A House in New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina

As I said in my last post I think that there are a few similarities between the city of Baltimore and the city of New Orleans. I thought this even before a recent phone call revealed to me that Baltimore has its own Bourbon Street. Okay, it’s not quite the same, but it is interesting to note. I was most struck by the similarities as I thought about the cultural, political, and social identities of these two impressive American cities.

Much like New Orleans, Baltimore has its own unique culture as demonstrated in the diversity of its communities from Bolton Hill to Charles Village to Little Italy to Marble Hill to the Original Northwood to Yale Heights. Those are the places that gave rise to important Baltimoreans of yesterday and today: Babe Ruth, Edgar Allen Poe, Thurgood Marshall, John Waters, Jada Pinkett Smith, Barry Levinson. Baltimore sits on the water and is known for its crabs, crab cakes, chicken boxes, Berger’s cookies, and half and halfs (the perfect blend of iced tea and lemonade). New Orleans sits on the water and is famous for its gumbo, beignets, pralines and its people: Louis Armstrong, Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., Ellen DeGeneres and The Mannings (Archie, Peyton, and Eli). Despite the damage that still exists in New Orleans, the strength of its people shines through as an example of why it’s easy to feel both shame and pride.

As the city looks to rebuild after the deadly storm it’s impossible to escape its past where like many urban cities there was crime, corruption, struggling schools, and a mixed bag of an economy. All issues which are familiar to us in this city. Yet like this city also waiting for its resurgence there’s a hope that one day the city will rise to meet just not expectations, but will also rise to face the challenges of its residents. The abandoned houses I rolled past in New Orleans were boarded up not because someone allowed them to go into disarray but instead because a storm battered them so badly people are still deciding whether those houses will be repaired. Now it’s up to the city’s leaders, its government, its people to lead the city to its new beginning. Having not been battered by a storm, Baltimore is waiting for its leaders and its people to truly make it “The Greatest City in America.”

New Orleans, a diverse city of blended cultures, magnificent history, a resilient people.

Baltimore, a city of different cultures, nuanced history and proud people.

The tale may be of two cities, yet the idea remains in my head: it’s such a small world.

Talk to me. Comment here or e-mail me at cenelson08 at gmail dot com.

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