“A thought-provoking ride through the rich history of this neighborhood—from the flooding of 1927 to Hurricane Betsy, white flight, Hurricane Katrina, and present-day hipster gentrification. Caroline Gerdes captures the spirit and significance of the Ninth Ward through the voices of many generations.”
—Dr. Caroline Heldman, cofounder of
the Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum
“Ever since Katrina, people the world over—media, experts, advocates, newcomers—have had their say about ‘the Lower 9.’ In this volume, Caroline Gerdes turns the mic over to the residents themselves. An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward presents how local folks remember their past, in their own words—a valuable contribution to the historical documentation of this city.”
—Prof. Richard Campanella, geographer and author
Steeped in musical influence, racial dynamics, and culinary significance, the Ninth Ward has distinguished itself as one of New Orleans’ most influential communities, with an impact reaching far outside the confines of a single city. So why is its history so often overlooked?
Unique, multi-generational interviews, extensively researched and carefully recorded, preserve the experiences of former and current residents and the rich history of the district. Each source honestly evaluates discrimination, neighbors, poverty, and faith, delivering heartfelt and often harrowing insight into what it means to be from the Ninth Ward.
About the Author
A New Orleans native, Caroline Gerdes is a freelance journalist who has been published in the Huffington Post, Bustle, and HelloGiggles. She has contributed as an oral historian to the NASA Academy and is a Women’s Media Center SheSource expert. Gerdes received a grant from the National Geographic Society to preserve the history of the Ninth Ward through an oral history project, which she adapted into this book. Her husband served as her photographer for the project.
AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE NEW ORLEANS NINTH WARD
By Caroline Gerdes
SOCIAL SCIENCES / Regional Studies
SOCIAL SCIENCES / Social Classes
SOCIAL SCIENCES / Urban
HISTORY / United States / State & Local / South
192 pp. 6 x 9
47 photos 1 map Notes Index
ISBN: 9781455622634