New Orleans should officially be called, "The Forgotten City." I had a conversation with a clinical psychologist who is world-renowned for her work with victims of trauma, specifically major, national disasters, mass shootings and more. One of her statements resonated with me. With a heavy heart and somber affect, she stated: "I am ashamed to be an American." She referred to how little America has thought about the rebuilding and rebirth of one of the richest cities in the U.S. WOW! Now, that's saying something...
New Orleans is a city unlike any other. The culture is more than just unique. The people that comprise its population resemble those iconic figures from some bygone era. Yet, there are several sides to the Forgotten City. Adjacent to its rich culture and hometown pride, lies a hidden mystery lurking to destroy all that for which New Orleans is known. What exists is a subculture of drugs and violence that eats the hearts of the city's children. The heroin that is injected into the veins of dark eyes leaves empty, hollow shells of little boys riding bicycles up and down the street.
Old tales of Jelly Roll Morton's lost soul and his return from the grave as a zombie do not seem so far-fetched, as blank stares look back from children left to wander through abandoned houses and parking lots filled with overgrown weeds. New Orleans has become the Forgotten City ruled by its forgotten children...
Another season of Mardi Gras came and went. Revelers from Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Ann Arbor, St. Louis, and Chicago joined in the rebirth of New Orleans. For a time, the streets were washed clean, and the purple, green, and gold glistened on banners, beads, and dabloons. The pain and misery of the city yearning to heal was forgotten for a time. Those who were shot, stabbed, and robbed reminded us of the costs of forgetting.
Time is supposed to heal all wounds. How much time does the Forgotten City have?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
That was very eloquent Move Maker. I do not know how to fix the problems of the city I love. Mind you that these problems have always been there and at times have been worse. For example, police killing witnesses and even more corrupt politicians than we have now. The problem is that now all we have to focus on is the bad b/c those who have the resources to leave have left. What New Orleans has always needed to do is to attract its youth back. How do you do this? Well start with getting rid of the "This is a Chocolate City" ignorant mentality. This is not a Chocolate City and every color of the rainbow loves our food, fun and music. How do we attract ANYONE to this city when our leaders are ignorant and corrupt? We vote for the Brother as if WE owe HIM something!!! Not based on his qualifications or intentions. We practice the same ignorant practices as our white counterparts have practiced for years... Just as long as the member of the opposite race does not "win" we have won. That is retarded. Educate yourself on who the best person is for what you want. Should Obama lose if he is qualified just because he is not a member of the majority race that votes? That would be absurd and unfair. But we do the same things to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I will move back. I wonder if I am a hypocrit for stating how sooo special N.O. is but obviously not special enough to move back and take part in and work towards a renassaince or should I say Rebirth. Its good enough for me to Second line to Rebirth though. What about kids and education and crime in a city incapable of getting rid of its inept leaders?
There is so much N.O. can lose. I hope we can turn the tide.
I'm right there with you!
ReplyDeleteGood for people to know.
ReplyDelete