by Ann Herren, 7/18/18

About a year and a half ago, my daughter and I sat on our dining room floor and made signs. Then we gathered our signs, went downtown, and walked in the Women’s March. For me, it wasn’t a protest – politics aside– it was about my daughter. In my mind, we were all of us marching for her.

The dozens of friends we marched with and saw, and the thousands of people who carried us along in their unique and marvelous New Orleans aura, they were all for her.  I wanted to gift her the heady feeling of empowerment, emboldenment, and the community of strangers. I wanted her to know, as well, that she has to advocate for her own rights. And more importantly, she has to advocate for those that do not have a voice.

When I was her age, there was one commercial I remember above all others. A Native American, in full tribal gear, stood looking silently at the television viewer as a tear ran down his cheek. It was so powerful. It was my moment of realization that our planet is a fragile thing that needs our care. And that we need to advocate for it.

Today, hopefully each of our kids understands this. They know about single-use plastics. K-cups and straws. They know about global warming. That we are the stewards of our planet.

Granted, it’s a heavy weight for our kids. But I think they are up to it– haven’t  you seen them? They are inventing ways to clean the oceans, to create clean power, to feed those less fortunate. Maybe they have something to teach us about compassion and responsibility.

In New Orleans we live more. We just do. We hold nothing back. We know things; the dark places a city can go, and how people, each of us, can save a city’s soul.  New Orleans has a singular spirit that no other city can touch. We celebrate with never-ending festivals and jazz funerals. We throw coconuts, cabbages, and moon pies at strangers, our cops dance in the streets with us.  

Our kids are made of that magic stuff.

In each upcoming issue of nola family, we want to share what’s happening in our world, and what we can do to help. Our kids are our future, and their magic and advocacy for our planet is what we need.

And I’m happy to sit on my dining room floor and make a sign for them!