A Place Called Desire

"the community that care forgot"

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Gordon Plaza When We Fight-We Win

Finally, a monetary victory win for the people of Gordon Plaza. Justice prevailed but the journey was not easy. Homeownership in the Desire neighborhood did not go as planned, as citizens were sold homes endorsed by local politicians and the federal government in the late 1970s. Unfortunately, the subdivision was constructed on land that was a toxic former landfill (Agriculture Street Landfill). The neighborhood also contained a school that was relocated from the nearby Desire Housing Project, Moton Elementary and a senior citizen center. The young and old of this neighborhood were both put in harms way. From lead poisoning, respiratory illnesses, cancers and death, this community fell prey to toxic chemicals. DDT, a chemical (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) used to offer protection from the many harmful insects, only added to the unsafe environmental condition.

when we fight
Photo Credit: Tod A. Smith – October 2023

August 2005 only proved to be a further hindrance to the community, when Hurricane Katrina made landfall. The soil mitigation used to renew the environment was compromised when the floodwaters inundated the area. Esteemed environmental scientist Wilma Subra findings from retesting the soil forced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reinvestigate the site. Thus reinforced the fight, and the residents of this tarnished community pushed further and harder. While other areas of the city were improving, this area had tougher battles to overcome including the federal government holding back Road Home (FEMA) funding.

Gordon Plaza

The Residents of Gordon Plaza, led by Shannon Rainey and others, went into battle and prevailed in the end. It was not an easy journey. Many did not make it. They succumbed to various illnesses that could have been caused by their environment. The residents were compensated for their homes enabling them to relocate. It does not erase the fact that lives were lost, families were hurt and a community destroyed. During the timeframe of 2001-2015, it is documented in the Louisiana Tumor Registry, that this area held the second-highest rates of cancer in the state of Louisiana. 

When They Fought. They Won.

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Louisiana Heritage Media Award

Louisiana Heritage Media Award – “A Place Called Desire” Leonard Smith III

  • Recognizing outstanding works published or produced within the last two years (journalism, films, books, websites or other media) on Louisiana historic preservation themes, topics, issues, projects or local history and architecture.

Filmmaker Leonard Smith III’s documentary film highlights and shares the stories of the New Orleans Lower 9th Ward Desire community. He recreates the historical memory of a community and documents the legacy of pride by those who lived in this post-World War II development. Smith enables the viewer to look beyond unfair stereotypes and see the thriving, loving community of Desire’s public housing community.

The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes 11 new award recipients for their impact on historic places, build pride and foster engagement in their communities. Awardees have been nominated by the public and selected based on:

  • Significance and magnitude of the nominee’s contributions and/or achievements.
  • Consistent or innovative involvement with and commitment to culture.
  • Benefit of the nominee’s contributions to Louisiana’s cultural understanding.

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Private Screening Panel Discussion

Lenett Films Production and LS3 Studios presented a private screening at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. A Place Called Desire is a documentary feature film telling the powerful story of an often forgotten community in the upper 9th Ward in New Orleans. It has been in the making for 12 years, offers many unforgettable history lessons applicable to American history, Louisiana history, African American history, urban history, racial history, studies of neighborhoods, studies of survival, and memorable stories of love and community. Somehow the filmmaker shares hard truths with a gentle touch.

We held the following panel discussion after the viewing.

Private Screening- Panel Discussion video by Tiffany S. Williams on Vimeo.

Bernice Bennett: And so that’s my community, and I never thought that this was there was negative anything negative about growing up in the Ninth Ward. I just was excited to see my mother and to hear her say things that we all laughed at because she often talked about how she almost talked herself out of a home. She wanted to stay uptown. But just to see everyone in this documentary share their experiences brought back wonderful, warm memories.

Rev. Daniel Perkins: I was well pleased with the first of all, the quality of the documentary and the putting together. It was really good. I just wish it could be shown more and in more places. And I was hoping that George Carraby and Johnny would all be the guy that was in the documentary. I’m from the Desire. I think we moved into Desire and still building it. We were halfway through. We moved in the center of the project that was still building the back part of it. And I think I love Desire so much that if somebody would cut me, some of the ghetto may start bleeding out, but I would never exchange my upbringing for nothing in this world. In fact, I traveled all over this country and everywhere I go, people recognize our accent. They try to figure out where they come from. And the first thing they want to know, where are you from? And my response to them is always the same. I’m from Desire, Louisiana.

Kirk Stevens: And I’m very, very happy to have been a part of this, and I just want to give a big shout out to Leonard for put this together.