Ann-Marie Adams is an award- winning journalist who lives in Connecticut. She is writing a book on school segregation and its impact on Caribbean immigrants. Email: annwritestuff@msn.com

Almost every event to commemorate this milestone was a party, game, dinner dance or other forms of jump-up-and-wine event.

Having recently witnessed a significant ceremony that marked a monumental moment in Caribbean history, I find it difficult to tolerate trivial takes on our heritage and culture. Thankfully, I received relief with an invite to Quao Day, celebrated by the Charles Town Maroons each year in memory of Captain Quao, the Maroon leader and military strategist who, along with Jamaican Heroine Nanny, led the Windward Maroons in 1739 to victory over British troops. This brought about the signing of the peace treaty between those Maroons and the British Government. June 27th marked the 267th  anniversary of the treaty garnered by those former slaves who escaped slavery, invented guerilla warfare and perfected Jerk cuisine.

Examples of our untold stories abound. Yet the Caribbean Diaspora could only muster up self-congratulatory ceremonies, a sad contrast to a profound example that showcased our history, our people and our culture. 

Needless to say, we have work to do. Serious dialogue and action are needed to address our plight. Caribbean Issues Summit, a gathering of key people to address serious issues, is an alternative to the existing reality we face: a malaise that has crippled our community, elders who still cling to past victories and who have been celebrating them for the last 50 years. It’s time to move forward and rid ourselves of the constant need for parties to validate our existence.

Hartford, Connecticut’s West Indian Independence Celebration Week illustrates this nauseating phenomenon: ten days of nonstop partying -- house, lawn and dancehall parties and an attempt at elegance with an expensive dinner dance.

Pause.  At this time, I feel compel to say that I have my “I’m Black and I’m Proud” and “I’m Caribbean and I’m Cool” membership cards.

It’s difficult, however, to be proud and keep my cool when I see the Caribbean Diaspora complacent because they keep clinging to past successes. Perhaps that’s why our community is constantly referred to as a “sleeping giant.” We’ve been sleeping -- or in stupor from all that partying -- for the last 50 years.

Consider this: Hartford is home to the oldest West Indian Day Independence Parade in North America. Yet in its 44th year, it’s the worst. That’s because it lacks the essence of our vibrant culture and people with the know-how to revive it. The upcoming West Indian Celebrations Week in August, for example, is filled with backyard barbecues, dance and party nights from Sunday through Saturday.

The Harford Caribbean community is not alone. A casual survey of Caribbean Diaspora reveals this reality: lack of unity, lack of veritable political influence and post traumatic slave syndrome, which includes colorism and all kinds of isms. Perhaps all these parties are to keep the community from facing serious issues: among the many are immigrant students falling through the cracks in the American public school system, lack of awareness about the political process and lack of strong political representation.

These issues must be addressed. And the press must play a vital role in doing so instead of taking a back seat role; and as my colleague Meta Mereday says, the press must “stop playing arm chair, backroom quarterback and move to front line coach, field general and support team.”

It’s time to demand that community leaders put aside the personality conflicts, power-trips, and ego-trips that usually cloud the mission to help our community.

It’s time to focus on collective needs instead of who “rock the boat” or “pissed someone off.”

It’s time to wake the “sleeping giant.” 

Hartford’s Caribbean Issues Summit to be held July 22 at City Hall is specifically designed to kick of West Indian Celebrations Week and to elicit progressive action. It’ll provide a forum for people to talk about the State of Caribbean community and how to infuse the parade with substance. Summit participants and panelists will also look at meaningful ways to celebrate their heritage year-round and how to secure a future for new immigrants, especially children. And most important, participants will come with a plan of action and will identify key people who can and will address those issues.

Every overseas Caribbean community should adopt this model. It’s the right start to address the plethora of problems we face. After all, we not only owe this to ourselves, we owe it to our ancestors and to our children.