Coney Island People: Finding the Joy

Coney Island is the first place where men and women could publicly cozy up, where elephants roamed, sideshow performers amazed, wild attractions under the lights. It’s still a cheap subway ride from New York City to Nathan’s hot dogs, the freakshow, the Cyclone and the sea. Instead of disappearing into the grit of urban life, I am drawn to Coney Island, my escape from an unhappy childhood; there is no better place to celebrate joy and exuberance, than Coney Island, the place that changed the culture of entertainment – and broke social barriers - since the1880’s. It’s 2024, democracy is crumbling in the US, but in Coney Island the year began, as always, with the communal, life-affirming ritual of the Polar Bear New Year’s Day plunge. Vikings, clowns, Miss Coney Island all brave the icy cold sea. The economic toll of the pandemic, over-development and a looming threat of a casino is endangering this last outpost of uncivilization. I follow the regular eccentrics like the Polar Bears as they swim in winter, defying all norms of reasonable behavior; when the amusements open in spring, and the Mermaids parade, hopefully not for the last time, I’ll capture the spirit of the people