For most of the long-suffering and deeply loyal fans of the New Orleans Saints, our prayers have been answered. New Orleans is now ready to let the good times roll.
Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints on their historic and dazzling Super Bowl victory. From the initial kick-off to the “on-side” kick that started the third quarter, the Saints’ dogged determination to win despite the odds has come to symbolize the emotional journey for an entire region of the country.
It has been a rough road to recovery for many families since Hurricane Katrina, and her equally catastrophic twin sister, Rita, struck the Gulf Coast, killing at least 1,400 people and destroying more than 200,000 homes, 16,000 businesses, 10 hospitals, and 40 schools. Louisiana’s property losses alone total more than $100 billion.
None of us will ever forget the images of people waiting to be rescued from rooftops or bodies floating in the raging floodwaters. Almost five long years later, those who have returned to the region and those still scattered across the nation remain haunted by the loss of family members, friends, neighbors, neighborhoods and treasured family possessions.
While a Saints championship in no way can rectify the tragedies, heal the pain or extinguish the anger still felt by the people of New Orleans, it has provided a unifying reason to celebrate and cheer. Mardi Gras has begun, the Saints are champions and, most importantly, the broader New Orleans community — no matter where they currently reside — are letting the good times roll.
New Orleans is united, and all of Louisiana is ecstatic. The cheers are not only for our winning football team, but also for New Orleans Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu, the current lieutenant governor and son of beloved former New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu, who overwhelmingly defeated a crowded field of candidates.
For the first time in many years, race was not the dominant factor in the mayoral election. In electing Landrieu, the people of New Orleans opted for competency and experience. They didn’t vote for black or white. They voted for a strong leader to help guide them on the long journey back to recovery and renaissance.
Beyond the Saints’ victory and Landrieu’s election, there are other signs of progress. According to the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center (www.gnocdc.org):
• New Orleans’ population is now nearly 80 percent of its pre-Katrina number.
• There has been an influx of young people eager to help rebuild the city. Forty-one percent of the households in New Orleans are now singles, up from 33 percent before the storm.
• Substantial rebuilding activity helped shield New Orleans from the recession. The metro area’s unemployment rate was only 6.8 percent in December 2009, compared to 10 percent nationwide.
• Enrollment in New Orleans schools is now only 61 percent of its pre-Katrina numbers, and significant public school reforms are under way. More than 60 percent of all New Orleans public school students attend charter schools, the highest percentage of any city in the country.
Civic pride is strong. Despite the adversity they’ve faced, or perhaps because of it, New Orleanians passionately support the Saints. For four straight years, the franchise has sold out the 70,000-seat Superdome before the beginning of the season. And New Orleans Saints merchandise ranked sixth in the nation in sales. The city’s entrepreneurial spirit refuses to bend to anyone when it comes to selling that Who Dat gear in local shops. Now everyone across the country is referring to my hometown of New Orleans as the “Who Dat nation.”
The Who Dats have their work cut out for them. They need to continue to complete the rebuilding process, removing Katrina-inflicted scars from the city landscape, helping damaged neighborhoods rebuild with targeted investments, tackle crime and continuing educational reform that will produce graduates willing to stay in New Orleans.
This line is now open for every American to join. Join us in celebrating a truly remarkable moment for a great city. Thanks to all your praying for and believing in the Who Dat people, New Orleans is rising again. It’s now, We Dat!
Donna Brazile is a political commentator on CNN, ABC and NPR; contributing columnist to Roll Call, the newspaper of Capitol Hill; and former campaign manager for Al Gore.
