Bouie: I define and model the term culture bearer as one who visibly carries their culture with them and helps to spread it by being authentically visible in all communities.
Cutno: How do you define the term “culture bearer”?
1A. For most, if not all, cultures the nature-culture distinction is of paramount importance. A basic paradox of human existence centers on the fact that as biological beings were are part of the natural world, yet that which makes us human sets us apart from all other members of that natural world. Once a society settles on a cluster of symbols for human culture -- use of fire, speech, and agriculture are common -- the society explains how humans attain these items. Interestingly, it is rarely a simple gift of all the gods. More often, a culture-bearer, divine, human, or even animal, delivers these gifts -- at a price. The elements that set humankind apart from the animals also create a tension between humankind and the gods. The process of becoming fully human inevitably means the end of the paradaisical age.
What criteria do you use to determine to whom the term applies?
1B. Any individual, especially a migrant, who carries, and thus diffuses, cultural values and traits between societies. The role of culture bearers is particularly important within those cultures undergoing transition or experiencing threat from outside the culture.
Bouie: I understand and support that the culture of New Orleans is an authentic one. We didn’t design it or build it to attract tourists. Our culture, especially in our neighborhoods, is simply who we are. We build New Orleans for us and that’s why tourists come. If we begin to build New Orleans for tourists, such as short-term
rentals, we will loose on both fronts. Tourists don’t want to see or experience a staged neighborhood, they want to see an authentic neighborhood, populated with indigenous people. I have a number of ideas but this is one of them:
Developers are targeting our neighborhoods and reporting any visible violation to the city’s code enforcement office. This results in fines and penalties that residents can’t pay and when fines aren’t paid, the owner is denied the ability to pay their property taxes until the fines are paid. Eventually, the property is sold to developers for nonpayment of property taxes. This is in many cases the forced gentrification that we are witnessing. This has to be changed. Owners should always be allowed to pay their taxes. I will fight for this change once on the city council.
Cutno: Affordable Housing for NOLA Artists, Entertainers, Musician’s and low-income and working class people. Investment of $17 million for affordable housing programs, loans, and grants, along with rental assistance, so that all of our residents can afford to live in a New Orleans home.
Bouie: The RTA schedule should be revised to accommodate this situation. Public transportation should be all about providing transportation to the PUBLIC that needs it. I have a friend that works in the hotel industry and sleeps at the hotel for hours after his shift ends, waiting for the RTA to arrive. Because they provide such a vital service, I would engage business owners to provide a “lil Easy” type of van service as an alternative, it’s a win-win.
Cutno: I will add 300 new buses on line.
Bouie: I would support a culture bearer committee or agency that monitors the treatment of culture bearers with regard to salaries, benefits and transportation. I see culture bearers as a protected class, who are vital to the city.
Cutno: Stimulate our tourism budget by making new investments and expand the tourism $7.4 billion dollars economic impact to New Orleans. Turn Jazz Land Theme Park into Hollywood film studios and Amusement park for tourism, new jobs and new tax revenue for New Orleans East residents. Turn the West bank naval base into a NCIS Hollywood film studio for tourism and build a Film and Digital Media technology center.
Bouie: This is an easy fix. When you look at the cost to provide security, street barriers and sanitation for large parades, there is no comparison to the cost to facilitate a Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade. The fee structure should be based on a fee for many musicians, cultural practitioners, and service industry workers travel services provided by the city. I would even explore complimentary services for our social clubs.
Cutno: No fees for Social Aid and Pleasure clubs, Mardi Gras parades and Second lines. The streets of New Orleans belong to them.
Bouie: Though well intentioned, the plan has elements that may cause irreparable damage to the culture of the French Quarter. I feel that there is too much focus on the French Quarter when there are other areas of the city that need the attention as it related to crime. The reduced hours of operation are not aligned with the reputation of the French Quarter as being a 24 hr. entertainment center. The will also hurt business and the employees who work in these businesses. Lastly, how will individuals be encouraged to leave the streets and what will this look like for all individuals.
Cutno: Do you support the current administration’s $40 million dollar Security Plan? NO.
What is one component that you would keep, and one component that you would change? I will keep Vehicles will be barred from the first eight blocks of Bourbon Street. I will change the 3 a.m. to discourage patrons from spilling outside, and an early morning spraying of Bourbon Street will further discourage revelry there. Bourbon will always be open.
Bouie: All of the classifications of business that are listed above are entitled to the same protections as any business or citizen in the city. Once an establishment is licensed it should be free to operate, free of harassment. I’d like to understand the types of problems experienced by these business and address them head on.
Cutno: Stimulate our tourism budget by making new investments and expand the tourism $7.05 billion dollars economic impact to New Orleans. Turn Jazz Land Theme Park into Hollywood film studios and Amusement park for tourism, new jobs and new tax revenue for New Orleans East residents. Turn the West bank naval base into a NCIS Hollywood film studio for tourism and build a Film and Digital Media technology center.
Bouie: Yes, my only concern would be associated with some musicians that are underage. I would like to review and make a decision that best supports their safety.
Cutno: No.
Bouie: This is an example where equity is favored over equality. The needs of each genre are different and we have to develop policies that support each genre as this is not a “one size fits all” situation. I’m for taking the time to engage and understand what’s working and what’s not and develop unique “win/win” policies.
Cutno: We will work together to do this.
Bouie: One unique aspect of our culture is it provides opportunities to belong...to be a part of something that not only develops an art form but also a sense of belonging to a sub culture that is recognized and appreciated. I would encourage expanding art and culture experiences to include mentoring, teambuilding and business tutorials to enable the youth development.
Cutno: The Municipal Auditorium is a 7,853-seat multi-purpose arena in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a component of the New Orleans Cultural Center, alongside the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts is located in the Tremé neighborhood in Louis Armstrong Park adjacent to Congo Square will be a youth Cultural Art Center.
Bouie: The curriculum of schools can be expanded to include not just Louisiana and New Orleans history but also cultural history to generate an appreciation not only for our music but also our architecture. Students should be educated to appreciate, why tourist come. It’s to see them, to hear their music and understand where they live. The youth can begin to see their neighborhoods and the people that live there as valued.
Cutno: I will fund the Municipal Auditorium is a 7,853-seat multi-purpose arena in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a component of the New Orleans Cultural Center, alongside the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts is located in the Tremé neighborhood in Louis Armstrong Park adjacent to Congo Square will be a youth Cultural Art Center. We have no control over the Charter School System.
Bouie: Yes, every opportunity to support our cultural bearers should be put in place
Cutno: Yes