Author: mzcakez

Black-Owned Restaurants in New Orleans
African American, Culture, Food, New Orleans, Restaurant, reviews

Black-Owned Restaurants in New Orleans

There’s not one city in America, I would say the world, but there’s no place other than New Orleans that … Continue reading Black-Owned Restaurants in New Orleans

Hurricanes, African Slave Trade, and angry spirits??? My thoughts.
Non-fiction, Uncategorized, weather, Writing

Hurricanes, African Slave Trade, and angry spirits??? My thoughts.

There are African-American folktales about Hurricanes being the energy source of our ancestors; stolen Africans, beaten and lost at sea. Can Hurricanes be a mythical avenger that comes to right the wrongs of our ancestors? Souls of the sea, who unleash their wrath annually unto their oppressors?
Is there a connection between the Atlantic Slave Trade Routes and the path taken by hurricanes? If so, what about those who did not die while en route but made it to live out their lives as slaves? What vengeance do they get? Continue reading Hurricanes, African Slave Trade, and angry spirits??? My thoughts.

African American, Black History, History, New Orleans, Women, Writing

Women in New Orleans History: Honoring the life of Hattie McCray

“Defending Her Honor.” Defending her honor, Protecting her name, She fell, bullet wounded— Thank God but not in Shame! She fell warding off A beastly attack, A sterling young woman, Even though she was black. Defending her honor, Protecting her name, She fought for her virtue, And died for the same.85 Written by Ivy Lenoir Continue reading Women in New Orleans History: Honoring the life of Hattie McCray

NOLA Street Bucket Drummer: Beats OF A NOLA Girl
Culture, Memoir, Music, New Orleans, Youth

NOLA Street Bucket Drummer: Beats OF A NOLA Girl

She looked confident as each stick hit its intended bucket as if she knew for sure that it would produce a beat that will get the crowd dancing. Joy and bashfulness took over her as the crowd grew thick. She was loving and living in the moment. I would say she enjoyed the sounds she created more than the group she captured. It was as if the beating of her heart was in sync with her very being. Her mind formed the music, hand and sticks flowed like blood to her heart and drum beating the tunes reminiscent of our ancestors playing in Congo Square. This little girl and the sticks and buckets are the lifelines to our New Orleans history. Her soulful beats echoed sounds of hope, possibility, and greatness for New Orleans’s future cultural bearers. Continue reading NOLA Street Bucket Drummer: Beats OF A NOLA Girl