Behind The Lens episode 230: ‘It’s easy to get lost in the fun of Mardi Gras’

La'Shance Perry on the Krewe of Choctaw's harmful portrayal of culture to those of Choctaw heritage. Delaney Dryfoos on stepped up Carnival recycling efforts this year. And Nick Chrastil on gun arrests during Mardi Gras and concerns about racial profiling.

This week on Behind The Lens, The Krewe of Choctaw throws plastic tomahawks and feathered headdresses, while their membership has no indigenous members, representing a harmful portrayal of culture to those of Choctaw heritage who continue to protest and call for change.

Gun arrests spike during Mardi Gras and nearly all those arrested last year were Black prompting concerns from some critics that the police are engaging in racial profiling.

And for the first time, there was a visible, and organized push to keep Mardi Gras trash out of the landfill and get it into the hands of recyclers, thanks to several non profit organizations and the City of New Orleans.

Our guests this week are Lens reporters La’Shance Perry, Nick Chrastil, Delaney Dryfoos and managing editor Katy Reckdahl. 

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Spring Solstice by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com. 

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Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman Rovira has been in media for 35 years, and is currently the podcast host and producer for Behind The Lens. Heldman served as executive director at Aspen Public Radio, an NPR affiliate, where she launched four weekly news, public affairs, and cultural affairs programs. She has been a guest lecturer at Tulane University, is a frequent guest and moderator for the Aspen Institute, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute.