1 00:00:30,100 --> 00:00:32,000 Support for Louisiana, 2 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:34,933 the state we're in is provided by. 3 00:00:35,066 --> 00:00:37,466 Every day I go to work for Entergy. 4 00:00:37,466 --> 00:00:39,233 I know customers are counting on me. 5 00:00:39,233 --> 00:00:40,433 So Entergy is investing 6 00:00:40,433 --> 00:00:41,700 millions of dollars 7 00:00:41,700 --> 00:00:42,833 to keep the lights on 8 00:00:42,833 --> 00:00:44,866 and installing new technology 9 00:00:44,866 --> 00:00:46,766 to prevent outages before they happen. 10 00:00:46,766 --> 00:00:48,600 Together, together, together. 11 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:50,966 We power life. 12 00:01:00,666 --> 00:01:02,600 Additional support provided by the Fred 13 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:03,800 B and Ruth B Zigler 14 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:05,133 Foundation and the Zigler 15 00:01:05,133 --> 00:01:06,333 Art Museum located 16 00:01:06,333 --> 00:01:07,933 in Jennings City Hall. 17 00:01:07,933 --> 00:01:09,733 The museum focuses on emerging 18 00:01:09,733 --> 00:01:11,033 Louisiana artists 19 00:01:11,033 --> 00:01:12,933 and is an historical and cultural center 20 00:01:12,933 --> 00:01:15,833 for Southwest Louisiana 21 00:01:15,833 --> 00:01:16,833 and the Foundation 22 00:01:16,833 --> 00:01:18,166 for Excellence in Louisiana 23 00:01:18,166 --> 00:01:19,533 Public Broadcasting. 24 00:01:19,533 --> 00:01:20,900 With support from viewers 25 00:01:20,900 --> 00:01:22,800 like you and 26 00:01:35,966 --> 00:01:39,066 Tedx gives these ideas a platform. 27 00:01:39,066 --> 00:01:42,266 So to show an even much larger audience the cool things 28 00:01:42,266 --> 00:01:43,966 that are happening here 29 00:01:43,966 --> 00:01:46,066 an injection of homegrown ideas. 30 00:01:46,866 --> 00:01:47,933 We work with, 31 00:01:47,933 --> 00:01:49,200 you know, all the different businesses 32 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,433 there because it's not just that company. 33 00:01:51,433 --> 00:01:53,766 You have to sort of give people the tools 34 00:01:53,966 --> 00:01:55,133 so that they can sustain 35 00:01:55,133 --> 00:01:56,366 this at home. 36 00:01:56,366 --> 00:01:59,200 Meeting Health needs of workers. 37 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:00,966 Concrete doesn't drink water. 38 00:02:00,966 --> 00:02:01,900 So it's like there's 39 00:02:01,900 --> 00:02:03,166 you have more ways in which 40 00:02:03,166 --> 00:02:06,033 flooding becomes impactful, 41 00:02:06,033 --> 00:02:07,533 putting city drainage in the 42 00:02:07,533 --> 00:02:10,600 hands of the people. 43 00:02:11,066 --> 00:02:11,633 Hi, everyone. 44 00:02:11,633 --> 00:02:12,466 I'm Kara St. Cyr. 45 00:02:12,466 --> 00:02:13,633 And I'm Andre Moreau. 46 00:02:13,633 --> 00:02:15,366 Tonight, we begin with hopeful news. 47 00:02:15,366 --> 00:02:16,733 It's hard to view the Gulf South 48 00:02:16,733 --> 00:02:17,933 as a model for education 49 00:02:17,933 --> 00:02:20,333 improvement strategies, but that's what's happening. 50 00:02:20,433 --> 00:02:22,600 Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi 51 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:24,766 are seeing reading scores slowly improve 52 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:26,566 following a national decline 53 00:02:26,566 --> 00:02:27,966 in literacy rates. 54 00:02:27,966 --> 00:02:29,933 Both Alabama and Louisiana 55 00:02:29,933 --> 00:02:31,233 saw some gains in fourth 56 00:02:31,233 --> 00:02:32,466 grade reading, 57 00:02:32,466 --> 00:02:34,566 but Mississippi went from ranking 49th 58 00:02:34,566 --> 00:02:37,200 for reading in 2013 to 21 in 2020 59 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,166 to very impressive. 60 00:02:39,700 --> 00:02:41,133 And now a look at some other headlines 61 00:02:41,133 --> 00:02:42,533 making news around our state. 62 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:45,533 U.S. Congressman Garret Graves 63 00:02:45,533 --> 00:02:48,000 is one of a select group of negotiators chosen 64 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:49,266 by the president and House speaker 65 00:02:49,266 --> 00:02:50,933 to help close a deal to keep the U.S. 66 00:02:50,933 --> 00:02:52,500 government solvent. 67 00:02:52,500 --> 00:02:53,300 There's a June 1st 68 00:02:53,300 --> 00:02:54,666 deadline to help work out a deal 69 00:02:54,666 --> 00:02:56,966 to increase the nation's ability to borrow 70 00:02:56,966 --> 00:02:58,700 if a deal is not reached 71 00:02:58,700 --> 00:03:00,133 by June 1st. 72 00:03:00,133 --> 00:03:01,366 That's when the Treasury Department 73 00:03:01,366 --> 00:03:03,666 says the government could begin defaulting on its debt. 74 00:03:03,666 --> 00:03:05,600 For the first time in history. 75 00:03:07,900 --> 00:03:09,166 A new study shows oil 76 00:03:09,166 --> 00:03:10,633 production in the Gulf of Mexico 77 00:03:10,633 --> 00:03:13,300 is 43% cleaner than the global average. 78 00:03:13,300 --> 00:03:14,666 Outperforming other nations 79 00:03:14,666 --> 00:03:17,500 like Russia, China, Brazil, Iran, Iraq 80 00:03:17,500 --> 00:03:19,366 and Nigeria. 81 00:03:20,066 --> 00:03:21,366 Senator Bill Cassidy says 82 00:03:21,366 --> 00:03:22,633 it's clear that the U.S., 83 00:03:22,633 --> 00:03:23,866 especially Louisiana 84 00:03:23,866 --> 00:03:25,733 and the Gulf of Mexico, produces 85 00:03:25,733 --> 00:03:27,266 cleaner energy than anywhere. 86 00:03:27,266 --> 00:03:29,066 Thanks to our investment in our companies 87 00:03:29,066 --> 00:03:31,700 and workers. 88 00:03:32,233 --> 00:03:32,933 In the southwest 89 00:03:32,933 --> 00:03:34,200 Louisiana town of Elton. 90 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:35,566 There's a recall effort underway 91 00:03:35,566 --> 00:03:37,966 from a group seeking to remove first term mayor 92 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,000 Keisha Skinner Lemoine 93 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:41,433 It comes as allegations swirl 94 00:03:41,433 --> 00:03:42,766 about election irregularities 95 00:03:42,766 --> 00:03:44,000 and fraud. 96 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:45,933 Organizers filed paperwork this week 97 00:03:45,933 --> 00:03:48,000 with the secretary of state's office. 98 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:48,900 A KPLC-TV 99 00:03:48,900 --> 00:03:50,966 investigation found questionable 100 00:03:50,966 --> 00:03:53,400 voting credentials among nearly three dozen people. 101 00:03:53,866 --> 00:03:55,000 Enough votes to impact 102 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,766 election results. 103 00:03:58,366 --> 00:03:59,166 And some good news. 104 00:03:59,166 --> 00:04:01,200 A new festival is coming to New Orleans. 105 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:02,566 It's called Pickleball Fest. 106 00:04:02,566 --> 00:04:03,766 And it was created by former 107 00:04:03,766 --> 00:04:06,166 Saints quarterback Drew Brees. 108 00:04:06,166 --> 00:04:07,933 The festival will have 24 tournament 109 00:04:07,933 --> 00:04:09,266 Pickleball Courts, 110 00:04:09,266 --> 00:04:10,566 live music and a chance 111 00:04:10,566 --> 00:04:12,200 to watch Brees play. 112 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:13,033 Some of the proceeds 113 00:04:13,033 --> 00:04:15,366 will go to the Brees Dream Foundation. 114 00:04:15,366 --> 00:04:16,400 The event will take place 115 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:19,133 August 10th through the 13th at the Ernest Morial 116 00:04:19,133 --> 00:04:21,800 Convention Center. 117 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:36,400 The Louisiana company that 118 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:38,333 invented a machine to process 119 00:04:38,333 --> 00:04:40,566 shrimp back in 1947 120 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:41,833 is leading the way 121 00:04:41,833 --> 00:04:43,266 in employee wellness 122 00:04:43,266 --> 00:04:44,566 and health care. 123 00:04:44,566 --> 00:04:45,766 Laitram is headquartered 124 00:04:45,766 --> 00:04:47,700 in Hanrahan in metro New Orleans 125 00:04:47,700 --> 00:04:49,900 and has offices around the globe. 126 00:04:49,900 --> 00:04:50,700 I talked with Dr. 127 00:04:50,700 --> 00:04:52,000 Tro Kalayjian of Dr. 128 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:53,533 Tro’s weight loss about what 129 00:04:53,533 --> 00:04:55,566 Laitram provides its employees. 130 00:04:58,333 --> 00:05:00,500 Tell me first about how you 131 00:05:00,500 --> 00:05:02,933 came on board with Laitram█s 132 00:05:03,133 --> 00:05:03,500 wellness plan 133 00:05:03,500 --> 00:05:06,633 and how it's worked. 134 00:05:06,633 --> 00:05:07,866 So first of all, 135 00:05:07,866 --> 00:05:10,000 I have to give a big 136 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:11,166 shout out to Laitram. 137 00:05:11,166 --> 00:05:11,533 I have worked 138 00:05:11,533 --> 00:05:13,600 with several companies, 139 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:15,266 so I was an addition 140 00:05:15,266 --> 00:05:15,866 to their already established 141 00:05:15,866 --> 00:05:17,500 wellness program. 142 00:05:17,533 --> 00:05:19,200 They had dietitians, 143 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:20,600 personal trainers, 144 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:21,800 physical therapists, 145 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:23,000 health clinics, 146 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:23,500 and they came to me 147 00:05:23,500 --> 00:05:25,066 and they said, 148 00:05:25,066 --> 00:05:25,900 We want more. 149 00:05:25,900 --> 00:05:27,700 We have patients with diabetes. 150 00:05:27,700 --> 00:05:28,766 We have patients with obesity. 151 00:05:28,766 --> 00:05:29,233 They're suffering 152 00:05:29,233 --> 00:05:30,966 and we want to help them. 153 00:05:31,333 --> 00:05:31,733 And they said, 154 00:05:31,733 --> 00:05:33,466 we want to bring your services 155 00:05:33,466 --> 00:05:35,066 to the entire company. 156 00:05:35,066 --> 00:05:38,233 And so that was exciting to me 157 00:05:38,633 --> 00:05:40,066 because I know 158 00:05:40,066 --> 00:05:40,533 in the literature 159 00:05:40,533 --> 00:05:41,433 it's been published 160 00:05:41,433 --> 00:05:43,666 that a metabolic health program 161 00:05:43,666 --> 00:05:44,166 focused on nutrition, 162 00:05:44,166 --> 00:05:45,900 focused on, 163 00:05:45,900 --> 00:05:47,400 you know, low carb eating, 164 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:48,833 intermittent fasting. 165 00:05:48,833 --> 00:05:49,600 It's been shown 166 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:51,200 to save companies money. 167 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:53,033 It's been shown to reduce 168 00:05:53,033 --> 00:05:54,466 the costs 169 00:05:54,466 --> 00:05:56,966 for medications and patients. 170 00:05:56,966 --> 00:05:57,433 Absolutely love it 171 00:05:57,433 --> 00:05:58,666 because they lose weight 172 00:05:58,666 --> 00:05:59,133 and they come off 173 00:05:59,133 --> 00:06:00,800 their diabetes medications. 174 00:06:01,266 --> 00:06:02,833 So I was excited. 175 00:06:02,833 --> 00:06:03,633 That's what's happened here. 176 00:06:03,633 --> 00:06:05,900 You've seen patients average 177 00:06:05,900 --> 00:06:08,433 an amazing amount of weight loss 178 00:06:08,433 --> 00:06:10,033 and the entire company 179 00:06:10,033 --> 00:06:12,466 is healthier, happier, 180 00:06:12,466 --> 00:06:13,566 and the company itself 181 00:06:13,566 --> 00:06:14,066 seems to be fantastic 182 00:06:14,066 --> 00:06:16,166 to its employees. 183 00:06:16,166 --> 00:06:16,533 Yeah. 184 00:06:16,533 --> 00:06:17,966 So, you know, that's 185 00:06:17,966 --> 00:06:18,666 that was the ideal partnership, 186 00:06:18,666 --> 00:06:20,166 somebody who's actually 187 00:06:20,166 --> 00:06:21,733 invested in the health 188 00:06:21,733 --> 00:06:23,433 of their employees. 189 00:06:23,433 --> 00:06:23,800 So we started 190 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:25,466 with two years ago, 191 00:06:25,466 --> 00:06:26,100 we started talking about this 192 00:06:26,100 --> 00:06:28,100 and we started a pilot program 193 00:06:28,433 --> 00:06:28,966 with about 15 patients 194 00:06:28,966 --> 00:06:31,400 and we've published 195 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:31,800 on the results 196 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:33,133 of those 15 patients. 197 00:06:33,133 --> 00:06:35,266 But now the program is expanded 198 00:06:35,266 --> 00:06:37,066 to the entire company, 199 00:06:37,066 --> 00:06:39,100 including their family members 200 00:06:39,833 --> 00:06:40,733 of employees. 201 00:06:40,733 --> 00:06:43,600 And so we have roughly 200 202 00:06:44,900 --> 00:06:46,066 employees that are, 203 00:06:46,066 --> 00:06:47,300 you know, our patients 204 00:06:47,300 --> 00:06:48,566 here in our clinic. 205 00:06:48,566 --> 00:06:49,966 And the results 206 00:06:49,966 --> 00:06:51,233 have been spectacular. 207 00:06:51,233 --> 00:06:53,500 The average person at six months 208 00:06:53,500 --> 00:06:54,966 loses roughly 34 209 00:06:54,966 --> 00:06:56,433 pounds at one year. 210 00:06:56,433 --> 00:06:57,000 The average person loses 211 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,033 52 pounds 212 00:06:59,033 --> 00:06:59,733 and they're lowering their blood 213 00:06:59,733 --> 00:07:01,766 pressure 214 00:07:01,766 --> 00:07:03,100 17 points. 215 00:07:03,100 --> 00:07:03,433 Their A1C, 216 00:07:03,433 --> 00:07:05,066 which is a marker of diabetes, 217 00:07:05,066 --> 00:07:06,400 is coming down 1%, 218 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:07,966 which is stronger 219 00:07:07,966 --> 00:07:08,466 than some medications 220 00:07:08,466 --> 00:07:09,633 out there on the market. 221 00:07:09,633 --> 00:07:11,833 And this is while 222 00:07:11,833 --> 00:07:13,133 they stopped medication. 223 00:07:13,133 --> 00:07:13,733 So the average participant 224 00:07:13,733 --> 00:07:15,266 stopped 225 00:07:15,300 --> 00:07:15,900 two different medications 226 00:07:15,900 --> 00:07:16,766 that they did 227 00:07:16,766 --> 00:07:18,533 not need anymore. 228 00:07:18,533 --> 00:07:19,000 We've had patients 229 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:20,500 come off of insulin. 230 00:07:20,500 --> 00:07:20,966 We've had patients 231 00:07:20,966 --> 00:07:22,466 come off of ozempic. 232 00:07:22,466 --> 00:07:22,933 We've had patients 233 00:07:22,933 --> 00:07:24,366 come off of blood pressure meds. 234 00:07:24,366 --> 00:07:26,300 They did not need anymore. 235 00:07:26,300 --> 00:07:27,500 So the patients are happy 236 00:07:27,500 --> 00:07:30,000 because they're losing weight. 237 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:30,566 Their employer is happy 238 00:07:30,566 --> 00:07:32,300 because they're happier, 239 00:07:32,300 --> 00:07:33,866 healthier and don't need 240 00:07:33,866 --> 00:07:35,133 as many medications. 241 00:07:35,133 --> 00:07:36,233 And we're happy 242 00:07:36,233 --> 00:07:38,433 because our team is focused on 243 00:07:38,433 --> 00:07:40,466 ending diabetes, obesity, 244 00:07:40,466 --> 00:07:40,800 hypertension 245 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:42,133 and metabolic syndrome. 246 00:07:42,133 --> 00:07:43,366 So it's a win win 247 00:07:43,366 --> 00:07:44,733 win, which is great. 248 00:07:44,733 --> 00:07:45,033 Most of 249 00:07:45,033 --> 00:07:46,966 what people have heard in 250 00:07:48,066 --> 00:07:49,400 nutritional management 251 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:50,966 from their dietitians 252 00:07:50,966 --> 00:07:52,166 and nutritionists and doctors 253 00:07:52,166 --> 00:07:53,733 historically has been 254 00:07:53,733 --> 00:07:55,200 things that haven't worked out 255 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:56,433 count your calories, eat 256 00:07:56,433 --> 00:07:57,700 less, move more. 257 00:07:57,700 --> 00:07:58,400 You know, we've been saying this 258 00:07:58,400 --> 00:07:59,400 for 50 years. 259 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:00,966 And so when all of a sudden 260 00:08:00,966 --> 00:08:02,233 a doctor comes on board, 261 00:08:02,233 --> 00:08:02,933 says, hey, look, we're going to 262 00:08:02,933 --> 00:08:04,400 check your labs, we're going to 263 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:04,933 check your blood sugar 264 00:08:04,933 --> 00:08:06,066 in real time, 265 00:08:06,066 --> 00:08:07,200 We're reviewing their labs 266 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:08,500 at three months, six months 267 00:08:08,500 --> 00:08:09,733 and 12 months. 268 00:08:09,733 --> 00:08:10,333 If they're if they don't see 269 00:08:10,333 --> 00:08:11,800 progress 270 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:12,066 there, 271 00:08:12,066 --> 00:08:13,566 you know, I'm accountable. 272 00:08:13,566 --> 00:08:14,166 And focusing on metabolic 273 00:08:14,166 --> 00:08:15,800 health, it's been 274 00:08:16,100 --> 00:08:17,266 absolutely amazing 275 00:08:17,266 --> 00:08:19,100 for patients when you teach them 276 00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:20,866 what processed carbs and sugar 277 00:08:20,866 --> 00:08:22,500 can do to their health, 278 00:08:22,500 --> 00:08:24,000 the ill effects. 279 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:25,666 And when they see, for example, 280 00:08:25,666 --> 00:08:26,100 on a blood sugar 281 00:08:26,100 --> 00:08:27,933 meter in real time 282 00:08:27,933 --> 00:08:29,466 when they're eating something 283 00:08:29,466 --> 00:08:30,533 that they thought was healthy, 284 00:08:30,533 --> 00:08:31,033 but their blood sugar 285 00:08:31,033 --> 00:08:31,800 is going up 286 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:33,966 200, 200 to 250, 287 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:35,433 they realize, hey, wait 288 00:08:35,433 --> 00:08:36,633 a second, it's time to change. 289 00:08:36,633 --> 00:08:37,100 And that information 290 00:08:37,100 --> 00:08:38,900 is in an instant. 291 00:08:38,900 --> 00:08:39,833 We have a low 292 00:08:39,833 --> 00:08:41,466 carb, almond flour based king 293 00:08:41,466 --> 00:08:44,033 cake made right in Metairie. 294 00:08:44,033 --> 00:08:46,000 We have a low carb pizza, 295 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:46,900 Made right there. 296 00:08:46,900 --> 00:08:47,466 We work with, you know, 297 00:08:47,466 --> 00:08:49,233 all the different businesses 298 00:08:49,233 --> 00:08:49,700 there because it's 299 00:08:49,700 --> 00:08:51,466 not just that company. 300 00:08:51,466 --> 00:08:53,300 You have to you have to sort of 301 00:08:53,300 --> 00:08:54,666 give people the tools 302 00:08:54,666 --> 00:08:55,300 so that they can sustain this 303 00:08:55,300 --> 00:08:56,866 at home. 304 00:08:56,866 --> 00:08:57,466 And it's been an absolute 305 00:08:57,466 --> 00:08:59,466 awesome pleasure. 306 00:08:59,466 --> 00:09:01,500 It's been we've learned so much 307 00:09:01,500 --> 00:09:03,366 about Louisiana cuisine 308 00:09:03,366 --> 00:09:03,766 and we're just 309 00:09:03,766 --> 00:09:05,133 we're just excited. 310 00:09:05,133 --> 00:09:06,733 This is our mission. 311 00:09:06,733 --> 00:09:07,366 Dr. Tro is so great to talk 312 00:09:07,366 --> 00:09:09,066 to you. 313 00:09:09,066 --> 00:09:09,800 Thank you. Thank you. 314 00:09:23,533 --> 00:09:24,733 What if community members 315 00:09:24,733 --> 00:09:25,966 control policy around 316 00:09:25,966 --> 00:09:27,333 drainage systems? 317 00:09:27,333 --> 00:09:28,900 The Water Collaborative in New Orleans 318 00:09:28,900 --> 00:09:30,700 is aiming to make that a reality. 319 00:09:30,700 --> 00:09:32,666 The organization is starting the Water Justice 320 00:09:32,666 --> 00:09:34,733 fund in an effort to improve drainage systems 321 00:09:34,733 --> 00:09:37,133 and increase green space in the Crescent City. 322 00:09:37,133 --> 00:09:39,033 I spoke with one of the organizers and here's 323 00:09:39,033 --> 00:09:39,833 what he had to say. 324 00:09:40,900 --> 00:09:41,200 So can 325 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:43,600 you tell me a little bit about democratizing drainage? 326 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:44,533 What does that mean? 327 00:09:44,533 --> 00:09:47,166 Yeah, we decided to attach democratize 328 00:09:47,166 --> 00:09:48,600 drainage to the water justice 329 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:50,233 fund because 330 00:09:50,300 --> 00:09:51,900 when we think about something in New Orleans 331 00:09:51,900 --> 00:09:53,833 that affects all of us, 332 00:09:53,833 --> 00:09:55,300 it's water, right? 333 00:09:55,300 --> 00:09:57,133 In whatever way, whether that's coming up 334 00:09:57,133 --> 00:09:59,166 or coming down. 335 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:01,166 Democratizing 336 00:10:01,166 --> 00:10:02,666 that means putting the power 337 00:10:02,666 --> 00:10:04,533 or putting the responsibility 338 00:10:04,533 --> 00:10:05,800 back in the people's hands 339 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:07,866 who it affects the most. 340 00:10:07,866 --> 00:10:08,433 And over 341 00:10:08,433 --> 00:10:09,800 and over, the conversations 342 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:11,100 about, like water trauma 343 00:10:11,100 --> 00:10:13,233 and dealing with water and problems 344 00:10:13,233 --> 00:10:15,300 that need to be fixed, that just never get fixed. 345 00:10:16,700 --> 00:10:18,133 We said something had to be done 346 00:10:18,133 --> 00:10:19,700 to like unite our community 347 00:10:19,700 --> 00:10:21,200 on this issue. 348 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:22,666 Well, you mentioned water trauma. 349 00:10:22,666 --> 00:10:23,933 I've never heard it referred 350 00:10:23,933 --> 00:10:25,133 to like that before. 351 00:10:25,133 --> 00:10:26,633 Can you tell me what that means? 352 00:10:26,633 --> 00:10:27,066 Yeah. 353 00:10:27,066 --> 00:10:28,466 I mean, water 354 00:10:28,466 --> 00:10:30,166 trauma in New Orleans, we think of things that are 355 00:10:30,166 --> 00:10:32,833 so big like Katrina and you, like, 356 00:10:32,866 --> 00:10:34,033 have family members 357 00:10:34,033 --> 00:10:35,933 and community leaders. 358 00:10:35,933 --> 00:10:38,166 Like just now we were talking about how 359 00:10:38,533 --> 00:10:40,600 they won't even go to, like the movie theater 360 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:41,966 because they're in the dark for too long 361 00:10:41,966 --> 00:10:44,100 and they can't tell if it like if it's going to rain. 362 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:45,133 I need to see when it rains. 363 00:10:45,133 --> 00:10:46,500 I don't leave the house 364 00:10:46,500 --> 00:10:48,100 because all of these things, 365 00:10:48,100 --> 00:10:49,533 the trauma of 366 00:10:49,533 --> 00:10:52,133 I lost so much I could lose again. 367 00:10:52,433 --> 00:10:53,600 I could be affected by this. 368 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:54,833 I could get stuck. 369 00:10:54,833 --> 00:10:56,133 And so this is like stories 370 00:10:56,133 --> 00:10:57,800 you hear over and over about, 371 00:10:57,800 --> 00:11:00,200 like how water has negatively impacted 372 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:02,366 people's lives because it's powerful. 373 00:11:02,766 --> 00:11:03,066 Right. 374 00:11:03,066 --> 00:11:04,633 And so all the way from those big 375 00:11:04,633 --> 00:11:06,000 events like Katrina all the way 376 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:07,266 down to as small 377 00:11:07,266 --> 00:11:08,700 as like I can't put the trash out 378 00:11:08,700 --> 00:11:11,200 because I don't want it to roll away. 379 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:13,333 And the flash flooding that's happening tonight. 380 00:11:13,333 --> 00:11:14,466 So it's the question. 381 00:11:14,466 --> 00:11:16,366 And basically take a deep breath 382 00:11:16,366 --> 00:11:18,800 that has nowhere to go for a lot of people. 383 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:20,433 They have a deep breath to prepare 384 00:11:20,433 --> 00:11:21,833 for something, 385 00:11:21,833 --> 00:11:22,900 but they never know when it's 386 00:11:22,900 --> 00:11:24,200 actually going to happen. 387 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:26,833 And so there's living with this resilience inside of them 388 00:11:28,566 --> 00:11:30,633 that has to be really exhausting. 389 00:11:30,633 --> 00:11:31,033 Yeah. 390 00:11:31,033 --> 00:11:32,666 To never know whenever it's going to rain 391 00:11:32,666 --> 00:11:34,066 or never know whenever the rain event 392 00:11:34,066 --> 00:11:36,133 could turn into a storm event or flash flood 393 00:11:36,133 --> 00:11:37,966 event or whatever 394 00:11:37,966 --> 00:11:39,433 else comes with that. 395 00:11:39,433 --> 00:11:40,366 So whenever you mentioned 396 00:11:40,366 --> 00:11:43,000 democratizing, I mean, we talked about this word 397 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,200 and that means basically putting the power to the people. 398 00:11:45,466 --> 00:11:46,666 Why do you think that it's necessary 399 00:11:46,666 --> 00:11:48,700 to give them that power? 400 00:11:48,766 --> 00:11:50,500 I mean, we've seen what happens when we don't 401 00:11:50,500 --> 00:11:51,600 For the longest time, 402 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:53,366 the structure of water 403 00:11:53,366 --> 00:11:55,000 and politics 404 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:56,300 and management in New Orleans 405 00:11:56,300 --> 00:11:57,700 has gotten so far 406 00:11:57,700 --> 00:12:00,666 removed from the, like, 407 00:12:01,166 --> 00:12:02,033 chaotic 408 00:12:02,033 --> 00:12:03,900 criminal state that it was in the beginning. 409 00:12:03,900 --> 00:12:04,133 Right. 410 00:12:04,133 --> 00:12:05,700 The people who started in New Orleans 411 00:12:05,700 --> 00:12:07,900 were sent here because they, you know, degenerates 412 00:12:07,900 --> 00:12:10,366 from France or indigenous people. 413 00:12:10,366 --> 00:12:12,333 And then black people were forced here. 414 00:12:12,333 --> 00:12:14,566 And they're the reason that it survived 415 00:12:14,566 --> 00:12:16,300 or the reason that industrialism 416 00:12:16,300 --> 00:12:17,800 and things like that came. 417 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:19,566 But there's so much like respect for the land 418 00:12:19,566 --> 00:12:22,100 and green spaces and parks and all of these things, 419 00:12:22,100 --> 00:12:23,866 it felt like the people had the power. 420 00:12:23,866 --> 00:12:25,300 And then slowly over the years, 421 00:12:25,300 --> 00:12:26,566 you see all of the ways 422 00:12:26,566 --> 00:12:29,533 in which more people in power have taken more and more 423 00:12:29,533 --> 00:12:32,033 from the communities and left it vulnerable 424 00:12:32,033 --> 00:12:34,666 to the like. 425 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:36,566 Yeah, to the elements. 426 00:12:36,566 --> 00:12:38,800 So even outside of our office here, 427 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:40,266 the Claiborne overpasses, 428 00:12:40,266 --> 00:12:41,866 that was like a 429 00:12:41,866 --> 00:12:43,966 black hustling and bustling 430 00:12:43,966 --> 00:12:45,466 like shopping center. 431 00:12:45,466 --> 00:12:47,033 And it went right to the middle, took out 432 00:12:47,033 --> 00:12:49,566 parks, historic houses, all that. 433 00:12:49,566 --> 00:12:52,333 And what you're left with is a key island effect. 434 00:12:52,333 --> 00:12:54,133 You're left with more pavement, 435 00:12:54,133 --> 00:12:56,066 which concrete doesn't drink water. 436 00:12:56,066 --> 00:12:58,000 So it's like there's you have more ways 437 00:12:58,000 --> 00:12:59,400 in which flooding becomes 438 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:00,633 impactful. 439 00:13:00,633 --> 00:13:01,833 And so if we ask like why 440 00:13:01,833 --> 00:13:03,233 we need to democratize drainage 441 00:13:03,233 --> 00:13:04,666 is because the people 442 00:13:04,666 --> 00:13:05,966 in power and politics 443 00:13:05,966 --> 00:13:08,166 as usual is so detrimental 444 00:13:08,300 --> 00:13:09,466 not only to the people that it 445 00:13:09,466 --> 00:13:11,900 serves, but now it's coming into like 446 00:13:11,900 --> 00:13:14,300 it's going to clash with the elements. 447 00:13:14,300 --> 00:13:16,366 It's going to clash with New Orleans 448 00:13:16,366 --> 00:13:18,700 being underwater if we don't address this. 449 00:13:19,066 --> 00:13:20,366 So what type of policy 450 00:13:20,366 --> 00:13:21,933 are you hoping to implement 451 00:13:21,933 --> 00:13:23,133 alongside the people? 452 00:13:23,133 --> 00:13:25,233 Yeah, I mean, so it's the way that it's built. 453 00:13:25,233 --> 00:13:27,500 It's kind of it is a community led policy. 454 00:13:27,500 --> 00:13:29,033 So we're flipping it on its head 455 00:13:29,033 --> 00:13:30,533 and we're doing it from the ground up. 456 00:13:30,533 --> 00:13:32,233 We're doing it from the community up. 457 00:13:32,233 --> 00:13:33,266 And that's one thing I'll never 458 00:13:33,266 --> 00:13:34,700 do, is be an expert on somebody 459 00:13:34,700 --> 00:13:35,966 else's community. 460 00:13:35,966 --> 00:13:37,166 And that's why this is so 461 00:13:38,533 --> 00:13:38,966 stress 462 00:13:38,966 --> 00:13:40,433 relieving in a sense, because it's it's 463 00:13:40,433 --> 00:13:42,033 it's a big topic, but it's stress thing 464 00:13:42,033 --> 00:13:43,633 because I can't fix it all. 465 00:13:43,633 --> 00:13:45,133 And so we want this to be a policy 466 00:13:45,133 --> 00:13:46,466 that is interactive 467 00:13:46,466 --> 00:13:49,066 and dynamic and always growing 468 00:13:49,066 --> 00:13:49,666 and changing 469 00:13:49,666 --> 00:13:51,900 to what we think as New Orleanians is best. 470 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:53,800 And so inviting all those voices, 471 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:55,266 this policy would be one 472 00:13:55,266 --> 00:13:56,866 that is equitable. 473 00:13:56,866 --> 00:13:58,700 It is one that would be transparent. 474 00:13:58,700 --> 00:14:01,000 We would know what the money is going to. 475 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:02,666 It would be one that is created 476 00:14:02,666 --> 00:14:03,966 specifically for drainage. 477 00:14:03,966 --> 00:14:05,166 So even if it turns out 478 00:14:05,166 --> 00:14:06,833 that we want to create 479 00:14:06,833 --> 00:14:09,300 a office of drainage, 480 00:14:09,300 --> 00:14:10,500 then that would look like 481 00:14:10,500 --> 00:14:11,633 that's where the money goes. 482 00:14:11,633 --> 00:14:13,200 The way that the structure is built. 483 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:14,866 We just start using the things 484 00:14:14,866 --> 00:14:16,366 that are good for New Orleans, 485 00:14:16,366 --> 00:14:18,933 like it's people the way that they're supposed to. 486 00:14:19,133 --> 00:14:21,566 And so making it a policy that's built 487 00:14:21,566 --> 00:14:24,266 upon need 488 00:14:24,266 --> 00:14:25,933 and the hope of New Orleans 489 00:14:25,933 --> 00:14:27,566 rather than the commodification 490 00:14:27,566 --> 00:14:29,233 of the things that make this place good. 491 00:14:29,233 --> 00:14:32,800 So Water Justice New Orleans is the name of the entire project. 492 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:34,233 How can people support it? 493 00:14:34,233 --> 00:14:35,600 How can they find out more? Yeah, 494 00:14:36,666 --> 00:14:36,900 if you go 495 00:14:36,900 --> 00:14:39,033 to waterjusticeneworleans.org 496 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:40,733 there's a chance to sign up for 497 00:14:40,733 --> 00:14:42,900 maybe a couple of the last workshops 498 00:14:42,900 --> 00:14:43,833 to kind of be a part 499 00:14:43,833 --> 00:14:45,466 of that building process. 500 00:14:45,466 --> 00:14:46,533 This project is born out 501 00:14:46,533 --> 00:14:49,200 of a lot of hope for our city, 502 00:14:49,700 --> 00:14:51,633 I think, and I'm happy to be a part of that. 503 00:14:51,633 --> 00:14:54,500 And then it's also built on 504 00:14:54,500 --> 00:14:57,300 just this idea that, like, we're so used to being resilient, 505 00:14:58,033 --> 00:14:58,900 but maybe we're tired 506 00:14:58,900 --> 00:15:00,700 of being resilient as well. 507 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:02,333 Don't have to be strong all the time. 508 00:15:02,333 --> 00:15:04,933 Yeah, we want to we want to remind the city that 509 00:15:05,133 --> 00:15:06,700 we're resilient city, but it doesn't mean 510 00:15:06,700 --> 00:15:08,200 that we keep having to be. 511 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:09,200 We don't have to be strong 512 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:09,833 all the time. 513 00:15:10,866 --> 00:15:11,100 If you 514 00:15:11,100 --> 00:15:12,433 want to support the Water Justice 515 00:15:12,433 --> 00:15:13,633 fund, you can head to the Water 516 00:15:13,633 --> 00:15:14,933 collaborative website. 517 00:15:14,933 --> 00:15:16,900 Thats nolawater.org 518 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:32,266 TEDx Baton Rouge is 519 00:15:32,266 --> 00:15:32,766 coming this September 520 00:15:32,766 --> 00:15:34,733 to the capital city, 521 00:15:34,733 --> 00:15:35,966 the capital region. 522 00:15:35,966 --> 00:15:36,566 And two of the organizers 523 00:15:36,566 --> 00:15:38,033 of the event 524 00:15:38,033 --> 00:15:39,166 are here to discuss it 525 00:15:39,166 --> 00:15:40,400 with me right now. 526 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:41,433 Morgan Almeida 527 00:15:41,433 --> 00:15:43,100 and also Melissa Thompson. 528 00:15:43,100 --> 00:15:44,633 And tell us 529 00:15:44,633 --> 00:15:46,200 what the event hopes to achieve. 530 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:46,866 Sure. 531 00:15:46,866 --> 00:15:48,400 So TEDx Baton Rouge is a 532 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:49,666 is a licensed event 533 00:15:49,666 --> 00:15:51,700 through the TED platform, 534 00:15:51,700 --> 00:15:52,200 which a lot of people 535 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:53,233 are familiar with. 536 00:15:53,233 --> 00:15:53,666 So this event is 537 00:15:53,666 --> 00:15:55,066 independently organized 538 00:15:55,066 --> 00:15:55,500 by the two of us 539 00:15:55,500 --> 00:15:57,200 and a team of volunteers. 540 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:58,233 And we are hoping 541 00:15:58,233 --> 00:16:00,533 to bring this event to fruition 542 00:16:00,533 --> 00:16:02,133 to spur ideas 543 00:16:02,133 --> 00:16:03,333 worth spreading. Yes. 544 00:16:03,333 --> 00:16:04,500 And to talk about 545 00:16:04,500 --> 00:16:05,800 all of the great homegrown 546 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:07,233 ideas and people that are doing 547 00:16:07,233 --> 00:16:09,000 really cool things in our own 548 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:10,400 backyard in south Louisiana. 549 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:12,400 This would be to propel Baton 550 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:13,833 Rouge into the future 551 00:16:13,833 --> 00:16:15,466 and quickly, right? 552 00:16:15,466 --> 00:16:16,466 Yeah, absolutely. 553 00:16:16,466 --> 00:16:20,166 So we want our local residents 554 00:16:20,166 --> 00:16:21,500 to learn more about their own 555 00:16:21,500 --> 00:16:22,933 community and great ideas 556 00:16:22,933 --> 00:16:24,433 that are happening here already 557 00:16:24,433 --> 00:16:26,266 that they might not know about. 558 00:16:26,266 --> 00:16:28,500 But then also, Ted X gives 559 00:16:28,500 --> 00:16:30,300 these ideas a platform 560 00:16:30,300 --> 00:16:30,900 to be on the national stage, 561 00:16:30,900 --> 00:16:32,600 too, right? 562 00:16:32,633 --> 00:16:33,300 So to show an even much larger 563 00:16:33,300 --> 00:16:35,266 audience 564 00:16:35,266 --> 00:16:35,700 the cool things 565 00:16:35,700 --> 00:16:36,733 that are happening here. 566 00:16:36,733 --> 00:16:39,733 So ideas, dreams, brainpower 567 00:16:39,966 --> 00:16:40,366 and all coming 568 00:16:40,366 --> 00:16:42,366 from the local community. 569 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:43,466 Yes, absolutely. 570 00:16:43,466 --> 00:16:44,033 And a lot of the stories 571 00:16:44,033 --> 00:16:46,133 that we're hoping to give 572 00:16:46,133 --> 00:16:47,666 a platform to are untold 573 00:16:47,666 --> 00:16:48,966 stories in Baton Rouge. 574 00:16:48,966 --> 00:16:50,700 These are people and ideas 575 00:16:50,700 --> 00:16:51,933 that might not typically 576 00:16:51,933 --> 00:16:53,433 get the large platform 577 00:16:53,433 --> 00:16:53,866 or have a large 578 00:16:53,866 --> 00:16:55,600 following on social media. 579 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:56,166 So by having this event 580 00:16:56,166 --> 00:16:58,033 and not only the live event 581 00:16:58,033 --> 00:16:58,500 in our community, 582 00:16:58,500 --> 00:17:00,266 but also the YouTube videos 583 00:17:00,266 --> 00:17:01,833 that will be posted later, 584 00:17:01,833 --> 00:17:02,400 it's giving a spotlight 585 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:04,100 to our community 586 00:17:04,100 --> 00:17:04,700 and there's really fantastic 587 00:17:04,700 --> 00:17:05,300 idea. 588 00:17:05,300 --> 00:17:05,800 Is there an example 589 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:06,866 of something like that 590 00:17:06,866 --> 00:17:07,800 that you can think of? 591 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:09,266 Sure. Yeah. 592 00:17:09,266 --> 00:17:10,533 We're not ready to share. 593 00:17:10,533 --> 00:17:12,333 The speakers will actually debut 594 00:17:12,333 --> 00:17:14,100 the speakers in July, but 595 00:17:14,100 --> 00:17:16,000 do you want to share an idea? 596 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:17,966 So Ted actually stands 597 00:17:17,966 --> 00:17:19,166 for technology, 598 00:17:19,166 --> 00:17:20,833 Entertainment and Design. 599 00:17:20,833 --> 00:17:22,066 And so that's 600 00:17:22,066 --> 00:17:23,633 the crux of what we look for. 601 00:17:23,633 --> 00:17:24,133 But then it expands 602 00:17:24,133 --> 00:17:25,733 past that, too. 603 00:17:25,900 --> 00:17:27,100 So we're looking at 604 00:17:27,100 --> 00:17:28,300 science topics. 605 00:17:28,300 --> 00:17:30,066 We're looking at health topics. 606 00:17:30,066 --> 00:17:31,233 We want to get very 607 00:17:31,233 --> 00:17:33,733 research, data backed ideas 608 00:17:33,933 --> 00:17:35,666 to share with the community. 609 00:17:35,666 --> 00:17:37,466 And that's something that 610 00:17:37,466 --> 00:17:40,133 any community would want to be 611 00:17:40,133 --> 00:17:41,633 having great things 612 00:17:41,633 --> 00:17:43,033 happening in that realm with. 613 00:17:43,033 --> 00:17:43,466 Right? 614 00:17:43,466 --> 00:17:43,700 Yeah, 615 00:17:43,700 --> 00:17:45,233 especially with the universities 616 00:17:45,233 --> 00:17:46,433 that we have in town. 617 00:17:46,433 --> 00:17:47,000 There's so much research 618 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:48,100 that's being done 619 00:17:48,100 --> 00:17:49,633 with Pennington. 620 00:17:49,633 --> 00:17:50,233 There's people 621 00:17:50,233 --> 00:17:51,466 that are entrepreneurs 622 00:17:51,466 --> 00:17:53,300 and have really fantastic ideas. 623 00:17:53,300 --> 00:17:54,333 It's already happening. 624 00:17:54,333 --> 00:17:54,966 Yeah, we just want to provide 625 00:17:54,966 --> 00:17:55,933 a platform 626 00:17:55,933 --> 00:17:57,366 for those ideas to be spread. 627 00:17:57,366 --> 00:17:58,333 What are some of the things 628 00:17:58,333 --> 00:18:00,600 that might come 629 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:01,800 from this, for example, 630 00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:02,500 that would be like the building 631 00:18:02,500 --> 00:18:03,866 of an attraction 632 00:18:04,266 --> 00:18:07,100 or something to draw a spotlight 633 00:18:07,100 --> 00:18:09,533 to the downtown area maybe? 634 00:18:09,566 --> 00:18:11,466 Yeah, you don't know 635 00:18:11,466 --> 00:18:11,800 in each year 636 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:13,066 is completely different. 637 00:18:13,066 --> 00:18:14,500 But what's exciting about it, 638 00:18:14,500 --> 00:18:17,100 we were both a part of TEDx LSU, 639 00:18:17,100 --> 00:18:17,666 which was the first TED 640 00:18:17,666 --> 00:18:18,833 event in town. 641 00:18:18,833 --> 00:18:20,233 We now have three total. 642 00:18:20,233 --> 00:18:21,533 But TEDx LSU. 643 00:18:21,533 --> 00:18:21,966 There were times 644 00:18:21,966 --> 00:18:23,900 where speakers would talk about 645 00:18:23,900 --> 00:18:24,466 a really fantastic idea 646 00:18:24,466 --> 00:18:25,833 that they had 647 00:18:25,833 --> 00:18:26,366 maybe for a nonprofit, 648 00:18:26,366 --> 00:18:27,700 and there happened 649 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:28,366 to be somebody in the audience 650 00:18:28,366 --> 00:18:29,866 that agreed with them 651 00:18:29,866 --> 00:18:31,400 that that was a great idea 652 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:33,733 and funded them on the spot 653 00:18:33,733 --> 00:18:35,400 to create that organization 654 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:36,666 and have really 655 00:18:36,666 --> 00:18:37,966 some good community 656 00:18:37,966 --> 00:18:39,366 awareness, but also 657 00:18:39,366 --> 00:18:40,633 community involvement. Right. 658 00:18:40,633 --> 00:18:41,100 So we've all seen 659 00:18:41,100 --> 00:18:43,833 what a TEDx Talk looks like. 660 00:18:43,833 --> 00:18:45,200 A TED Talk looks like 661 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:46,500 this will take place 662 00:18:46,500 --> 00:18:48,300 where and the date. 663 00:18:48,300 --> 00:18:48,666 All right. 664 00:18:48,666 --> 00:18:49,366 So it is going to be in downtown 665 00:18:49,366 --> 00:18:50,400 Baton 666 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:51,600 Rouge at Manship 667 00:18:51,600 --> 00:18:53,400 Theater on September 14th. 668 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:53,733 All right. 669 00:18:53,733 --> 00:18:54,200 It is a night event, 670 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:56,033 so we're going to get 671 00:18:56,033 --> 00:18:56,533 that energy flowing 672 00:18:56,533 --> 00:18:58,633 after our work day and hopefully 673 00:18:58,666 --> 00:19:00,066 get the conversations going. 674 00:19:00,066 --> 00:19:01,400 And from the speakers 675 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:01,766 on the stage, 676 00:19:01,766 --> 00:19:03,833 will they be talking directly 677 00:19:03,833 --> 00:19:04,300 with the audience 678 00:19:04,300 --> 00:19:05,833 at that time? Yes. 679 00:19:05,833 --> 00:19:06,433 So it's it's kind of like 680 00:19:06,433 --> 00:19:08,300 a stage performance, 681 00:19:08,633 --> 00:19:09,233 but it's a highly produced 682 00:19:09,233 --> 00:19:10,800 event. 683 00:19:11,066 --> 00:19:11,533 So if you're there 684 00:19:11,533 --> 00:19:13,000 and you're a part of it, 685 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:13,366 you get to be 686 00:19:13,366 --> 00:19:14,866 a part of the live audience. 687 00:19:14,866 --> 00:19:15,333 But then they also 688 00:19:15,333 --> 00:19:16,533 are going to be recorded 689 00:19:16,533 --> 00:19:17,933 and put on YouTube later for, 690 00:19:17,933 --> 00:19:18,466 of course, consumption 691 00:19:18,466 --> 00:19:20,166 for anybody in the world. 692 00:19:20,166 --> 00:19:20,500 And that's 693 00:19:20,500 --> 00:19:22,233 where a lot of the feedback 694 00:19:22,233 --> 00:19:22,700 really comes because 695 00:19:22,700 --> 00:19:25,000 people are drawn to YouTube, 696 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:26,433 they see these and 697 00:19:26,433 --> 00:19:28,033 something clicks, then 698 00:19:28,033 --> 00:19:28,600 there's great excitement 699 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:29,633 about it. 700 00:19:29,633 --> 00:19:30,066 I know that John 701 00:19:30,066 --> 00:19:31,266 Spain from Baton 702 00:19:31,266 --> 00:19:33,766 Rouge Area Foundation is forever 703 00:19:33,766 --> 00:19:35,300 looking for attractions 704 00:19:35,300 --> 00:19:35,633 and things 705 00:19:35,633 --> 00:19:37,300 and is working on several things 706 00:19:37,300 --> 00:19:38,800 right now that we've discussed. 707 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:41,066 And so some of that could be 708 00:19:42,066 --> 00:19:43,233 maybe a byproduct 709 00:19:43,233 --> 00:19:43,933 of this or some of those things 710 00:19:43,933 --> 00:19:45,266 could be discussed. 711 00:19:45,700 --> 00:19:47,533 And let's talk 712 00:19:47,533 --> 00:19:48,066 you guys 713 00:19:48,066 --> 00:19:48,633 working on the LSU event 714 00:19:48,633 --> 00:19:49,766 you said. 715 00:19:49,766 --> 00:19:51,600 What was the point of that? 716 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:52,033 One of the main 717 00:19:52,033 --> 00:19:53,200 purpose of that one? 718 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:53,466 Yeah. 719 00:19:53,466 --> 00:19:54,833 So I think the purpose is 720 00:19:54,833 --> 00:19:56,300 similar but different. 721 00:19:56,300 --> 00:19:56,866 So it's similar in that 722 00:19:56,866 --> 00:19:58,900 the concept is ideas 723 00:19:58,900 --> 00:19:59,300 were spreading 724 00:19:59,300 --> 00:20:00,466 and to have a platform 725 00:20:00,466 --> 00:20:02,000 where a community can gather 726 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:03,200 and talk about good ideas 727 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:03,666 that are bubbling up 728 00:20:03,666 --> 00:20:05,133 from your own backyard. 729 00:20:05,133 --> 00:20:06,433 But that event, 730 00:20:06,433 --> 00:20:07,800 because it was on LSU campus, 731 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:09,433 it had an LSU lens, right? 732 00:20:09,433 --> 00:20:11,100 So many of the speakers 733 00:20:11,100 --> 00:20:12,833 were LSU professors. 734 00:20:12,833 --> 00:20:14,133 Most of the volunteers 735 00:20:14,133 --> 00:20:16,100 were LSU staff and students. 736 00:20:16,100 --> 00:20:16,566 And so it happened 737 00:20:16,566 --> 00:20:18,166 within that community. 738 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:20,100 But we did our best to also 739 00:20:20,100 --> 00:20:20,800 highlight the great things that 740 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:22,066 were happening in Baton Rouge. 741 00:20:22,066 --> 00:20:23,200 But this one is capital. 742 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:24,166 This is capital region. 743 00:20:24,166 --> 00:20:24,733 So yes, we we both care 744 00:20:24,733 --> 00:20:27,800 so much about this community. 745 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:28,300 We chose to live here 746 00:20:28,300 --> 00:20:30,166 and we've chose 747 00:20:30,166 --> 00:20:31,733 to plant 748 00:20:31,733 --> 00:20:32,133 our roots here 749 00:20:32,133 --> 00:20:33,600 and be a part of this. 750 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:34,133 And we want to be here 751 00:20:34,133 --> 00:20:36,266 for the long haul. Yes. 752 00:20:36,266 --> 00:20:36,800 And so this is our way 753 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:38,733 to give back to Baton Rouge 754 00:20:38,733 --> 00:20:39,100 and to spur 755 00:20:39,100 --> 00:20:40,700 that dialog is tremendous. 756 00:20:40,700 --> 00:20:41,966 It's one of the big things 757 00:20:41,966 --> 00:20:43,600 that is constantly 758 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:44,033 sort of a thorn 759 00:20:44,033 --> 00:20:45,233 when people say, well, 760 00:20:45,233 --> 00:20:45,733 the brain is leaving, 761 00:20:45,733 --> 00:20:47,333 people going to school here, 762 00:20:47,566 --> 00:20:48,600 they leave to go to Houston 763 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:49,833 or Atlanta or Austin. 764 00:20:49,833 --> 00:20:50,200 We're saying, 765 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:50,800 who's going to stay? 766 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:52,033 Stay here. Exactly. 767 00:20:52,033 --> 00:20:54,033 We have our own personal motives 768 00:20:54,033 --> 00:20:55,366 of talent retention 769 00:20:55,366 --> 00:20:55,833 for the region, too, 770 00:20:55,833 --> 00:20:57,533 so we're excited about it. 771 00:20:57,533 --> 00:20:58,233 We'll put a graphic up and can't 772 00:20:58,233 --> 00:21:00,566 wait to see it. 773 00:21:00,966 --> 00:21:03,100 So it's a big thank you to. 774 00:21:06,433 --> 00:21:07,233 The Bridge Builders 775 00:21:07,233 --> 00:21:08,733 Collective offers an intimate 776 00:21:08,733 --> 00:21:10,333 look at trailblazing leaders 777 00:21:10,333 --> 00:21:11,533 across the United States, 778 00:21:11,533 --> 00:21:13,466 including New Orleans, as they work 779 00:21:13,466 --> 00:21:15,466 to build better futures for their communities. 780 00:21:15,466 --> 00:21:18,200 LPB along with Indie Lens pop up. 781 00:21:18,433 --> 00:21:19,933 Hosted a screening of five 782 00:21:19,933 --> 00:21:22,333 short films that explore the important 783 00:21:22,333 --> 00:21:23,666 work of five individuals 784 00:21:23,666 --> 00:21:25,033 and organizations 785 00:21:25,033 --> 00:21:27,366 that bridge critical gaps in their community 786 00:21:27,566 --> 00:21:28,700 as they relate to 787 00:21:28,700 --> 00:21:30,766 legal system reform. That's right. 788 00:21:30,766 --> 00:21:32,733 We have a clip of one of those films. 789 00:21:32,733 --> 00:21:33,233 Take a look. 790 00:21:38,066 --> 00:21:41,666 Where harshness rules. 791 00:21:41,933 --> 00:21:43,066 You show compassion, 792 00:21:43,066 --> 00:21:46,466 then you sit out like a sore thumb. 793 00:21:49,833 --> 00:21:51,166 It's like a rose 794 00:21:51,166 --> 00:21:53,333 growing out of concrete. 795 00:21:53,333 --> 00:21:54,800 The day I step out the prison, 796 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:56,400 I decided that 797 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:58,100 we just can't let it go on and on. 798 00:21:58,100 --> 00:22:01,600 Somebody's got to stand and break the cycle. 799 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:02,433 Where are you at? 800 00:22:02,433 --> 00:22:04,933 I'm on Esplanade and Dauphine 801 00:22:04,933 --> 00:22:05,333 Come back 802 00:22:05,333 --> 00:22:08,900 line and come up on Esplanade 803 00:22:08,900 --> 00:22:10,700 If you are in a hole 804 00:22:10,866 --> 00:22:12,833 and you're looking out for help, 805 00:22:12,833 --> 00:22:13,733 a guy may pass 806 00:22:13,733 --> 00:22:16,666 by with a rope and drop a rope down. 807 00:22:16,666 --> 00:22:18,100 But if the rope not long enough, 808 00:22:18,100 --> 00:22:21,000 it's not reaching you. 809 00:22:21,166 --> 00:22:22,533 I don't know what's going on with you. 810 00:22:22,533 --> 00:22:24,366 Okay, so 811 00:22:24,366 --> 00:22:26,433 it came out to be some bad 812 00:22:26,500 --> 00:22:28,500 turn to something positive. 813 00:22:28,500 --> 00:22:30,366 And if they can't own up to their mistakes 814 00:22:30,366 --> 00:22:31,933 and change for the better, so ya’ll both can go, you 815 00:22:33,533 --> 00:22:34,400 got to go. 816 00:22:35,066 --> 00:22:36,266 You gotta go 817 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:38,133 FIT 818 00:22:38,133 --> 00:22:40,666 Clinic is the place that provide 819 00:22:40,666 --> 00:22:43,000 transitional healthcare care for people 820 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:44,500 recently coming out of prison. 821 00:22:44,500 --> 00:22:47,133 They trying to get back into society. 822 00:22:47,133 --> 00:22:48,833 First thing we want to do is find out 823 00:22:48,833 --> 00:22:50,166 what type of healthcare do 824 00:22:50,166 --> 00:22:51,166 they need, 825 00:22:53,300 --> 00:22:54,900 coming out of prison. 826 00:22:54,900 --> 00:22:56,866 Most guys are not just enough 827 00:22:56,866 --> 00:22:59,966 of doctors. 828 00:22:59,966 --> 00:23:02,000 You're not seen as a human being. 829 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:03,500 You are number. 830 00:23:03,966 --> 00:23:05,666 If they didn't like you made, 831 00:23:05,666 --> 00:23:08,166 you never get seen by a doctor 832 00:23:08,833 --> 00:23:11,566 Better 833 00:23:11,566 --> 00:23:12,933 dig in you. 834 00:23:15,033 --> 00:23:16,033 I try to just beg 835 00:23:16,033 --> 00:23:18,733 for as many that could reach 836 00:23:20,133 --> 00:23:21,733 I got 837 00:23:21,733 --> 00:23:26,033 big arms. 838 00:23:31,466 --> 00:23:32,700 To watch all the films and 839 00:23:32,700 --> 00:23:34,400 learn more about the Bridge Builders 840 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:35,966 Collective and hear the conversation 841 00:23:35,966 --> 00:23:37,300 hosted by LPB. 842 00:23:37,300 --> 00:23:40,766 Please visit lpb.org/bridgebuilders. 843 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:43,700 Also this week, a new episode of our digital series 844 00:23:43,700 --> 00:23:45,133 Ritual is available. 845 00:23:45,133 --> 00:23:46,466 The show's host and New Orleans 846 00:23:46,466 --> 00:23:48,966 singer Tank Ball explores the origins of the southern 847 00:23:48,966 --> 00:23:50,933 spiritual practice of Hoodoo. 848 00:23:50,933 --> 00:23:52,166 Tracing its lineage back 849 00:23:52,166 --> 00:23:53,433 to the era of slavery. 850 00:23:53,433 --> 00:23:54,066 Let's take a look. 851 00:23:54,733 --> 00:23:56,100 For most of us, 852 00:23:56,100 --> 00:23:58,166 mentioning a conversation you just had 853 00:23:58,166 --> 00:24:00,066 with a deceased family member 854 00:24:00,066 --> 00:24:01,000 would be guaranteed 855 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:02,700 to raise some concerns. 856 00:24:02,700 --> 00:24:04,300 But in West Africa, 857 00:24:04,300 --> 00:24:05,166 talking to the dead 858 00:24:05,166 --> 00:24:06,833 is nothing unusual. 859 00:24:06,833 --> 00:24:08,966 Known as ancestor worship, 860 00:24:08,966 --> 00:24:10,166 the practice is woven 861 00:24:10,166 --> 00:24:12,233 into the fabric of daily life. 862 00:24:12,233 --> 00:24:14,033 But when the transatlantic slave 863 00:24:14,033 --> 00:24:15,466 trade ripped people away 864 00:24:15,466 --> 00:24:16,800 from their families 865 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:18,133 and way of life, 866 00:24:18,133 --> 00:24:20,000 it place their ancestral chain 867 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:21,633 in terrible danger. 868 00:24:21,633 --> 00:24:22,800 To protect it, 869 00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:24,733 they turn to religions like hoodoo, 870 00:24:24,733 --> 00:24:25,933 which restored their access 871 00:24:25,933 --> 00:24:27,466 to the spirits despite 872 00:24:27,466 --> 00:24:29,633 being so far away from home. 873 00:24:29,633 --> 00:24:30,466 Today, 874 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:31,633 I'm going to find out 875 00:24:31,633 --> 00:24:33,233 how Africans held on 876 00:24:33,233 --> 00:24:34,766 to these ties with ancestors 877 00:24:34,766 --> 00:24:36,300 against all odds, 878 00:24:36,300 --> 00:24:37,166 and how descendants 879 00:24:37,166 --> 00:24:38,700 use memories of the past 880 00:24:38,700 --> 00:24:40,066 to bring about healing 881 00:24:40,066 --> 00:24:41,366 in the present. 882 00:24:41,366 --> 00:24:43,366 I'm Teriana Tank Ball and 883 00:24:43,366 --> 00:24:44,700 this is a ritual 884 00:24:46,133 --> 00:24:48,200 for Africans on the plantation. 885 00:24:48,200 --> 00:24:49,366 Maintaining the religion 886 00:24:49,366 --> 00:24:51,066 of their birth in the Americas 887 00:24:51,066 --> 00:24:52,366 simply was not the option. 888 00:24:52,366 --> 00:24:54,466 It was for the Puritans of Plymouth Rock. 889 00:24:54,700 --> 00:24:56,600 Most spiritual practices among enslaved 890 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:57,833 people were feared 891 00:24:57,833 --> 00:24:59,866 and forbidden by plantation owners 892 00:24:59,866 --> 00:25:01,100 who look to eradicate 893 00:25:01,100 --> 00:25:02,666 any sign of strength. 894 00:25:02,666 --> 00:25:04,066 So in secrecy, 895 00:25:04,066 --> 00:25:06,100 often under the cover of night. 896 00:25:06,100 --> 00:25:07,666 Enslaved Africans 897 00:25:07,666 --> 00:25:09,333 use different spiritual tools 898 00:25:09,333 --> 00:25:11,066 from home that they adapted 899 00:25:11,066 --> 00:25:12,333 in order to survive 900 00:25:12,333 --> 00:25:14,466 in otherwise impossible situation. 901 00:25:14,933 --> 00:25:16,400 The religions they created 902 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:17,666 had much in common, 903 00:25:17,666 --> 00:25:19,300 like spirit communication, 904 00:25:19,300 --> 00:25:20,200 which was practiced 905 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:21,533 by all of them. 906 00:25:21,533 --> 00:25:22,666 But they were also unique 907 00:25:22,666 --> 00:25:24,400 to the places where they were created. 908 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:25,333 Voodoo, they called it 909 00:25:25,333 --> 00:25:26,766 in Haiti, Candooblay 910 00:25:26,766 --> 00:25:29,300 in Brazil and Santeria, in Cuba, 911 00:25:29,633 --> 00:25:30,933 in North America, 912 00:25:30,933 --> 00:25:33,566 it was known as Hoodoo hoodoo. 913 00:25:33,566 --> 00:25:35,733 Doctors gathered medicinal plants 914 00:25:35,733 --> 00:25:37,366 to make the traditional remedies. 915 00:25:37,366 --> 00:25:38,466 That's the cure to communities 916 00:25:38,466 --> 00:25:39,866 physical survival. 917 00:25:39,866 --> 00:25:41,100 While other rituals 918 00:25:41,100 --> 00:25:42,933 attended their spiritual walls 919 00:25:42,933 --> 00:25:44,266 and reminded them of a time 920 00:25:44,266 --> 00:25:45,666 before slavery. 921 00:25:45,666 --> 00:25:46,466 To understand 922 00:25:46,466 --> 00:25:48,266 this fascinating tradition, 923 00:25:48,266 --> 00:25:49,300 I've come to Dr. 924 00:25:49,300 --> 00:25:50,533 Kameelah Martin, 925 00:25:50,533 --> 00:25:52,600 a scholar who specializes in the history 926 00:25:52,600 --> 00:25:54,400 of black spiritual practices 927 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:55,666 in North America. 928 00:25:55,666 --> 00:25:57,833 Dr. Kameelah I am so excited 929 00:25:57,833 --> 00:25:59,133 to be here with you today. 930 00:25:59,133 --> 00:26:01,500 You are a brilliant scholar, 931 00:26:01,500 --> 00:26:02,566 and if I may, 932 00:26:02,566 --> 00:26:03,933 I would love to ask you 933 00:26:03,933 --> 00:26:05,700 what is ancestor worship? 934 00:26:05,700 --> 00:26:06,700 So simply put, 935 00:26:06,700 --> 00:26:09,500 ancestor worship is the reverence 936 00:26:09,500 --> 00:26:10,766 in celebration 937 00:26:10,766 --> 00:26:13,266 of our literal ancestors, those 938 00:26:13,266 --> 00:26:14,533 who came before us 939 00:26:14,533 --> 00:26:15,800 in our family lineage. 940 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:18,100 More broadly, it's a part of a collection 941 00:26:18,133 --> 00:26:19,733 of spiritual and healing 942 00:26:19,733 --> 00:26:21,033 traditions 943 00:26:21,033 --> 00:26:23,066 that have come to the United States 944 00:26:23,066 --> 00:26:25,433 by way of the transatlantic slave trade. 945 00:26:25,533 --> 00:26:27,800 So ancestor worship is part of a larger 946 00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:30,433 collection of spiritual traditions 947 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:31,800 of the United States, 948 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:33,433 popularly known as 949 00:26:33,433 --> 00:26:34,700 Conjure or Hoodoo. 950 00:26:34,700 --> 00:26:35,800 We want to be sure 951 00:26:35,800 --> 00:26:37,700 to keep the memory 952 00:26:37,700 --> 00:26:39,433 of our ancestors alive. 953 00:26:41,433 --> 00:26:42,700 watch all the ritual episodes 954 00:26:42,700 --> 00:26:45,100 you missed on PBS's Voices YouTube channel 955 00:26:45,100 --> 00:26:46,666 or by searching PBS ritual 956 00:26:46,666 --> 00:26:47,933 on YouTube. 957 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:50,233 Next week will be my last, 958 00:26:50,233 --> 00:26:52,433 at least presenting weekly news here at LPB. 959 00:26:52,733 --> 00:26:53,666 I'm retiring after 960 00:26:53,666 --> 00:26:54,866 39 years 961 00:26:54,866 --> 00:26:56,900 after next Friday's broadcast, 962 00:26:56,900 --> 00:26:58,933 of SWI Louisiana, the state we're in. 963 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:00,800 And I'm definitely emotional about this. 964 00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:03,100 It's been a privilege to learn from you, Andre, 965 00:27:03,300 --> 00:27:04,800 and it's been a big year for Andre. 966 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:07,200 He won the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters 967 00:27:07,200 --> 00:27:09,333 a lifetime achievement award for 2023. 968 00:27:09,366 --> 00:27:11,233 And yeah, I really appreciative of that. 969 00:27:11,233 --> 00:27:13,233 It's been so much fun to learn from 970 00:27:13,233 --> 00:27:14,833 you and the opportunity to work with you. 971 00:27:14,833 --> 00:27:15,633 I don't know. 972 00:27:15,633 --> 00:27:17,433 I've been watching you for a really long time. 973 00:27:17,433 --> 00:27:18,666 That was one of the reasons why I took 974 00:27:18,666 --> 00:27:20,100 this job was to work alongside. 975 00:27:20,100 --> 00:27:21,400 You said will definitely be missed. 976 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:22,700 We've got one more week, though. 977 00:27:22,700 --> 00:27:23,400 One more week. 978 00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:25,433 So don't cry yet, everyone. 979 00:27:25,433 --> 00:27:26,666 That's our show for this week. 980 00:27:26,666 --> 00:27:28,566 Remember, you could watch anything LPB 981 00:27:28,566 --> 00:27:29,800 anytime, wherever you are 982 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:31,466 with our LPB PBS app, 983 00:27:31,466 --> 00:27:33,533 you can catch LPB news and public affairs 984 00:27:33,533 --> 00:27:35,833 shows as well as other Louisiana programs 985 00:27:35,833 --> 00:27:37,300 you've come to enjoy over the years. 986 00:27:37,300 --> 00:27:39,200 And please like us on Facebook, Twitter 987 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:40,700 and Instagram for every one. 988 00:27:40,700 --> 00:27:41,966 Louisiana Public Broadcasting. 989 00:27:41,966 --> 00:27:43,866 I'm Andre Moreau and I'm Kara St. Cyr. 990 00:27:43,866 --> 00:27:44,533 Until next time. 991 00:27:44,533 --> 00:27:45,633 That's The State We’re In. 992 00:28:08,733 --> 00:28:09,733 Every day 993 00:28:09,733 --> 00:28:11,166 I go to work for Entergy, 994 00:28:11,166 --> 00:28:12,900 I know customers are counting on me. 995 00:28:12,900 --> 00:28:14,133 So Entergy is investing 996 00:28:14,133 --> 00:28:15,333 millions of dollars 997 00:28:15,333 --> 00:28:16,533 to keep the lights on 998 00:28:16,533 --> 00:28:18,533 and installing new technology 999 00:28:18,533 --> 00:28:20,466 to prevent outages before they happen. 1000 00:28:20,466 --> 00:28:21,566 Together, together. 1001 00:28:21,566 --> 00:28:22,266 Together. 1002 00:28:22,266 --> 00:28:24,666 We power life. 1003 00:28:34,633 --> 00:28:35,600 Additional support 1004 00:28:35,600 --> 00:28:36,833 provided by the Fred B 1005 00:28:36,833 --> 00:28:39,100 and Ruth B Zigler Foundation and the Zigler 1006 00:28:39,100 --> 00:28:40,300 Art Museum located 1007 00:28:40,300 --> 00:28:41,933 in Jennings City Hall. 1008 00:28:41,933 --> 00:28:43,700 The museum focuses on emerging 1009 00:28:43,700 --> 00:28:44,966 Louisiana artists 1010 00:28:44,966 --> 00:28:46,933 and is an historical and cultural center 1011 00:28:46,933 --> 00:28:49,733 for Southwest Louisiana 1012 00:28:49,733 --> 00:28:51,366 and the Foundation for Excellence 1013 00:28:51,366 --> 00:28:53,466 in Louisiana Public Broadcasting. 1014 00:28:53,466 --> 00:28:55,466 With support from viewers like you.