Louisiana

Native Brown Cotton Heads to Smithsonian Festival, UN Summit

Published

3 years ago

May 14, 2022

Native Brown Cotton Heads to Smithsonian Festival, UN Summit

By MEGAN WYATT, The Advocate

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — South Louisiana’s native brown cotton is heading to the Smithsonian Folklife Pageant and also will be featured at a United Nations summit subsequent month.

The cotton has seen a small resurgence lately because of renewed curiosity in natural supplies within the trend business.

“All of those thrilling issues are occurring, and it actually highlights how necessary getting this phrase out to the locals is,” stated Sharon Gordon Donnan, a textile conservator primarily based in Los Angeles. “We’re higher recognized internationally than we’re domestically.”

Donnan was shocked to be taught of native brown cotton in Louisiana. She’s solely discovered it two different locations — Mexico and Peru. It’s one of many issues that makes south Louisiana particular, though it tends to go unnoticed by natives.

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Donnan created a documentary referred to as “Coton Jaune” that debuted on the 2015 Cinema on the Bayou movie pageant. Since then, she’s led an effort in south Louisiana to develop, course of, spin and weave the brown cotton. Her final purpose is to market and promote the ensuing items to the style business as a greener various to conventional trend practices.

“It’s about indigenous innovation from our ancestors,” Donnan stated. “We’ve additionally created a relationship with our Native People, they usually’ve truly blessed our first harvest. We wish them to be included as we plant on their indigenous land that we now occupy.”

Darcy Fabre, a DeSoto Parish native who moved to Lafayette for school, has used the area’s native brown cotton to spin, weave and create nontraditional wares, similar to earrings, keychains and coasters.

She frequently sells her creations on the Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market at Moncus Park, despite the fact that it’s a little bit of a commute since she’s at the moment residing in Texas.

“You get hit within the face with this Cajun tradition heat once you come to Lafayette. Everyone seems to be so proud,” Fabre stated. “I don’t have an actual robust tie to a spot like that, so it feels so good to be in a spot the place individuals are so pleased with who they’re.”

An industrial designer by commerce, Fabre has grown enthusiastic about returning textile jobs to the realm and decreasing business air pollution by way of use of cleaner supplies, similar to brown cotton.

The style business contributes to air pollution by way of overproduction of products, agricultural strategies for crops utilized in merchandise and use of dyes and artificial fibers. Some trend firms are searching for organically grown brown cotton like what’s grown on a small scale in south Louisiana as a technique to cut back the business’s environmental influence.

Fabre will likely be main an illustration of clear, spin and weave the area’s brown cotton on the Smithsonian Folklife Pageant in June. She’ll even be advocating for sustainable textile practices and sharing the story of Louisiana’s brown cotton.

“Once you discover out the Acadians used this for hundreds of years and it’s a textile custom older than our nation after which it died out, you simply really feel a way of stewardship of this custom,” Fabre stated. “I’m not Cajun, however I simply really feel accountable as a Louisiana citizen to ensure we don’t lose this factor and ensure folks know their tradition.”

Brown cotton has lengthy been seen as inferior to white cotton as a result of it has about 5 instances as many seeds and a shorter grain that’s harder to work with. Though south Louisiana residents additionally grew and used white cotton, they usually bought items made out of the white cotton and saved the brown cotton for private use.

Which may not solely be as a result of white cotton was seen as a money crop, but additionally as a result of blankets and clothes made out of brown cotton had been simpler to maintain clear.

Latest efforts to generate native curiosity in brown cotton have made a distinction, but it surely hasn’t been as straightforward to market as Acadiana’s meals, music, language or tradition.

Donnan’s preliminary purpose — to protect the heirloom brown cotton seeds — was rapidly achieved. The College of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Experimental Farm close to Cade has turned a couple of hundred heirloom seeds into tens of 1000’s of seeds — greater than sufficient to share with hobbyists and farmers alike.

Nonetheless, solely a handful of individuals at the moment develop brown cotton in Louisiana. Though the amount produced has steadily elevated every year — from 30 kilos in 2019 to 160 kilos in 2021 — the harvest have to be shipped out of state for processing earlier than it may be utilized by native artisans.

The group Donnan began, Acadian Brown Cotton, has grown from three members to having a full board of administrators and nonprofit standing. Donnan is hoping to proceed to generate extra curiosity domestically within the field-to-fashion motion in a approach that can finally profit the Louisiana financial system.

To do this, Donnan says her group is making an attempt to boost consciousness and about $700,000 to construct a mill the place brown cotton may be processed and bought. These main the efforts have mentioned the mill risk with Arnaudville leaders.

“There’s an arts hall in Arnaudville and ecotourism alternative there if we’ve our personal mill and retail store linked to it,” Donnan stated. “We may present desk linens, home linens for B&Bs within the space. It actually completes the image extra. We really feel there is a chance for others to be taught extra in regards to the heritage.”

Acadian Brown Cotton will likely be featured throughout a United Nations summit June 1-2 about sustainable trend practices. Later within the month, it will likely be featured throughout the Smithsonian Folklife Pageant, which kicks off June 22 in Washington, D.C.

These taken with rising the area’s brown cotton or studying extra in regards to the nonprofit can be taught extra at fb.com/AcadianBrownCotton.

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Louisiana

Mass casualty event declared after car ramming, shooting in New Orleans – i24NEWS

Published

2 hours ago

January 1, 2025

Press Room

Mass casualty event declared after car ramming, shooting in New Orleans – i24NEWS

A mass casualty event was declared in New Orleans, Louisiana, after a car-ramming and shooting attack, occuring a few hours after New Year’s Eve celebrations early Wednesday.

US media reports said at least one person had been killed, with many more wounded as the driver targeted New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street. The assailant allegedly exited his vehicle and began firing, with law enforcement returning fire.

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Louisiana

Questions surround Ten Commandments law set to take effect in Louisiana on Jan. 1

Published

9 hours ago

January 1, 2025

Press Room

Questions surround Ten Commandments law set to take effect in Louisiana on Jan. 1

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) — For 67 public school districts in Louisiana, the new law that requires them to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms goes into effect Wednesday (Jan. 1), despite a federal judge issuing an injunction on behalf of plaintiffs who sued from five other school boards to block the measure.

The American Civil Liberties Union threatens to sue any school district that follows through with the law, sending mixed signals for educators going into the new year.

The ACLU joined other free speech and religious freedom groups in a lawsuit against the state after Gov. Jeff Landry signed HB 71 into law over the summer. The law requires public K-12 and state-funded university classrooms to display a poster-sized, state-approved version of the Ten Commandments with “large, easily readable font.”

Federal judge John W. DeGravelles ruled the plaintiffs have adequately demonstrated the likely unconstitutionality of the law and that it would lead to unconstitutional religious coercion of students. The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals then ruled that the injunction only applies to the school boards named in the lawsuit: East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Orleans, St. Tammany and Vernon.

“If you are not part of the lawsuit, you are not under the judge’s order,” said Andrew Perry, staff attorney for the ACLU of Louisiana.

Before schools let out for winter break, the ACLU of Louisiana sent a letter to all superintendents for school boards not in the lawsuit, warning them of the federal judge’s ruling and that if any other district displays the Ten Commandments, it also would be sued.

“Compliance with the law would be engaging in unconstitutional conduct and we urge them not to post the Ten Commandments,” Perry said.

The letter said in part: “Even though your district is not a party to the ongoing lawsuit, and therefore is not technically subject to the district court’s injunction, all school districts have an independent obligation to respect students’ and families’ constitutional rights. Because the U.S. Constitution supersedes state law, public school officials may not comply with H.B. 71.”

In response, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill sent out her own statement, saying she will support any school district that hangs up the Ten Commandments in 2025. She said guidelines will be offered to show districts how they can abide by the new law, and how citizens can print and donate posters that meet the state guidelines. Murrill’s office did not say when those guidelines will be available.

Her statement reads: “HB 71 requires Louisiana classrooms to reflect certain displays of the Ten Commandments as students return from winter break. This week, I will publish guidance to schools on how to comply — in a constitutionally sound manner — with HB 71, including specific displays that citizens may print and donate to their schools.

“I have received inquiries regarding whether a federal court injunction against five school boards (Livingston, St. Tammany, Vernon, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans) prevents other schools from complying with HB 71. It does not. The injunction does not bind schools who are not parties to that litigation, which is ongoing in the Fifth Circuit. Accordingly, I look forward to working with the remainder of our schools as they come into compliance with HB 71.”

Meanwhile, Murrill and the state face another lawsuit tied to HB 71 that was filed by New Orleans history teacher Chris Dier. He says he recently brought up his lawsuit to his high school class before the semester exams.

“I remember asking how many know that I am currently suing the state, and all but one raised their hand. And then the questions started flowing,” Dier said.

Dier says he wanted to file his own lawsuit to emphasize constitutional protections for educators and students in the classroom.

“This would inevitably alienate Catholics, non-Christians, Muslims, Jewish students, Hindu students, atheist students,” Dier said. “Students want to feel seen. They want to be heard and valued.”

While the legal battles play out, Dier says he wants to spend time in the new year educating his class on the impact of the Ten Commandments law in Louisiana and the rest of the country.

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Louisiana

‘Skyrocketing’ expectations weigh on Louisiana parents amid national mental health crisis

Published

18 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Press Room

‘Skyrocketing’ expectations weigh on Louisiana parents amid national mental health crisis

Elizabeth Fontenot, a Baton Rouge nurse-midwife and mother of four children ranging in age from six to 11, took her children to the park in order to have time for this interview with the newspaper. While discussing the stress of parenting, she was interrupted three times by her children with questions. She answered each query and returned to the conversation.

When each of her children reached the ages of eight or nine, she and her husband noticed an increase in emotions when their children experienced disappointment. Not knowing how to respond to help them manage their emotions, Fontenot said, is a stressful part of parenting.

Dr. Vivek Murthy, The U.S. Surgeon General, issued an advisory on the mental health of parents in August of 2024.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, pictured here on May 20, 2016 in Washington, D.C.

Cheriss May, TNS photo

Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents highlights the stressors that impact the mental health and well-being of parents and caregivers, the link between parental mental health and children’s long-term well-being, and the urgent need to better support parents, caregivers and families.

The report shares that there are 63 million parents living with children under the age of 18 in the U.S. There are also millions of nonparent caregivers who are caring for children.

According to 2023 data in the report, 33% of parents reported high levels of stress in the past month compared to 20% of other adults, and 48% of parents said that most days their stress is completely overwhelming compared to 26% among other adults — citing the significant mental labor involved with parenting as a negative impact on cognitive functioning and psychological well-being.

When stress is severe or prolonged, it can have a serious effect. For example, 41% of parents said that most days they are so stressed that they cannot function.

If unmanaged, the report says, the stress can become a more severe mental health challenge that can have profound impacts on the well-being of children, families and society. A mental health challenge refers to difficulties that individuals may face which affect their mental health without meeting the criteria of a diagnosable condition.

Louisiana is listed as one of the 12 states with the highest rate of depression among adults, between 24% and 29% in the Public Affairs Research Council data snapshot from November of 2023, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Baton Rouge licensed therapist Allison Schoonmaker, of Crossroads Professional Counseling and mother to one son, sees the pressures on parents in her practice.

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Allison Schoonmaker, licensed therapist for Crossroad Professional Counseling.

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“The expectations in general for parenting have just skyrocketed, and that has really had a negative effect on parents’ mental health,” said Schoonmaker. “As expectations have skyrocketed, the availability and resources of parents haven’t really changed, so there is ultimately more stress.”

Common stressors

Amanda Ott, mom of two and ninth grade counselor at Denham Springs High School, said economic stressors and family crises impact her students. As a part of Mighty Moms, a Livingston parish group that provides snacks and food to students, Ott has observed an uptick in the need for food assistance among her students.

Amanda Ott.jpg — Amanda Ott, ninth grade counselor at Denham Springs High School.

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“In the past, it’s always been like a handful of kids who would come get food,” she said. “Now if I forget, or if I’m not at school, or the kid forgets, the parent will call and ask to come get that food. They rely on it because they just can’t afford the groceries that are needed.”

Financial pressure is one of the major stressors on parent and guardian mental health. Other common stressors mentioned in the report include:

Time demands
Children’s health
Children’s safety
Parental isolation and loneliness
Technology and social media
Cultural pressures and children’s futures

Schoonmaker identified parents’ obsessive concerns for children’s safety, children’s social relationships and children’s social media use as the largest stressors for her clients. Parental isolation is also a common stressor, she adds.

“All our parenting decisions are under a greater microscope than ever before,” she said. “More information is not necessarily helpful information, and our awareness of negative things that are happening beyond our reach makes parents feel unsafe — increasing fear.”

Kirsten Bowers Raby, a single mom of three boys ages 6, 16 and 21, said carrying the emotional load on top of everything else contributes to her parental stress because she doesn’t have a partner’s opinion to help guide decisions for her kids.

Ott cites time demands and cultural pressures “to always be available” as the two main stressors in her friend groups.

“You have to be at everything for your kids, who are involved in so much, so you’re spread so thin between work and all the extracurricular stuff. It’s a different struggle with the expectations put on the kids and parents. I do it, too,” she said. “Like, keeping up with the Joneses and making sure your kid has every opportunity.”

Managing stressors

The Surgeon General’s Advisory calls for a shift in culture, policies and programs to ensure all parents and caregivers can thrive.

Schoonmaker said the human brain is not made to process the amount of information accessible daily, and she suggested that parents minimize their own social media use and news intake by “turning back the clock” to a less-internet focused lifestyle.

Both Ott and Schoonmaker advise more in-person meetings with friends, family, work peers and groups to stave off the loneliness and isolation that parents feel.

“We still need that personal interaction to actually sit down and talk to see that other people are also struggling with the same things,” said Ott. “You see that you’re not alone. Finding your village is so important in today’s world.”

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