Film: The Order of Myths
Inside Alabama's (still) segregated Mardi Gras.
Mobile, Alabama, held America's first Mardi Gras in 1703, 15 years before New Orleans was even a city. It also received the nation's last shipment of slaves, and was the site of one of the last reported lynchings, in 1981. In 2007, Alabama officially apologized for slavery and its "after effects." But those after effects still play out in Mobile's annual Mardi Gras, a traditionally segregated event where all-black and all-white clubs throw separate balls and parades to honor their respective carnival kings and queens.
The fascinating The Order of Myths, which pbs's Independent Lens will air on February 24, follows these parallel worlds during 2007's Mardi Gras. The polite partygoers interviewed by director Margaret Brown aren't eager to confront the obvious: Whites talk of the importance of preserving "roots," while blacks speak broadly of the need for "a change of heart" and "moving forward." But Brown digs deeper, exposing a historical connection between the white and black queens that embodies Mobile's inescapable racial divide.
When, for the first time ever, the black royal couple attends its white counterpart's coronation, revelers display heartbreaking happiness over this bit of progress. But that baby step is plenty for some. "There's a time and there's a place for change," the white king says. "But I don't think anything needs to be forced on it right now. It's worked well for years."
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Mardi Gras,as it is,does work well as it is. I've lived in Mobile for over fifty years. I don't think either race wants things changed. There are significant differences within the many organizations,socio-economic factors being among them. I'm white and believe in racial equality and have never heard anyone complain about the fact that ther is a racial divide beween.It is an odd phenomenon The closest word I can think of to describe it is "clique".
Mobile is well known for having a closed society. This is less true as the population has grown and we become less provincial.
i also grew up in mobile,
i also grew up in mobile, and despite everyone's belief that having segregated celebrations is just "tradition" and that "no one wants it changed," it still reinforces the notion that many people in america have that mobile is a relic of the old south and that it is a city still characterized by racial inequality and poor race relations...
When a mixed race couple are the King and Queen, then you will have learned, Grasshopper!
Jim,
I think that your comment is unnecessarily snarky.
To be honest, I think that
To be honest, I think that this movie was exceptional. Do you agree with me?
wow does that mean that all the all black schools in the country are racist, i wanted to attend an all black school because it was close to my home, family,friends, guess what, i was refused, not for my grades, but my race, why dont you fix this problem first
