Levees Not War

Loyola panel discussion well attended, thought-provoking, encouraging

The moderator and panelists presented some very thoughtful and deeply felt responses to the question “What Is New Orleans” at Loyola’s Nunemaker Auditorium Wednesday night. In his introduction, the moderator, New Orleans novelist John Biguenet reminded the audience that in 2006 Republicans in Congress voted down a resolution that would have declared congressional commitment to rebuilding the Gulf Coast. (Biguenet blogged for the New York Times in 2005 and 2006 about the city’s recovery—check out his strong, clear-voiced pieces—and he is profiled in the Fall 2009 Louisiana Cultural Vistas.)

In order of interest, first would be Tulane geographer and demographics whiz Richard Campanella (who actually spoke last), author of the fascinating Bienville’s Dilemma: A Historical Geography of New Orleans. (Buy it. Read it. Then buy copies for your friends who are interested in the city’s history and future.) Campanella—originally from Brooklyn, it turns out—is a sort of geography + demographics geek who makes statistics interesting and brisk-paced so your eyes don’t glaze over. To wit: the city’s population, about 450,000 before Katrina, dropped to nearly zero in Sept. ’05, and is about 340,000 now. The population had risen to 200K on the first anniversary (2006), 300K on the 2nd, and 320K by the 3rd anniversary. From the 2nd anniversary to the present, the population has risen by only 40,000 souls.

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How Do You Define a City?

Anybody who is within driving, walking, or biking distance of Loyola University in New Orleans on Wednesday night should think positively about coming to the discussion titled “What Is New Orleans” to hear the thoughts of panelists Richard Campanella (author of Time and Place in New Orleans among other good books), Tulane history professor Larry Powell, and New York Times reporter and N.O. native Susan Saulny, who covered among other subjects the homeless living in tent cities under the Claiborne overpass and around City Hall. The discussion will be moderated by novelist and Loyola professor John Biguenet.

“What Is New Orleans” is hosted by the Center for the Study of New Orleans in Loyola’s College of Social Sciences. Call 504-865-3431 for more information.

The event is free, open to the public.

7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 21

Nunemaker Auditorium (Monroe Hall), Loyola University

6363 St. Charles Avenue

We’ll be there—hope to see you!