Why I've Never Been to Mardi Gras

Top 2. Mar 28, 2003 9:00 AM

» StCatherine - Re: Why I like Mardi Gras

In response to message posted by michaelwnola:

Thank you for posting.

Disagreement and discussion of different outlooks are important in the history of the Suite.

-- posted by StCatherine

Top 3. Aug 2, 2003 1:09 PM

» TwoWheelinLA - Mardi Gras or not.

Ms Morse, being from Louisiana and being a scholar of what's Louisiana, are you against all the different forms of celebrating Mardi Gras in the state? The small town affairs resemble Christmas parades. New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras for 2 weeks prior to Fat Tuesday. These parades are held at night or on the weekends and are "watch and go" affairs. Crowd control and policing are excellent. If you don't want to be with the big crowd Tuesday, go to one of these "neighborhood" parties. They are great. Below, I'll just make a few counter remarks. Hope you can follow along. It got to be a mess replying.

hear about accidents and incidents.

A few years ago it was stabbings. People would be in crowded streets and suddenly be stabbed. In the crowds, it is easy for some evil person to hide a knife, use it and get away undetected.

This year rape warnings are being posted. I'm not there to see what the warnings say, but I have the impression from news sources that the warnings contain general good advice for persons to follow to avoid rape. Things like, stay with your friends and avoid dark areas.

>>>>Yes, be careful at the mall, too.

There is a lot of drinking and drug abuse associated with "partying" and Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the ultimate party. Both drinking and drug abuse can turn perfectly nice people into people you'd rather not be around. The thought of being with drunken people whom I don't know scares me. Its the unpredictability of it all. We know how are close friends react to alcohol or drugs and can preparGerir that. (Geri is going to get mean. Lou will get too friendly.) But being with thousands of people whose behavior I cannot predict ......"

>>>>>>Gotta agree, since I quit I can't stand to be around drunks either, geez did I look like that? But, the world is unpredictable. If you are tempted to check out Fat Tuesday, go in the morning and leave by 1pm. See the show and go. Most drunks are not up from the night before and those getting that way haven't yet.

Moral/Religious Inclinations

I suspect that the first "Fat Tuesday" was just a day to eat a lot before the beginning of Lent. I can accept that. But Mardi Gras has developed into something beyond its religious roots.

For example, the tradition of wearing masks began with the idea that you can misbehave - say things and do things that you not normally not do - without being recognized. As a parent, a teacher and a Christian, I just don't buy that. You can wear all the masks you wburka you can wear a burka - but wrong is still wrong.

You just can't pick a day or a week and say that all wrongs committed during that time are forgiven.

>>>>>The Catholic Chuch does that everyday, at your Confession. 3 Hail Marys, your ticket to heaven is stamped.

>>>>>Why hasn't the church condemned Mardi Gras.? Why do people get drunk on Easter? Because they are so tired of Lent. The Irish celebration occurs right after Mardi Gras, now there's beer drinking. I'm not telling them to get off the street, it's Lent.

The celebrations of today are horrible excesses of consumption and spending. Lent is a time to remember the sufferings of Jesus and to join them. Mardi Gras has become a crucifixion of Jesus and all that he taught. There is no way to justify a day of .... Ten Commandments and chruch teachings. To me Mardi Gras revelers are shouting to the Lord, "We don't care about your teachings. We love our creature comforts and fun much more."

>>>>Gotta turn off the ac, too. Come on.

Conclusion

I just don't care to be a part of Mardi Gras celebrations. And I truly wish that others would reconsider their actions during this time. Is the Mardi Gras celebration of today, something you really want to participate in? Does it fit into your values? Or are you just going along with the crowd?

>>>>>My values are fine, last checked. No, I don't want to be vomitted on either, but, I do want to let my grand kids to learn to yell, "Hey, mista tro me sumtin!!" It's Louisiana, cher. The people down in the Quarter doing the "college spring break" thing are from Nebraska and Florida, they are not there before the Friday before MG. Go the previous week, go to the night parades, go to Mamou, go to Houma, New Roads, Lafayette, even, help me, Alexandria, before you scare the nation away from a Louisiana bank day. If we don't have it, Mobile will get bigger. Rio does. Now there is Catholosisum. Mardi Gras is no worse than Panama City at Spring Break, Motorcycle Week at Daytona Beach, Sturgis in South Dakota or a hundred other excesses around the country.

PS, great site and a great topic to light up a reply or two, 10 points! I'll continue to link here.

-- posted by TwoWheelinLA

Top 4. Aug 12, 2003 4:35 PM

» StCatherine - Re: Mardi Gras or not.

In response to message posted by TwoWheelinLA:

Thanks for your post. I'm sorry I don't have time to reply. I am a new teacher and just have enought time to check in on things here.

And I've got lots of work to do on my topic since it is now Louisiana and Mississippi, my new state.

You are a good writer and a good ambassador for Louisiana.

-- posted by StCatherine