Fear and Loathing in Algier’s Point

Algier’s Point has a history of racism.  It’s a small neighborhood and mostly white enclave located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in New Orleans.  It  started as the place in New Orleans where human beings were bought and sold.  The Slave Market was placed far across the river from the main part of the city that was filled with folks of mixed race, free people of color, and the many assorted European transplants that made it home.  Now it’s a quaint little neighborhood that has shown an ugly white face to the world.

You may remember hearing about the West Bank when the Sheriff of Gretna (another mostly white  working class enclave) stopped many folks from crossing the Crescent City Connection in attempt to wall off the west bank from those fleeing the flooded city.  There was a lawsuit that was recently dismissed and the event attracted attention from national media and civil rights leaders.  The West Bank and its after-Katrina aftermath is once more at the epicenter of controversy.  ‘The Nation’ broke a story last week that included this video-taped admissions from White vigilantes in Algiers Point.  You can  listen to them admit  to shooting Black men on sight for just being in the neighborhood during Katrina.

One transplant from Chicago brags in only the way the truly stupid can:

“It was great! Like pheasant season in South Dakota. If it moved, we shot it.” 

 (You can catch this jerk around the 5:40 mark).

Charges of racism have been bandied about this election so readily that I’ve frequently worried we’ll become immune to the real things when it happens.  This weekend, I actually heard on commentator say that it was racist to even think about running any one against New York Governor Patterson in an upcoming election.  Just about anyone who supported Hillary Clinton during the primary had the racist meme thrown at them.  I was tired of the entire subject, frankly.

Watch this video.  It’s the real deal and you’ll recognize it.  It’s incredibly appalling and I hope the MSM airs the most offensive parts because there is an incredible level of hatefulness here that signifies racism at its worse.  I know it when I see it.

Charges of racism have been bandied about this election at the drop of a hat to the point that I’ve worried the nation will become immune to the real thing when it happens.  This weekend, I actually heard one commentator say that it was racist to even think about running any one against New York Governor Patterson in upcoming elections.  Just about every one who supported Hillary Clinton in the primary had the racist meme thrown into their faces. Again, I worried about folks becoming numb to the real deal.

Watch this video.  My guess is even if you did support Hillary in the primary and you think it’s possible some one might want to run against Patterson because he could appoint Caroline instead of other pols that you’ll till recognize the real deal.  It’s completely appalling and I hope the MSM airs the most offensive parts because there’s an incredible level of racism there.  I know it when I see it.

NOTE:  you can read more about this and make comments at the website of  the New Orleans Times Picayune