My 2014 planner has a full-page list of holidays, including Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Eastern Orthodox religious dates. In addition, there are special days for people of Irish, Italian, Asian and African-American heritage. What I didn't see was any mention of holidays important to Latinos.
Now, maybe it's just an oversight on the part of the company that created this particular planner. After all, we do hear a lot about Cinco de Mayo and Hispanic Heritage Month. But how about Three Kings Day?
At the Dec. 16 agenda fixing session, when the Jan. 6 date for the reorganization was announced, I thought I heard Rev. Tracey Brown react by noting it is Epiphany, which is when the Magi came to the infant Jesus. Latinos celebrate it as Three Kings Day. It is important in the liturgical calendar, but some sources call it the most important Hispanic family holiday, with feasting and gifts.
The City Council calendar for 2014 takes into account conflicts with other significant dates, but at present this Latino holiday has apparently not entered the broader consciousness. It may not even be any practical kind of conflict, as family celebrations may be held over the preceding weekend. It is just something to think about going forward, if we are to be fully inclusive and sensitive to our city population, which according to the 2010 Census is 40 percent Latino.
If you are interested, click here to see more information. In many Latino countries, religious holidays include processions of the kind you may have seen on West Eighth Street for Good Friday and Dec. 12, the feast day of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
Given the high number of Latino nationalities in Plainfield, it might be difficult to acknowledge all the holidays important to each country. But maybe we can give it a try in 2014.
--Bernice
I would vote for October 12 - Día de la Hispanidad. It's a counter to Columbus Day and pan-Hispanic. As a bonus it's not religious. God knows that Plainfield already has more than enough religion in its public consciousness.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Bernice,
ReplyDeleteThere are many changes going on in our City. I have missed a lot over the past months due to other commitments. I am thankful for your blog to help me catch up. The subject that you bring up this morning is one that you regularly, and rightfully, speak on - the growing Latino population. There is an opportunity tonight to recognize this constituency.
The Chairman of the Democratic County (city) Committee has called for a meeting tonight at 7 pm in the YMCA building on Front Street to pick a replacement for a council seat vacancy in the 3rd ward. This meeting is open to the public. What an opportunity to fill this seat with a Latino member of the community.
As an elected member of the DCC I realize the decision has been made and tonight's meeting is a formality - but our Chairman has recently shown his commitment to pick qualified individuals to run. And Chairman Jerry Green has hired latinos to serve on his own staff.
I don't feel we should fill the seat with a Latino just for the sake of filling it with a Latino. The candidate should be vetted - all candidates for the opening should be vetted.
And what's the rush?
Mr. Chairman, you know me as someone that doesn't choose sides, I am not a 'New' nor an 'Old' democrat. Lets get this right this time - select a steering committee to help choose a qualified candidate.
That's what I want for Christmas.
Three Kings Day is a Catholic holiday, not just a Hispanic holiday.
ReplyDelete@Mr. Spears- it is not what YOU want for the Hispanic/Latino community within Plainfield, it is what the Hispanic/Latino community wants for THEIR Plainfield community. If the Hispanic/Latino community have a candidate then that candidate needs to come forth and put up a well organized campaign in order to have a chance at winning the election.
ReplyDeleteCome Forward!
Bravo!!! with 40% of Plainfield being Latino and they can't get it together...OH WELL!!!
DeleteJim Spears - you wrote ". . . our Chairman has recently shown his commitment to pick qualified individuals to run."
ReplyDelete"qualified"?! Really?! When has Green selected "qualified candidates" to run for office? Are you speaking of Bill Reid? Uh . . NOT. Are you speaking of Vera Greaves? Uh . . . ABSOLUTELY NOT! Or perhaps you are speaking about Ms. Council President Bridgette Rivers?! You know the one who only showed up at council meetings via telephone and then the following year became President. Her? NOT!! And what about the Reverend Tracy Brown -was she "qualified" or just a reverend in a church?
Oooohhh!!! You must be speaking of Councilman Mapp. One of the three intelligent councilpersons within Plainfield council. My understanding -Green did not choose Mapp. Green had no choice. So please don't give Assemblymean Green any praise that he does not deserve.
Erol B.