January 7, 2018

Outer Journey

The exhibit that I enjoyed that most was in the Cabildo. The Cabildo is located in Jackson Square of New Orleans. It is the Louisiana State Museum. It has three floors. We were unable to tour the first floor because it is under construction. I was disappointed and thought that there would be more to this museum. Especially being that New Orleans is the many of “FIRSTS” within the United States. It a larger white building with a green gate in the middle in the front of what appears to be the entrance. This actually isn’t an entrance the entrance is all of the way to the right. The stairs and the handrails in this building are beautiful. It was however scary on the landings of the stairs. They slanted towards the inner part of the staircase. They also seemed to be slanted down. The exhibit that stood out to me the most of this day was the portrait paintings and dressing attire of a plantation owner, his wife, and his mistress. There was a women’s day dress within this glassed exhibit. The dress that was on the body of a mannequin in this exhibit was striped blue and grey. The collar looked to be made of a white fabric with a beautiful design. There were ten buttons running up the front of the dress at the top. The broach at the top of the buttons was centered between the sides of the collar. There were baby blue flowers on this broach. The dress appeared to be a little tattered. I am sure that this has happened because of the age of the dress. The masters outfit was all black with a white shirt and a black tie. The black coat had coat tails and a black vest. The white cuffs stuck out of the black jacket arms. This jacket also sat on the body of a mannequin. Not one of the individuals was smiling in the portraits. I thought that the mistresses dress was the most beautiful out of both of the women’s dresses. The mistresses dress was white with a baby blue ribbon and some light blue dress running around the trim on the front of the dress. The fabric looked to be light and somewhat see through. On a hot summers day this would be perfect to wear considering that all women had to wear dresses in this era. Not only would help to in keeping cool with the temperature, but it would also help in protecting the skin from the hot summer sun. The mistress had a round face with short brown hair. Though she appeared to have African descent her skin was very light. Her hair was cut right below her ears and was brown in color. The frame that this portrait was in was gold. The master wore a black suit with a white shirt and tie in his portrait. He had brown hair that was parted on the right side. His bangs were slightly curly. The women in the portrait that appeared to be his wife was wearing a dress that was dark in color. It was either a navy blue or black, and had a pink/rose ribbon that went around her waist. The dress was below her shoulders and above her elbows. For jewelry she wore a necklace and earrings that hung down below her ear lobes. This women’s skin tone was very pale. The dynamics of relationships were different back in this era and I find it interesting to read about and hear stories how the relationships worked upon business men, plantations, and the women of the house.

Inner Journey

I learned that this state was very progressive and that though there was slavery not everyone that was African was a slave. Half of the Africans that lived in New Orleans were free and some were even business owners. I of course wish that there was never slavery. I can’t imagine how anyone could ever think that they could own another human being. It made me feel better that Madame LaLaurie had her slaves taken from her because of the torment that was caused by her. I am unable to comprehend how this treatment could be given by anyone. Before this class I did not know that amount of history that New Orleans had. It is odd that this country is founded on the idea of being able to practice any religion that you wanted, and in New Orleans it was a must that the Catholic religion be practiced. Even the slaves were to practice Catholicism. I love that everyone is accepted in New Orleans. I love that the states were founded on having individuals from many different cultures, and were of many different races. The music and the art are everywhere in the New Orleans atmosphere. There were many locals who I met and talked to that were so friendly. They were willing to share their little piece of the world with anyone. They were inviting willing to help explore and willing to share the best places to eat and visit. I think that already as a nurse and for those who are going to nursing school that this was an excellent course to take. In nursing you must have acceptance of everyone and the practices that every patient uses in their everyday life. This city showed to not be judgmental. It showed that you get to where you want to go by your own hard work. You don’t achieve goals by skin color, but by your hard work. I know that there are many instances where people get the promotion or even a job because of someone they know or because of their status in life. I think that if everyone everywhere showed the acceptance of everyone the world would be a fairer and friendlier place. I want to make it a point to help those patients or anyone that nurses or the general public are shying away from because they are “different” or “annoying” then the regular patient or John Public. If just being nice for 1 minute of someone’s life makes their day then it is not a waste.