While I would love to be able to say that I am a Native New Orleanian, that distinction is not mine to make.
I was not born in New Orleans.
It's always interesting when we have these conversations in New Orleans. Many of us are not natives and came from somewhere else.
As much as we might like to claim New Orleans as our own and love it as we do; we are not and never can be "natives!"
Our former Mayor, Mitch Landrieu, is a New Orleans native.
His book: In the Shadow of Statues-A White Southerner Confronts History, took the years of my own history in New Orleans from 1976 forward, and pushed me to: look back; remember; and, re-assess my views on the removal of the statues to the "Lost Cause" in New Orleans.
Interestingly, this journey into heightened awareness did not begin in New Orleans. It began in Cadrieu when my friend Evelyn (another fellow American) said that Mitch was being mentioned as a possible candidate for President in 2020.
I'd been disappointed in some of the recent events surrounding the statues and the management of the Sewerage and Water Board in New Orleans, and said I would have concerns about him as a candidate for President.
One evening, I began to watch a podcast where Oprah interviews Mitch about the book on her show. I didn't watch all of it. Hey, I lived it! But, I sent it over to Evelyn because I was sure she'd like to see it. Evelyn's response was...watch the whole thing. I did, and I'm grateful to Evelyn.
I came away with a more "enlightened" understanding of the issues surrounding the removal of the statues. More importantly, I experienced Mitch's humanness and personal genuineness.
I had to read the book.
It arrived...another "gift" from Evelyn on my birthday. And, what a gift it was.
I'll share the rest of this story with you tomorrow. Until then...
Happy Saturday!
Comments