THE MODERN SLAVERY OF NEW ORLEANS

Some readers may be upset with what I have to say today.  I respect your right to be upset and disagree, dears.  Regardless, I feel the need to express my opinion and that of my friends.  Have you ever come home to find that a neighbor, walking his/her dog, had not cleaned up after the animal?  We have and poor Rhett went and got the scooper and removed it.  Such a problem to keep the old plantation looking its best considering the heat.  We can only give thanks that we have not, as of this time faced another storm and pray for those who have and people in other states in which there has been major flooding.  I digress and must go back to the main issue: modern day slavery.

The history of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana is filled with this issue as are those of other states.  People bought and sold, bred, used, beaten, etc. by their owners.  Owners!  Many were sold to slavers by people who had caught them in tribal warfare in Africa.  Here in New Orleans, they were sold again to people to do the same and use them in the fields or in the houses.  Many of these slaves formed families of their own but would later be separated by the sale of members to others.  Genetic studies of people would bring about many a surprise to some people as to where their ancestors came from and what happened to them over the centuries. 

In the nineteenth century we see the history of states leaving the union over the issue of slavery.  Louisiana was one of these states, including what we call New Orleans.  In addition we see the history of the Civil War (what some people to this day call the War of Northern Aggression), The Emancipation Proclamation freeing many slaves, and the list could go on. 

Eventually, there would be union of all states, including, Louisiana.  The total history can be found in any good textbook and online, dears.  However, what happened afterwards was segregation in which people of color (African Ancestry) would be denied the ability to enter certain places, including schools and churches or forced to sit in a special section, etc.  Who can forget the signs in buses and streetcars, marking where people could sit.  Rhett remembers moving a sign so that a lady could sit and the remarks of his fellow students from a prominent school.

There were prior acts attempting to give people of all ancestries equal legal rights.  However, they were not completely successful until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which clearly "forbade discrimination on the basis of sex as well as race in hiring, promoting, and firing."  For a better examination of this act go to http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/civil-rights-act/.  An online search will give you a clearer picture of the various provisions.  Before that were many individuals who acted - to name but two Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King.  There were others who died to gain civil rights for all.  Do some research and learn, learn, learn.  I will never forget the words of Dr. King when he said in 1963 at the Lincoln monument: " Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring -- when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children -- black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics -- will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

In New Orleans Archbishop Rummel stated:  "Racial segregation as such is morally wrong and sinful because it is a denial of the unity and solidarity of the human race as conceived by God in the creation of Adam and Eve."  That was in 1956 but there was much disagreement between then and 1962 when the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of New Orleans were actually integrated.  Two years previously the public schools in New Orleans were integrated and I will never forget the courage of those young girls - six (4 of African ancestry and two of European ancestry) entered Frantz Elementary.  The courage of conviction by their parents and the determination of the essential recognition of the right to equality will never be forgotten. 

However, we cannot forget the hatred shown by many. Remember the Archbishop excommunicating three main leaders - Leander Perez, Sr., Mrs. B.J.. Gaillot, and Jackson Ricau.  The records of Archbishop Rummel and other clergy relative to these issues would be important, if they were ready for inspection in the archives of the Archdiocese.

At the same time the flight to the suburbs by people of non-African ancestry began and more Catholic parishes were established.  How many schools in the suburbs, public, private, and parochial are truly integrated even today.

However, even today slavery exists but in a different form.  It arises with the lack of a true family unit.  This was clearly discussed by Daniel P. Moynihan in his report of fifty years ago.  This is further analyzed by Ta-Nehisi Coates in his article in The Atlantic in June of this year.  Take some time to read this at http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/06/revisiting-the-moynihan-report/276936/.  However, it crosses all racial lines but still points out that Moynihan was correct.  The slavery still exists and is exacerbated by the lack of education, lack of morals, lack of medical assistance, unrecognized mental issues, etc.  Why is this so? We as a nation have created the problem by not making demands for improvements in the lives of all citizens, regardless of ancestry.

Now in this city of New Orleans, children are being killed as a result.  Blame it on ourselves, the churches, etc. of this city and the metropolitan area are at fault also.  I am sure that you would have more to add to this, if you have the guts to do so.  Damnation, dears, it is time to act.

THE DEATH OF AN INNOCENT CHILD

This morning I read about the death of an 11 year old girl as the result of a shooting.  Many posts are being added to that story on nola.com.  I stated that I would post on this blog further remarks.  However, as I read through this blog of ours, I realized that I would be stating once again many of the things that we believe to be the causes of such problems in this metropolitan area.  Please read through some of these postings and see what I have kept discussing with my friends as to the causes of the problems of New Orleans and what we must do to overcome them. 

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY CHANGES IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF NEW ORLEANS?

Today, I sit at the computer, with the cats and dogs splayed out on the floor, and the children talking with Rhett in the background as they discuss a program on the television.  I sit here happy because we are all together today, albeit for a short time.  Yet even in the midst of such happiness I feel the depression of the state of the metropolitan area of New Orleans.  I read the paper online and I listen to the news on the television and I find no improvements.  I read books and I realize that these problems have always been in existence from the very founding of this city by the derelicts sent from France.  People may have changed their names in various ways to indicate a form of aristocracy, which does not exist.  I see our leaders taking advantage of their positions to gain more for themselves and their friends.  I see families being destroyed by infighting, etc. and their businesses being destroyed.  I see so much hatred expressed by the brutal crimes committed by people of all ancestries and I continue to pray for union.  I see men and women killed carrying out their duties here and abroad and I pray for them.  Even those who are working at various sites to bring about the revitalization of this city are subjected to the crimes of others.  I still see the remains of the destruction of this are by Katrina.  I see Charity Hospital empty and decaying and pray that it will be used for something important.  Rhett and I drove to a funeral in St. Bernard and as we went down Chef Menteur Highway, I almost cried because that road was still in a state of decay.  Of course, some of the subdivisions off the highway had returned and I worry about those occupants of the homes therein as I do for those who are facing higher flood insurance rates.  The list can go on and on.  Yet in the midst of the mayhem I am determined to keep posting and to request that someone or some organization to begin the TRUE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS by being frank and attacking the root causes of the problems of the area.  Tomorrow, Rhett and I with the children will attend religious services and we will pray for those who have died and for the people of this area and elsewhere in this nation that are suffering.  The Brigade will gather next weekend and we will do the same, drink our gin and tonics, and discuss the various issues.  I see in the members faces the stress of their lives and yet, I will always will believe:
And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

 

THE FOURTH OF JULY

It has been several months since I have posted on this blog.  However, in reading the postings on nola.com by various individuals, I read those about the 14 year old being killed by an individual 19 years older as a result of a fight over some sort of ice drink.  I believe that many of my posts on this site go to the heart of the issues that are involved.  Read through them again and start blasting the media to outline and attack the causes of such activities and hit the people responsible for them.  This nation's citizens fought for independence and we celebrate that fact.  However, one must wonder why so many people have lost the focus of our ancestors and we have allowed so many to take advantage of our ignorance, our hatred based on various issues, etc.  It is time for the citizens of all ancestries to revolt against the problems facing New Orleans and leaders who fail to lead.  May this new revolution begin today.

Let us repeat what we said many years ago:

Early in our postings online we stated the following:

WE THE PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS, in order to establish a more perfect union of all citizens, regardless of race, color, or creed, must unite as one in an orderly and logical manner to provide for the resurrection of our city.

THEREFORE, we propose the following logical propositions and recognize fully that this may affect more people of one kind than the other, but for the good of all this must be done and in order to form a more perfect union of and by all people:

1. The levees of this state must be completely overhauled in order to provide protection from the lowest of parishes, close to the gulf, to all of this state. City, parish, state, and federal officials have the responsibility to adhere to the recommendations of experts in the fields and to hire reputable and proven contractors to fulfill this need.
2. An orderly approach to the return of the citizens to this city is essential in order to provide them protection and to provide them suitable housing. We cannot allow people to rebuild without some provisions for housing that will withstand future storms. The come back all philosophy adhered to by some is foolish and indicative of negligence and continued abuse of the citizens by politicians, who see reelection or election and not what is logical and best. All housing must be adequate and all public housing must and shall adhere to the laws of this state and this nation. Codes must be enforced and indeed strengthened.
3. We must bring back our business, both large and small. We must provide for proper medical care and facilities that are the very best. We must attract the newest of businesses with technology of the present and visions of technology of the future. Businesses must be strictly regulated and must adhere to strict codes that must be put into place. While we admire the architectural beauty of many buildings, these too must be protected and yet updated to provide for the protection of quality businesses of all kinds.
4. We must provide public education (including higher education) for all that will provide students with challenges, provide teachers of ability and strength to accomplish that education. The school boards of this city and state must and shall be overhauled to eliminate the factors that have caused the collapse of education in this city and yes of this state. Boards filled with political cronies are no longer acceptable but quality boards consisting of well qualified persons are required.
5. We can no longer allow the issue of race and color to determine the future of this city. We must come together as one family for the good of all.
6. We must provide for a government of the people and for the people. This means that the government of this city (indeed of this state) must be overhauled in order to assure that it is streamlined, cost efficient, and provide respectful and quality services to all people of this city. This includes all levels of government including assessors, the court system, the police system, etc.
7. We, as citizens, have our duties too. We must elect officials of vision, not simply of promises. That is the very foundation of our constitution and necessary for the future of this city.

We the ordinary citizens of this city and state must be heard and must be followed. We ourselves must overcome our prejudices, our outmoded views, and look to the future of what we know can be and what we will continue to call the city of our dreams, the new Nouvelle Orleans.

Even today, we stand behind that original post.  We ask others to do the same.  Many years ago, even before I married Rhett, I saw Richard Kiley in the Man of La Mancha and I heard him sing those immortal words:

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courageTo reach the unreachable star

We will not give in - we will continue to strive for what many call the unreachable star, THE NEW NOUVEAU ORLEANS.

TWO MONTHS LATER

Considering the state of our city today I think that these words are quite applicable:

It was written by Howard Galganov, Canadian writer on December 14, 2012 and applies to the Conneticut school shoots (a terrible act). It reads: It happened because of the modern LEFTIST culture that has been busy removing all semblance of personal responsibility and respect from our lives. It happened because of the Hollywood and television types who lecture the Conservatives on how people should live, while they make FORTUNES producing absolute FILTH and VIOLENCE in their movies, videos and television programs. It happened because of reality TV shows that demean humanity, along with shows that make people laugh at the pain and humiliation of others. The senseless murders happened because multi-millionaire computer game producers create UGLY digital scenarios that poison young minds with abject depravity and gratuitous violence. It happened because the school system doesn’t teach values, and promotes the idea that 'anything goes.' And that all people are equal, regardless of the truth. And that no one ever fails. It happened because LEFTISTS won’t allow concerned and loving parents to discipline their children, or raise their children in the time-honored way they feel is right. It happened because far too many Liberals spend their time and effort ridiculing and attacking the people who want to live by the lessons of the Bible and the Torah.In truth, this and other horrible acts of violence happen because our society-- from the entertainment industry to schools to the media and to our governments-- have created the social and cultural foundation that is eating away at both Canada and the United States like a cancer.

While this applied to that particular set of tragic circumstances, it is also applies the continuing decline of the family unit as espoused by Daniel P. Moynihan and eloquently discussed on another site: http://city-journal.org/html/15_3_black_family.html. Today that report of Moynihan applies to families of all ancestries. It also applies to this city of ours in which each day we read of the blood on the streets and the robberies and the rapes, etc.  Time to face reality, dears, time to face reality.