by Lev Yeled Ohevi
The covid period has slowly given way to perhaps a new normal. This new normal may seem strangely awkward and may require some getting used to, yet it’s much better than what we have been through for the past 18 months.
Have these experiences changed the way we look at our lives? Have we altered our sense of safety and social relationships? Or would some friendly reminders of where we were bring us back to where we want to be?
Over two years ago I submitted a column to 318Central.com called, “Who Dat,” in which I elaborated on the friendly nature and warm kindness of the people of Louisiana, and Central Louisiana in particular. I wonder how that may have changed, good or bad, due to the experience of Covid 19?
I would like to re-submit “Who Dat” for a revisit here. Have things changed in Louisiana? Are greetings, conversations, friendships rearranged since these shelter-in-place, social distancing, mask wearing days were thrust upon us?
Let’s look back and adjust the story to our current situation as we come out of the dark and into the light, and then consider how Louisiana has been blessed by its culture of “Who Dat” friendliness …
WHO DAT? … (January 2019) Edited
by Ron Cook
When I first started following the New Orleans Saints and heard the words, “Who Dat,” I wasn’t sure what those words meant. Is it a play on words … a statement of humility … a misspelling of an inside joke … or something else? I have long considered myself a keen observer of human behavior. What I learned, while living in Alexandria, Louisiana (and traveling in the near communities), is that these two words are almost a way of life for the “Who Dat” state.
I will confess that I am not a native of the “Who Dat” state. I am from the Midwest. I have also lived in the Western Mountains, and some in the South. I had visited Louisiana several times briefly. This past summer I was able to spend a few months in the “Who Dat Country.” What I learned, in this last extended visit, confirmed and expanded what I had suspected in my previous brief excursions … Louisiana is someplace special.
Perhaps, as we begin a kind of “new to us” year (in the middle of the year), it might be encouraging to reflect on the blessings and benefits of living in an area that so highly values the principles of family, tradition, faith, and human interaction. As someone who is from outside of this circle can attest, these are values worth celebrating.
The first thing I notice in people is their willingness to interact with others. How important is the concern one has for his or her immediate family? How important is one’s concern for other casual acquaintances? What concern does the average person have for others they do not know, or the world in general?
I see these characteristics illuminated in simple interactions. Eye contact seems to come first to me. When you pass someone, do you look them in their eyes? Do you smile? And finally, do you say something in the way of a greeting? On top of that, how often do you follow up a greeting with a conversation? In this regard, I found eye contact, greetings, and conversations an ongoing daily experience in Louisiana.
People caught my eyes, greeted me or responded to my greeting, and I had many brief conversations with people I knew, as well as others I casually ran into at stores, meetings, and in public. Once, while I was shopping, I had this lovely conversation with a lady where we shared baking tips about bread. Fun!! This happened on a daily basis in Louisiana!
The next observation I have about Louisiana would be the degree to which Louisiana engages its poor, homeless, and disabled communities. While in Alexandria, I started collecting a list of service and faith organizations that had active outreach programs. The list quickly became long and rich. We visited the Salvation Army last month and I found numerous churches and public groups that also provided much needed services. This has to be life-giving to the givers as well as the receivers in Louisiana!
The third leg of this “Who Dat” stool seems to be the Louisiana faith churches and communities. Louisiana has very active churches which are often the center of its communities. Family is the center of the church. Family seems to be a sacred focus in Louisiana. Fellowship, food, and fun highlight gatherings. Concern for others is clearly visible. National and worldwide headquarters for some faith organizations are located right in Alexandria! Often I felt like I was accepted as family wherever I went.
“You alright? You need anything? How are you doing today?” These are all greetings heard often in Louisiana. Warmth is not just a part of the weather here. Warmth is a way of life. “Who Dat” might mean, who are you and what are you about? Or, we are all welcomed here. Or, Life is simple; connections with others are good!
I think it is a good thing to celebrate this connection so highly practiced in Louisiana. It’s good to recognize that I lived in a place that cares. It’s good to perhaps start the “New To Us” Year, thankful for what we have, what we believe, and what we share … and to be proud that we have not lost sight of our love and values, in spite of where we’ve just come from!
Happy “New To Us” Year, Cenla!
