Why New Orleans? Because… - Miji Park

(9 Reasons- I’ll pull out the 10th when I really need it)

I am an anti-social, sarcastic realist, but I still would rather be here than anywhere else.

I like making fun of tourists.
• But we have to rebuild the tourism industry to make that happen

Koreans have invaded every urban space, except New Orleans, and I need to:
• Figure out why
• Start an outpost of Koreans

My 5’1” fire-dancing, welding, corporate-peon sister thinks I’m crazy. I like it.

This city has brought me overwhelming frustration but has still taught me patience. You may not know me, but that is damn impressive.

Not even stability, money, and a guaranteed life of satisfaction could keep me in the place that has my heart, the Bay Area
• My heart would rather share itself with New Orleans

I believe in the power of place. New Orleans’ power of place is existent in:
• Each unique corner of architecture that tourists never see
• A meandering river that has permanently ruined my sense of direction
• Every neighborhood that looks more like a bohemian enclave than one tainted by urban blight

I thought Philly had issues until I moved here…
• Problems in New Orleans are not unique to New Orleans but have affected cities everywhere: housing, economic development, education, health care, etc.
• If you can develop a model to alleviate these problems here, where each issue has been exacerbated by Katrina, you can address them anywhere
• This is my generation’s failure and the future of my generation’s triumph

How can I walk away from this challenge?