Students at Loyola have an unfortunate tendency to live in a bubble. When asked, most students can barely name our current mayor (hint: it’s not Sean Payton), much less other city leaders.
It is shameful how few students know who William Jefferson is, despite his far-reaching power in Louisiana and national politics. He, with his brother Mose Jefferson, ran the political machine known as the Progressive Democrats, wielding immense power in the city. Now, they are both awaiting their federal corruption cases to be heard by the Appeals Court.
Many students excuse their ignorance of local politics and issues by pointing out the fact that they are only living in New Orleans temporarily. Therefore, they believe local politics do not affect them and they have no responsibility to remain aware of the issues facing New Orleans and its government.
These students could not be more wrong.
The actions of city leaders have a direct affect on all Loyola community members, regardless of resident status and we, as community members, have a responsibility to care for and remain active in our community.
Every time incompetence or corruption interferes with the work of the police department, our safety is jeopardized. For example, the city spent millions on a crime camera program that never got off the ground. Now, we live in a city without crime cameras and short of several million dollars. Yet, students remain oblivious as law enforcement funds are misappropriated and crime runs rampant.
Unethical business contracts, unqualified contractors and a deplorable level of management in the department of transportation have bled public funds and provided us with a far inferior city infrastructure. Who among us has not encountered potholes large enough to bath in? Public transportation workers are underpaid and have little incentive or ability to remain on time.
Obviously, what politicians do affects our everyday life. As for the students, we stay here, enjoying the benefits of living in our Uptown bubble, oblivious to the life of the city around us. Too many people do not realize the daily struggles and trials undergone by our neighbors in the New Orleans community.
As members of a Jesuit institution, we are men and women for others. All too often, we hear these words merely as meaningless phrases.
Now, when New Orleans is bereft of leadership at a time when it needs strong leadership the most, we have a responsibility to stand up for our city and community. It is time for those words to become more than an empty slogan. It is time for us, the members of Loyola University, to act.
This election is a chance for the city of New Orleans to take a new, better direction. We, as members of the Loyola University and New Orleans community, have a duty to pick up our heads, take a look around and make our voices heard.
So beginning with the forum on corruption, let’s wake up, step out of our bubble and make a difference. We won’t regret it.
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