AUTHOR: QueenJoya TITLE: Progress DATE: 2/28/2006 07:15:00 AM ----- BODY:

Happy Mardi Gras, It's a pagan celebration haven't taken part in it for 10 years until last year when I took my now 11 year old daughter to her first Mardi Gras parade ever. Of course it was the ZULU parade. One of the most prominent African American Social and Pleasure club. My grandmother has been a member for years so we had to take part in the festivities that led up to Mardi Gras day and we also had the pleasure of riding on the floats in the Zulu parade. I know that parade route like the back of my hand and even though I complained about being up at 2 in the morning getting that black make-up smeared on my face and wearing those ridiculously ugly costumes, truth be told I loved it! And when I logged on to the wwl tv website and took a look at the Zulu Parade route tears came to my eyes. Because it just confirmed in my heart that there is no progress. Sure it started where it normally starts on Jackson and Claiborne but this year it will be ending on Basin and Canal. What about the parade up Canal street to the hood? What about under the bridge? What about the parade up Orleans street I mean I don't celebrate but when I did baby that was a hell of a party! I lived on N. Miro and Orleans I gave a block party every year I lived there, one of the best parties and I'm not tootin my own horn...well yes I am. Anyway I stopped celebrating because of religious beliefs and the only reason we went to Zulu last year is because Jonathan's Band was the band infront of the Queen of Zulu which a high honor for a high school band to score that spot. Those spots normally go the college bands! After looking at the parade route there is no progress, what ever is happening it's because of die hard locals like Cliff who are down there and refusing to let black New Orleans die without a fight. I want to fight but I'm tired and I must admit I've gotten rather comfortable here in Alabama...not saying this will be home forever but I do know I will never leave in the city under the sea again but I'm praying that it progress'. I wonder if the Mardi Gras Indians are parading thru the hood as they do every year. Each tribed start in there respective neighborhoods and ramble thru the streets chanting and dancing and making noise! My daddy was a Mardi Gras indian so momma drug us all ova the city following that maddness. When God came into my life I had no problems leaving that madness behind. But it is still a part of the me you see today and It saddens me that the city is only up and running in "certain sections".

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