The Real Brooklyn J’Ouvert

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Aug. 31, 2018: This weekend is carnival in Brooklyn, NY, which will include J’Ouvert from 6 a.m. Monday morning, Sept. 3rd, under the watchful gaze of the NYPD for the third year in a row since Carey Gabay, a former aide of Gov. Cuomo, was killed at the annual festival.

While the event has gotten a bad rap for violence and murder, J’Ouvert’s in NYC was always a social expression of Caribbean culture, a street party whose start dates back to emancipation, when many would mock their former masters’ behavior with creative hand-made costumes and paint, mud or oil. Here are several times J’Ouvert revelers in Brooklyn, NY were true to the event’s history.

This costume tells a story. (Hakim Mutlaq image)

J’Ouvert is also pan and carnival of the people. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)

Jouvert – sending a social message. (Photo by Hayden Roger Celestin)

J’Ouvert is Ole mas with a social message. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)

Jouvert, is the official beginning of the Brooklyn, Laborday Carnival.. Photo: Hayden Roger Celestin

J’Ouvert is Ole mas. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)