CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS
I am not a passionate advocate of tearing down Confederate statues, though I understand all the sensitivities that one can feel on this subject. I am a passionate advocate of civil rights however, and I would like to propose that if the statue of Robert E. Lee is to be taken down (and I’m not considering that this is yet a fait accompli), I think it’s really important that something really special be erected in its place. What I’d like to propose is that Lee Circle should be named Plessy Circle, and that the statue of Lee should be replaced by one of Homer Plessy, a man who’s not only a historically significant New Orleanian, but someone who can fairly be considered a founding father of the modern civil rights struggle, and a man who has never really been accorded the respect that he deserves, either in New Orleans or anywhere else for that matter.
I think the Beauregard statue also needs a suitable replacement. In keeping with the equestrian motif, I’d suggest it be replaced by a statue of either Calvin Borel or Eddie Delahoussaye atop one of their legendary steeds, racing in the direction of the Fairgrounds. Then again, if we should need more memorials to African Americans (which I think we need), I think a skillfully executed memorial to Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman or Sojourner Truth would do just fine in this location.
As for the statues of Jefferson Davis, and that White League abomination, I think these guys could disappear in the dark of night, and really never be missed.
—Pete Simoneaux, Langdon, New Hampshire
CYRIL’S POEM
I would like to thank Cyril Neville for his Christmas poetry, “The Night Before Funkmas.”
You can read it and you can see yourself there.
I also love the song Cyril wrote years ago on the Neville Brothers CD Brother’s Keeper called “Jah Love.”
I got to meet Cyril and his son Omar at the Crabfest in Lacombe. After I got my picture made with them they signed my Neville Brothers book. They are so nice and I hope to see them again.
—Ella L. Bourgeois, Folsom, Louisiana
BE THE CULTURE
I truly enjoyed Laura DeFazio’s story on Jonathan Freilich. I love the way he thinks about our New Orleans culture. I just want to say that we should not just go see the culture, we should be the culture.
—Annie Lousteau, New Orleans, Louisiana
TOME LIKE
Quite a well-deserved salute, nearly tome-like, to a quintessential New Awlinz’ band [The Radiators, January 2016].
—Rosie Rosato, New Orleans, Louisiana
FISH HEAD FOREVER
My old friend of 40-plus years, Jay Mazza, turned me on to a live tape of the Radiators in 1985. We in turn went to the original Lone Star Café in New York City and caught three amazing sets! Eye opening to say the least, 30 years later and countless shows. A Fish Head then, now, and forever! Thank you!
—Michael Fisher, Aberdeen, New Jersey
EPIC NIGHTS
There will never be another band quite like the Rads. We all have our tales of epic nights, shows that we wished would never end, seeing familiar faces from all over the country, all convening for one reason: to leave the mad world outside and shake it loose with the Radiators. Too stupid to stop, indeed!
—Jim Tomasino, Long Beach, New York
WHERE’S REGGIE?
Why isn’t Reggie [Scanlan] on the cover?
—Dennison Wolfe, Ithaca, New York
Reggie Scanlan had a medical emergency on the day we did the OffBeat cover shoot and was not able to be included on our cover. His photo and thoughts are included in the piece. We regret this, but Reggie’s health is more important.
—Ed
TOUSSAINT
A great article on Allen Toussaint. At French Quarter Fest I couldn’t get near him for the crowds, but certainly enjoyed it.
—James Loeffler, Worthington, Ohio
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