An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward

by Caroline Gerdes

Overview

Steeped in musical influence, racial dynamics, and culinary significance, the Ninth Ward has distinguished itself as one of New Orleans’ most influential communities. Extensively researched and carefully recorded, this new oral record features unique interviews with generations of residents. Each source honestly evaluates discrimination, neighbors, poverty, and faith, delivering heartfelt and often harrowing insight into what it means to be from the Ninth Ward. Each chapter chronicles one of the metaphorical and actual storms the area has weathered and is seamlessly woven into a comprehensive record by people who know the Ninth Ward best.

A specialist in Ninth Ward history and a New Orleans native, Caroline Gerdes is a freelance journalist who frequently publishes in the Huffington Post and other national platforms. The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) and the New Orleans Times-Picayune have interviewed her as a regional oral historian, and she is also a Women’s Media Center SheSource expert. Gerdes received a grant from the National Geographic Society to preserve the history of the Ninth Ward through an oral history project, which she has now adapted into this book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781455622634
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	07/10/2017
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	236,973
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

A New Orleans native, Caroline Gerdes is a freelance journalist who has been published in the Huffington Post, Bustle.com, and HelloGiggles.com. She has contributed as an oral historian to the NASA Academy and is a Women's Media Center SheSource expert. Gerdes received a grant from the National Geographic Society to preserve the history of the Ninth Ward through an oral history project, which she has now adapted into this book. She lives outside of New Orleans with her husband.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Chapter 1 The Great American Gumbo Pot 15

Chapter 2 A Simpler Time 35

Chapter 3 Ninth Ward Food & Spirits 61

Chapter 4 Contributions to the New Orleans Sound 73

Chapter 5 Holidays in the Neighborhood 79

Chapter 6 The Ninth Ward Not-So-Nuclear Family 91

Chapter 7 The Show, the Corner Grocery, & the Roman Candy Man 101

Chapter 8 On the Edge 111

Chapter 9 Race's Pervasive Role in Ninth Ward History 119

Chapter 10 Eye of the Storm 135

Chapter 11 Do You Know What It Means … 159

Chapter 12 Folklore from the Nine 173

Conclusion: The Ninth Ward Looking Forward 181

Notes 185

Index 191