Today our New Orleans group of 14 volunteers visited a senior center in the lower ninth ward of New Orleans. From what I understand, the seniors meet at the center about three times a week to do devotion and play bingo. The members were so sweet about all of us being there and asking them questions...and joining in on their bingo. Ronnie was the woman that myself and a few other volunteers talked to. Ronnie told us about her daughter and her grandson and about the Holy Trinity of New Orleans food (bell peppers, onions, and celery). She also talked about how she has lived in New Orleans her entire life and even when she had to move to Texas for three years after Katrina, she wouldn't even consider staying there. Surprisingly, she was very open to talking about the hurricane and her experience. I didn't quite catch her entire story, but from what I heard, her circumstance was very lucky. She and husband were able to be airlifted away before they were physically hurt. Her daughter and grandson lived in Texas at the time so they weren't in danger. However, her home was completely destroyed and she lost many sentimental valuables. Ronnie said that she lost her wedding ring and another ring that was given to her by her mother-in-law, also mentioning how she isn't able to show her grandson pictures of his mother when she was little. Despite all of the trauma and loss that she went through, she had such a wonderful outlook on life. I could tell that she really appreciates everything that she has and everyone that she meets, not taking anything for granted. Personally, this is something that I have a difficult time doing. I have had such a privileged life and have been so blessed with my family and health that it is easy to complain about petty things. I truly admired how Ronnie treated us and the other seniors, as if we were family. Being there, meeting New Orleans natives really gave me a better understanding and appreciation for the culture here. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything and am excited to see what the rest of the trip has in store for myself and the rest of the group.
Karley Kindberg
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Getting to Know New Orleans Through the Natives Eyes
When I heard that today we would be going to the senior citizen center I was unsure about what I would take away from there but I ended up having a better experience than I thought I would. Not only was it interesting to talk to the men and women but driving through the neighborhood and seeing how much damage occurred there from hurricane Katrina was impacting. I didn't realize how many people evacuated not only their homes but the state and ended up coming back after a couple of years. Almost all of the people at the center explained how they went to other states but made sure to come back to New Orleans because they missed it so much. I found it to be interesting that even though they experienced so much devastation they still wanted to come back to their home towns even though their community was destroyed. Going into the center I wasn't sure how to approach the topic of hurricane Katrina and many of us learned that it would end up being brought up because it was such a big part of their life but not all of them would elaborate on their experiences. This was when I realized that it was something the natives are still grieving and it isn't just a devastating hurricane that was all over the news.
At the end of our volunteering we went and got ice cream at Creole Creamery in the garden district. We were all amazed by the size and architecture of the houses but it was evident that it was in better condition compared to the other areas that we had seen. We hadn't seen the "nice" neighborhoods until today and we were all amazed and in shock by the how little damage was done to the garden district and how much damage was still there in the other neighborhoods. At the end of the day I got a better understanding of how the natives feel about the hurricane and how they view their city. It was amazing to see the differences between the damages done to each area and the passion that everyone has for their city and although their communities were destroyed they are still persevering to make it better and grow their community.
Claire Mansur
An Afternoon with Shirley
To learn about the past, one of the best ways is to hear it through the voices of those who have experienced it. Today our group was able to do this as we spent time with senior citizens at a center. These are people who have spent their whole lives in New Orleans. They have experienced things that we have only read about and they lived through the largest disaster to hit the state. These are stories that some of the people there shared with members of our group, but the woman that I talked to did not and instead she just talked about her life.
Shirley is a woman who is 80 years old, but does not look like she is any older than late fifties/early sixties. She had a kind face and was happy to talk as I sat with her. Shirley talked about a lot of things, but her two favorite topics were food and her family. Because of this, I knew that there was a reason that I must have been drawn to this woman; she reminded me of my grandma whom I lost this past summer. Although there were physically no similarities at all, the things that she loved the most were the same. This woman that I spoke to for only a few hours showed how much love she has for her family, a family that she was fortunate enough not to lose in the hurricane. She is now helping raise her 11 year old grandson and she only wants what is best for him and for her children.
Shirley reflected all of the hard work that she has done in her life. She worked hard to save money so that she could buy the house that she has lived in for 28 years. She put her children through school and brags about the accomplishments that they have made. Her daughters have left the state to get better jobs, which is something that she knew they would never have in New Orleans. Shirley did not have the same chances that her children and grandchildren do. She opened my eyes to the struggles that an African American woman has to face and how they are working to overcome them. She is a truly beautiful woman who reminded me so much of another wonderful woman whom I love so much and I am so happy that I was able to meet her and that we all had the chance to meet the citizens who come to the center, for they all had a story that made the history of New Orleans seem real to us.
Haley Clark
Shirley is a woman who is 80 years old, but does not look like she is any older than late fifties/early sixties. She had a kind face and was happy to talk as I sat with her. Shirley talked about a lot of things, but her two favorite topics were food and her family. Because of this, I knew that there was a reason that I must have been drawn to this woman; she reminded me of my grandma whom I lost this past summer. Although there were physically no similarities at all, the things that she loved the most were the same. This woman that I spoke to for only a few hours showed how much love she has for her family, a family that she was fortunate enough not to lose in the hurricane. She is now helping raise her 11 year old grandson and she only wants what is best for him and for her children.
Shirley reflected all of the hard work that she has done in her life. She worked hard to save money so that she could buy the house that she has lived in for 28 years. She put her children through school and brags about the accomplishments that they have made. Her daughters have left the state to get better jobs, which is something that she knew they would never have in New Orleans. Shirley did not have the same chances that her children and grandchildren do. She opened my eyes to the struggles that an African American woman has to face and how they are working to overcome them. She is a truly beautiful woman who reminded me so much of another wonderful woman whom I love so much and I am so happy that I was able to meet her and that we all had the chance to meet the citizens who come to the center, for they all had a story that made the history of New Orleans seem real to us.
Haley Clark
Monday, March 10, 2014
Whitney Plantation
As we pulled up to the Whitney Plantation and I saw the sign saying "the most important property on the Mississippi" I knew that the experience was going to be one I would not forget. Just driving up the driveway, I felt a unique sort of connection to the grounds on which we would be working. When the time of the tour began I was incredibly anxious to hear about the inspirations and plans for the plantation, as the owner of the property, John, began to speak he gave life to the stories surrounding the plantation and that is where the emotional connection began. As we went into the church and listened to him speak and we were surrounded by the statues of slave children, each one of them with a specific name and identity I felt that I had a unique and individual connection to each of the children.
As we continued to tour, we read accounts of the slaves from Louisiana and the emotions I felt kept coming on as the pains of my ancestors weighed heavier and heavier on me. Seeing the slave quarter was surreal. Just imagining the slave being there, living there, spending their lives there, was so psychologically impacting. For me, doing physical labor on the plantation was almost heartbreaking thinking that had I been born 200 years prior, that is what I would be spending my life doing.
I believe that going to the Whitney Plantation set the proper stage for the rest of the week. Since the focus of the trip is on oppression, learning the history of one of the most oppressing institutions known to man helped get me in the mind set of how recognizing the history of oppression can help lead us to progression and forward movement. After this phenomenal experience I cannot wait to see what the rest of the week entails.
Christina Gardner
As we continued to tour, we read accounts of the slaves from Louisiana and the emotions I felt kept coming on as the pains of my ancestors weighed heavier and heavier on me. Seeing the slave quarter was surreal. Just imagining the slave being there, living there, spending their lives there, was so psychologically impacting. For me, doing physical labor on the plantation was almost heartbreaking thinking that had I been born 200 years prior, that is what I would be spending my life doing.
I believe that going to the Whitney Plantation set the proper stage for the rest of the week. Since the focus of the trip is on oppression, learning the history of one of the most oppressing institutions known to man helped get me in the mind set of how recognizing the history of oppression can help lead us to progression and forward movement. After this phenomenal experience I cannot wait to see what the rest of the week entails.
Christina Gardner
Honoring the Past to Change the Future
The Whitney Plantation was an incredible experience and opportunity to be a part of historically. The rich, vibrant life of the developing slave memorial was truly felt today as the spirits of the slaves resonated through to my very own soul. As we well know, the blacks and whites of America have had countless years of conflict due to the African slave trade lasting around 400 years. Forced labor in our country has been a topic that has divided America for centuries and with racial profiling still initiating crimes in our country, it is time we explore these issues deeper. As seen with the Trayvon Martin case, the display of KKK loyalty and confederate flags allowed in neighborhoods, racism is clearly still alive. Now is the time more than ever that we begin to honor the slaves and their experiences no matter what background any American derives from due to changes brought by the Civil Rights Movement. Our freedom by law gives us freedom to live and to educate each other. Understanding the time era and the circumstances slaves were in will aid the overall well-being and culture of our country. Children growing up today need to recognize that there was a point in time when society was considerably harsh and cruel.
As a mid-westerner from a small community of around 1,200 people, New Orleans was a city I longed to discover due to the cultural and social issues the community has faced. I was excited to be involved in a project that honors the American history of the slaves and to gain a new perspective by being in this environment where slaves actually lived and died. Thousands and thousands of forgotten children, women, and men. Today changed my life. I was exposed to the realities the slaves in the south faced, specifically Louisiana. The day started by a meet and greet with Mr. Cummings, the plantation owner and museum founder. He began by educating our bear break group with the history of slavery. Slavery was started by the Pope in the 1450's when he gave the King of Portugal rights to trade Africans to the Western world. Wow. Let that sink in. So, I sat there in the church in awe while looking around at the statues of the young African children whom were treated like animals. How could this be? The children were so young and innocent. Lives lost. Lives taken. Families broken apart. The plantation has granite memorials of hundreds of thousands of Louisiana slaves with names engraved as well as numerous slave narratives. One in particular almost brought me to tears. It was the account of a young slave child who was beaten so terribly that the meat was taken off his back and he was forced to go back to the field to work while blood was dripping down his back and maggots infested the open wounds. His cries were so awful all the slaves could hear his pain. It is important to study the history so that we can change the future. Racism has the ability to end now more than ever because of our equal rights but it begins with equal treatment.
Mollie K. Gavin
As a mid-westerner from a small community of around 1,200 people, New Orleans was a city I longed to discover due to the cultural and social issues the community has faced. I was excited to be involved in a project that honors the American history of the slaves and to gain a new perspective by being in this environment where slaves actually lived and died. Thousands and thousands of forgotten children, women, and men. Today changed my life. I was exposed to the realities the slaves in the south faced, specifically Louisiana. The day started by a meet and greet with Mr. Cummings, the plantation owner and museum founder. He began by educating our bear break group with the history of slavery. Slavery was started by the Pope in the 1450's when he gave the King of Portugal rights to trade Africans to the Western world. Wow. Let that sink in. So, I sat there in the church in awe while looking around at the statues of the young African children whom were treated like animals. How could this be? The children were so young and innocent. Lives lost. Lives taken. Families broken apart. The plantation has granite memorials of hundreds of thousands of Louisiana slaves with names engraved as well as numerous slave narratives. One in particular almost brought me to tears. It was the account of a young slave child who was beaten so terribly that the meat was taken off his back and he was forced to go back to the field to work while blood was dripping down his back and maggots infested the open wounds. His cries were so awful all the slaves could hear his pain. It is important to study the history so that we can change the future. Racism has the ability to end now more than ever because of our equal rights but it begins with equal treatment.
Mollie K. Gavin
Whitney Plantation
Hello from N'awlins. Today we visited the Whitney Plantation, which is in the process of being restored by John Cummings. The first half of the day was spent touring the property with John and the site historian, Dr. Seck, who answered our questions and encouraged thought provoking discussions. It started in the church, in which John told us that slavery in the United States started with the Pope signing off that Portugal may use Africans for slavery. We then viewed the granite memorial that lists the names of slaves and quotes from the oral histories collected in the 1930's. One area in particular listed the government listings of death of slave children, who often went unnamed and were identified by their race, gender, and the fact that they were slaves. One in particular that caught my eye was identified as something along the lines of an 'unbaptized slave child'. Next, we viewed the slave quarters, the main house, and numerous other buildings such as where Django Unchained was filmed, the oldest kitchen, and the only standing French barn in America. The second half of the day was spent doing work such as planting trees, filling in potholes with gravel, and cleaning the granite memorial. Overall, the most memorable part of the plantation was the quotes from real slaves about their experiences. It's difficult to watch movies like 12 Years a Slave, but hearing about conditions that are worse than you can imagine, from the people who experienced them, made this plantation unlike any other experience for me. I could tell you about the specifics here, but I would rather leave something for you to experience for the first time should you ever visit. It opens this fall, so please do consider a trip there should you find yourself in the New Orleans area. One day was not enough to fully appreciate the hauntingly beautiful ambiance that John Cummings, Dr. Seck, and the rest of their collaborators have created.
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