I live in Atlanta, Georgia. Although I reside in the Peach State, the color design of my blog points eleswhere. It’s to honor my favorite football team, the New Orleans Saints, and my birthplace, New Orleans, Louisiana.
I was born to my father, Howard, and my mother, Sharon. I lived in Algiers on the West Bank in Orleans Parish. It’s where I lived — and became born again spiritually by the Spirit of Jesus Christ — until moving to New York City decades later and eventually relocating to Atlanta.
My parents divorced when I was very young, and I lived with my mother and sisters. I cherish my time spent in my native home, being around much of my biological and spiritual family. I know what it means to miss New Orleans. No matter where I go, it’ll always be special to me.
My native city thrives on tourism, known worldwide as N’Awlins, Crescent City, and The Big Easy. It’s where jazz music originated, where Creole cuisine began, and where Cajun cuisine became popular. It’s also where the best seafood in the world is (yes, I’m biased, although as a vegan I don’t eat seafood anymore). Above all, we’re celebrated for Mardi Gras also coined Fat Tuesday. We express our penchant for celebration with the famous Cajun French phrase, “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” or in English, “Let the good times roll.”
Although it’s widely recognized for its jubilant nature, my hometown is also called “The City That Care Forgot.” That title was no more fitting than in the latter half of August 2005. On August 29th, Hurricane Katrina roared through the city. The storm claimed the lives of over 1,800 residents. In addition, it caused $125 billion in property damage. More than the fierce Category 5 winds of over 175 mph, the flood water brought so much devastation. The water, almost 15 inches, breached levee walls designed only to withstand a Category 3 storm.
Moreover, the federal government’s response was, quite frankly, abysmal. The debacle was the primary talking point in a powerful documentary, “The Big Uneasy”. Click the link in the aforementioned movie’s title to watch. It’s just over 90 minutes in length, and I highly recommend seeing it. Sixteen years later and on the same day, in fact, another storm of similar intensity, Hurricane Ida, made inroads into the city. Fortunately, the wind velocity subsided within hours after landfall. Unfortunately, there was collateral damage and loss of life, and my heart grieves with the families of victims. I sincerely hope federal, state, and city officials learned the lessons from Katrina and Ida.
In spite of everything, God continues to reinvigorate the collective spirit of my city, and my people there will persevere. The trials of the past tried to break its resolve, but God will use them to make the Big Easy stronger.
God bless New Orleans, my home, sweet home.
⚜️🖤
