Love letter to New Orleans, post script (part 2)

P.S.  I’ve got one tiny question NOLA.  You’re so lovely; however did your Buck Moth caterpillars get so mean? Youch!

 

For most of the morning, while we were laying the bones down, we were working to the sounds of drumming.

But at some point, the drummers quieted and for a time, we listened to the chiming sound of ceramic bones being laid in the square.  As those last bones were laid, the volunteers began to stand back and just look at what they had been part of.  It was a gorgeous moment when everyone there knew in their hearts that they were part of this thing that was so entirely about them and also entirely more than them.  One person, one person’s efforts, beautiful and meaningful, but mattering even more in the context of every individual’s efforts inextricably combined with everyone else’s effort.

 

So there was some silence and some clapping and then all the volunteers gathered around the circle of bones and held hands quietly for a moment. For me, that quiet moment was a testament to humanity, to our goodness and caring, and to the knowledge that however long it might take, that goodness and caring will win out over the violence we’re protesting.

And then it was time for words.  Susan and Naomi both spoke a bit, introducing the project and thanking the community for their gracious support, and Jamilah, the drummers and dancers made a blessing for ancestors and all good people.

New Orleans Council Member Kristen Gisleson Palmer spoke and then OMB’s dear friend, Eric Ndaheba, shared his story of the Gatumba Massacre and his journey to life here in the United States, and Claude Gatebuke shared his story and reflections about his survival of the civil war and genocide in Rwanda. 

And then what?  Food and refreshment, of course.  After everyone had some time to rest and eat, the final part of the day began; reclaiming the bones.

 

Kathleen, our National Liaison, told me when the day was done, that she thinks reclaiming the bones is humbling.  I agree, and have to say that I love that part of the day.  It’s completely informal but everyone stays and everyone works with the same diligence and care that they did in laying the bones out in the first place.  That’s amazing to me because by this time, trust me, you are tired and hot.  But somehow, it doesn’t matter.

And then, we’re finished.  Our staunch movers come and pack the boxes of bones into the truck to take them to the studio. We pack up the last of the stuff, tables and chairs, signs and sunscreen, drums and coolers. The volunteers begin to wander off.  And it’s dusk and Congo Square is quiet again.

And the last thing to do is to say thank you again to all the students, artists, individuals, orgnaizations and businesses that made this possible, and beautiful:

Gerard Cox
Jennifer MacNeill; Leigh Durhum; Dana Nguyen; Stacey Lee; Alysha Campbell; Amanda Raudsep; Malia Johnston; Firan Chauhan; Maegen Edwards

Claude Gatebuke; Eric Ndaheba; Council Member Kristen Gisleson Palmer; Luther Gray; Alexey Marti; Schubert Dauphin, and our amazing Master of Ceremonies, Melanie Grace Lawrence, from the NO/AIDS Task Force.

Second Line Ventures; Tulane Center for Public Service; Unfold Media Gallery; National Performance Network; City Of New Orleans; Calliope Digital; The Regen Group; Tungsten Monkey; DW Turner; International House Hotel; Markit 360; ASI Federal Credit Union; Purple Monkey; Hotel Parc St. Charles; Evacuteer; Bharat and Daxa Chauhan; William Sabourin; Brad MacNeill; Cuc and Tuan Nguyen; Lan Nguyen; Gary McMillan

And we want to thank all of our community partners: New Orleans Center for Creative Arts; Congo Square Preservation Society; Urban League College Track; Young Aspirations Young Artists; Artfully Aware; Tulane African Student Association; NO/AIDS Task Force; Tulane Global Service League; Crescent City Christian School; Belle Chasse Academy; New Orleans Healing Center; Harold Keller Elementary School; Young Leadership Council; Arts Council of New Orleans; One Million Bones Baton Rouge Chapter; Hope Christian Church; University of New Orleans Visual Arts League; Loyola University Student Art League; Tulane Human Rights Law Society; Professor Feike’s classes at Delgado and Tulane; Ashe Cultural Arts Center; 504Ward; Hands On New Orleans

Thanks again to Jane McPherson for the use of her wonderful photos and to Artfully Aware for theirs, as well.