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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.
by Carolyne Heldman

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 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.

View all posts by Carolyne Heldman