The Soul of America

I've heard this phrase used more than once when watching NBA All-Star stuff this weekend. I like it.

New Orleans is the Soul of America.

More from Henry Abbott:

Kenny Smith deserves a lot of credit for his extensive Katrina recovery work -- especially as he is not even from this area. And he made a sharp analogy. In neighborhoods like LeFrak City in Queens, where Smith grew up, when you dial 911 the authorities don't respond nearly as quickly as they do to, say, Park Avenue. He says that New Orleans has dialed 911, and the authorities are being slow to respond -- so it's on all of us to be part of the response.

Video from NBA Legends helping out in New Orleans East:

Talking to Tyrus Thomas, from Red Stick:

I went to see him today at a small charity event he hosted at a bowling alley in New Orleans. He's from nearby Baton Rouge -- where he was on the day of Katrina struck, and has been involved in helping displaced New Orleanians get settled.

Bowling alleys I have seen in the north tend to be somewhat spare, and kind of businesslike. Here in Louisana? There are Christmas lights all over the ceiling, jambalaya over the flame, and big band jazz on the PA. Today there were all kinds of goodies for attendees, including basketballs, trading cards, all-star programs, and PS2 games. There were even little Christmas trees with basketballs hanging on them all over the place. And if that still didn't put you in a good mood, there was a big ol' bar serving mixed drinks.

It was intricate. It was fancy. It was friendly. It was loud. It was New Orleans.

And finally, while talking with Tyrus, Henry Abbott shows he really, truly gets it:

This is my first time in Louisiana, and I finally get how different it is from other parts of the United States. The people, the food, the music -- everything here is so rich.

I got off the plane yesterday, and it just felt so good to be home. I LOVE it. I don't think you can find a better place, honestly. These people are just so friendly. The crime rate is high, and the economy is not great, but the people are so good.

Seeing how people interact here, I bet Chicago can seem awfully cold.

I get a little frustrated sometimes. Here, if you speak to someone, and they don't speak back to you, it's almost like disrespect. Sometimes when I talk to strangers in other places they look at me like I'm doing something strange. That's hard to comprehend, the way I was raised.

And people wonder why I live here, and work there.

If we could just get Americans to come down and see what Henry saw, experience what he did, there would be no question about rebuilding. None whatsoever.

At least, if the people that come down have a soul.

Comments

[liprap]

From Henry Abbott's liveblogging of the All-Star game:

"Holy cow this Rebirth Brass Band is something. How can you not dance?"

C'mon back anytime, Henry. You get it, man.

[HK]

i missed the game b/c I'm not a basketball fan, but now I'm regretting seeing all the NO music.
It looks like it is being rebroadcast tonight (MON) on cox channel 325 (?). I didn't even know the channel exists, but it appears I get it.
Just FYI in case anyone else is looking to see the video.
I wasn't able to find any of the video on youtube or on the TNT websites this morning.
-HK

[Village of the Dammed]

I heard C.Ray screwed up a deal offered to the City in bringing back Midnight Basketball. Michael Jordon made the offer and Nagin messed it up.

[rickngentilly]

dude walker's cochon po-boy just got voted as one of the best sammichs in america by esquire mag.

whooo-whoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am so happy for those guys. they were one of the first places to eat that reopened near my house after katrina.

if you are ever in the hood take a ride down hayne and get you some cochon.

mothers' ferdi also made the cut.

dat big mon is da soul of america.

"Cochon de Lait Po’Boy

Walker’s Bar-B-Que, New Orleans

For years, this sandwich -- twelve-hour-hickory-roasted suckling pig, topped with creamy Cajun mustard slaw -- was available only at Jazz Fest. Now there’s a shop, where the cult of the cochon can worship year-round. But you can still get it at Jazz Fest. (10828 Hayne Boulevard; 504-241-8227)"