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Category
Opinion

Perspectives and reflections that challenge, question, and inspire.

Essence isn’t just facing organizational problems—it’s having an identity crisis

by Gus Bennett July 9, 2025 Updated July 12, 2025

‘I saw this coming.’

“The escapees didn’t run because the sheriff opened the door for holistic healing,” writes Henderson-Uloho, who taught decarceration classes in the jail. “They escaped because the people hired to provide custody, care, and control neglected their care and weaponized the control.”
by Maryam Henderson-Uloho July 2, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026
black and white cctv cameras

NOPD is using images of you from more than 5,000 cameras across the city

“After years of FOIA requests and research, I know that NOPD is lying about their unlawful use of Project NOLA and facial-recognition software,” says the writer. The surveillance-camera issue is slated to be discussed at 10 a.m. today (Monday) at the City Council’s criminal-justice committee meeting.
by Matthew Wollenweber June 29, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026

Dan Bright was my brother. Death Row didn’t kill us, but it tried. 

We can’t keep losing our brothers to the aftermath of injustice. We can’t call it “freedom” if we’re still dying from what they did to us.
by Shareef Cousin June 15, 2025 Updated January 24, 2026

Maintaining independence in levee-board appointments

As legislators debate changes to levee boards, it’s worth remembering why the levee boards were reformed, what remains undone - AND that all evidence shows that the pre-Katrina Orleans Levee Board was not at fault.
by Sandy Rosenthal and H.J. Bosworth, Jr. June 14, 2025 Updated June 14, 2025

Louisiana can’t afford a mirage

“We must stick with real plans for our future,” the writer contends about the recent halt to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. “Every delay means more land lost, more families unprotected, more risk from rising seas and stronger storms. We don’t have that kind of time.”
by Simone Maloz June 10, 2025 Updated June 11, 2025

Nothing is ever black and white on a plantation

The recent fire at Nottoway Plantation, which reduced the “big house” to ashes, serves as a stark reminder of the complexities we navigate to uncover the truth of our history. 
by Jo Banner June 3, 2025 Updated June 3, 2025

Only those who have experienced jail can understand the bigger picture

In New Orleans, where incarceration touches nearly every block, jail population counts are much more than numbers – they represent families fractured, futures derailed, and communities under pressure.
by Bernard Smith May 30, 2025 Updated January 17, 2026

The New Orleans jailbreak: crisis, blame, and a system built to break

Some of the loudest voices talking about problems that led to the jailbreak are the same ones who’ve supported underfunding and cuts to social services, education, and mental-health programs—drivers of crime and incarceration in the first place.
by Gus Bennett May 28, 2025 Updated January 18, 2026

Working for bike safety, after suffering a severe bicycling injury

Bejasa, an avid bicyclist who spent three months in a wheelchair after being hit by a car, asks Lens readers to join her at two upcoming bicycle-safety events this weekend. See details below.
by Elyse Bejasa May 15, 2025 Updated May 15, 2025

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The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.
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Our reporting has more urgency than ever.


For more than a decade, we have reported on issues as well as public policy meant to address the needs of residents. The Lens seeks to focus on the inherent inequality that has created a multi-tiered system. We, at The Lens seek to uncover, illuminate, inform and take part in a forward-looking community. Join us.

 
 

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