New Orleans’ Return To Cultural Parades Is A Step Toward Healing In The South
New Orleans was a hotspot for COVID-19 cases and deaths at the start of the pandemic and many of the attractions that bring people in from across the region – from Jazz Fest to the bustling bar scene on Bourbon Street – were halted. But an event last month offered a glimmer of a hope for a return to normalcy.
New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Indians held a second line funeral, a parade for family, friends and strangers to honor local icon Keelian Boyd, otherwise known as Big Chief Dump, of the Young Maasai Hunters tribe. He died from heart failure March 28, 2021.
It was one of the first major Mardi Gras Indian burials and parades since the city shut down.
New Orleans is now in modified Phase 3, where social distancing and masks are still required, but gatherings of 500 people and live music are permitted. City officials say second line parades are only allowed with permits.
“During this pandemic, this is like one of the first big culture events, so it’s like bringing a family together,” said Belden “Noonie Man” Batiste, of the Yellow Pocahontas tribe.
See more photos and read the full story from our partners at WWNO here.
This story was produced by the Gulf States Newsroom, a collaboration between WBHM, Mississippi Public Broadcasting, WWNO in New Orleans and NPR.
Team USA faces tough Canadian squad in Olympic gold medal hockey game
In the first Olympics with stars of the NHL competing in over a decade, a talent-packed Team USA faces a tough test against Canada.
PHOTOS: Your car has a lot to say about who you are
Photographer Martin Roemer visited 22 countries — from the U.S. to Senegal to India — to show how our identities are connected to our mode of transportation.
Looking for life purpose? Start with building social ties
Research shows that having a sense of purpose can lower stress levels and boost our mental health. Finding meaning may not have to be an ambitious project.
Sunday Puzzle: TransformeR
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with listener Joan Suits and Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz.
Danish military evacuates US submariner who needed urgent medical care off Greenland
Denmark's military says its arctic command forces evacuated a crew member of a U.S. submarine off the coast of Greenland for urgent medical treatment.
Only a fraction of House seats are competitive. Redistricting is driving that lower
Primary voters in a small number of districts play an outsized role in deciding who wins Congress. The Trump-initiated mid-decade redistricting is driving that number of competitive seats even lower.
