Living in a Black neighborhood in New Orleans

(This was written by a white friend who teaches in New Orleans)

I live here because I can't afford the rents in the white or mixed neighborhood. Since 80% of the housing in NOLA flooded after Hurricane Katrina, the rents rose dramatically and still have not come down. When I first moved back to NOLA in April 2006, I rented a 750 square foot apartment in a mixed neighborhood for $1,000 a month. I really couldn't afford the rent when I changed jobs, so last December I moved to my current apartment in the Black neighborhood. It is 1,100 square feet for $750.00. I am sure that my rent will rise when I renew my lease in December because property insurance has doubled and tripled, and my landlords will have to ask for more rent.

About three weeks ago I returned from church on Sunday to find over 200 people on my block. There were street vendors grilling hamburgers and sausages, neighbors were barbequeing chicken on their front porches, people were milling around. I never did find out the reason for the party--something to do with a woman's club that my neighbor belongs to. At one point there was a brass band coming down the street and a second-line parade. A second-line parade is a New Orleans thing. Usually they accompany a funeral procession. People follow the brass band, waving handkerchiefs while they dance to the music of the band. Second-line parades are closely watched by the police (there is a potential for violence with so many people participating) and the organizers have to get a parade permit and pay a fee. This was a peaceful block party.

Violence in New Orleans is worse than usual. There have been murders in my neighborhood. Usually the victim is gunned down over drugs. Yesterday morning, I witnessed the police arresting my neighbor, a young Black man.... there were four police cars. This was no ordinary traffic violation! I asked his mother what was going on. She said that her son was arrested for driving 60 mph down a thoroughfare. But then she said that the car was impounded and her son\'s girlfriend arrested as well! To me it sounds as though the police found drugs in the car. At any rate, friends and family visited my neighbor all afternoon and evening, until midnight. It seemded like a wake. I like her son very much; he is pleasant and has a dog. I hope that he is not mixed up with drugs.