-
Bettye Jones, Her Own Worst Enemy
With all due respect to Bettye Jones, who recently retired from her position as Executive Director of Cenla Pride in order to move closer to her family in suburban Atlanta: What the hell are you talking about? From David Dinsmore’s comically ignorant and completely misleading article, which was, evidently, paid for by Gannett (bold mine): This respect comes despite a very public and somewhat ugly battle with Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy’s administration over funding for Cenla Pride. Things became so heated and controversial, Jones said, that she caught blame from some people after they perceived Roy’s decision to shut down…
-
February Made Me Shiver
Eleven years ago, on this very day, I was a freshman at Rice in Houston, 228 miles and an entire world away from my family home in Alexandria, Louisiana. That night, I drove my friends and I to the Macaroni Grill on Westheimer, forcing them, against their will, to listen to the Steve Miller Band along the way. I pulled into a choice parking spot directly in front of the entrance to the restaurant, and at that moment, suddenly and unexpectedly, I became awash with anxiety. I put the car in park, took the keys out of the ignition, and…
-
Jindal’s Plan: Gut Public Education (Part Two of Two)
(I’ve decided to make this into a two-part post, instead of a three-parter). In my first post on Governor Jindal’s recently announced proposal for education reforms, I focused on my own experience as a student in Louisiana public schools. While I will always value and appreciate the education I received, I also understand, personally, the real and pressing need for reform. I don’t fault Governor Jindal for seeking fundamental reform; I fault him for completely misdiagnosing the problem and for failing to believe in the promise of a robust, equitable, and successful public education system. When Jindal announced his sweeping package…
CenLamar | Est. 2006
