The dramatic collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans re-opens a can of worms. The proposed development was controversial from its inception. 1031 Canal Street for decades was the site of Woolworths, a five’n’dime department store whose lunch counter was ground zero for civil rights protesters in 1960. When it was proposed the Woolworths building be … [Read more...] about Hard Rock Hotel was Controversial from Start
Opinions
Louisiana Governor’s Race
The results of the Louisiana Governor’s race on October 12 were disappointing but not surprising. Incumbent John Bel Edwards (D) will face Eddie Rispone (R) in a run-off election on November 16. Primaries in Louisiana are unique in that if no candidate gets over 50%, the two top vote-getters, regardless of party, face each other in the run-off. Governor … [Read more...] about Louisiana Governor’s Race
Holding Out for a Hero
Last weekend, Comic-Con descended upon Gotham City. The visitors and residents of midtown Manhattan never felt safer as there seemed to be a superhero on every corner. Comic-Con is an event that I think everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. It’s one weekend of the year where comic book fans of all ages can geek out and let their freak flag … [Read more...] about Holding Out for a Hero
Eating Disorders and Body Image: How to Help Fight the Epidemic
As we approach National Coming Out Day on October 11, it’s fitting to dedicate this column to the topic of eating disorders andbody image dissatisfaction, with a focus on gay men. According to a study NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) published in 2017, the occurrence of eating disorders is three times higher in gay men than in straight men, and nearly 15% of all gay … [Read more...] about Eating Disorders and Body Image: How to Help Fight the Epidemic
A world in constant motion requires constant attention
Headlines: Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Legalize Workplace Discrimination Against Gay Employees (TIME.COM August 25, 2019) It is a dicey time in the U.S.A for faith folk and for Gay folk. Our society is in a great transition and none of us are sure of where its arc will bend. Recently Dr. King’s words have been reprinted and have been stuck in my mind, “The arc … [Read more...] about A world in constant motion requires constant attention
Drew Brees and Focus on the Family
As most Ambush readers know by now, before being injured and declared out of commission for six weeks, Drew Brees was recently crucified in some circles over his controversial video endorsing “Bring Your Bible to School Day.” As weird as that concept is (can you imagine a “Bring Your Quran to School Day”?), the content of the video is not what upset people; rather, the … [Read more...] about Drew Brees and Focus on the Family
The Category Is… Realness
Why Pose is the most important series on television. If you haven’t heard of the latest creation to receive the Midas touch of Ryan Murphy, Pose is an American dramatic television series on the FX network set within the New York ball culture of the 1980’s. The series’ characters are predominantly made up of black and Latino LGBTQ gender non-conforming individuals who’ve been … [Read more...] about The Category Is… Realness
Letter to the Editor: ABO Ordinance
Council Member Kristin Palmer continues her assault on our beloved New Orleans culture. On Thursday, August 22nd, the City Council was asked to pass Ordinance 32,693 before the drafting of the proposed rules were even completed. We saw such a fundamentally flawed process that it boggles the mind. On the City’s Council’s published Agenda, the original Ordinance, filed on June … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: ABO Ordinance
There is nothing else to talk about…
There is little else to talk about today that has more importance than gun violence and mass murders in the U.S.A. Perhaps by the time this reaches you, there may be a new news cycle and this topic will be beyond our memory or passion. Currently, however, there is nothing else to talk about. I write this as your friend, your neighbor, a veteran, and a priest. In all of these … [Read more...] about There is nothing else to talk about…
Critical Thinking and Democracy
Many moons ago, when I worked in academia, I taught freshman composition. Because it was a required course among all undergraduates, every professor in the English Department taught at least one composition class. Most professors hated teaching the course. They preferred to teach literature or linguistics to juniors and seniors. They viewed the … [Read more...] about Critical Thinking and Democracy