond the month of October.
Onlookers lined Fifth Avenue as a parade of dancers and persons dressed in exquisite costumes turned this downtown business district into a 20-block Broadway play. Sensory overload turned watchers into giddy viewers energized by coffee or caffeine-infused drinks.
Of course, one observation developed regarding the Hispanic groups of New York City and those in the City of Trenton, It’s amazing that Hispanic groups fail to come together for one potentially united parade.
The city did have a Hispanic parade “up until 2009 or 2010,” recalled Elmer Sandoval, a community activist who arrived in the U.S. from Guatemala without papers. Sandoval is now a documented resident.
“Unfortunately, personalities got in the way of a really great event in the City of Trenton. Disagreements between leaders eventually killed our parade. We just were never able to put things back together again,” Sandoval lamented.
Sandoval hoped for reconciliation.
“It can happen,” Sandoval assured. “We all have to come together, find a middle ground and go from there. The logistics are still in place, we just need everyone to get on board. Hopefully, we can bring back the parade. And soon.”
“What we really should shoot for is just one giant parade for everybody. I don’t what we would call it but that would be something really special for the city.”
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.