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As many of you know, New Orleans has been at the center of my research, teaching, and advocacy for the past four years. In this edition of the newsletter, I wanted to compile some of my public writings, media appearances, and lectures that best represent my New Orleans work.
You may also know that my partner, James Perry, is currently a candidate for mayor in New Orleans. We are less than 30 days from our primary on February 6. We need support and contributions from progressive people throughout this country who care about this amazing city.
Melissa |
New Orleans Writings
MHL:
The Princess Principles for New Orleans
THE NATION
 Disney's
The Princess and the Frog opened last week. It showcased Disney's
first African American princess, prompted significant merchandise
sales, and provoked racial and feminist criticism.
As the mother
of a 7-year-old daughter, I knew I'd have to see the film. I
went to the theater prepared to deconstruct troubling racial
images, which Disney has a history of producing, and distorted
notions of womanhood, which Disney makes its fortune creating.
But I was mostly delighted by the music, characters, and plot.
I found neither race nor gender the driving concerns of this
animated film.
I read The Princess and the Frog as a forceful and insightful
allegory about the restoration of New Orleans.
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MHL
and James Perry: Katrina Nation
HUFFINGTON POST
 It
has been four years since the levees surrounding New Orleans
gave way in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Four years since
the disaster destroyed nearly 100,000 units of housing, displaced
more than one million Gulf Coast residents, and crippled the
Mississippi Gulf Coast and Southeastern Louisiana. Four years
since Americans were abandoned on their rooftops and in shelters-of-
last-resort while the world watched in horror and disbelief.
We are all living in Katrina Nation now.
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MHL
and James Perry: Obama's Debt to New Orleans
THE NATION
 When
New Orleans flooded in August 2005, the Democratic Party was
a shambles, locked out of the White House, the Senate and the
House of Representatives. For nearly a decade the Democrats played
defense against a Republican onslaught initiated by Newt Gingrich's
Contract With America.
After September 11, Democrats had joined
with Republicans in giving President Bush unprecedented executive
authority, thereby helping to erode civil liberties at home and
authorize ill-advised aggression overseas.
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MHL and James Perry: New Orleans Still Waits for Change from Obama
THE GRIO
 Today
the city of New Orleans welcomes President Barack Obama. Although
some in the South are hostile to Obama and his agenda, the people
of New Orleans are ready to see their president. While other
Americans are brutally critical of the stimulus package, health
care reform efforts, and even the president's address to American
school children, the people of New Orleans understand the absolute
necessity of federal partnership, resources, and attention. New
Orleanians are ready to walk with the president along streets
in their neighborhood, to talk with him about the continuing
crisis of hospitals and to invite him into their classrooms.
No city is more ready to see the Obama administration deliver
on the electoral promise of change.
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Lectures
W.E.B. Du Bois Lectures
Harvard University March 31
Subjects or Citizens: Feeling Black in Post-Katrina America
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TV
The
Future of New Orleans
Morning Joe
MSNBC
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Katrina
Revisited
Bill Moyers
August 17, 2007
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New Orleans Edition -
About Melissa
Melissa Harris-Lacewell is Associate Professor of Politics and African American Studies at Princeton University. She is the author of the award-winning book, Barbershops,
Bibles, and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought. And she is currently at work on a new book: Sister
Citizen: A Text For Colored Girls Who've Considered Politics When Being Strong
Wasn't Enough.
Learn More...
Other
New Orleans Pieces
Q&A
with NOLA Fugees
Coverage
of First Course on Hurricane Katrina at Princeton
Daily
Kos Entries about James Perry Campaign
MHL
Monthly Archives
December
2009
Follow
Me On...
 
Contact
Melissa General Inquiries
info@melissaharrislacewell.com
Speaking Engagements and Public Appearances
Lynne Murphy, Media Relations Specialist
harrislacewellmedia@yahoo.com |
