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To those on the outside, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is just a bunch of hedonistic drunken debauchery. And there is a place for that in Mardi Gras. For those of us who live in New Orleans, who participate in Mardi Gras it is so much more. It is catharsis and a cleansing. 1/7
New Orleans has a reputation for being a community, for helping each other in our times of need. It is a well deserved reputation. During this pandemic, New Orleanians have surpassed themselves on giving back and making sure people are taken care of. Why are we different? 2/7
Well, there is a tie made by shared culture. But Mardi Gras also deserves credit. You see, when we gather for parades, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our neighbors. We may only see them 2 weeks out of the year but they are friends. We share food and laughs and catch up. 3/7
As riders in parades we get to cause joy in our fellows by handing out little things. But moreover, by handing out handcrafted glittery memories. As watchers, we get to share in the spoils we gather. Both groups are reminded that true joy comes from giving. 4/7
Riders basks in bright smiles and watchers, they get to see the joy in someone else's eyes when they pass over a desired throw. We give and we recieve and our hearts are cleansed by it. We are reminded of our neighbors and how we can make them happy and how it makes us happy. 5/7
This year we don't get that. Sure #HouseFloats are great and they definitely raise spirits. But what the pandemic has robbed us of is the ability to see the joy we bring to others. Seeing it reinforces it, it solidifies our bonds. 6/7
After Katrina and floods and hardships, we gather. We get to see each other and share in joy and pain. We had Mardi Gras and it was healing. We don't have that this year. But we will still survive as community that uplifts. But we are hurting in our hearts this Mardi Gras. 7/7
