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Author: Orissa Arend

Revolutionary History: Lost and Found, and Lost Again

October 19, 2023 Updated October 18, 2023
How the Desire Street “Panther mural,” painted in 1970 to chronicle Black history for residents of the Desire housing development, met its end.

Reflections on the Cult of Trumpism

January 6, 2021 Updated January 6, 2021
The cult of Trumpism looks like a symptom of disease to me. Conversely, to a Trump supporter, my ideas may look like a symptom of disease.

A lesson in policing from New Orleans history

June 17, 2020 Updated June 17, 2020
Author Orissa Arend recalls the Black Panthers' community policing effort in the Desire Housing Project in her latest op-ed. "Look at us now, 50 years later, experiencing a worldwide consciousness awakening to the realization that the Panthers were right!"

An open letter to Michael Jones, MD

April 21, 2020 Updated April 21, 2020
The community advocacy group Justice & Beyond calls for the release of a cardiologist convicted in a health care fraud case. Orissa Arend writes that Dr. Michael Jones should be released immediately on humanitarian grounds.

Jailing victims or healing them: a tale of two very different responses to abuse

March 13, 2019 Updated November 7, 2019
Court Watch NOLA seeks wholesale reform of the justice system.

Fighting Formosa in solidarity with Rise St. James

February 16, 2019 Updated November 7, 2019

Healing Center infuses Halloween with deeper Haitian and Mexican attitudes toward death

October 23, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
This is the time of year when the veil between the dead and living is believed thinnest.

What if Brett Kavanaugh found the courage to explain himself humbly and honestly?

September 21, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
Or would growing a backbone cost him the nomination?

Eureka! Artist behind rediscovered Black Panther mural is identified

March 3, 2017 Updated November 7, 2019
Twists and turns lead to insights about a cultural find.

Saving St. Augustine: a spiritual memory from the Katrina recovery

September 21, 2016 Updated November 7, 2019
To parishioners who fought back, the archdiocese seemed to be engaged in a power grab.

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