Revisiting the Big Easy – One Year Later (Part 2)
[Part two of three in a short series with my two-cents about my beloved New Orleans. One year ago today, I was recovery family evacuees. My take on the issues follows as the media frenzy continues to misrepresent. Below is what New Orleans is not to me; part three will be devoted to what it is to me].
Crime? You betcha. Any worse than any other major metropolitan area in this country? No. Any worse crime following such a disaster than would be experienced in any other major metropolitan area in this country? No. However, New Orleans seems to have been painted as a
post-apocalyptic no mans land unsafe for any other than perhaps Mad Max. The citys crime is as regionalized as it always was and most of it is either gang related, drug-on-drug related, or both. Not that that does not need attention, but calling in the National Guard was more an effort to show commitment to law and order that has backfired in my opinion and now reflects a dangerous city all should be afraid to venture out in. It just aint so. As in any other large city, there are areas you dont go to and there are areas perfectly safe. Just as it has always been.
Racism? Absolutely. Any worse than any other major metropolitan area in this country? No. To spotlight New Orleans as a bastion of racism is not only unfair, it is, in my opinion, totally untrue. Of course the mayor is not helping at all with this image, but having lived in many areas of this country and overseas in my life, in my experience New Orleans has been one of the most racially tolerant and accepting places I have ever lived. More on that in my final thoughts in Part 3.
Bad Leadership/Politicians? No defense whatsoever here. An inept governor and a clearly racist mayor who should do himself and the state a favor by never making public statements himself again (nice job on the New York comment too, Ray). Moreover, with the exception of our mayor here in Baton Rouge, who has done a magnificent job post-Katrina, Ill vote against nearly every incumbent when my chances arise (which is not uncommon for me here anyway). It continues to be the way of Louisiana since the Huey P. Long days of the 1930s graft, corruption, bribery, cronyism etc. The lobbyists were even successful recently in securing the votes necessary to keep cock fighting legal in this state for Gods sake. What the fuck is up with that? It is because of our politics that we lock down the bottom of nearly every national list for good things sought in a state or regional area. We have become Mississippis best friend. However, what is not known is that as ridiculous as Nagins re-election appeared, it is not quite as bad here regionally as it appears nationally. There were good opposing candidates, but in usual fashion, they split the votes in the primaries, there were block votes along racial lines, and when it came to the run-off we were left with selecting one of two evils. Nagins opponent in the run off, Mitch Landrieu is part of a Louisiana family political dynasty not unlike the Longs and the Kennedys. His sister is a US senator and his father, Moon, was the New Orleans mayor for many, many years when the city was at its height of political corruption. A Landrieu back in charge of New Orleans would have been three steps backwards into the old ways of doing business. I may be overly optimistic, but there are some grassroot political rebellions occurring post-Katrina and I think we may have an opportunity to change the way Louisiana governs the candidates are here.
Why Rebuild? As I look out the window here, I see barge after barge after barge hauling goods and produce down the Mississippi River to New Orleans where they will be loaded on seagoing vessels to serve and feed the world. Thats why. New Orleans is critical as a port city for commerce that originates in the Midwest. Critical for our countrys welfare and the welfare of the world. It is for this reason too that during every war fought on our soil, the control of the Port of New Orleans has always been a strategic objective. Not rebuilding is not an option. And to dispel another misconception the misconception of the initial value and the current futility of building/re-building a city that is under sea level I quote the following:
New Orleans was founded in 1718 by the French Mississippi Company as la Nouvelle-Orléans, under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. The site was selected because of its relatively high elevation along the flood-prone banks of the Lower Mississippi River and its location adjacent to a Native American trading route and portage between the river and Lake Pontchartrain.
Yes New Orleans was founded based upon its relatively HIGH ELEVATION. And guess what Katrina did not devastate (by flood) New Orleans as the city was originally founded. The French Quarter did not flood appreciably; nor did the Garden District or most of the Uptown or Central Business Districts. These areas made up the original New Orleans along St. Charles Avenue and the like where the trolley line runs along the Oak tree-lined boulevards of historic mansions.
Can you say urban sprawl?
One of the greatest problems New Orleans is experiencing then in its recovery efforts, in my opinion, is this bad rap. I wish the national media would just leave us alone shut the fuck up. Their sensational reporting has done us far more harm than good. It is the typical negativity we see in reporting, but it costs New Orleans dearly. Of course tourism is a major source of income for the city (and the state) and it is critical that it continue if New Orleans is to be reborn. But with the negative national reports on the issues Ive touched on here, who wants to come for a nice little visit, eh? Its killing businesses desparately trying to recover. There was an article in the local paper a couple of weeks ago bemoaning the lack of tourists and the misconceptions that abound nationally thanks to the medias continuing coverage of the decimated 9th Ward and continually waving the crime and racists flags. The article pointed out that, The New Orleans that people come for is unscathed. The architecture, the French Quarter, the music, the food its all still here. It hasnt changed. That word is not out. 1,100 of the citys 1,800 restaurants are reopened, and 28,000 of 38,000 hotel rooms are back on line.
The city is ready to welcome the guests who do not come. Thanks for all your help, media.
I could not understand how he got re-elected so thanks for clarifying that for me. That governor needs to go too…I will be back to New Orleans–that is for sure. A little piece of my heart is always there since I visited. This was interesting !!!
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Yeah, that Nagin is like a loose cannon.. akin to our dear friend, George W. Bush.
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Thanks for some balance. Such a sad state of affairs. If I’m repeating myself, I apologize . . . My sister was in New Orleans last month for a work related seminar/taining. There were 700+ attending. It was at a hotel with twin towers (the name escapes me). They found out that after they left “their tower” had been opened just for them and would be closed down again when they left. Very sad. She and her group quite enjoyed the city and its hospitality.
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The boytoy and I are planning a trip to NO in the fall hopefully. With the anniversary of Katrina upon us, the media of course has started it’s anniversary coverage. Not everything I’ve read has been bad though. There is a good article in my local fishwrapper (Creative Loafing) that interviewed people who are in Atlanta now after being displaced. All of them want to go home. Also heard a great piece on NPR this morning. What has surprised me is the -lack- of media coverage on Mississippi’s efforts to rebuild.
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I’d be there in a flash if I could afford it. The election process you cite will be repeated on the national level in a couple of years, I fear. There just doesn’t seem to be a strong candidate to do battle with the current royals in charge.
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Amazing stuff…
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Great piece!! You should send this to tourism boards around the country. Curious….what do you think about my boy Anderson Cooper???
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A lot of history you’ve given…I’ve only been one time, maybe 25 years ago…maybe it’s time for another visit?
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“Well I was born in the rains of the ponchatrain, underneath that lousiana moon, don’t mind the strain of the hurricanes, she comes around every june, that high black water, she’s the devil’s daughter, she’s hard and she’s cold and she’s mean, but we finally taught her that it takes a lot of water, to wash away New Orleans.” not sure who sings it…db
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The media is (or is it are? I rite liike I taalk.) unable to sensationalize all that is good in New Orleans regarding restaurants and hotels. Bad news sells better than good news, sadly. Rebuild New Orleans? Absolutely, positively, yesssss. Doing Bourbon Street is still on my list of things to do. Yes, I may be in a wheel chair. LWM 143
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The crime rate (as of two months ago) was nearly identical to the crime rate exactly one year before. This means that the population is barely half of what it used to be, but still has the exact amount of crime. If we had our entire population back, the crime (in certain areas) would be out of control. I hate that New Orleans is known for its crime, but it is there. But like you said, it is in certain areas, and the areas that out-of-state-ers want to visit is as safe as anywhere. I’ve also found that New Orleans isn’t nearly as racist as the rest of the South. Just judging from my experience at UNO vs. LSU, UNO was way more tolerant of race than Baton Rouge. Racism is everywhere, especially in southern states (which, I believe, is a point you were making, I was just defending NOLA a little more) :). It’s not even the New Orleans major buisnesses that make us want to come back and rebuild. It’s the heritage and the traditions that make New Orleans unique and impossible to replace.
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Wow. Thanks.
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this needs to be seen in a nationwide newspaper – not just od my friend
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I’m glad you are writing these entrys. They are very educational – there is so much here that the needs to be told. I wish there were a wider readership.
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thank you for this. The media has become a monster w/bias. It was my thought that not much was left. I would love to show it to my husband, but I thought we’d have to wait for years. this was good to read.
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This is fantastic. I could break it all down and comment appropriately, but fark it…the media is a piece of shit.
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OH…ryn: Considering that was the name of my long-term ex-boyfriend, I gotta say, you are TOO right!! HA!
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Actually I think I have a conference coming up next year in the big easy. I hope it will be like the lull in flying after 9/11 and slowly re-build…if only the businesses can hang in there until it does?
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At first, I didnt want to read this becuase I am so disgusted with the reporting and MOSTLY with Nagin, but once again, you hit it right on the head and cleared up things I didnt know. I cannot Fathom how or why Nagin gets away with the things he says. Can you imagine the OUTRAGE if Guliani said “new york will remain a vanilla city”. I am glad to read your p.o.v. on all of this. Good for you.
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RYN: haha! I’ve always had older friends online, but meeting older people in real life has always been harder for me. Last time we hung out with a 30 year old, he got really drunk and then had a midlife crisis in the middle of the living room. He ran out crying, so you know, maybe we shouldn’t hang out with people more than 3 years older than us! Haha, I’m kidding. My new “old” friend is 35, and he walked me to class Thursday (wooo).
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Thanks for this, and thanks for the notes. I always feel that it’s kind of ironic that I, a drunk, am reading your diary.
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ryn: I love you…
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ryn’s: He used to get it every night, but since his drinking has increased, and it affects the little soldier, it’s less often, actually, what worked for the fridge was a combination of things, charcoal, crushed, newspaper and kitty litter, for 5 days, and the smell is gone…db
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ryn: That’s him, you know. Oh, you know.
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Thanks for posting this. I knew that most of those areas were clear and not flooded, but I had to hear it from someone who knew to be sure. I will be visiting soon. Count on it. I love New Orleans. Will ya’ meet me for a cocktail when I get there? 🙂
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ryn: Yes, why the hell weren’t you there? hmmmmmm? 🙂
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ryn: I did not know that, and my dad doesn’t take his Goldwing out during this time of year, but then when he first got it, he rode no matter what, now, it’s too hot, too windy, might rain, can’t dirty up the bike, then he’s gotta clean it, too cold, and Mom’s not much on riding lately, and he feels bad riding without her on the back, take care…db
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Ryn: Batman? Well,, nice to meet ya. I’ve got a cave you might like..
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RYN: 😛 “Vulnerable”? Yeah, right!!
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My favorite uncle is a HUGE Three Stooges fan, I couldn’t turn my back on them.. but Godzilla? Are ya kidding me? (the only critique the boys offered on this movie is that it was wrong for Godzilla to be attacking New York instead of Tokyo) *rolls eyes*
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Batman, gonna fly around Gotham City today?
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RYN: he he he,,I’ve always had a thing for capes!
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RYN: Ooh, I have definitely NEVER been mistaken for Halle Berry. Sorreeeeeeeeeeee
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ryn: I don’t “get” him either, I’ll post a whole entry later about some things said this weekend, Out of the mouths of babes, so to speak, my Zach and Jamie….Love your notes to me…thank you for all of them..db
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RyN: well, as long as you’ve never been mistaken for Michael J Fox, cause that would just be too weird, even for me!
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ryn: actually, that would be a blessing, if he did have someone, but i really think it’s the friends, but mostly the friends who like to drink beer too, and they’re not the kind of guys you bring around your wife and children, they’re real “down the bayou” u understand the type, it makes him feel good to be around them..they think he’s wonderful, big company man and all..db
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Glad you set the record straight. :p
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RYN: Oh yeah it is a tough career choice, but I don’t think I’d go in it to be a social worker. You can do a lot of other things like be a councilor. 🙂
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ryn: Hey now Boudin and crackers would be good…lol…db
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RYN: Yeah, something like that. 🙂
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RYN: Shockingly, yes. Water IS drinkable by itself. But it’s better with bourbon.
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RYN: noooooooooooooo You just CAN”T wish I was your mom! Waitress maybe but not MOM! Please retract..
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Ryn; Okay, betta.
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ryn: Okay, time for you to write a new entry, where are u? cause I swear, it’s just as warm today as it was yesterday, and it still feels humid outside…db
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ryn: i didn’t realize you were a baton rouge-er. i’ll have to be more careful when insulting the city!! (kidding) the lsu paper was so funny about the power outages today! they wrote an article on one girl who cried in a broken elevator, and another on someone who broke their leg and had to wait for power to come back on. then there was the 4 car accident on highland so much drama.
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RYN: Love me some Baby!!
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RYN: Dudes with guns…always on a power trip of some sort. But hey, good to know! The pope? Just can’t get over the stupidity OR the arrogance of that. Let’s throw a match on gasoline. Yay! Watch the world burn down.
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RYN: I never thought of the toilet paper tube… You’re a freakin’ genius.
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RYN: There were about 25 Austin Healy’s there and your 3000 was among them. You would have been seriously drooling. 🙂
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New Orleans was my home as well, I now live in Thibodaux but still work out of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. I agree with you 100%. Thanks for the real feel of a wonderful city!
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I’ve got a great smile and i’m pretty good at remembering their beer order, when they come to the bar, i know what to get before they ask…db
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We go to the games as well. Really looking forward to this saints season!
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RYN: Trust YOU to notice that one! 😛 They actually grew 2 inches in a week, if you can believe that. It was kinda scary, actually, but I’ve gotten used to carting them around now 🙂
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RYN: thank ya thank ya. You sure give good note!
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Random Reader Just recently I moved back to the Texas Gulf Coast from central Texas where I lived for a year. My current building’s owners have housed three Katrina escapee families (with Fema’s help) who lived in New Orleans and surrounding areas that were greatly affected. None want to return. Just a different take on the horrible situation that was Katrina.
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Dear Phaedrus…….I miss seeing the new entries. Are you ok out there?
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Hey you, write soon! :p
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Thank you so much for writing these entries about New Orleans, Phaedrus. I don’t often listen to the main stream media so I have not witnesses the tabloid-style coverage you describe. It is frightening how poorly news is covered. Of course, mistakes and scandal-style reporting are more obvious when it is written about you or something you are familiar with, but we have to assume that everything covered by those media sources is suspect — and that is scary. I have heard some interesting news stories on National Public Radio — I believe that they are following the lives of several families from NO, some who left, some who stayed, some who have returned, and some who have not returned. Several are business owners who have discussed varied perspectives on opportunities and next steps for problems. I think the series has been worthwhile. Of course, there is nothing better than hearing the story from someone you know and trust. I hope you continue with these entries even if it is football season. Thanks, again.
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