The lyrics to Irma Thomas’s famous song was a perfect subtle backdrop to the conversation presented by the “Queen of New Orleans” and other musicians and members of the cultural economy on Saturday at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.This round table discussion joined by luminaries such as restaurateur, John Besh, Rockin Doopsie, Amanda Shaw discussed New Orleans and Louisiana, particularly the community after Katrina when the rains came and washed away much hope, but, presented this area with great opportunities.
The round-table event media event was presented by Lieutenant Governor, Mitch Landrieu and just happen to occur as the tremendous downpour occurred during Saturday’s festival.As Lt. Governor, Landrieu is also in charge of culture, recreation and tourism.
Irma Thomas and the other panelists discussed why New Orleans music and culture is so special and different from the rest of the nation.After Katrina, Thomas was in Texas.Doopsie was in New York.Both expressed their need at the time to come back home to New Orleans to be a part of the rebirth.
However, not all of the discussion was glowing.Besh discussed the difficulty of running a business in a post-Katrina economy.Thomas said government should knock down the walls of regulation so businesses and the cultural economy can grow.
Lt. Governor Landrieu spoke about the need to provide incentives through tax policies including neighborhood zones.
The panelists spoke of dampened hope and gut determination to build the community regardless of the rain at the Jazz Festival and the water that changed the lives of so many former and current citizens of New Orleans and Louisiana.
We cannot rely simply on the cultural aspects of this city to serve as the foundation of a new New Orleans. We must hit the core issues that have resulted in the various issues that face this city: lack of a solid educational system, lack of basic family standards, lack of an envisionary and stable government, etc. The core of this city needs to be rebuilt into a wider basis and not simply that of culture and music and Mardi Gras, etc. While retaining its rich heritage, it must take advantage of the modern and present era and use it as a foundation for the future. We can no longer allow cultural icons and businesses to leave this city. When we hear about Louis Armstrong Airport and Louis Armstrong park we understand why New Orleans called him its son, but we also understand that he did not reside for a long period of time here but left to make his name elsewhere. Indeed his remains are buried not in his native soil but in that of Queens, New York. Katrina has dispersed the citizens of this city just as segregation caused Louis Armstrong to seek advantages elsewhere. No better learning lesson to the cultural community and the community as a whole can be seen than in him. We cannot afford to lose the best of our citizens. We must provide all of them, regardless of their occupations, a brighter future and one that will call them home, to the Proud City of New Orleans. Written by RhettsWife
on 4/27/2008
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