An Open Apology
Yeah, ya heard it. I’m writing this for no other reason than to say I’m sorry. Please, allow me to explain….
…I know New Orleans has it’s myriad of problems, from an absentee Mayor and a small percentage of police who think they’re re-living Cool Hand Luke, with us as the Parchman Farmers, to the little things, like cell phones that don’t connect when the weather’s bad, or resetting the clocks after every little thunderstorm, and driving miles and miles, from grocery to grocery, trying to find some freakin parsley…
I recently read that 58% of Americans still don’t think New Orleans is worth rebuilding. What they don’t understand is that it’s too late for that now. It’s coming back anyway.
This afternoon, it rained while I was working outside. I rode my bike through a couple of blocks of drizzle, to Capt’n Sal’s on St. Claude Avenue, and spent about seven dollars on two pounds of freshly boiled crawfish.
That’s the price of lunch at Mickey D’s these days, by the way. Anyway, I peddled home, opened the sack, and put on the radio. Satchmo & John Boutte, taking turns on WWOZ. The strangers at Capt’n Sal’s had discussed the quality of the latest Crawfish, and they were right. Big this season, shells still soft to show their youth, and tastey as can be. The guys working across the street asked (axed?) where to get them and I gladly directed them. They turned their radio down to hear mine when Satchmo started to blow. It’s lunchtime in New Orleans. A sacred event, bringing together groups of different languages and walks of life, over food & jazz, the pleasure of a sultry rainy day and a break in the work of Fixing It All Again.
So yeah, it’s too late to think about rebuilding New Orleans. Sure there’s tons of work left to do, houses to build, schools to open, roads to fix, hospitals to be built.
But the foundation of this city is already poured…
The People. The Food. The Music. The Culture.
The rest is frosting, made of brick & mortar, wire & nails.
So I have to say I’m sorry.
I’m sorry that some people live in the snow and sleet.
I’m sorry that there’s towns where all the music is programmed by people you’ll never see, who have no idea who you are.
As I head back to work, Sam Cooke crooning in the back ground, finger’s still burning from the spicey shells, I have one more regret. I’m sorry you won’t be here tonight when I boil down those empty shells and make bouillabaisse from whatever the local grocery has to offer in local fishes. It’s gonna be insane.
On the other hand, my dearest 58%, you could always grab some wine, and stop by. We’re rebuilding New Orleans one pot full of dinner at a time. And you’re invited. That’s just how it is here. If you don’t get it, then perhaps you’re the one who we should be sorry for.
Lord David
Pirate & Artist
Skull Club
New Orleans
February 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
well stated - you’re the best Lord David.
i’m in it for the long run as well. it never accrued to me that we wouldn’t make it. ever.
i’ll bring the Abita and my collection of Louie Prima tunes! :)
February 12th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Crawfish are the true sign of spring! I love Crawfish, Shrimp and Crab Boils! Do I feel fortunate to have grown up with those loving events almost every weekend in the Summers when I was a boy. That is what I love about New Orleans!
Are we coming back? The answer to that is how we define “we”. Or, better yet, how we define “they”. They is us and us is we. We are the ones directly responsible for everything that is happening whether we voted whomever into office for we all have to deal with it. It is our problem collectively and nothing is going to save us but ourselves.
I am a native and deal with shit every day from New Orleans. The racism–black and white–is shameful and it inhabits all forms of commerce and culture. The storm ripped the band-aids off and now we are seeing the wounds that we covered for the tourists and transients that “love” it here. Now, the country has seen it and they are disgusted–much of it because they can see themselves a little bit in the reflection–and they want to sweep us under the carpet. And as well, they cannot believe we would still elect the same corrupt fixtures we had in place before the whole mess of the storm. I feel that most of America is scared that they will be next when the next tragedy befalls. And, they won’t have Seafood Boils to help them.
Lord David, just know that the storm and the government kicked our ass, but they did not take everything from us. No, we may kill ourselves before that. I hope we(New Orleans) never come to that.
Lord David–at least you know you could count on the Crawfish!
Let us know what you think of the Crabs as well!
Take care and keep writing!!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
You had Sal’s crawfish a mere few blocks from my job and did not call me?
Bastard!
Beautiful post, BTW.
February 12th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
That stinks that 58% of Americans think New Orleans is not worth re-building. What kind of poll was this? I’ve never lived in New Orleans, but I think that this is really stupid, and it makes me steamed. New Orleans needs to come back!! (And, as you explain it, it already IS)
Maybe it was an inaccurate, poorly executed poll(?) I wouldn’t have thought so many folks across the nation would be so down on NOLA. Shows what I know!
February 13th, 2008 at 9:11 am
I. Love. You. What Loki said - beautiful post.
I’m sitting in my parlor in NH watching the frozen rain come down…we’re under a winter storm warning until about 5pm tonight. I’m thinking of sticking a bowl outside to catch fresh sleet for margaritas later on tonight… :>
And, the only other place on earth I’d rather be is right there, back in New Orleans. I’ve never lived there, but I’ve visited a lot, and my roots run deep. Just wanted to make sure we weren’t counted amongst that 58% - bunch of sniveling pukes…
February 13th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I was in New Orleans recently, and see that the area is really developing nicely. I had a wonderful time up there. Mostly I shopped the local merchants and attended an artists’ show. I’m excited because I found an artist from Texas that worked with me to design a custom metal art ranch gate entrance. It has been produced and is beautiful. It will always be a reminder of New Orleans and the recent occurrences there every time I go to the ranch.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Brilliant post!!!