Skimpy festival outfits send wrong message – Eileene L. Parsons
She stated that the costumes often leave little for the imagination and were too sensual and too sexual. “We could do better,” Ms Parsons said. The comments were made during a telethon to raise funds for the VI Festival and Fairs committee last evening, July 9, 2013 on the Spotlight show that was hosted on a local television station and simulcast across several radio stations.
The former legislator, who was recently awarded the OBE for her services to the Territory, conceded that there might have been a different generation long ago who did not witness anything of this nature but added, “we are so quick to adopt what isn’t our own and we have no sense of pushing what is ours…”
Ms Parsons also claimed that many VIslanders do not get involved in the festival parade and left it up to those who wanted to go, “we thank God for them, otherwise it won’t have a parade."
She related that the costumes were often too skimpy and the only difference that could be found in many instances was the colour of the outfits. “As the man from Trinidad say: ‘Feathers and Flesh’. You don’t see the culture, a part of BVI culture coming out in the parade,” she said.
Ms Parsons complained about the level of school participation and said she didn’t know what could be done by the Department of Education to increase the current level of participation for schools.
“Our young people don’t have a clue what we are celebrating,” Ms Parsons expressed after explaining the struggles of some of the ancestors of old.
The former legislator has often been hailed as a cultural icon in the Virgin Islands after having helped to form the Heritage Dancers group among other cultural mainstays of the Territory and also serving in several posts that allowed her to promote the Territory worldwide.
19 Responses to “Skimpy festival outfits send wrong message – Eileene L. Parsons”
The Parade need to simmer down with all those crazy song " kill the Rabbit" and some thing about some women cheating on some man. Some of those same ban leaders don't have a clue about what make a good song and the lyrics of it.
The song must send a message of relevance and so is the parade , whether it be past , present or future. This Festival could be a highlight in the British Virgin Islands but it must send a message that people would want to experience. Many BVI resident and Native sits in the house or take a vacation during this time. Why this is our land and we must be proud to be a part of Emancipation. Let's Change this parade with a twist. No Bra and Panty affair.
... And we wonder where the "open" culture of molestation and disrespect of our females has come from. My two cents: public displays of gyrations, including amongst the very young in the parade, and the skimpy attire send a crystal clear message that sensuality and sexuality are for public consumption for all and sundry who want 'a feel'.
Our festival is a celebration of emancipation. Let us keep the tawdry out of it!
You need to get modernized because those same "skimpy" clothes women nowadays got more value and pride that them so call holy ones in the churches of today. You are lock in your old ways and styles but it cant work for today. if someone feels to wear something short that's there right just as much as the person wearing longs. that does not give any man or women the right to lust after or prey after that person.