Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Why the New Orleans Convention Center?The Convention Center in New Orleans plays a special role in this trip. It connects the legacies of slavery very much to the present with the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. This tragic storm brought to light many inequalities that plague New Orleans. One legacy left behind from slavery is a lower socioeconomic class for African Americans. Many of those left without food, water, or shelter were African Americans, forced to take refuge at the Convention Center. Unfortunately, many nearly starved to death or died of dehydration because of ineffective aide from the government. Many of these African Americans were unable to evacuate the city prior to the storm because they lacked the money. Those who live paycheck to paycheck were unable to pick up their lives and pay the gas money needed to drive out of the state. The desolate poverty seen in the wake of Katrina, with thousands of refugees stranded, largely contrasts the lives of others, such as The Doctor from A.D. New Orleans After the Deluge who was able to quickly resume his normal life with minimal damage to his nice home in the French Quarter (Neufeld 1-208). The video below details the terrible conditions many faced after the hurricane. After having visited the Convention Center, you should gain a larger understanding about the inequalities that persist for many African Americans as a lingering result of slavery. Many face lower economic conditions or lower social conditions to this day.
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Address: 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 504-582-3000 Check the Convention Center's website prior to visiting to see what events are happening during that time! http://www.mccno.com/events/ Enjoy yourself at various events hosted at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, but also appreciate what is there now compared to the terrible destruction and devastation that was left behind after hurricane Katrina. |