As promised, here’s the second July 4 post, this one about the annual Ypsilanti July 4 parade. We watched it with Andre, Stephanie, their kids, Gerry and Stacy (or is that Staci?) on Cross Street. A good time was had by one and all. There were the usual things:
Lady Liberty….
Bands….
Fire Trucks….
(BTW, it seems to me that during the July 4 parade would be a good time to start a fire or, with all the police in the parade, a crime. Not that I would do that. I’m just saying.)
People in kilts….
Floats of the patriotic flavor….
Tractors….
Elvis…
(Oh, and Elvisfest will be in town this coming weekend, for those inclined).
Puppets in military vehicles…
You know, the usual.
But I have to say that the religious floats were a little strange this year. There are always these sorts of things in these sorts of parades (this is the kind of “free speech” the Republicans like!), but this year kind of takes the cake.
First off, there was this odd Noah’s Ark-themed float:
I don’t know about you, but when I think about July 4, I think of Noah. You know, Independence Day, etc.
Second, one of these church groups had the unfortunate theme of “I walk in Jesus name.” Now, for those of you who aren’t English geek-types, this should be “I walk in Jesus’ name–” that is, the “possessive s,” which, as any third grader can tell you, is indicated with an apostrophe. Unless you’re Albertson‘s grocery store, but even then, it’ll be the subject of a protest. Anyway, to see that grammar error about 150 times in a row was a bit much for this English professor.
Third, and most weird, was this religious float that involved African-Americans doing mime, which had the unfortunate and I assume unintended effect of a sort of reverse black face minstrel show, and a large cross with an American flag theme. Here’s a few seconds of kind of bad video (from my camera) to give you an idea of what I’m talking about here (warning: 12.5 MB). I’m not sure my video does it justice, but it was jaw-dropping distrubing, if you ask me.
It’s actually “Stacey”.
Where did you get that cool water tower shirt you were wearing today?
Ironically enough, I got it in Ann Arbor, at that t-shirt shop on main street. Go figure.
Perhaps next year we can wear shirts that say, “I walk in Marx name” as we perform a mimed interpretation of Sartre’s _No Exit_. It can’t be any odder than the “silent worship” float. — Anet
Watching that minstrel show float reminded me that Hell really is other people. I’m on the Marx shirts!!! Do you think 15 would be enough for us?
I wish there as a Noah foat that takes palce afer the flood, when he’s passed out and getting raped by his son Ham. I have always thought that story needs more re-enaction. Fuck the arc story, anyone can build a boat. The fact that he was raped by his son is the interesting part.
Ah! Hence, the curse on Caanan — I get it. Who knew? I really should go back and re-read the Bible as Lit — it really is fascinating. — Anet
Genesis 9:20-25 tells us, “Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father’s nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, he said, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.”
I expect a big royalty check for the use of my face in your movie. I know I didn’t have a speaking part, but still… my face is famous. It has to be worth something.
:) I love the pictures and commentary. And I had missed the puppet. Thats hilarious!!