Chocolate City Blues

John P. Cooper · January-25th-2006, 04:46 PM

No thread on this dark comment by the 'mayor' of New Orleans?

Chris D · January-25th-2006, 05:06 PM

What? It's a great album.

Monte Smith · January-25th-2006, 05:16 PM

I can think of one guy in the world who can plausibly claim to be offended by Nagin's comment.

John P. Cooper · January-25th-2006, 05:52 PM

It was a very telling comment, less so if he was drunk when he made it....or would that be more so?

Scott Dolan · January-25th-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

I can think of one guy in the world who can plausibly claim to be offended by Nagin's comment.

Hahahaha..............

That inept piece of shit. A talentless hack that pretty much fucked up everything that he touched.

Vanilla Ice, on the other hand....................

tippy · January-25th-2006, 07:10 PM

His backtracking about how he was talking about chocolate milk was priceless. "You take the white milk and mix some chocolate into it and it's a delicious drink" -- not a direct quote but did anybody else catch this?

I don't think it's that big of deal. I mean culturally, NOLA is all mixture and in that sense the chocolate milk analogy really is correct. (It's Gumbo remember?) It just sounded funny. But I suppose if I was a whitey that lived there, maybe I might feel as one university student expressed that I wasn't welcome. But I wonder whether the white people that live there, are from there for long time, didn't take it in the right context without the caniptions. I didn't follow the reactions of long timer whiteys - it wasn't in the reports I saw.

tippy · January-25th-2006, 07:29 PM

And I think that white and black people in New Orleans tend to have the same accent (can you say that about other places?) and it's not a white English inspired manner of speaking either. It's just a whole other cultural template that's what makes it so unique. So I don't think Nagin was wrong or meant anything remotely negative or that it was against anyone - he's proud of the city and the people who populate it - it's just not a pc sound byte by any means and easily misconstrued by people in the North who don't understand. I wonder what Shrugs thought of the comment - if he took offense. He'd be the guy to ask.

jesus marion joseph · January-25th-2006, 08:22 PM

Nagin seems to bea shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy, whcih is a double-eged sword.

John P. Cooper · January-25th-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tippy

And I think that white and black people in New Orleans tend to have the same accent (can you say that about other places?) and it's not a white English inspired manner of speaking either. It's just a whole other cultural template that's what makes it so unique. So I don't think Nagin was wrong or meant anything remotely negative or that it was against anyone - he's proud of the city and the people who populate it - it's just not a pc sound byte by any means and easily misconstrued by people in the North who don't understand. I wonder what Shrugs thought of the comment - if he took offense. He'd be the guy to ask.

What I heard in his comments was that NO would now be a city by blacks for blacks.

If some mayor proclaimed that his city would now be a white city. what other conclusion could you draw? That everything would be glistening white in color?

I think Nagin has been hanging around with Marion Barry.

tippy · January-25th-2006, 10:21 PM

Well, I guess I only heard the chocolate city part. I don't know - it didn't register for me beyond the one report. I still don't think Nagin owed an apology. That he backpeddled to me says he didn't mean it in The Bad Way (whatever that is exactly I can't say I quite understand), otherwise he would have held onto his statement like a bulldog. Christ, the city is in severe crisis. What's wrong with instilling some civic pride. He's the mayor speaking to his constituency. And, no offense, but anyone who juxtaposes the black pride thing against a white pride thing doesn't understand dilly wumpus about our American heritage. (Not that you said that, John, I'm not accusing you of that.) This call to censure Mayor Nagin's comments on chocolate from a historical perspective is quite absurd. I'm not concerned that they are going to start lynching whitey in New Orleans. I'm pretty sure his was a call to encourage the development of the city which as we know is quite the question mark at this point in time. I agree with jmj. I don't think Nagin is speaking carefully looking toward an extended and ascending political career. He's in the moment.

In closing, I would just like to say: geez louise.

Jazz Purist · January-26th-2006, 12:17 AM

You all act as if you've never heard the term "chocolate city" before. The term has been in use by blacks for over 25 years. Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and New Orleans among others are chocolate cities. Because of the significant political power blacks hold, you PROBABLY will never see another white candidate elected mayor in these cities ever again. IFthe residents/evacuees of New Orleans are allowed to vote by absentee ballot, Nagin or another African-American will probably be voted the next Mayor of New Orleans.

bluenoter · January-26th-2006, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Purist

You all act as if you've never heard the term "chocolate city" before. The term has been in use by blacks for over 25 years. Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and New Orleans among others are chocolate cities.

Way over 25 years, I'll bet. But I always thought that we were the only city called Chocolate City.

Sergio Zamora · January-26th-2006, 01:15 AM

Gainin' on ya!

cookie · January-26th-2006, 01:18 AM

Bluenoter: the first time I ever heard the phrase "Chocolate City" was in D.C. and it was definitely used as an alternative moniker for the place. Maybe I'm just naive and other cities identify as "chocolate cities". But the funny thing is when Nagin said it, my very first thought was of D.C.

I've got the munchies and wish I had a *real* chocolate city, man. I think I could eat a miniature Empire State Building's worth of smooth milk chocolate right now!!! Thank god the cupboards are bare.....

Al in NYC · January-26th-2006, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John P. Cooper

What I heard in his comments was that NO would now be a city by blacks for blacks.

Ummmm... New Orleans has been a majority black city for quite some time, and has had black mayors for much of that time. It's pretty much always had a sizable black population, and has been a major center of black life and culture (like, say, the titular subject of this board) for several centuries. Mayor Nagin, like many other New Orleanians, is hoping it stays that way despite the dislocations caused by Katrina. I don't really see what the fuss is here, unless one is uncomfortable with the very thought of majority black cities run by majority black governments.

Certainly many more blacks live in cities run by white people than the other way around, and we don't generally expect them to be uncomfortable because of that.

"...you're my piece of the rock and I love you C.C...."

John P. Cooper · January-26th-2006, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al in NYC

Ummmm... New Orleans has been a majority black city for quite some time, and has had black mayors for much of that time. It's pretty much always had a sizable black population, and has been a major center of black life and culture (like, say, the titular subject of this board) for several centuries. Mayor Nagin, like many other New Orleanians, is hoping it stays that way despite the dislocations caused by Katrina. I don't really see what the fuss is here, unless one is uncomfortable with the very thought of majority black cities run by majority black governments.

Certainly many more blacks live in cities run by white people than the other way around, and we don't generally expect them to be uncomfortable because of that.

"...you're my piece of the rock and I love you C.C...."

It's crazy talk for Nagin to make it a racial issue since it is likely largely 'white money' from tourists that has kept his city 'afloat'. And since it will be largely 'white money' that rebuilds the city, he has shown little insight into what is in the best interests of the city.

John P. Cooper · January-26th-2006, 03:54 AM

You all act as if you've never heard the term "chocolate city" before. The term has been in use by blacks for over 25 years. Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and New Orleans among others are chocolate cities. Because of the significant political power blacks hold, you PROBABLY will never see another white candidate elected mayor in these cities ever again. IFthe residents/evacuees of New Orleans are allowed to vote by absentee ballot, Nagin or another African-American will probably be voted the next Mayor of New Orleans.

-----------------------

Nope. Never heard it before.

John P. Cooper · January-26th-2006, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tippy

Well, I guess I only heard the chocolate city part. I don't know - it didn't register for me beyond the one report. I still don't think Nagin owed an apology. That he backpeddled to me says he didn't mean it in The Bad Way (whatever that is exactly I can't say I quite understand), otherwise he would have held onto his statement like a bulldog. Christ, the city is in severe crisis. What's wrong with instilling some civic pride. He's the mayor speaking to his constituency. And, no offense, but anyone who juxtaposes the black pride thing against a white pride thing doesn't understand dilly wumpus about our American heritage. (Not that you said that, John, I'm not accusing you of that.) This call to censure Mayor Nagin's comments on chocolate from a historical perspective is quite absurd. I'm not concerned that they are going to start lynching whitey in New Orleans. I'm pretty sure his was a call to encourage the development of the city which as we know is quite the question mark at this point in time. I agree with jmj. I don't think Nagin is speaking carefully looking toward an extended and ascending political career. He's in the moment.

In closing, I would just like to say: geez louise.

If he had been positively sincere in his comments in some way, he would have held his ground, unless he'll just say any type of crap to get on the news.

All I see is an incompetent mayor who screwed up big time and keeps trying to re-direct attention away from himself and his essentially crumbling city.

He's no leader. He's the clown of the moment and his moment has passed.

NAGIN'S HOT CHOCOLATES - ALL COLORED REVUE - 2 SHOWS NIGHTLY.

Al in NYC · January-26th-2006, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John P. Cooper

You all act as if you've never heard the term "chocolate city" before. The term has been in use by blacks for over 25 years. Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and New Orleans among others are chocolate cities. Because of the significant political power blacks hold, you PROBABLY will never see another white candidate elected mayor in these cities ever again. IFthe residents/evacuees of New Orleans are allowed to vote by absentee ballot, Nagin or another African-American will probably be voted the next Mayor of New Orleans.

-----------------------

Nope. Never heard it before.

Make my funk the P-Funk, I wants to get funked up.

Pete C · January-26th-2006, 07:31 AM

Nagin's comments were a non-issue made into an issue by the harping of the media.

Gordon B · January-26th-2006, 07:33 AM

AP lead-
Mayor Ray Nagin suggested Monday that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and other storms were a sign that "God is mad at America" and at black communities, too, for tearing themselves apart with violence and political infighting.

"Surely God is mad at America. He sent us hurricane after hurricane after hurricane, and it's destroyed and put stress on this country,"

Why no comment on the God stuff? Is it ok for Nagin to spout this crap but not Pat Robertson?

Gary Sisco · January-26th-2006, 08:52 AM

Another nonissue. Fact is, New Orleans is its culture, not its buildings and a random collection of people from wherever, and much of that culture is very largely chocolate in its derivation. I can't see any reason except ideological pointmaking to object to a remark that's a simple fact.

God does all kinda shit it seems these days. I guess he's had a long enough rest after biblical times. He likely doesn't think much about voodoo, though. :-0

I don't have much use for Chomsky because he bores me but he made a remark once that was apt: If something is being talked about a lot in the corporate media, it's likely not very important.

This nonissue is a good example.

Enforcer · January-26th-2006, 08:59 AM

Root Doctor · January-26th-2006, 09:09 AM

On the other hand, Tim Russert asking only Barack Obama and Colin Powell about Harry Belafonte's comments on Bush is a real issue.

Tanager · January-26th-2006, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon B

Why no comment on the God stuff? Is it ok for Nagin to spout this crap but not Pat Robertson?

I think he's a bit of a loon, personally, and while there are probably valid reasons to criticize him and his leadership (the scenes of him crying to Oprah claiming that babies were getting raped in the Superdome - and yes, that's different, b/c it directly contributes to the mental well-being of his citizenry when they see that shit on TV, the half-baked plan for rebuilding), this doesn't count. I don't live in N.O., so if he wants to spout off on this/that/the other, so fucking what. I'm with Pete/Gary/Larry - BFD.

BTW, as a Washington, D.C. native (in the city itself), I am pretty sure we were the original. Hell, I met crackers from western N.C. over twenty years ago who knew that nickname and to what city it referred, although I'm sure they didn't see it as the same symbol of pride that Washingtonians might have.

Darryl G. Thomas · January-26th-2006, 10:06 AM

J.P.C.,

I 've read a couple of op-ed pieces in the Wash. Post where Nagin's comments about God were criticized. I think what you're getting at though. How come blacks don't get knocked as hard as whites when they make negative (racist or religious) comments.

The difference between Nagin and Robertson is that prior to Katrina no one knew who he was. However with Robertson the guy started the Christian Coalition, ran for President, and has his own TV network and is infuential with millions of evangelicals (who are kind of running the government these days).

But Nagin's barking up the wrong tree, N.O.'s days as a majority black city are over.

January-26th-2006, 10:55 AM

Nagin was just playing to the crowd which, from what I understand, was black. He momentarily forgot that he got a majority of the white vote and a minority of the black vote in his election. He just got a little emotionally carried away, it happens to the best of us. tsk

Darryl G. Thomas · January-26th-2006, 11:07 AM

Nagin's trying to convince blacks to come back to New Orleans. But come back to what? Where are they going to live?

Besides, New Orleans wasn't that great of a place for blacks (economically) before.

I've been thinking about this a lot after I got over the emotional empact of seeing the city destroyed. Maybe, just maybe, starting new lives in more economically viable areas will be good for the majority of New Orleans' blacks.

I know how hard it is to leave your home, I did it myself. But sometimes it's for the best. Maybe relocation will break the cycle of poverty many black New Orleanians were caught up in.