There are a few things I could have written about today. I could have done the Robot post, or I could have done the Voices of our Generation post, or I could have talked about my part-time job at a hotel. Actually, I don't have much to say about the hotel job, other than that it exists. But I got a request to address something in the news, something that should be noted and laughed at. That of course being Chocolate City!!
Those of you who don't know what the hell I'm talking about, let me fill you in. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, gave a speech to the city honoring Dr. King and giving some reassuring words regarding the reconstruction of areas damaged by hurricane Katrina. He also brought up the subject of the city's black population, using a few choice words and metaphors that were sure to win the hearts and hopes of the citizens: "It's time for us to rebuild a New Orleans, the one that should be a chocolate New Orleans. I don't care what people are saying Uptown or wherever they are. This city will be chocolate at the end of the day. This city will be a majority African-American city. It's the way God wants it to be."
Mayor Nagin telling his staff to go get some more hollow milk chocolate jazz musicians.
Now, it is widely speculated that Nagin was using chocolate as a euphemism for the large African-American community in New Orleans. Several people got upset, because aside from the statement having a racially divisive connotation, a respected political figure comparing you to a sweet candy treat can be a little disconcerting. However, when asked to clear up what he meant by his remark, the mayor's explanation was pure, rich and creamy:
"How do you make chocolate? You take dark chocolate, you mix it with white milk, and it becomes a delicious drink. That is the chocolate I am talking about. New Orleans was a chocolate city before Katrina. It is going to be a chocolate city after. How is that divisive? It is white and black working together, coming together and making something special."
Yes, something very special, like Yoo-Hoo, or rich, chocolatey Ovaltine. Maybe he's on to something here. Maybe the Hershey's corporation is actually the greatest civil rights promoter in history. We don't need segregation, people! Because when white people and black people come together, we make one big delicious drink! And that's how God wants it to be, He being a divine Willy Wonka.
Mmmmmm...Unity.
Of course, there is always the possibility that he wasn't referring to race at all. Maybe he was really talking about chocolate. Maybe he was simply giving a testimonial on behalf of the city's own Blue Frog Chocolate shop, one of Gambit Weekly's Best of New Orleans 2005. In any case, Nagin's sweet tooth provoked some people enough to start up a website mocking him. At Imnotchocolate.com, you can buy T-shirts and other merchandise featuring a cute Willy Nagin and the Chocolate Factory theme. I'm not chocolate, bitch!
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