In 'In the Shadow of Statues,' Mitch Landrieu, the former mayor of New Orleans, reflects on his city's turbulent history and the controversial legacy of its Confederate monuments. As he grapples with the removal of these statues, Landrieu offers a poignant exploration of race, identity, and the narratives that shape our communities. His personal journey intertwines with the collective struggle for justice and reconciliation, revealing the deep scars of the past that still haunt the present. With raw honesty and powerful insights, the book challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths and envision a brighter future. A compelling read that prompts reflection on how history informs our contemporary lives.
By Mitch Landrieu
Published: 2019
""In the shadow of statues, we must confront our past, acknowledge our mistakes, and embrace the promise of a more just future.""
The New Orleans mayor who removed the Confederate statues confronts the racism that shapes us and argues for white America to reckon with its past. A passionate, personal, urgent book from the man who sparked a national debate. "There is a difference between remembrance of history and reverence for it." When Mitch Landrieu addressed the people of New Orleans in May 2017 about his decision to take down four Confederate monuments, including the statue of Robert E. Lee, he struck a nerve nationally, and his speech has now been heard or seen by millions across the country. In his first book, Mayor Landrieu discusses his personal journey on race as well as the path he took to making the decision to remove the monuments, tackles the broader history of slavery, race and institutional inequities that still bedevil America, and traces his personal relationship to this history. His father, as state legislator and mayor, was a huge force in the integration of New Orleans in the 1960s and 19070s. Landrieu grew up with a progressive education in one of the nation's most racially divided cities, but even he had to relearn Southern history as it really happened. Equal parts unblinking memoir, history, and prescription for finally confronting America's most painful legacy, In the Shadow of Statues contributes strongly to the national conversation about race in the age of Donald Trump, at a time when racism is resurgent with seemingly tacit approval from the highest levels of government and when too many Americans have a misplaced nostalgia for a time and place that never existed.
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“"In the shadow of statues, we must confront our past, acknowledge our mistakes, and embrace the promise of a more just future."”
In the Shadow of Statues
By Mitch Landrieu
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Mitch Landrieu is a prominent American author and political figure, best known for his compelling narratives that explore the complexities of race, politics, and history in the United States. His notable works include "In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History," where he reflects on his experiences as Mayor of New Orleans and addresses the legacy of Confederate monuments. Landrieu's writing style is characterized by its candidness and thoughtfulness, engaging readers with personal anecdotes and reflections that challenge societal norms and encourage open dialogue about difficult issues.
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