New Orleans Creoles . . .

Hello All, I'd like to focus my blog on certain 'Color Issues' that either I or some of my family members have faced.

To begin, I would like to restate that a general New Orleanian definition of the word Creole is a person of mixed colonial French/Spanish and African American decent. I could be wrong here, but I think establishing a clear meaning of the word is important. I mean, creole isn't specifically limited to those things, but those things are essential to being a 'Créole.'

Before I begin, I would like for you all to know that I am in no way, shape, or form approving or disproving anything that was done or said; instead I am simply relaying the information as I know it. It is not meant to be offensive, and if it is, I do apologize. As Doctor Hunt said, Créole's come in all different shapes and sizes. Most Creoles are probably slightly darker than me, but there are many who look 'white' (as you would say.) Most Creoles usually know one another. (A good indicator is a French last name :) ) Dr. Hunt in class, for example, mentioned Mr. Baque (a friend of my family). His family owns a fantastic restaurant by the way. Anyway, as we talked about in class, when race was a fundamental element of one's social status, Creoles stuck with their own kind. This means that although they were 'black' on paper, creoles didn't associate with blacks. My grandparents have told me a number of stories when they were at nice, Creole parties as the blacks waited outside the gates. Again, although technically black, 'Creoles' didn't want to be a part of the socially low class, the blacks. Because of Creole's not being completely black, not only were the whites distanced from the Creoles (who were lower than them), but the blacks also distanced themselves away from the Creoles. Many blacks, because of witnessing that Creoles had an easier life, distanced themselves from Creoles. So, the Creoles, as I stated before, really had no other option but to stick with their own kind.

Here is one story I can think of in particular. My cousin's dad is a very light man. He is very 'good hair' (remember, this means a comb can pass through it easily. Like I said, even today, Creole's still ask about 'hair.' When my cousin told his mom he was getting married, she first asked "Who is She?" and then "How's her hair?" I know it sounds silly, but it's part of what makes 'Creoles' special.) Getting back to the story, if you saw my uncle, you'd probably mistake him for white. Anyway, my uncle had two brothers and one sister. Because of the difficulties that Creoles had to deal with in real life (remember, legally the were 'black'), two of my Uncle's siblings passed for white. They felt that the pressures of being Creole were difficult because they would be treated as blacks, so they moved away to another state. My uncle refused to do that. He felt that it would only be a lie. This caused his 'passing' brother and sister to completely distanced themselves from my uncle completely. Several years ago, my uncle's brother died. Because the children CONTINUE to pass for white (to this day) and they know my uncle doesn't, they refused to invite him to their father's funeral. I know it sounds very 'petty' if you're white, but being a Creole really was difficult in those times. I mean, if you saw you could have a much easier life by pretending to be something, wouldn't you take it? Many Creoles did this to protect their families and make their lives easier. Obviously, this didn't exactly thrill darker skin Creoles.

Here is a video that I thought was awesome! Please watch it as this really drives home what a Creole is!



Before ending, because we talked about Catholic Saints in class, I'd like to show you the first Creole Saint. I think she's fascinating.



Henriette Delille

Born in New Orleans in 1812 by mixed parents, a free person of color. By 1836, she had inspired a group of women to assist the sick and dying, to feed the hungry, and bring the word of god to the uneducated people among her.

That same year, she wrote the simple prayer that guided her life: "I believe in God. I hope in God. I love and I want to live and die for God." By 1841, this group of pious women was both encouraged and recognized by the Church. The Sisters of the Holy Family trace their official origin to the following year.

By 1851, Henriette Delille had personally purchased a home where these women could live in community and further their ministry. At her death in 1862, Henriette Delille was known as one "who for the love of Jesus Christ had made herself the humble servant of slaves."

I'd like to share some other stories with you in class (even my own personal experiences). Also, I'd like to show you more pictures of my family. I feel that I did a bad job in only showing you my mom's dad's family. So, on Tuesday, Dr. Hunt has agreed to let me show you some more photos.

I hope you read my article and if you have any comments, please leave them. I'd be very interested in hearing what you have to say.

I remain,

Your classmate, André L.