I fortunately and unfortunately no longer reside in the
Promised Land. When I was younger I considered people like my Aunt Joan and my
Nanny traitors for having “grown up” in Louisiana and somehow I have found
myself a hypocrite residing in Denver, no cajun accent. Most people do not even
know that the place of my upbringing exists. “South of New Orleans?” they ask,
“ that’s a place?” Well it is a place; I am I from there. Houma, Louisiana. I
might as well be a mermaid. As I watch yet another Katrina unfold although this
time from a distance I feel a bit helpless so here is my quick tribute and observation on the truths to be revealed in this tragedy.
I love most things about Louisiana. Don’t get me wrong; the
state is literally a hot, humid mess lacking all things that matter on paper
like good government, good education, good economics and on and on. I often
tell people that my favorite state in the union is Mississippi because it is
the only state that scores lower on these things than Louisiana.
So what did we do when we fell short on the characteristics
that would attract industry and make us “popular”? We focused shared culture, cajun
spirit, faith and community. To live in south Louisiana is to perpetually
celebrate all of the microcosms that hold us together. Almost every person that
lives in Cajun country loves LSU football, Saints football, water sports, seafood,
fried food and well all food. Let’s also not forget Mardi Gras and alcohol. South
Louisiana is made up of the descendants of a people who were kicked out of
Acadiana. They then decided to settle one of the most unlivable places in the
United States and somehow made it awesome. We have always been underdogs; the
metaphorical news media has never wanted to cover us. We are ALWAYS rebuilding
and we are ALWAYS resilient.
See, humanity was made to fight a noble cause. We tend to be
at our best when we are fighting for the good and tend to fall into our worst
when we lack something for which to fight. It is true that Alexander the Great
fell into depression after his last conquest because he had no other kingdoms to
defeat. The great Rome imploded due to its own debauchery when it too,
completed conquering the known world. As we find this country richer and safer
than ever, we too are beginning to implode on licentiousness and silly
sentimental arguments between ourselves. Humanity does not change. We are
brilliant and yet we are broken and so we need something to inspire us to our
brilliance or else we will sink into our brokenness.
What I have seen from afar this week is yet another
testament to this truth. All over my Facebook feed, southerners are posting
only supporting words, prayers or help for those who have experienced loss. Despite
lack of national attention, locals are working tirelessly to help those
affected by the storm. When we are drawn outside of our own affairs, and
ourselves we are suddenly reminded of what is important and again find purpose.
We do not need a storm or a war to have a noble cause for
which we can fight. Despite the comfort in which we sit, whether we acknowledge
it or not there is much to fight for as we too follow Rome becoming the cause
of our own defeat. We need to fight for our young men who have been emasculated
by the slow destruction of masculinity and the unprecedented fatherlessness in
our nation. Growing right before our eyes is the number of men who would rather
play video games and watch pornography than hold a steady job, get married or start
a family. We need to fight for our families as our national birthrate is at an
all time low and few care because children inhibit lifestyle. We will pick
between two of the worst candidates in history in November. I can go on and one
siting race relations and economics and poverty but you can hit up FOX or CNN
for a deeper depression. These issues that surround us today have arisen
because we do not see and do not fight the invisible battle within and without
ourselves. We have forgotten the greatest commandment “ Love God and THEN Love
Neighbor and THEN Self” This alone is a noble cause for which we can fight, a
battle that if we win will restore, rebuild our society. If we chose to go
against our own selfishness, character and virtue could again reign.
To my friends and family in Louisiana, I wish I were with
you. I am so proud of the fighting spirit that many of you possess. As you
rebuild your homes and our culture, please fight for what is true, good and
beautiful. Let humble submission to God and neighbor be the law of the land and
let the devil be our fight. Maybe this will spread across the nation from the
Louisiana underdogs who are ALWAYS rebuilding and ALWAYS resilient.
#PrayforLouisiana #GEAUXTIGERS #Blackandgoldsuperbowl?
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