507. Andrew Wegmann, Part 1

507. Part 1 of our conversation with Andrew Wegmann. Andrew believes that the introduction of concepts of whiteness, purity of blood and legitimacy of kin under the Spanish caused a transformation within the New Orleans coloured community. As generations of mixed-race men and women emerged from interracial families established during the late French Period, Spanish social and legal practices permeated the New Orleans cultural landscape. Suddenly, new ideas of racial science, mixture and definition appeared in law, gradually affecting social intercourse. The ambiguous awareness of mulâtres and nègres under the French gave way to a regimented taxonomy of ‘races’ and ‘hybrids’ developed over more than a century in Latin America and the Caribbean and manifested in the social and racial identities of the New Orleans mixed-race community. Andrew N. Wegmann is the T. Harry Williams Fellow in History at Louisiana State University. His work on racial identity and social practice in the antebellum USA has appeared in multiple edited collections and journals.

1. This week in Louisiana history. February 3, 1753. Kerlerec arrives to take over Louisiana Colony.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Mardi Gras/Carnival Day can fall on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9 (depending on the date of Easter).
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   See a rare MLK Hearse Exhibit at the Convention Center
   The New Orleans Morial Convention Center
   Julia St. Entrance
   8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
   Now through February 27.
   “Carrying on the Dream” which features a rare display of the hearse that carried prominent civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s body, at the time of his death more than 50 years ago.
   The 1966 Cadillac Superior Coach hearse is on loan from Todd Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s, who led the efforts to bring the exhibit to New Orleans to remind young people what Martin Luther King, Jr. contributed to society. The exhibit which was brought to New Orleans to honor Black History Month will be on display in Lobby A of the Convention Center near the Julia Street Entrance every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through February 27. The exhibit is open to the public and free of charge courtesy of New Orleans and Company, The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Royal St. singer.

Listen on Google Play.
Listen on Google Podcasts.
Listen on Spotify.
Listen on Stitcher.
Listen on TuneIn.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.