This assignment is a difficult one for me, considering I have never been to New Orleans. For me, the “reality” of the city has only been constructed by the things I have read. Although I had an image of New Orleans prior to this course and these readings, it was a superficial and somewhat “Hollywood” version of the city. I had a vague idea of the food, the music, and mardi gras (not to mention the beads and the boobs…) but I didn’t have a sense of the character of the city. Both New Orleans Stories and Why New Orleans Matters have helped me to get a better understanding of the spirit of New Orleans and it’s people.

It is not one story that has captured the “true” New Orleans. I’m not sure if it would even be possible to capture a city, especially one as complex as New Orleans, in one story by one author. How could all the aspects of a city be conveyed by one person in a way that was not one dimensional?  It is the readings as a whole that create a more comprehensive picture of New Orleans.  It is the variety of perspectives and descriptions that captures the nature of New Orleans. Why New Orleans matters provided a great sweeping view of the city, but the stories in New Orleans Stories illuminate elements of the city and its people that comprise the culture of New Orleans. The fact that many of the stories were written years ago serves as an exploration of the contemporary history of the city. From Twain’s description of the idiosyncrasies of New Orleans dialogue to Audubon’s observations on New Orleans bird life, these bits of information come together to complete the picture of the city. Although Gilchrist present characters who are at opposite end of the social spectrum from those of Williams, taken together they represent the diversity of New Orleans and its residents. These stories entertained me, while at the same time presenting the complex and multifaceted place that is New Orleans.

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Well, to be honest, a few weeks ago I would have said that it doesn't really matter to me. I've never been there and what happens there doesn't seem to directly affect my life. Of course I knew about New Orleans...the music, the food, Mardi Gras, Katrina…but I couldn’t tell you exactly how the city impacted me. There’s a New Orleans themed restaurant I love going to in Santa Barbara, my best friend went to law school at Tulane, and my boyfriend’s fraternity throws a Mardi Gras party every year. That about sums up my interaction with the city and it’s culture. I wish I could say I have a strong connection or a deep tie to the city, as so many people in our class do. But I don’t. It doesn’t matter to me any more than any other city I have never been to. But, this course has offered me a little taste of what New Orleans is to so many people and I have a great appreciation for that. I am learning to take a step back and appreciate New Orleans for what it is, not what it has done for me. I’m still not exactly sure how New Orleans matters to me, but that’s not important. What’s important is that it matters to the people who love it.

Hurricane Katrina affected me on an emotional level. How could it not? It exposed problems at local, regional, and national levels. It exposed racial injustices, flawed bureaucracies, and the incompetence of the federal government. I sincerely hope that the tragedy that took place in New Orleans will be a valuable lesson for our government, but somehow it seems too much to hope for. On a personal level, I was completing the last week of my cancer treatment when Katrina hit. I watched hours of CNN from my hotel room in Palo Alto, mostly because I was in too much pain to do much else. Although I can never imagine what the victims of the hurricane faced, I will always associate their pain with my own and in that small way I do feel a sense of connection to that community.

As for American art, music, food, literature, etc, New Orleans has had a major impact. I loved hearing Mary's husband talk about the musical history of the city and hearing the music really made it all come alive. Although I know that New Orleans has had a major influence on American culture, I am still learning about those influences. I'm sure that my continued exposure to the things that make New Orleans so special will not only help me to understnd the city, but appreciate it even more. 

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I grew up in Chico, a small college town in Northern California. Growing up in a small community allowed for a sense of security and comfort. It’s hard to go anywhere in Chico without running into a familiar face. Even now, seven years out of high school, I still get caught up on the Chico gossip on a regular basis. Being from a close-knit community provided me with a sense of belonging that gave me confidence as I was growing up. I feel lucky to have been raised in a place that feels modest and grounded, especially compared to the fast paced life of southern California. The rural and agricultural surroundings also have given me an appreciation for the beauty outdoors.

The fact that Chico is a college town also had a considerable influence on me. From a young age I was exposed to art, drama, and music that was easily accessible through the college. The importance of a college education was always very clear to me and I am certain it has played a role in my desire to earn a doctoral degree.

As much as I loved Chico, I always knew I would leave as soon as I got the chance. Small town life may be safe, but as I got older what was once safe became boring. I love the charm of small town life, but I also craved excitement that Chico just couldn’t provide after awhile.

After graduating from high school I went to UC Santa Barbara and lived in Isla Vista for four years. Isla Vista is a square mile located next to the UCSB campus where students are crammed into apartments (two to a bedroom) and debauchery frequently ensues. To sum it up: I loved living there. Living in Isla Vista gave me the freedom and excitement I had craved, but with the feeling of a relatively small community. Also, the city of Santa Barbara reminded me a lot of Chico (but with a much higher per capita income) and because of that I felt very comfortable there. And of course, it’s hard not to love such a beautiful place.

Living in Isla Vista allowed me to develop an identity that was unrelated to my childhood and that was a very important process for me. I’m sure college is a time of self discovery for most people, but it seems to be even more pronounced for those who have been raised in small towns. It is very gratifying to be successful, especially when taken out of your comfort zone. Above all, living in Isla Vista was fun and, no matter where I go or what I do, I always want to enjoy myself as much as I did when I lived there.

The third place I’ve lived is Claremont, which has been an interesting experience for me. In both Chico and Santa Barbara, I had ready-made social networks. I never had to reach out to people or make much of an effort; I just always had friends around. But being a graduate student has been a different experience. Now, I have to be much more proactive in terms of my social interactions. It would be easy to sit at home in my apartment and not have too much interaction with others, but that’s just not who I am. Luckily I have made some close friends and I do enjoy my social life here. Rising to that challenge has only helped to increase the self-confidence I developed in Chico and Santa Barbara.

I feel very fortunate to have lived in the wonderful cities that I have lived in. They have allowed me to feel safe and secure and at the same time develop my own sense of myself. I have no idea what locations the future holds for me, but I have learned that I will always have a wonderful place to return home to and that allows me the freedom to spread my wings, no matter where life takes me.

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