The French Quarter (left) and the Upper 9th Ward (right), both pictures were taken by me, in 2015.
New Orleans, Louisiana has a unique history that has revolved around its ability to triumph and maintain it’s cultural flare in the wake of disasters. From the 2005 devastation that was Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Rita that hit within the same year, to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, New Orleans (Nola) has taken some of the hardest hits of the century. However, Nola has experienced substantial progress, including continuous economic growth through redevelopment of the local tourist industry, increases in educational quality, and increased entrepreneurship opportunities. These advancements have contributed to the widespread narrative of Nola as a resilient city. The "resilient Nola" narrative has been promoted through various forms of media, influenced policy and thus affected local politics and the social order of the city. It has been told and retold but, who tells this narrative of resilience?
Originally, I was going to say that the white privileged elites in power—that proudly showcase how much they’ve invested in their communities, dominated by capital and driven by agency—tell this post-Katrina resilience narrative, and simultaneously ensure that Blacks and all other underprivileged communities, ones that they have purposefully neglected, remain INVISIBLE and SILENT (I still believe this to be true).
I was also going to say, that those to be made invisible and silent, reject this narrative as it negatively defines them against harmful devastation (I also still believe this to be true).
These statements, though, create a simple dialogue between the two parties,
the white elites in power & the powerless, Black and other low-income residents.
BUT even in the Big Easy, this conversation wouldn’t be that simple.
INSTEAD, THERE ARE TWO DISTINCT NARRATIVES OF RESILIENCE.
Affirming that underserved residents only reject/dislike this narrative and that they are completely powerless in the matter does a disservice to what I’ve actually learned about Nola residents --
that they are proud that they continue to stand the test of time, not only of natural disasters but also of the neglect and abandonment by those in leadership who are supposed to protect them, the exploitation of their art, culture and heritage for the benefit and profit of the tourist sector that never repays them, and the structural disenfranchisement of entire communities’ right to the city.
They push back against the mainstream narrative of resilience AND push for their own narrative of resilience // one that not only shows their strength but the inequalities that have fortified it, not only the city’s many developments but the damages that have yet to be recovered in their communities, not only what the government has done to improve the city but what residents, community activists, and local non-profit organizations have done to bring back their city, and the list continues // and in doing so, they demand their right to the city- their right to visibility- their right to tell their own story.
Originally, I was going to say that the white privileged elites in power—that proudly showcase how much they’ve invested in their communities, dominated by capital and driven by agency—tell this post-Katrina resilience narrative, and simultaneously ensure that Blacks and all other underprivileged communities, ones that they have purposefully neglected, remain INVISIBLE and SILENT (I still believe this to be true).
I was also going to say, that those to be made invisible and silent, reject this narrative as it negatively defines them against harmful devastation (I also still believe this to be true).
These statements, though, create a simple dialogue between the two parties,
the white elites in power & the powerless, Black and other low-income residents.
BUT even in the Big Easy, this conversation wouldn’t be that simple.
INSTEAD, THERE ARE TWO DISTINCT NARRATIVES OF RESILIENCE.
Affirming that underserved residents only reject/dislike this narrative and that they are completely powerless in the matter does a disservice to what I’ve actually learned about Nola residents --
that they are proud that they continue to stand the test of time, not only of natural disasters but also of the neglect and abandonment by those in leadership who are supposed to protect them, the exploitation of their art, culture and heritage for the benefit and profit of the tourist sector that never repays them, and the structural disenfranchisement of entire communities’ right to the city.
They push back against the mainstream narrative of resilience AND push for their own narrative of resilience // one that not only shows their strength but the inequalities that have fortified it, not only the city’s many developments but the damages that have yet to be recovered in their communities, not only what the government has done to improve the city but what residents, community activists, and local non-profit organizations have done to bring back their city, and the list continues // and in doing so, they demand their right to the city- their right to visibility- their right to tell their own story.
The Story that pays:
Main$tream Re$ilient New Orlean$
In 2015, the city launched the “Resilient New Orleans” initiative, guided by 100 Resilient Cities and The Rockefeller Foundation, to develop strategies to prepare for future disasters and also address the legacy of inequity and racial divisions that surfaced during Katrina. The city also appointed their first “Chief Resilience Officer,” Jeffrey Herbert. In January of 2016, they won the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) National Disaster Resilience Competition of $141 million to help them execute their strategies by 2050. [1]
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Vertical Divider
The initiative for 2050 breaks down its three goals:
1. Adapt to thrive: We are a city that embraces the changing environment (climate change, natural environmental risks). 2. Connect to opportunity: We are an equitable city (investing in stable, healthy communities where individuals can connect to opportunity.) 3. Transform City Systems: We are a dynamic and prepared city (preparing the city for future shocks, through the creation of better infrastructure; transit, energy sources).[2] |
“There’s something in you guys that’s irrepressible..You know the sun comes out after every storm. You’ve got hope.”
- President OBAMA, ANDREW P. SANCHEZ COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE LOWER NINTH WARD, 2015 [3]
the narrative's greatest evidence: Development
Population Changes:
Technically known as Orleans Parish, New Orleans is one of the seven metropolitan area parishes in the city. Amongst the many disasters that New Orleans has experienced, Hurricane Katrina has greatly influenced the current demographic makeup of Orleans Parish and has motivated influxes of some racial groups and large declines in others. Orleans Parish once was the most populated of the seven, holding a 37% share of the population in 2000. The majority of the population has always been primarily Black or African American—67% was reported Black or African American in 2000, while a decline to 60% was reported in 2010. Contrastingly, Asians were most likely to return, rising to 3% of the population in 2010, and that Latinos moved into the city, increasing their population to 5% in 2010. [4]
Income & Economic Opportunity
In 2000, between 25-30% of residents of Orleans Parish, as a county, lived in poverty. In 2014, the U.S Census Bureau reported that 27.7% poverty rate in the city. "Entrepreneurial activity in New Orleans is 56 percent above the national average, painting a rosy picture for the business climate. Fueled by an engaged community, strong financial incentives, and an unmatched culture, one of the fastest growing startup hubs has grown out of the recovery of New Orleans." There have been 14,000+ new jobs from major companies since 2010. [5]
Education Quality
Among the biggest developments was the transition of New Orleans' public school system from a singularly regulated system to a system of almost all privately-run charter schools. Some of the statistics promoted are, "The City’s graduation rate has soared from 54 percent to 73 percent of students earning their diplomas. New Orleans is a national example, which outperforms the rest of the nation, with 65 percent of the City’s African American males graduating on time." [6]
Technically known as Orleans Parish, New Orleans is one of the seven metropolitan area parishes in the city. Amongst the many disasters that New Orleans has experienced, Hurricane Katrina has greatly influenced the current demographic makeup of Orleans Parish and has motivated influxes of some racial groups and large declines in others. Orleans Parish once was the most populated of the seven, holding a 37% share of the population in 2000. The majority of the population has always been primarily Black or African American—67% was reported Black or African American in 2000, while a decline to 60% was reported in 2010. Contrastingly, Asians were most likely to return, rising to 3% of the population in 2010, and that Latinos moved into the city, increasing their population to 5% in 2010. [4]
Income & Economic Opportunity
In 2000, between 25-30% of residents of Orleans Parish, as a county, lived in poverty. In 2014, the U.S Census Bureau reported that 27.7% poverty rate in the city. "Entrepreneurial activity in New Orleans is 56 percent above the national average, painting a rosy picture for the business climate. Fueled by an engaged community, strong financial incentives, and an unmatched culture, one of the fastest growing startup hubs has grown out of the recovery of New Orleans." There have been 14,000+ new jobs from major companies since 2010. [5]
Education Quality
Among the biggest developments was the transition of New Orleans' public school system from a singularly regulated system to a system of almost all privately-run charter schools. Some of the statistics promoted are, "The City’s graduation rate has soared from 54 percent to 73 percent of students earning their diplomas. New Orleans is a national example, which outperforms the rest of the nation, with 65 percent of the City’s African American males graduating on time." [6]
CULTURE INTO CULTURE OF TOURISM
New Orleans Second Lines or "jazz funerals without the body" have an entire season, where there are second lines hold parades almost every Sunday. [ ]
The mainstream resilience narrative thrives off of New Orleans residents’ ability to bounce back, onto their second lines and into their jazz bands, because it shows the rest of the world that things have gone back to normal in the Big Easy. Mardi Gras, Essence Music Festival, Jazzfest, etc., are all large-scale events that attract thousands of people to New Orleans each year.
When they arrive, they go to tourist appropriate neighborhoods that are clean and pleasing to the eye, and most likely stay in the French Quarter or one of the many hotels on Canal street. They are awaited by a lieu of restaurants, hotels, and bars to choose from and it seems to keep them coming back for more. It shouldn't be hard to guess that the majority of tourists do not venture from their tourist appropriate neighborhoods, protected by security officials, to neighborhoods like the Lower and Upper 9th Wards, New Orleans East, or Tremé, unless they are familiar with the area or someone who resides there. Some tourists may make an effort to try traditional Nola dishes, like crawfish, red beans and rice, and gumbo but are stuck with watered-down, "but healthier," versions from the non-Black owned restaurants downtown. Nor do they venture to Central City or the 7th Ward to see the Mardi Gras parades that don't solely revolve around them and their tourist capital, or the second lines (as pictured above). Yet, second line parade routes are posted on tourist websites and the rich history of enslaved Africans' upbeat celebration of life after death in attempts to maintain their culture and dignity is exploited by welcoming visitors. [7] Don't worry, they are warned to be careful about which neighborhoods they enter and doing so at their own risk.[8]
As aforementioned, New Orleans as a tourist city has contributed to the mainstream resilience narrative greatly. Statistics report 78,000 jobs have been created by the tourism industry (chefs, street performers, musicians, artists, sales and marketing professionals, tour operators and more), 1,400+ restaurants have created a reputation for New Orleans as a culinary capital of the world, 9.5 million tourists visited the city in 2014, 129 festivals were attended by an estimated 4 million people in 2014 (up 25% since 2010), and there has been a 99% increase in restaurant jobs since 2006. [9]
When they arrive, they go to tourist appropriate neighborhoods that are clean and pleasing to the eye, and most likely stay in the French Quarter or one of the many hotels on Canal street. They are awaited by a lieu of restaurants, hotels, and bars to choose from and it seems to keep them coming back for more. It shouldn't be hard to guess that the majority of tourists do not venture from their tourist appropriate neighborhoods, protected by security officials, to neighborhoods like the Lower and Upper 9th Wards, New Orleans East, or Tremé, unless they are familiar with the area or someone who resides there. Some tourists may make an effort to try traditional Nola dishes, like crawfish, red beans and rice, and gumbo but are stuck with watered-down, "but healthier," versions from the non-Black owned restaurants downtown. Nor do they venture to Central City or the 7th Ward to see the Mardi Gras parades that don't solely revolve around them and their tourist capital, or the second lines (as pictured above). Yet, second line parade routes are posted on tourist websites and the rich history of enslaved Africans' upbeat celebration of life after death in attempts to maintain their culture and dignity is exploited by welcoming visitors. [7] Don't worry, they are warned to be careful about which neighborhoods they enter and doing so at their own risk.[8]
As aforementioned, New Orleans as a tourist city has contributed to the mainstream resilience narrative greatly. Statistics report 78,000 jobs have been created by the tourism industry (chefs, street performers, musicians, artists, sales and marketing professionals, tour operators and more), 1,400+ restaurants have created a reputation for New Orleans as a culinary capital of the world, 9.5 million tourists visited the city in 2014, 129 festivals were attended by an estimated 4 million people in 2014 (up 25% since 2010), and there has been a 99% increase in restaurant jobs since 2006. [9]
REDEFINING NOLA'S NARRATIVE OF RESILIENCE
SHOW THE TRUTH!/SPEAK THE TRUTH!/ DO THE TRUTH!
In the Resilient Nola Strategy Report, Mayor Mitch Landrieu notes, “New Orleans will continue to lead, serving as an urban laboratory for innovation and change.” The many racial and class-based inequalities that plague communities, surfaced and publicly shamed local and state governments of their unequal governmental relief efforts during and after disasters, most notably with Hurricane Katrina. The city is experiencing continued advancement, but who is experiencing its benefits? New Orleans is only a laboratory for innovation and change for some, but for the majority, it's a mirror of America's historical hatred and mistreatment of Black people, and its manifestations today.
Local community activists and leaders have taken it upon themselves to demand a right their own narrative. They've fought to tell their story and I hope that the following section of my piece accurately shares some of the counter mainstream resilient narratives that I've found. This narrative was created out of sorrow, pain, death, anger and solidified through a people's desire to be heard. It tells of continued struggle and worse off conditions but also of resident led improvement.
Local community activists and leaders have taken it upon themselves to demand a right their own narrative. They've fought to tell their story and I hope that the following section of my piece accurately shares some of the counter mainstream resilient narratives that I've found. This narrative was created out of sorrow, pain, death, anger and solidified through a people's desire to be heard. It tells of continued struggle and worse off conditions but also of resident led improvement.
[1National civil rights advocacy organization, the Advancement Project, created Katrina Truth Resistant New Orleans in direct response to Katrina 10 Resilient New Orleans, which give contrasting perspectives of Nola's recovery from Hurricane Katrina 10 years after the storm.
Katrina 10 boasts about the significant changes that were prompted by Katrina, many of them previously mentioned above in the "The Narrative's Greatest Evidence: Development" section.This side of the narrative positions Hurricane Katrina, specifically, as the central, starting point for productivity and thus, negatively defines residents by the devastation they’ve endured. It overwrites the history of New Orleans and overlooks the root causes of the issues plaguing the city prior to Hurricane Katrina as well as the people and communities that are still neglected ten years later.
Katrina Truth raises awareness of the injustices still occurring and speaks directly to the advancements in matters of housing, economic equality, education, criminal justice, health and safety, etc., that Katrina 10 describes on their website. The initiative charges the local government with acknowledging its systematic disorder and incredible shortcomings in creating equitable solutions for the social issues of the city. Additionally, it charges them with responding to the “erasure of Black struggle post-Katrina.” Creators reject the “resilient city” narrative, describing it as one that promotes the significant recovery of Nola but neglects the experiences of Black and brown people in this recovery process; thus, in itself being unequal. “With backing from the Rockefeller and Kellogg Foundations along with the New Orleans region’s smaller foundations, plus the apparatus of the public sector, the Katrina 10 narrative will be extensively pitched to a variety of audiences. Katrina Truth doesn’t have that kind of financial muscle to present its alternative narrative of the recovery of New Orleans and the larger Gulf Coast,” notes Rick Cohen. [10]
Katrina 10 boasts about the significant changes that were prompted by Katrina, many of them previously mentioned above in the "The Narrative's Greatest Evidence: Development" section.This side of the narrative positions Hurricane Katrina, specifically, as the central, starting point for productivity and thus, negatively defines residents by the devastation they’ve endured. It overwrites the history of New Orleans and overlooks the root causes of the issues plaguing the city prior to Hurricane Katrina as well as the people and communities that are still neglected ten years later.
Katrina Truth raises awareness of the injustices still occurring and speaks directly to the advancements in matters of housing, economic equality, education, criminal justice, health and safety, etc., that Katrina 10 describes on their website. The initiative charges the local government with acknowledging its systematic disorder and incredible shortcomings in creating equitable solutions for the social issues of the city. Additionally, it charges them with responding to the “erasure of Black struggle post-Katrina.” Creators reject the “resilient city” narrative, describing it as one that promotes the significant recovery of Nola but neglects the experiences of Black and brown people in this recovery process; thus, in itself being unequal. “With backing from the Rockefeller and Kellogg Foundations along with the New Orleans region’s smaller foundations, plus the apparatus of the public sector, the Katrina 10 narrative will be extensively pitched to a variety of audiences. Katrina Truth doesn’t have that kind of financial muscle to present its alternative narrative of the recovery of New Orleans and the larger Gulf Coast,” notes Rick Cohen. [10]
“New Orleans' recovery has been uneven, the black community has been left behind, and the city is trying to sell a story that doesn’t fully describe what has happened in the wake of the Hurricane.”
- Judith browne dianis, exec. director of advancement project
Nola famous rapper, Kidd Kidd, produced a creative documentary entitled "New Warleans: Katrina 10 Years Later," that shared HIS resilient Nola narrative.
Oliver Thomas: There’s a train on the track where Nola is doing well, people are doing well. But there’s a train on another track…. where the train is going in the other direction.
Kidd Kidd: What do you think would make it better?
Oliver Thomas: The reestablishment of the ppl, the effort to bring them back, to bring back infrastructure. Key to whether we’re doing better is if they’re going to invest in us and in our communities.
Kidd Kidd is using his fame to share the real New Warleans' narrative, that things have not progressed like Resilient Nola, Katrina 10, and many others, say it has. He is an amazing example of the counter narrative of resilience, he shows truth in his documentary, speaks truth in his music and does truth in influencing his fans and connecting with Black leadership to create change that reaches all.
Kidd Kidd: What do you think would make it better?
Oliver Thomas: The reestablishment of the ppl, the effort to bring them back, to bring back infrastructure. Key to whether we’re doing better is if they’re going to invest in us and in our communities.
Kidd Kidd is using his fame to share the real New Warleans' narrative, that things have not progressed like Resilient Nola, Katrina 10, and many others, say it has. He is an amazing example of the counter narrative of resilience, he shows truth in his documentary, speaks truth in his music and does truth in influencing his fans and connecting with Black leadership to create change that reaches all.
"We’re the most positive people in the world, because we’ve survived the negative; We're the greatest survivors in the history of the world. It’s never been fabulous for us but we made it fabulous."
- Oliver Thomas
REFERENCES:
[1] Resilientnola.org, “Resilient New Orleans, Strategic Actions to Shape Our Future City,” City of New Orleans, accessed May 12, 2016
[2]Ibid.
[3] Nola.com, "Transcript of President Obama's Katrina speech," The Times-Picayune Greater New Orleans, August 2015
[4] Katrina10.org, "Recovery Data," Katrina 10: Resilient New Orleans 2005-2015
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Historyofthesecondline.blogspot.com
[8] Ian McNulty, "Block Parties in Motion: the New Orleans Second Line Parade," New Orleans French Quarter.Com
[9] Katrina10.org, "Recovery Data," Katrina 10: Resilient New Orleans 2005-2015
[10] Nonprofitquarterly.org, "Katrina 10 vs. Katrina Truth: Sharply Contrasting Visions of the New Orleans Recovery," NPQ Innovative Thinking for the Nonprofit Sector, August 21, 2015
[2]Ibid.
[3] Nola.com, "Transcript of President Obama's Katrina speech," The Times-Picayune Greater New Orleans, August 2015
[4] Katrina10.org, "Recovery Data," Katrina 10: Resilient New Orleans 2005-2015
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Historyofthesecondline.blogspot.com
[8] Ian McNulty, "Block Parties in Motion: the New Orleans Second Line Parade," New Orleans French Quarter.Com
[9] Katrina10.org, "Recovery Data," Katrina 10: Resilient New Orleans 2005-2015
[10] Nonprofitquarterly.org, "Katrina 10 vs. Katrina Truth: Sharply Contrasting Visions of the New Orleans Recovery," NPQ Innovative Thinking for the Nonprofit Sector, August 21, 2015