Sometimes, finding a place to share odd pieces of information that seems to be without a home is exactly what the internet is good for.
I was introduced to goodreads.com by a neighbor who works on literacy and writing with New Orleans high school kids and I like it almost as much as bookcrossing.com
And since it's about sharing good books, what could be really wrong with that?
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Goodreads.com
Essays, links and visuals highlighting an alternative, resilient place at the strategic crescent of one mighty river.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Heavy Day
"Drove north all day Wednesday and Thursday, going further away every minute from my neighbors stranded on roofs, my home filling with water. Very hard. I cried often, tears coming down as I passed others on Interstate 75 and not even trying to wipe them off. I was in mourning, and wanted it to be public."
These were my words after leaving Memphis on August 31, 2005, heading on my way north.I remember that pain, thinking about all of the New Orleanians sitting on their hot roofs, with no water or food or shelter for days. When I came back in October, I was heavy hearted for a long, long time and still (like most of us) can slip back into it when certain memories come back or I see something that shows we have not left those days behind yet.
So, over 2 years later (December 20,2007), I am back in that moment of grief and anger at my government, with the reports of tasering and pepper spraying of citizens as they protested at City Hall today over the shocking demolitions of good housing when so many are in need.
The federal government will tell any media person that they have housing available; whether it is in the person's neighborhood, within the price range of their paycheck, or even half as well-built as Lafitte or St. Bernard is not important to the bureaucrats.
They just want prime land and will threaten our city's elected officials with anything to get it- not that they have to use threats because this administration is more than willing to hand the keys over without a qualm.
America has invaded my city today. They brought violent tactics, cordoned off City Hall and showed their terrifying federal power to a few hundred protesting citizens. They want that land, and we can drive to a reservation and ask any Native American what happens when the government wants the land. While we are at that reservation, we can look around at the substandard housing, high crime, and the poor pushed together in most undignified manner and see what this government leaves behind as a payment for taking land.
And when we leave that reservation and get back to New Orleans, we will enter it once again with that heavy heart, but a clear head for the work that is still needed to save for our city.
These were my words after leaving Memphis on August 31, 2005, heading on my way north.I remember that pain, thinking about all of the New Orleanians sitting on their hot roofs, with no water or food or shelter for days. When I came back in October, I was heavy hearted for a long, long time and still (like most of us) can slip back into it when certain memories come back or I see something that shows we have not left those days behind yet.
So, over 2 years later (December 20,2007), I am back in that moment of grief and anger at my government, with the reports of tasering and pepper spraying of citizens as they protested at City Hall today over the shocking demolitions of good housing when so many are in need.
The federal government will tell any media person that they have housing available; whether it is in the person's neighborhood, within the price range of their paycheck, or even half as well-built as Lafitte or St. Bernard is not important to the bureaucrats.
They just want prime land and will threaten our city's elected officials with anything to get it- not that they have to use threats because this administration is more than willing to hand the keys over without a qualm.
America has invaded my city today. They brought violent tactics, cordoned off City Hall and showed their terrifying federal power to a few hundred protesting citizens. They want that land, and we can drive to a reservation and ask any Native American what happens when the government wants the land. While we are at that reservation, we can look around at the substandard housing, high crime, and the poor pushed together in most undignified manner and see what this government leaves behind as a payment for taking land.
And when we leave that reservation and get back to New Orleans, we will enter it once again with that heavy heart, but a clear head for the work that is still needed to save for our city.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
The Informal Economy
The city has been lively lately with open air markets, rummage sales, roadside stands, open studio parties, neighborhood festivals with live music and food and drink available everywhere. As is common at this time of year, much of it centers around gift buying for others, which is slightly elevated and certainly more frantic shopping than regular days of the year.
But still, the gifts that New Orleanians buy at these events are mostly homemade, often funny about the "situation" in our city; with some items that are awkwardly made but still charming and perfect for someone on their list.
And all made by people who work from their home or a small studio and somehow show up every few months with more, and patiently set up their table and wait for you to find them.
The only times I see this economy in other cities is in college towns- late at night after music ends with mostly food vendors lining the streets- or in an immigrant neighborhood in some out of the way part of town.
This city has always revolved around the group of artists, musicians, chefs and other handy folks, and not just at holiday time. If you could enter some time machine and go back when the city was made up of a few blocks at the river, I bet you you would find many of the same personalities, themes and wares that you can find today. The Pie Lady that traverses the French Quarter on Saturdays in 2007 with her shopping cart full of still warm pies; we know from paintings and songs that her ancestor existed, selling callas or pies. The bicycle companies that set up shop in garages across town and have no sign or phone; I am sure those men fixed carriages and horse shoes in an earlier time.
When we start to worry about the future of our city, it sometimes helps us to look back instead. Find that which worked and revive it, rather than hoping for a modern answer to a problem that we don't even have.
Rejoice in your thriving economy and seek it out; stop at any truck set up with an sign, double back when you hear the fruit man coming down the street, go to the shoe repair storefront to get some new soles, buy a book at a used bookstore, order some food at that window.
It may be informal and maddeningly old-world sometimes but it is certainly ours.
But still, the gifts that New Orleanians buy at these events are mostly homemade, often funny about the "situation" in our city; with some items that are awkwardly made but still charming and perfect for someone on their list.
And all made by people who work from their home or a small studio and somehow show up every few months with more, and patiently set up their table and wait for you to find them.
The only times I see this economy in other cities is in college towns- late at night after music ends with mostly food vendors lining the streets- or in an immigrant neighborhood in some out of the way part of town.
This city has always revolved around the group of artists, musicians, chefs and other handy folks, and not just at holiday time. If you could enter some time machine and go back when the city was made up of a few blocks at the river, I bet you you would find many of the same personalities, themes and wares that you can find today. The Pie Lady that traverses the French Quarter on Saturdays in 2007 with her shopping cart full of still warm pies; we know from paintings and songs that her ancestor existed, selling callas or pies. The bicycle companies that set up shop in garages across town and have no sign or phone; I am sure those men fixed carriages and horse shoes in an earlier time.
When we start to worry about the future of our city, it sometimes helps us to look back instead. Find that which worked and revive it, rather than hoping for a modern answer to a problem that we don't even have.
Rejoice in your thriving economy and seek it out; stop at any truck set up with an sign, double back when you hear the fruit man coming down the street, go to the shoe repair storefront to get some new soles, buy a book at a used bookstore, order some food at that window.
It may be informal and maddeningly old-world sometimes but it is certainly ours.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Country roads... take me home... to something
Another cry in a near yet far lagalou...
Those who have traveled to the Appalachian region have seen its beauty and its heartbreak when you see gorgeous blue-green mountain land, and then, just over the next hill, strip mined leftovers. The very corporations that are touted as saviours for Louisiana are methodically stripping the heart of the country right out. Over 470 mountains have already been mined for coal in the US and it continues daily with YOUR energy companies often involved.
Take the zip code test to see if your energy comes from that practice, and then sign your friends up to see for themselves.
Type your zip to see:
myconnection
Those who have traveled to the Appalachian region have seen its beauty and its heartbreak when you see gorgeous blue-green mountain land, and then, just over the next hill, strip mined leftovers. The very corporations that are touted as saviours for Louisiana are methodically stripping the heart of the country right out. Over 470 mountains have already been mined for coal in the US and it continues daily with YOUR energy companies often involved.
Take the zip code test to see if your energy comes from that practice, and then sign your friends up to see for themselves.
Type your zip to see:
myconnection
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