New Orleans, history, culture and geography.

New Orleans is remembered by people all over the world by the catastrophic event occurred in August 29, 2005. This is the day that Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States. Hurricane Katrina was registered as a category 3 with winds of 125 mph, with a death toll of 1,325 and some that will never be accounted for. Hurricane Katrina destroy 80% of New Orleans city as the levee breach failed and New Orleans city was flooded.New Orleans is referred as an Oasis of civilization in a hostile swamp. New Orleans remains to be a unique multicultural city. Its heritage can be trace back thousands of years ago when the Natives Americans had settle along the river banks. The Native Americans created a portage between the headwaters of Bayou St. John and the Mississippi River. The Bayou flowed into Lake Pontchartrain creating on important trade route.New Orleans, Louisiana is a mix of French, Spanish control, and back again to the French ruling before it became part of the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. And lets’ not forget the African slaves that added the extra spice to a unique civilization. New Orleans originated in 1718 when Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville established New Orleans as the capital of Louisiana. The perfect location gave French colony the control of the American wealth, since it became one of the busiest and most important ports by the 1967.However, French ruling it did not last, by 1763 Spanish ruling was introduce to New Orleans under the Treaty of Paris, which lasted until 1980. Spanish ruling was over and it was returned to French ruling once again.This is how a unique multicultural and multilingual heritage was born. The city began to flourish with the influence of Americans, French, Creoles, Irish, Germans and Africans. By the 18th century New Orleans was rich in architectural style. Citizens of New Orleans begun to show their roots as they were able to build shot gun,, bungalow style houses, Creole townhouses, Creole cottages.New Orleans city was growing rapidly as people began to migrate and settle in New Orleans. By the 1809, 2,731 whites, 3,102 free persons of African descent, 3,226 enslaved refugees had double French speaking population. Along with the people that migrated to New Orleans were Haitians refugees and white men who brought slaves with them. The slaves were primarily use for labor and the cultivation of sugar and cotton in the large plantation located outside the city.New Orleans was the first city that had free black men often well educated and middle class property owners. Even dough the city seem to be a perfect place for free black men, the port had a major role in the Atlantic slave trade. The port was able to connect the exterior with the interior for trade purposes, a s the goods were transported in small vessels and distributed throughout the length of the Mississippi River.By the 1940s New Orleans was one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, but it was also one of the largest cities in slave trade market. New Orleans economy was base on maritime trade and the income that slaves provided as they were brought in by force and sold to a white demanding market.New Orleans prosperity and wealth took a plunge after the Civil War and the Reconstruction period 1865-1877. New Orleans became one of the poorest cities in the South. When this happened blacks that were able to afford homes in French Quarter were push back to Treme neighborhoods, Sixth Ward, and areas that were adjacent to the French Quarter. However, the Sixth Ward became crowded, many moved to the Seventh Ward , next to the sixth making a natural creation of black communities. Black communities were growing and the need for better facilities and infrastructure to alleviate the degrading conditions black communities suffered. Living conditions were not the only issue black communities had to encounter. In addition they had segregation among white and blacks was clearly visible. The fear of black authority over white supremacy, created a world of inhumane acts as lynches of black men began, racial discrimination was a daily struggle among black and whites.White citizens did not want to share bathrooms, churches, schools, or transportation. Everything was label white only or black only. This idea was enforce when the Jim Crow laws was establish during 1877 -1960. This period can be known as the WHITE SUPREMACY ERA. Whites had the idea that they were better than the black race. The struggle for equal treatment and equality finally was seen when Brown vs. Board of Education laid the foundation for human rights regardless of the color. In 1954 racial segregation was clearly stated that it violated the 14 amendment to the U. S Constitution, which guarantees all citizens equal protection of the laws. And this is how New Orleans historical struggle to maintain its roots and multicultural heritage began.What makes New Orleans, Louisiana a unique culture its not that is located in the South, instead it can be best describe as a Caribbean city. New Orleans culture originates from Native Americans, French ruling, Spanish ruling, and African slaves that were introduce in the 18th century. New Orleans City has a unique dialect, let’s not forget that American English with significant variations is the primary language. French is not commonly use. However, Spanish is commonly heard in New Orleans. This is the result of the 1990 Free trade Agreement, this act involve Cuba, Honduras and Venezuela. But, before they arrive there was a small community of of Spaniarads from the Canarian Island who had settle near the Bayou Manchac and the Amite River in 1778.Cajun French and Vietnamese are also heard in the city; Cajun speakers came into the southeast Louisiana between 1970s and 1980s when the great oil boom. The distinctive accent is what makes New Orleans a new cultural place. Example for its unique accent is "Where ya from?Besides the language we have New Orleans music and food. Its music is a mix of European, Latin America and African American rhythm. Jazz, rock and roll and blues along with the brass band use for funeral was the result of a mix culture. The Treme neighborhood is the perfect example of jazz music that escapes from the sidewalks, when they played at a funeral. If you wanted to hear the real down-home bluesmen, such as "Polka Dot Slim", "Harmonica" Al, Boogie" Bill Webb or "Tuts" Washington, a venture into the 9th Ward nightlife was in order (New Orleans pg 113).Food is an international creation because by now we know that French, Spanish, Italian, African, Cajun, Native American, and Cuban tradition created the world best Louisiana flavor. Gumbo, jambalaya, French doughnuts, crawfish, red beans and rice, and the menu continue. New Orleans is not only about the tragedy or the segregation that African slaves and American blacks suffered. New Orleans is the city that gave birth to a multicultural city that remains a unique place with its traditional Mardi Gras, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.New Orleans geographical location can be best described as a place surrounded by water. The city is located at the mouth of the Mississippi River delta below the sea level, on the east Lake Borgne and west bank and south of the Lake Pontchartrain. This location created a major flooding problem. The people that occupied the New Orleans back swamp were the poor black and the rich not by surprise move into the highest and best land. The poor black communities were protected by the natural levee, where drainage was bad, mosquito endemic, cheap materials were use for housing and streets maintenance was bad.
The annual temperature is recorded as 68.1 degrees Fahrenheit, and its precipitation is recorded at 61.8. Its proximity to Mississippi River creates coastal and bay areas with ridges and hollows.

What went wrong in Hurricane Katrina that led to 80 percent of the city under water and over 180,000 homes destroyed, health care delivery systems gone, schools, businesses, jobs and a way of life wipe out in hours. This was the result of government neglecting the catastrophic event that was predicte by scientists, meteorologist, and journalist. Furthermore, Bush administration, local, state, or the federal government were not ready to respond to its challenge that was told for years. What did happen was that the poor minorities were left behind, that transportation for them was not available to evacuate in time. The elderly and the ill could not move without transportation. Once again the government fails to provide protection to the most vulnerable citizens in time on need.
Katrina was a natural event that only helps to reinforce that poverty, inequality, and social isolation, and racism that black citizens encounter in their daily routine.