NEW ORLEANS’ BLOOD RED RIVER

I first read about the signing of Lalita Tademy’s new book, “Red River” a couple of weeks ago. I marked it on my calendar of something of interest to attend. The novel begins with the horrifying account of the 1873 massacre in Colfax, Louisiana. On April 13, 1873, blacks gathered in defense of local Republicans and their own citizenships. White Supremacists were determined that the voting rights for former slaves would not be honored. The recent 14th and 15th amendments granted citizenships to blacks and prevented states from denying the right to vote based on race. The White League was formed, a “shadow” government with their own army, hell-bent on securing white rule in Louisiana. When the day was over, over hundred blacks were killed. Of those murdered, nearly half were slaughtered after they had already surrendered. Three men from The White League died. In the aftermath, the federal government convicted only three whites. However, they were freed when the U.S. Supreme Court declared they had been convicted unconstitutionally. Tamedy details her family’s fascinating history in this fictionalized account of her ancestor’s survival of 1873 riot. She will be discussing and signing her book, this Wednesday, 6PM, at the independent bookstore
Octavia Books located at 513 Octavia at the corner of Laurel.

Unfortunately, this book only seems to coincide with the current theme playing in New Orleans: senseless killings. The recent murders of Dinerral Shavers and Helen Hill have confirmed the fundamental lack of leadership and protection that presently plagues this city. I won’t go into the details of their murder, it has been gone over before. However, what I will note is Shaver’s involvement in the Hot 8 Brass Band. A drummer and music teacher, people who knew Shaver spoke of his dedication, generosity and enthusiastic spirit. Hill was a filmmaker, wife, mother and owner of a pet pig. Hill and her husband were both active in the community assisting others that were less fortunate than themselves. Ask anyone in the city and they will probably tell you the same thing.

Above Hill’s obituary in Sunday’s paper was the obituary of nineteen-year old Corey Hayes. He was found dead with several gunshot wounds to his head and body on the 2300 block of Fourth Street in Central City. I can’t tell you what Hayes’ interests were. I can’t tell you the names of his pets. I don’t know what type of music he liked. Hayes only noted distinction was being awarded the dubious honor of being the first person murdered in New Orleans in 2007.

In July 2006, the slaying of five teenagers in New Orleans set off mass hysteria, not only in the city, but around the world. But I bet, if pressed, that 98% of New Orleanians could not tell you the name of the victims involved, nor could they tell you anything distinctive about them. They were a body count, a MASSIVE body count. I googled the incident and found various reports on AP, CBS, USA Today, ABC, and various other media outlets, but not once were the victims’ names ever mentioned. It was “three brothers and a friend.” “Five People Killed” “Five Teenagers Murdered.” They had their sex & ages listed and little else.

A recent study done by the Department of Psychology at St. Joseph’s University focused on how newspaper coverage reduced empathy and engendered blame for victims. This study focused primarily on female victims, but their findings are relevant to the way the media covers murders. The study discovered that empathy for the victim was increased by both inclusion of personal information and referring to the victim by name. Victim blame was also reduced by the inclusion of personal information.

What would happen if the media actually took the time to know the victims. Would it take that much to include a story, antidotes or details from their loved ones? This is important because it allows you to identify with them. It forces you to stop and see yourself in another human being. It reminds you of the sacrosanctity of the soul.
Ask the media for more details, push for more knowledge. Force the media to humanize victims, not stereotype them.

It is without a doubt that Hill and Shaver were exceptional people and the city will be less brighter without them. And it is a shame that it took their murders to jolt the city out of their mode of learned helplessness. But if it helps the citizens of New Orleans advocate change, their deaths won’t be in vain.

John Webster once wrote, “Other sins only speak; murder shrieks out.”

I hope from these tragedies, that New Orleans can shriek out and let their voices be heard. One way is at the Enough! Stop the Violence Rally, Thursday, January 11th.
11AM: Meet at the foot of Canal Street.
11:30: March begins
Noon: Rally at City Hall.
I encourage as many people as possible who can go to attend.

Hopefully, Tademy’s personalized account of the massacre of 1873 will make people take a note from history and learn from it. To quote the Greek historian, Dionysius “History is philosophy teaching by examples.”

Let's not only learn from these tragic losses but work toward change, so that history will not repeat itself.

To Nagin, Riley and other local leaders:


And to the families of Helen Hill & Dinerral Shavers

Success
To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived – that is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in the name of Helen Hill to Doctors without Borders
Doctors Without Borders
Helen Addison Wingard Scholarship Fund at Columbia College,

To specifically donate money for Dinerral Shaver's family. New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund

You can read about Corey David Hayes and sign his guest book at
Legacy