New Orleans: Current Cultural Trends
Those of us that were around during the 60’s and 70’s saw a lot of “Movements.” Most of them were negative. “Anti-This” or “Down With That.” I have had the privilege to be in the middle of what I believe to be the most positive, pro-active movement in our nation’s recent history. I’m talking about the thousands of people who have rolled up their sleeves, gutted houses, fed the hungry and opened their wallets to help New Orleans recover from the greatest man-made disaster in our nation’s history.
This Movement has inspired me to invent ways to describe it, as I did with my term “Patriotourism.” The term “Voluntourism” also describes the effort of countless people, from faith-based organizations, to determined individuals, to make sure that the fabled city of New Orleans regains her rightful place as the “Queen of the South.” Their efforts will not be in vain, or unrecognized if I have anything to say about it!
Here in New Orleans, there have been many voices describing our trials and tribulations, as epic as they are. Should we suffer the outrageous slings and arrows inflicted by our politicians and elected officials, or take arms against them? While that may be the question posed to the citizens at large, there has been an underground vanguard, waging their own war on blight, hopelessness, hunger and despair. The anonymous army of faith-based organizations, student groups, and idealistic dreamers that have descended on our beloved city to help in its recovery has been nothing short of a miracle.
I would like to offer my nomination for the new “Saint of New Orleans” to be Chris Rose. No other person has so eloquently expressed the gamut of emotions, from despair, rage, incredulity, and hope as this man has. I recently told him that he had unwittingly given birth to a “Movement” of his own. One of his articles, published Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 titled “Winds of Change” has inspired people to become, as they have chosen to call them selves, “Urban Pioneer Re-inventionists.” Their credo: “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”
While this may seem like over-the-top hopefulness to the hoard of nay-sayers that continue to try to destroy any positive action or thought concerning New Orleans, it is just this type of In-Your-Face entrepreneurs that are going to be the saviors this city needs. Give us your frustrated artists, your actors, your musicians, your disillusioned masses yearning to be free! New Orleans is the Land of Opportunity, so come re-invent yourself in the most free, funky, and romantic city there is.
New Orleans awaits you.
This Movement has inspired me to invent ways to describe it, as I did with my term “Patriotourism.” The term “Voluntourism” also describes the effort of countless people, from faith-based organizations, to determined individuals, to make sure that the fabled city of New Orleans regains her rightful place as the “Queen of the South.” Their efforts will not be in vain, or unrecognized if I have anything to say about it!
Here in New Orleans, there have been many voices describing our trials and tribulations, as epic as they are. Should we suffer the outrageous slings and arrows inflicted by our politicians and elected officials, or take arms against them? While that may be the question posed to the citizens at large, there has been an underground vanguard, waging their own war on blight, hopelessness, hunger and despair. The anonymous army of faith-based organizations, student groups, and idealistic dreamers that have descended on our beloved city to help in its recovery has been nothing short of a miracle.
I would like to offer my nomination for the new “Saint of New Orleans” to be Chris Rose. No other person has so eloquently expressed the gamut of emotions, from despair, rage, incredulity, and hope as this man has. I recently told him that he had unwittingly given birth to a “Movement” of his own. One of his articles, published Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 titled “Winds of Change” has inspired people to become, as they have chosen to call them selves, “Urban Pioneer Re-inventionists.” Their credo: “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”
While this may seem like over-the-top hopefulness to the hoard of nay-sayers that continue to try to destroy any positive action or thought concerning New Orleans, it is just this type of In-Your-Face entrepreneurs that are going to be the saviors this city needs. Give us your frustrated artists, your actors, your musicians, your disillusioned masses yearning to be free! New Orleans is the Land of Opportunity, so come re-invent yourself in the most free, funky, and romantic city there is.
New Orleans awaits you.
