Me gustó la historia y quedé sorprendida del uso de la Ley en ese Estado, no conozco la Constitución ni del país , ni del Estado para afirmar que hay inconstitucionalidad en esa sanción. Pero tengo la impresión que introducir parte de ese libro del Blackjack fue tan inapropiado como la sanción. Me sentí manipulada a conocer si te el libro de Blackjack, como quizás se sintió la persona obligada a asistir a l iglesia. Un verdadero viaje al pasado, obligar a alguien a asistir a la iglesia. Repito no conozco bien la cultura que exponen en este texto, pero me pareció retrogado.
I started my career in rural Arkansas just a few stone throws up the road from Louisiana, and I distinctly remember walking into my classroom to get it set up and finding two plaques sitting on my desk: one proclaiming "In God We Trust" and the other Ten Commandments.
They were donations to all the classrooms in the school that were "encouraged" to be posted prominently.
I shoved them in the deepest drawer I could find and prayed that no one would ask about them. And they never did.
In my view, Ernest J. Gaines is one of the best ever novelists about Louisiana. In particular, I would recommend “A Gathering of Old Men” and “Lessons Before Dying.” I lived and worked in Louisiana from 1993 to 2006, and I picked my first death penalty jury in Lake Charles in 1995. Everything you say rings entirely true to me. Sadly, the pendulum seems to be swinging there in an ever more dangerous direction once again.
I lived in Baton Rouge for 2 years in the 80s. My husband taught English at LSU. I made him leave before his contract was up to move back to Chicago. I don’t even like going to New Orleans. Learned about Huey Long and was called a Yankee for the only time in my life. Also visited a plantation where the old way of life was loved; they wanted to go back to the good times.
Lucinda Williams has some beautiful songs about Louisiana and her memoir is beautiful also.
TBF RE courts and signage -- had an analogous experience in Chicago. My car was towed and I was fined, because a large diamond-shaped road warning sign was covering up the small parking hours sign. I took and printed many pictures to court -- didn't matter. Chicago justice ... 'judge' appeared to be a retired Democratic hack
“Bayou Farewell”, by MIke Tidwell, a beautiful and sad book about the disappearance of Louisiana's bayou country, and with it, the way of life of the people who live there.
“ Lords of misrule : Mardi Gras and the politics of race in New Orleans”, by James Gill
“The Ritz of the Bayou”, by Nancy Lemann, which the cover describes as “the New Orleans adventures of a young novelist covering the trials of the Governor of Louisiana, with digressions on smoldering nightclubs, jazz-crazed bars, and other aspects of life in the tropic zone.”
“ The world that made New Orleans : from Spanish silver to Congo Square”, by Ned Sublette
“ War of the Pews: A Personal Account of St. Augustine Church in New Orleans”, by Jerome Ledoux (priest at that church)
“One Dead in Attic”, by Chris Rose (about Katrina)
Your account explains a great deal, John. I have little to no experience with Louisiana, but your story certainly doesn't make a person want to go there. I refer any questions to Confederacy of Dunces. Thank you for mentioning it.
Your newsletter is an important part of my Sunday (weekly) reading. You have, in your own succinct way, nailed the "state" of Louisiana. My contribution for a book would be The Yellow House by Sarah Broom. Based on the effects of Katrina but so much more in the telling of her family's story. And I love Lucinda Williams!!
Me gustó la historia y quedé sorprendida del uso de la Ley en ese Estado, no conozco la Constitución ni del país , ni del Estado para afirmar que hay inconstitucionalidad en esa sanción. Pero tengo la impresión que introducir parte de ese libro del Blackjack fue tan inapropiado como la sanción. Me sentí manipulada a conocer si te el libro de Blackjack, como quizás se sintió la persona obligada a asistir a l iglesia. Un verdadero viaje al pasado, obligar a alguien a asistir a la iglesia. Repito no conozco bien la cultura que exponen en este texto, pero me pareció retrogado.
Amazing
Love this post... everything about it. You are a genius!
Fantastic post, particularly its final line.
I started my career in rural Arkansas just a few stone throws up the road from Louisiana, and I distinctly remember walking into my classroom to get it set up and finding two plaques sitting on my desk: one proclaiming "In God We Trust" and the other Ten Commandments.
They were donations to all the classrooms in the school that were "encouraged" to be posted prominently.
I shoved them in the deepest drawer I could find and prayed that no one would ask about them. And they never did.
But I guess they will now?
In my view, Ernest J. Gaines is one of the best ever novelists about Louisiana. In particular, I would recommend “A Gathering of Old Men” and “Lessons Before Dying.” I lived and worked in Louisiana from 1993 to 2006, and I picked my first death penalty jury in Lake Charles in 1995. Everything you say rings entirely true to me. Sadly, the pendulum seems to be swinging there in an ever more dangerous direction once again.
I lived in Baton Rouge for 2 years in the 80s. My husband taught English at LSU. I made him leave before his contract was up to move back to Chicago. I don’t even like going to New Orleans. Learned about Huey Long and was called a Yankee for the only time in my life. Also visited a plantation where the old way of life was loved; they wanted to go back to the good times.
Lucinda Williams has some beautiful songs about Louisiana and her memoir is beautiful also.
Awesome account!
This is so crazy! What a story. I love that it ended with the judge’s impeachment, lol.
I’ve only ever lived/taught in the West, but have always wanted to go teach high school in Louisiana just to see what it’s like.
What a fantastic story! Thank you for sharing it!
TBF RE courts and signage -- had an analogous experience in Chicago. My car was towed and I was fined, because a large diamond-shaped road warning sign was covering up the small parking hours sign. I took and printed many pictures to court -- didn't matter. Chicago justice ... 'judge' appeared to be a retired Democratic hack
<3
Here are a few Louisiana books I recommend:
“Bayou Farewell”, by MIke Tidwell, a beautiful and sad book about the disappearance of Louisiana's bayou country, and with it, the way of life of the people who live there.
“ Lords of misrule : Mardi Gras and the politics of race in New Orleans”, by James Gill
“The Ritz of the Bayou”, by Nancy Lemann, which the cover describes as “the New Orleans adventures of a young novelist covering the trials of the Governor of Louisiana, with digressions on smoldering nightclubs, jazz-crazed bars, and other aspects of life in the tropic zone.”
“ The world that made New Orleans : from Spanish silver to Congo Square”, by Ned Sublette
“ War of the Pews: A Personal Account of St. Augustine Church in New Orleans”, by Jerome Ledoux (priest at that church)
“One Dead in Attic”, by Chris Rose (about Katrina)
What an amazing story! Seems like good experiences for a writer, anyway.
Your account explains a great deal, John. I have little to no experience with Louisiana, but your story certainly doesn't make a person want to go there. I refer any questions to Confederacy of Dunces. Thank you for mentioning it.
This post!
Your newsletter is an important part of my Sunday (weekly) reading. You have, in your own succinct way, nailed the "state" of Louisiana. My contribution for a book would be The Yellow House by Sarah Broom. Based on the effects of Katrina but so much more in the telling of her family's story. And I love Lucinda Williams!!