The Notting Hill Carnival arrived in town but without its usual swagger. Yes, the floats were vibrant, colourful and most of all loud but the atmosphere amongst the crowd seemed to be lacking. There were the usual middle class white kids in jumpers that were way too big but many people walked around, myself included, with our valuables in our pockets, hands on them and being more self aware than normal. Shops were boarded up, as were houses as the community appeared to turn its back on the event. You had the feeling that you were visiting an event rather than taking part in a community event.
The high policing levels and the fact that many people are currently in prison following the riots probably led to a few less ‘rude boys’ wandering the streets but there was still the sexism, cat calls and general misogyny that it all too common at the carnival. The floats, although as previously stated, were vibrant, colourful and very loud, they did seem a bit cobbled together. It’s no Rio carnival that is for sure.
Maybe I am missing the point and being too down on the whole affair but I am past the age where I want to see women who should know better wear thongs and bikini’s whilst gyrating to bad reggae in the street and I am certainly past laughing at the men who verbally lambast them for making the decision not to be groped.
I think this year’s carnival was marred by an undercurrent of fear. Only when it was over did people come out and declare it a success. To be an event with 200+ arrests and a near fatal stabbing isn’t a success but maybe I am just too middle class to enjoy these things anymore.
When the spirit got me I did have a little dance and took some pictures but my heart was never really in it.
It’s life I guess, some things die a death.
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