Μια ώρα νωρίτερα θα ξεκινήσει η παρέλαση στην 5η Λεωφόρο

1. Δηλαδη η παρελαση στην 5 Λεωφορο απο 61 οδο θα αρχισει στις 12:30μμ την Κυριακη 30 Απριλιου 2023

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2. B”H A epic failure: The omens gave early indication of the fiasco that became today’s annual Greek Independence Day Parade; earlier postponed to effect better, more accommodating to unpredictable New York spring weather conditions. However, on the eve of May Day the proverbial skies opened to downpours lasting more than two days!
   Such divine intercession the ancient Oracle of Delphi would stress as part of the dark clouds that have permanently cumulatively emerged, long-standing and purely connected to the deficiencies that have marred interpersonal relations within our Greco-American community. A partial list ins’t my invention but the repetition of avoidable errors enumerated by people in the press, most notably Demetrios Tsakas of the digital daily Anamniseis.
   Atrociously, given the sparse participation, the parade organizers issued a ukase, prohibiting coverage of the event —- interviews, moving around with passes —- to credentialed journalists, making the exercise of their professional obligations impossible! Is this the Greek version of the First Amendment? For shame! The episode harks to the Big Lie that so many compatriots became enamored saying ad nauseam that the 45th president won the 2020 election! Fundamentally, the multi-faceted conflict centers on the fractious, resort to court action of twin contending factions for leadership of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of NY; the exclusivity of the homogeneous effort, intentionally stressing Ελλάς-Ελλήνων-Χριστιανών (Greece for Greek Christians), reminded me of the slogan that made my heart sink on the approach to Ellinikon, as the Athens airport was known.
   It was my maiden visit in 1970, under junta rule, after settling in New York; the last time this young, handsome, single, and very eligible lad would enjoy such status
   until August 29! Other
   shortcomings was the parade committee’s inability to entertain a wider selection of marshals; say, the celebrated hero in the conquest of the COVID-19 pandemic, Greek-American Sephardic Jew Dr. Israel Alberto’s Bourlas. But most egregious was to have the multi-decades failed Cypriot leader, Philip Christopher, chair the event. As I have repeatedly mentioned his bullying, particularly cutting off my participation in the proceedings, cannot hide the hallow sycophantic accolades of self-interested sources eager to cover their own posteriors wont camouflage or erase! In my severe points of criticism can be seen the way out from the present impasse.
   Let’s now begin planning for the ensuing year, applying for a more contracted venue, in Astoria, that can serve as a small scale triumph, before reentering the big leagues on Fifth Avenue (the Irish, Italians, and Israelis are a trio of well-established minorities to whom our Greek Americans cannot yet compare)! Finally, with the Archbishop continuing to be embroiled in the unraveling maladministration of parishes, it behooves for Greek society in America to make a clean break with such challenged spiritual leadership. We live in America, enveloped with liberal values and a diverse population. Immigrant compatriots in our shores must learn English, become citizens, be involved in public issues, register to vote, acting beyond the narrow ethnocentrism that perpetuates ignorance-intolerance-bigotry. The start of an honest assessment of today’s colossal expected phenomenal collective parade disappointment can be a welcome start; after all, despite the impression of some, I would like nothing more than to cheer a universally-accepted victory … next year! With fraternal affection, Asher 🙏🇬🇷😩🎂😢🇺🇸💕

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