On June 12, 2019, the Mayor of New Orleans was proud to announce an award of $12.5 million dollars in FEMA funding that was made available to elevate 52 “historic” homes that have experienced severe flood damage. BUT this celebratory moment proved to be a slap in the face of the Black working class residents of Gordon Plaza, who occupy 54 homes that were built on the toxic soil of a Superfund site (the former Agriculture Street Landfill), and rightly deserve a fully funded relocation.
How is it that the 52 “historic” homes (primarily the property of rich folk or potential tourist attractions) were prioritized over the need for a fully funded relocation of Black working class people that live on dangerously toxic soil?
Just last month, ANOTHER report came out declaring that Gordon Plaza, as a New Orleans neighborhood in the Upper 9th Ward, is within the census tract.
According to the Louisiana Tumor Registry report, Gordon Plaza is found to have the second-highest consistent rate of cancer among all Louisiana census tracts in the entire state.
YET and STILL, the entire city council of New Orleans is silent on this issue.
YET and STILL, the newest mayor, in a line of mayors who “seemed” to care about Gordon Plaza, during election season, is SILENT on this issue.
When will the city of New Orleans really demonstrate an action oriented, resourced investment in Black working class people, with Black working class involvement and community accountability? We cannot wait for that answer!
Collectively, we must demand change! We must organize for what we want! We must organize for what we need! How we gonna make New Orleans rise?
Educate! Agitate! Organize!