Date Awarded
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
History
Advisor
Jody Allen
Abstract
Lost Lands, Lost Heritage: Examining Displacement and Cultural Exploitation in Black New Orleans and Native American Communities. This paper examines the displacement of Black residents in post-Katrina New Orleans, arguing it mirrors a continuation of the historical dispossession experienced by Indigenous peoples in the United States. While Hurricane Katrina served as the immediate catalyst, the research demonstrates a deeper, systemic pattern of racial exclusion. This paper traces a historical timeline, revealing how racist housing policies relegated Black communities to low-lying, flood-prone areas, mirroring tactics employed during Indigenous removal acts. Furthermore, the analysis uncovers the devaluation of Black-owned property, highlighting its parallels to the historical undervaluing of Indigenous land and eventual displacement. The paper also explores the role of environmental racism and religious narratives in justifying both Indigenous dispossession and the suffering of Black New Orleanians. By establishing these connections, the research contributes to a broader understanding of settler colonialism in America, demonstrating how its legacy continues to shape contemporary displacement patterns. Storyville’s Shadows of Desire: Unveiling the Plight of Black and Mixed-Race Sex Workers in New Orleans. This paper examines the mythologized reality of Storyville, New Orleans' infamous red-light district. While often romanticized as a cradle of jazz innovation and female liberation, the lived experiences of sex workers, particularly Black and mixed-race women, paint a far grimmer picture. This research dismantles the popular narrative of Storyville as a haven of free expression, exposing the harsh realities of exploitation and abuse faced by the women who lived here. Through analysis of historical documents, police records, and personal accounts, the paper unveils the pervasive presence of sexual violence, including rape, assault, and coercion. Furthermore, the research explores the racist and classist power structures that relegated Black and mixed-race women to the most vulnerable positions within the sex trade. By dispelling the myths surrounding Storyville, this paper sheds light on the oppressive dynamics that governed this segregated vice district. The research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of sex work in the early 20th century, highlighting the complex interplay between race, gender, and economic realities that shaped the lives of women in Storyville.
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.21220/s2-4xr8-x502
Rights
© The Author
Recommended Citation
Jackson, Bryleigh Paige, "Lost Lands, Lost Heritage: Examining Displacement And Cultural Exploitation In Black New Orleans And Native American Communities / Storyville’s Shadows Of Desire: Unveiling The Plight Of Black And Mixed-Race Sex Workers In New Orleans" (2024). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. William & Mary. Paper 1727787994.
https://dx.doi.org/10.21220/s2-4xr8-x502
