Language access, hurricane season and a gator on vacation
Ashley HopkinsonWelcome to The American South!
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As part of our Shaping the South series, we spoke to Mary Moran, the executive director of Our Voice Nuestra Voz (OVNV) in New Orleans. It's an advocacy organization that works with immigrant families.
As families make summer plans, we spoke to Moran about the specific difficulties a year of distance learning posed on non-English speaking families and how the organization aims to tackle some of these concerns post-pandemic.
From language access to storm preparation. We have a story this week that examines the road ahead for flood-prone states like Louisiana. Is there a way to mitigate the damage that an active hurricane season will bring?
Also, this is for my home renovation HGTV fans. I loved these photos of Erin and Ben Napier's newest home addition: Baby Mae! If you're a fan of the Home Town Takeover show, you'll enjoy this interview with this boutique owner in Wetumpka, Alabama.
Finally, are you a big reader? I like this line-up of summer reads from The Bitter Southerner. We've written stories about two of the books featured, "Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger: A Memoir" and “Black, White, and The Grey.”
Thank you for reading. Take good care!
Ashley Hopkinson (Editor, The American South)
P.S. Here's how to celebrate PRIDE month in-person or online.
What's the South talking about?
- Louisiana alligator takes a beach vacation on Texas' Padre Island
- Meet the 13 original Freedom Riders who changed travel in the South
- UNC to reexamine decision on tenure for Nikole Hannah Jones
- Over 50% of new Memphis, Tennessee teachers quit
What a year of distance learning revealed about language access in schools
Excerpt
The American South: What has the pandemic revealed about the need for better language access in schools?
Mary Moran: The pandemic has been extremely difficult on everyone. But it has especially been difficult on folks who have the extra hurdle of a language barrier. When there's low language access, then it becomes a barrier. There was a loss of a safety net that made things especially difficult for our families.
We can only stress that our demand for more access to resources in shared languages is really just about equity.
Flooding caused by climate change could hit Louisiana the hardest
June 1 marked the official start of hurricane season. But two weeks before what’s projected to be another highly active season, south Louisiana parishes were pummeled by the kind of sinister spring storm that’s become all too common in recent years.
Lake Charles, still recovering from last year’s hurricanes Laura and Delta, saw hundreds of homes flooded and more than 12 inches of rain. While floods are common to several parts of our region, a new report shows that no single state is more vulnerable than Louisiana.
What is expected this hurricane season and what is being done to improve drainage infrastructure and floodplain management in the state?
We promise, this will warm your heart
An elderly couple, married for decades, embraces after year spent apart. This sweet reunion will have you in tears! Passing you a virtual Kleenex.