Waxings and Wanings from “Moon” Landrieu, mayor of New Orleans between 1970 – 1978 and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Moon is the father of nine children including U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and Louisiana Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu.
How has the city come together?
Some ways well, and in many ways, not so well. The storm created racial divisions and reawakened certain racial divisions making it difficult for the city to pull together. People with financial resources have the wherewithal to renovate or rebuild their properties and in many ways, there may be an improvement in their post-Katrina condition. Many of those who have not had the resources have been unable to restore their properties. Thousands of volunteers and charitable organizations have been trying to help those individuals, but there is still so much left to do.
Looking back?
The beauty of New Orleans has always been its mixture of cultures starting out with the French, then an infusion of Spanish, Irish, Italians, and Germans. The city was never entirely French because of all the African Americans. Out of that mixture, grew an incredible city in terms of culture. Unfortunately, slavery and Jim Crow created by law blacks as an underclass and the economic and social effects of those systems linger today.
And, when Katrina hit?
It magnified the distances. Whites live on the better property, have more substantial homes, are able to evacuate more easily. African Americans being poorer with weaker houses and less ability to evacuate were for the most part, left to suffer in the city. This, of course, was portrayed to the world. The world witnessed a majority of African Americans at the Dome and Convention Center, while all areas were hurt, because the water knew no race, culture or creed.
Where does our work begin?
It is evident that a city cannot be divided 60/40 in terms of race and move forward in a very positive way without racial cooperation, racial trust, and racial confidence. Not a question of agreeing on every solution, but it certainly requires good faith on all parts. One need only look at the political accusations and divisions in the media to see that we are not as together as fully as we should be.
How do we come together?
It will come naturally, but unfortunately, without activism, it’s much too slow for a rebirth. It is going to take dialogue, conversation, and putting aside long-held prejudices. Much more can be done by the major churches, not in just their charity work, which they do well, but in fostering dialogue.
How is the city looking?
Some parts are looking good, except perhaps the streets. Schools are being rebuilt, the blighted housing is being removed, and public buildings restored. We will be a much smaller city that when we were at our peak in 1960 with 627,000. Our population will be between 350,000 and 400,000. This is not to say there won’t be growth thereafter, just not explosive growth. I think one of the very bright spots is the education system. An enormous amount of money is being spent to rebuild the system and it will be a different system.
And, your life’s prescription?
My father used to always say, “I want what I have.” That is the way I live my life.
