Behind The Lens episode 240: ‘An enduring insult’

Special guest writer Lolis Eric Elie on local civil rights pioneers who are being to replace the current street names, including his father, Lolis Edward Elie.

This week on Behind The Lens, the New Orleans City Council Street Naming Commission issued a report two years ago recommending that 37 streets be renamed so as to remove the names of former slaveholders. Seven streets, including Lee Circle, have since been renamed. Then the work stalled. Writer Lolis Eric Elie joins the podcast to speak about his father, Lolis Edward Elie, a civil rights pioneer who’s on the short list of people whose names are being considered to replace the current street names.   

Our guests this week are former Lens board member and Times-Picayune columnist Lolis Eric Elie, Lens reporter Marta Jewson and managing editor Katy Reckdahl. 

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Keep your hand on the Plow by Mahalia Jackson and Slot Car by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com.

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Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic planning, research, branding, and non-traditional revenue generation. During her tenure she also created and launched four weekly news, public affairs and cultural affairs programs and monthly live Town Hall broadcasts. Heldman moved to New Orleans last summer with her husband and canine companion and they live happily in The Marigny.