On Jan. 1, an individual drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people on the historic Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring dozens. Federal authorities later declared this atrocity a planned terrorist attack by an individual from Texas.
As a native New Orleanian, I found myself in a state of shock as my city was displayed across international news outlets announcing the terrorist attack. I wondered how something like this could happen. How could my city, known as the Big Easy, known for its never-ending parties, face an organized terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, which isn’t even open for the public to drive on?
Even though the locals hardly ever go to Bourbon Street, fear surged through my fellow New Orleanians. However, one thing I knew for certain was the resilience of New Orleans when facing adversity.
Chloe Villavaso, a local New Orleans resident and cardiovascular clinical nurse at Tulane University, was not at Bourbon Street the night of the attack but expressed similar sentiments to most locals.
“Terrorism was the farthest thing from my mind,” Villavaso said. “I initially thought, ‘oh, somebody was drunk and accidentally, unintentionally harmed people.’ As the news started to unfold it was really mind-blowing that New Orleans was picked as a spot for terrorism.”
Villavaso was in “disbelief” that this had occurred in her hometown.
“We had Katrina. I don’t know if we‘ve had worse than that happen,” Villavaso said. “[We] are still recovering from that, and it’s been 20 years, but we’re a resilient city and people. I know that we will come back from this. I know we will.”
Local New Orleans resident Domonick Hayes recounted his experience being present at the French Quarter during the time of the terrorist attack. He expressed that he would not let the attacks deter him from participating in his daily activities, including going to the French Quarter.
“Being a New Orleanian, if you let these things stop you from enjoying the city, then they won,” Hayes said. “If people try to cause a disturbance and mess up the nice stuff that we have in the city that the world come to enjoy, if we stop enjoying it, then I feel like they succeeded in their mission.”
On the day of Jan. 6, the Archdiocese of New Orleans hosted a prayer vigil at St. Louis Cathedral in remembrance of the attack victims. Former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden attended this event. Almost an hour later, the Joan of Arc parade began rolling.
As New Orleanians, we share sentiments of strength and perseverance, which is why my city has always found a way to overcome its challenges and strive towards greatness.
New Orleans will continue to greet the public with open arms through its culture, heritage, food and never-ending celebration. My city’s ongoing strength is admirable and unique. I will continue to share my love for my city as my admiration and appreciation for it continues to grow.
As Hayes said, to halt our daily activities would give fear a power that it should not have. New Orleans will continue to thrive. As the local saying goes, “Laissez les bons temps rouler.”
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