On New Orleans, deux

But recently New Orleanians have metaphorically turned the tables on this rhetorical trend. Consider, for example, the poignantly enigmatic slogan, “Be a New Orleanian Wherever You Are.” How interesting: here we are ascribing certain positive characteristics to the people and culture of this place, and advocating that they be recognized, appreciated, and adopted in other places. Exactly what those characteristics are goes cleverly unexplained. For some it may be love-of-place; for others it’s festivity, creativity, musicality, carpe diem, or simply greeting a stranger on the street — an act, incidentally, viewed as bizarre or even threatening in some cities. New Orleanians as metaphors for something positive, something from which the rest of the nation can benefit: now that’s starting to sound more balanced.

From Defying adversity, wherever we are by Richard Campanella on NOLA.com.

Love-of-place, festivity, creativity, musicality and carpe diem — plus, good food, good booze, and a deep, deep, pervasive sense of history and pride that exists in few other cities are the reasons why I love New Orleans.