Haitians in Spring Valley celebrate heritage

By SUZAN CLARKE

THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original Publication: May 23, 2005)

SPRING VALLEY — Hundreds marched down Main Street yesterday afternoon and numerous spectators of the 15th annual Parade of Unity danced in time to tropical rhythms that belied the steady rain and chilly air.

The parade, the culmination of Haitian heritage week, led many to contemplate the history of the country and the 202nd anniversary of the republic's flag. Haitian Flag Day was Wednesday.

Hundreds of white, red and blue flags were displayed in creative ways. They were worn as headbands, scarves and umbrellas, used as sashes and belts, and dangled from back pockets. Flags even covered the hoods of several cars in the village.
"I love my flag," said Howard John, between leaps and feints to the left and right as he danced to rousing music alongside one of several floats in the procession.

Twenty-seven organizations marched in the event, led at the top of the line by parade grand marshal Marc Mathelier, a Haitian musician, poet and radio talk-show host. If the music on the float was deemed good, spectators would run alongside, whirling their flags and dancing to the beat.

"I'm enjoying it," Valerie Thermesy said as she, too, did some fancy footwork in the middle of the street.

Thermesy, dressed in the colors of her flag, said the parade was a good way for Haitians to celebrate their homeland.

"This is time to get together," she said.

Many of her compatriots "can't go back home," she said. "There's a lot of things going on."

Haiti's political instability and dire economic straits were also on the minds of Gilbert Silaire and Yvon Franck.

Franck said yesterday was an opportunity for "Haitian-Americans living here to recognize their culture."

"Some of them have never been to Haiti, even though they wear the flag," Franck said.

Silaire, who came to America from Petionville in 1986, beamed as he watched the marchers file past.

"This is my first time, unfortunately," he said, "because I always have to work on Sunday. But this year I decided to take it off.

"It's very great," he said of the event. "There's nothing like it. I get music. As you can see, I'm shaking."

Silaire was pleased that others in the community had turned out to help Haitians celebrate their nation's achievements.

"We have been the first black nation" to gain independence, "and we have to prove to the world that we are a great nation."

The parade, coordinated by IFG Productions, a nonprofit Spring Valley organization, was developed to celebrate Haiti and unify the diverse communities of Spring Valley.

Irais Basurto took a break from her work at J. Basurto's Style Salon, a barber and hairdressing studio, to watch the parade go by.

The Spring Valley woman who came to America from Veracruz, Mexico, said it was her first time to see the event.

"It's very pretty, the atmosphere, the rhythm, the message of unity," said Basurto, who waved to marchers and clapped enthusiastically.

Several elected officials were on hand during the parade and subsequent gathering of at least 1,000 people at Memorial Park.

Even though the planned cultural program had to be canceled because of the weather, many people applauded the community's spirit.

"I think the parade was excellent. It just goes to show you how they persevered ... despite the rain," village Mayor George Darden said.

The Haitian community was determined to celebrate, the mayor said, "and I'm very proud of them for being proud of their country and their flag."