The Creole Culture, Alive & Well

As the national Creole voice, the NSU Creole Heritage Center fully acknowledge this important and unique culture.  In an effort to help promote this mission, a petition has been developed for all who agree and support this acknowledgement.  Everyone is encouraged to view and sign this petition here.  Feel free to show your entire family's support and sign up for each person (son, daughter, mother, father, etc.).  You may use the same email address for each individual's name.

The petition was developed in response to an assertion published in a national magazine that "Creoles do not exist".  An email notification of this assertion along with the resulting petition was sent to all of the Center's registrant.  For further clarification regarding the development of this petition listed below are associated FAQ's:

Is there a direct link to the article? The link shown doesn't take you to it or asks for a password.

Access may have been denied because of the security set-up of your internet provider's system.

The New York Times article by Kim Severson of New Orleans can be seen here (it is no longer  available for free on NYT site).  It has been developed into a PDF file and contains a link to the originating GQ article by Alan Richman.  If this link does not work, copy and and paste the following address into your browser:  http://men.style.com/gq/features/full?id=content_5165&pageNum=1

CLARIFICATION:  Please note that the article by Ms. Severson is a REPORT of Mr. Richman's mistaken and flawed concept regarding the existence of the Creole culture.  Reading the originating article by Richman (which goes on and on) shows the probable reason for her article.

The content of the Center's letter as published by the New York Times is shown below:

Creole Ways Endure

To the Editor:

Re: “ ‘Faerie Folk’ Strike Back With Fritters,” Dec. 6:

The Creole culture is very much alive and well and is represented in areas across the state of Louisiana as well as across the nation. But it is very rare that identifying oneself as Creole is accepted or understood.

The main factor for this is a lack of education about the culture and its heritage. Promotion of the history of Creole people is vital to the survival of this important American culture. We are working with Louisiana state offices not only to promote the Creole culture but also to educate the world that it does exist.

JANET RAVARE COLSON Natchitoches, La. The writer is the assistant director of the Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University.

Who are we submitting the petition to?

This results of this petition will be submitted to any and all governing bodies, educators and any other entity that can help enlist financial and academic support for the Center and the culture itself.

What else can we do to help the Center?

Write to any and all of your state and federal legislators (especially those in Louisiana) and demand support of your  Creole Heritage Center.  Ask what have they done lately to help ensure the survival of this important and vital American culture. 

Become a member of the Creole Heritage Foundation.  This group helps support the outreach activities of the Center along with its new Mini-Grant Program and a national scholarship effort. 

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD AND SIGN THE PETITION TODAY!