When asked what experience has shaped me into the young New Orleanian I am today, I would have to credit my parents. My mom was raised here and had been around all the traditional New Orleans activities. After meeting my dad and incorporating him into the New Orleans lifestyle, my parents raised five kids in the heart of New Orleans. My parents have taught me what it means to be a New Orleanian. Yes, Mardi Gras, Jazz fest and the Saints are all vital parts of New Orleans, but what makes me a young New Orleanian are the attributes I have picked up over the years. A young New Orleanian has to enforce “Southern hospitality.” Southern hospitality is a term to define the warm and welcoming attitude towards visitors, whether that is in our literal home or the South in general. This trait will stay with me as I grow older; having southern hospitality makes someone more approachable and lovable (definite traits I want to possess). Another factor that makes someone a New Orleanian is having spirit, being enthusiastic about everything. An example would be when the Saints won the Super Bowl. Everyone in the city united downtown to celebrate in their honor. I believe that this kind of event only happens in New Orleans. Everyone shared a common bond that formed even stronger relationships and everyone was comfortable with one another. I walked down the streets screaming “WHO DAT!” and it was totally normal; I got the same response in return. This leads me to the next factor. Living in New Orleans allows people to be more acceptable of different cultures. Everyone living in New Orleans has a unique style that allows people to open their minds to new things. This trait also allows people to express themselves in different ways and feel comfortable doing so because everyone is extremely accepting. Each of these different styles shape New Orleans into the remarkable place it is today. I can honestly say I would never want to be anything other than a young New Orleanian.
It is the mission of young New Orleans Writing together to provide opportunities for young people in the Greater New Orleans area to write together on a diversity of topics.
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Monday, February 14, 2011
Kristen - I am New Orleans
When asked what experience has shaped me into the young New Orleanian I am today, I would have to credit my parents. My mom was raised here and had been around all the traditional New Orleans activities. After meeting my dad and incorporating him into the New Orleans lifestyle, my parents raised five kids in the heart of New Orleans. My parents have taught me what it means to be a New Orleanian. Yes, Mardi Gras, Jazz fest and the Saints are all vital parts of New Orleans, but what makes me a young New Orleanian are the attributes I have picked up over the years. A young New Orleanian has to enforce “Southern hospitality.” Southern hospitality is a term to define the warm and welcoming attitude towards visitors, whether that is in our literal home or the South in general. This trait will stay with me as I grow older; having southern hospitality makes someone more approachable and lovable (definite traits I want to possess). Another factor that makes someone a New Orleanian is having spirit, being enthusiastic about everything. An example would be when the Saints won the Super Bowl. Everyone in the city united downtown to celebrate in their honor. I believe that this kind of event only happens in New Orleans. Everyone shared a common bond that formed even stronger relationships and everyone was comfortable with one another. I walked down the streets screaming “WHO DAT!” and it was totally normal; I got the same response in return. This leads me to the next factor. Living in New Orleans allows people to be more acceptable of different cultures. Everyone living in New Orleans has a unique style that allows people to open their minds to new things. This trait also allows people to express themselves in different ways and feel comfortable doing so because everyone is extremely accepting. Each of these different styles shape New Orleans into the remarkable place it is today. I can honestly say I would never want to be anything other than a young New Orleanian.