687. Joel Sharpton, Part 2

 687. Part 2 of our interview with Joel Sharpton. Joel talks to us about Louisiana politics in 2026. Joel is a Ruston-based audio professional and progressive grassroots organizer who seamlessly blends media production with political advocacy. As the founder of Pro Podcasting Services and an expert in mobile workflows, Sharpton brings over a decade of podcasting experience to his community-focused media projects. He utilizes this production expertise to host and produce "We Are Louisiana Indivisible," a political podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of regional activists and interviewing progressive candidates for state and local office. Working alongside organizations like Indivisible North Louisiana, Sharpton is actively engaged in grassroots organizing, voter mobilization, and hosting local civic rallies to push for democratic change across the state.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Sidonie de la Houssaye. “Alix de Morainville.”
       But one day — God knows how it happened — a child of the village all at once entered the chamber where I was and knew me.
       “Madame Alix!” he cried, took to his heels and went down the terrace pell-mell (quatre à quatre) to give the alarm. Ten minutes later Matthieu came at a full run and covered with sweat, to tell us that all the village was in commotion and that those people to whom I had always been so good were about to come and arrest me, to deliver me to the executioners. I ran to Joseph, beside myself with affright.
       “Save me, Joseph! save me!”
       “I will use all my efforts for that, Mme. la Viscomtesse.” At that moment Jerome appeared. He came to say that a representative of the people was at hand and that I was lost beyond a doubt.
       “Not yet,” responded Joseph. “I have foreseen this and have prepared everything to save you, Mme. la Viscomtesse, if you will but let me make myself well understood.”
       “Oh, all, all! Do thou understand, Joseph, I will do everything thou desirest.”
       “Then,” he said, regarding me fixedly and halting at each word — “then it is necessary that you consent to take Joseph Carpentier for your spouse.”
       I thought I had [been] misunderstood and drew back haughtily.
       “My son!” cried mother Catharine.
       “Oh, you see,” replied Joseph, “my mother herself accuses me, and you — you, madame, have no greater confidence in me. But that is nothing; I must save you at any price. We will go from here together; we will descend to the village; we will present ourselves at the mayoralty — ”
       In spite of myself I made a gesture.
       “Let me speak, madame,” he said. “We have not a moment to lose. Yes, we will present ourselves at the mayoralty, and there I will espouse you, not as Claudine Leroy, but as Alix de Morainville. Once my wife you have nothing to fear. Having become one of the people, the people will protect you. After the ceremony, madame, I will hand you the certificate of our marriage, and you will tear it up the moment we shall have touched the soil of England. Keep it precious till then; it is your only safeguard. Nothing prevents me from going to England to find employment, and necessarily my wife will go with me. Are you ready, madame?”
       For my only response I put my hand in his; I was too deeply moved to speak. Mother Catharine threw both her arms about her son’s neck and cried, “My noble child!” and we issued from the cottage guarded by Guillaume and his three other sons, armed to the teeth.
       When the mayor heard the names and surnames of the wedding pair he turned to Joseph, saying:
       “You are not lowering yourself, my boy.”
       At the door of the mayoralty we found ourselves face to face with an immense crowd. I trembled violently and pressed against Joseph. He, never losing his presence of mind (sans perdre la carte), turned, saying:
       “Allow me, my friends, to present to you my wife. The Viscomtesse de Morainville no longer exists; hurrah for the Citoyenne Carpentier.” And the hurrahs and cries of triumph were enough to deafen one. Those who the moment before were ready to tear me into pieces now wanted to carry me in triumph. Arrived at the house, Joseph handed me our act of marriage.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. June 17, 1795. First bishop of New Orleans, Don Luis Cardenas, arrives in Louisiana.
4. This week in New Orleans history. July 17, 1905: The last major yellow fever epidemic in the United States began in New Orleans, leading to a massive citywide campaign to eradicate mosquitoes.
5. This week in Louisiana.
   Marshland Festival
   July 24'25
   Lake Charles Event Center,
   900 Lakeshore Dr.
   Lake Charles, LA 70601
   Website: visitlakecharles.org
   The Marshland Festival returns to the Lake Charles Event Center for a two‑day celebration of Southwest Louisiana music, food, and culture. Founded over 30 years ago in Hackberry, the festival has grown into a major regional event featuring local artists, national touring acts, and a full indoor, air‑conditioned vendor hall:
   
• Live Music: A lineup of Southwest Louisiana performers alongside select national acts, continuing the festival's long tradition of supporting local musicians.
• Food Booths: Dozens of vendors serving regional favorites, from seafood dishes to festival classics.
• Arts & Crafts: Shopping from local artisans and makers throughout the Event Center.
• Indoor Venue: The entire festival takes place inside the Lake Charles Event Center, offering a comfortable, climate‑controlled experience.
6. Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar.

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