Ed Board is proud of New Orleans. To put it lightly, this year hasn’t been easy for The, well, Big Easy. And Ed Board believes celebrating Mardi Gras is the perfect way for New Orleans to parade itself into a new year and mark a fresh beginning.
Many people think it’s too early for New Orleans to host Mardi Gras, but Ed Board thinks it’s a wise move.
Not only will Mardi Gras bring in some much-needed revenue for the city (though this year cannot be compared to previous years), but also it will place a glimmer of hope in the hearts of thousands who call New Orleans home.
After the 9/ll attacks in New York City, many people were hesitant to attend its New Year’s ball dropping in Times Square. Though the fears of a terrorist attack hung in the air, those who had faith in the Big Apple still came out for New York’s biggest party.
Don’t they deserve a moment of fun out of the overwhelming sorrow they have come to know? Ed Board thinks so.
And what about our former classmates who have left the Hilltop to return to Tulane and other Louisiana universities? Those students are returning to their college home, and many freshmen are spending their first semester at school. They have been through a lot as well; they deserve to celebrate New Orleans’ heritage and tradition, too.
Then there are those who think New Orleans should have used the money it spent on Mardi Gras to build homes for the homeless. This is a city in need of all of the financial help it can get. And Ed Board would like to reiterate: New Orleans will receive a return on its investment. To put it bluntly, Mardi Gras is a moneymaker for the city, jazzed with tradition. This event not only will put the jobless to work, but will also collect money to provide shelter for the homeless and help rebuild the city. The city, which is in dire financial straits, will surely benefit from the sales tax revenues associated with Mardi Gras.
Ed Board can attest that the best way to bring oneself out of a depression is to throw a party.
At some point, life has to go on in New Orleans. Things need to get back to normal — if not for those who survived, how about for the hundreds who passed?
If you are looking for some local celebration, stop by Hughes-Trigg Commons at noon today to experience Mardi Gras with the French Club.