An Inspirational Women

Valeria Schexnayder is a community member and activist for the Lower 9^th Ward neighborhood of New Orleans. She’s featured in countless professional and amateur documentaries and our major contact in setting up interviews with other community members. Valeria tackles difficult issues and stops only when the issue is resolved. She’s currently working on an issue hard to even fathom.

During the aftermath of the storms more than 4,000 children were displaced from their parents. Since, only half have been returned. Valeria took the reins of this issue, like most Lower 9th Ward issues. She has yet to find any answers as to where the children are, even where they were initially taken. Logistically, it’s as common as the overwhelming disarray of everything 9th Ward, New Orleans after the storms. However, as a community activist, with her hands in everything of positive resolution in her community, Valeria continues to tackle issues on her own. When asked if she stands alone, Valeria sadly responded, “yes”. Valeria’s steadfast efforts humble everyone from her neighbors to documentarians from around the world.

Bike Tour

A video of the French Quarter by bike. The Cathedral is one of the biggest tourist destinations in New Orleans, which is surrounded by street performers, artists, musicians, tourists shops and a variety of restaurants and bars.

Nightlife

Description of Slideshow Above...

The slideshow starts with images taken on Canal Street, which is the tourism central. Canal Street is filled with boutique shops, street performers, artists, and a slew of restaurants. The rest of the pictures are of street performers in various neighborhoods of New Orleans.

Photo Slideshow

Short description of the slideshow above...

The first three pictures were taken during a Slave Revolt Tour on the second day of our trip. The headstone is dedicated to John Hall, a Civil War soldier who revamped the Slave Revolt of 1811 after he returned from the Civil War. If you notice the bottom of the headstone you’ll see “U.S.C.” which stands for United States Color, given to black soldiers of the Civil War. The rest of pictures are depiction of the Lower 9^th Ward community. Most houses are just as broken as the houses shown in the slideshow. These pictures of worth a million words so if you have any questions leave a comment and I’ll answer them the best I can.

Service Learning

The third day is nearly over. Rainfall woke me today like children poking their parents at 4am on Christmas morning. The thick clouds hid the sun for most of the day, but the rest of the week is projected sunny with blue skies. Yesterday I ate two hard-boiled eggs for breakfast around 8am. By 10am my stomach Geronimo’d from minute to minute until I ate at 1pm. I eradicated yesterday by eating 2 eggs, a banana and packed an apple for a mid-morning snack.

We started today with a lecture about the history of the black culture in New Orleans and the lasting celebratory song and dance, which contributed to the evolution of Jazz. Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy led the lecture and began with a short documentary about the second line parade. During the film she began to snap her fingers, sway back and forth and hum along. She epitomizes the pride of New Orleanians, who cling to the historic culture that shines through today as strong as it did centuries ago. The citizens I’ve interacted here with are without a doubt the most appreciative of life.

Part of our trip is designed around service learning sites. I'm observing a charter school that has grown a grade a year for the last three. Next year 12th grade is planned, in hopes to graduate its first class. Class of 2012 is 35 students strong. The school found grants that allowed each 11th grade student an opportunity to take a SAT for free. Less than half participated.

I’m told if any rain, light or heavy, is projected the class day begins with the teachers calmly telling their students a rain storm is coming but a hurricane isn’t. At times when the lights flicker or thunder rattles the windows the children scream and cry.

When the storms of '05 hit the communities of New Orleans, the residents without financial capabilities to pack up and leave stayed. The local and state governments didn't provide public transportation for the poor communities and, therefore, without a choice but to stay and brave the storm. When the storms past numerous 9th Ward residents called 911 for help but were told officials were not responding to emergencies. One call stuck, "I'm in my attack and have children and the water is filling up fast." After the 911 respondent said she's sorry the caller replied..."Are we suppose to sit here and die." A remarkable film titled, "Trouble the Water" details the 9th Ward resident experience can be accessed here.

Back at the school, the teenage students are affected more consistently. Their mind is always occupied. They’re soft spoken and anxious. The disarrayed community is still as neglected today as they were 5 years ago. Some students attend to eat; some for shelter. It’s a horrible situation. I’m not sure if my two-week presence is able to make a lasting impression but I’ll sure give it hell.

The First Couple Days

January 4, 2011

Both in décor and individuals, New Orleans is more unique than any other city I've seen. The roads are narrow. The sidewalks melt into the streets and, within a block, vary in material from brick to cement to pavement and back. The houses are close enough that homeowners could high-five in their respected digs.

Hurricane destruction is still evident. Freshly painted houses stand next to broken homes with boarded windows and spray painted identities. Today, I seen a nearly toppled home with a DirecTV satellite dish firmly attached to its half-shingled rooftop.

Oil refineries fill the outskirts of town. Smokestacks billowing black smoke are visible until the polluted haze of New Orleans masks the suburban pollution. Amateur graffiti cover buildings from uptown to downtown. It's not art. It's hallucinating font emulating elementary hate mail.

Last night my roommate, Phil, and I stumbled upon The Blue Nile, a bar near the French Quarter. They were holding the 30^th annual birthday celebration for a women name Pat. It’s widely recognized. People from California to New York attended the party. The theme: crazy and ugly hats. A theme carried over from Pat’s first ever party. I talked to a guy that said The Blue Nile ownership changed a handful of times over the years but every new owner understands the bar comes with Pat’s annual birthday celebration. She is known throughout the artistic community as the most beloved photographer. A guy I spoke with said she has been photographing him for years but he has never seen a single photograph. It’s her shtick.

Valerie, our New Orleans contact, met us at the airport. She connects us with community members who will participate and contribute to our projects. We toured the 9^th Ward, where Valerie lives. It’s become a tourist spectacle, with multiple daily bus tours. As she walked us through her house she came upon a two-person balcony and promptly said, “and this is where I watch the tourist.” Her light-hearted tone masked the discontent her eyes exposed.

I’m slowly settling in with the group of 12 that sought the same cultural immersion I did when I signed up for this UW of Milwaukee program. We all get along. I’m sleeping in a bed I grew out of when I turned 11. But the social hour and breakfast bar makes up for the child's bed. There’s a hot tub and pool in the backyard. I forgot my swim trucks but I do have underwear. There’s little difference after they’re wet.

I expect I'll have something to write about everyday and hope to update this blog accordingly so until then...