Kevin Mulcahy Discusses Hurricane Katrina Aftermath

(Newswire.net — September 28, 2016) Baton Rouge, Louisiana –On the morning of August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall near the Louisiana/Mississippi border. In the wake of the Category 3 storm, over 1200 people lost their lives, and the storm was responsible for $108 billion in damage to the United States Gulf Coast and beyond. Its effects would change lives forever.  Dr. Kevin Mulcahy, LSU political science professor and cultural policy expert, has spent the past several years analyzing the cultural effects the storm has had on the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. “The storm changed the cultural landscape as well as the physical one,” says Kevin. “The unique folk culture and traditions of the city’s residents were impacted by the flooding, loss of lives, and destruction of physical structures.” For more information on the analysis being conducted by Dr. Mulcahy, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinvmulcahy.

The people of New Orleans have a rich and diverse culture, combining elements of Caribbean, French Colonial, Cajun, and Catholic traditions and adding to the mix their own unique practices and rituals. Among the distinctive cultural traditions are the jazz funeral, the Mardi Gras Indians and their “Super Sunday” celebrations, second line parades through the city’s neighborhoods, and local cuisines.  During the storm and in the aftermath of Katrina, many people were forced to evacuate the city; entire neighborhoods were destroyed and many continue to struggle in the rebuilding process fifteen years later.  Cultural and historical landmarks and public meeting places were also lost to the storm. After the storm waters subsided, countless evacuees never returned to New Orleans and were replaced by real estate speculators, young professionals, and business opportunist.  This had the effect of further diluting an already damaged city culture..

Dr. Mulcahy, in the course of his study of the cultural shifts of New Orleans, has become a vocal advocate for restoring the city’s unique way of life and its cultural traditions.  Through positive action, he and others hope to help the city regain the culture that has made it stand out as a truly special place in the hearts and minds of people from all over the world. Katrina may continue to affect the people of the Gulf Coast, but through advocacy and hard work, cultural traditions can once again flourish in New Orleans and the communities surrounding it. For more information on Kevin Mulcahy and his educational experiences, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_V._Mulcahy.