Yellowed with age 1896 Plessy vs. Furguson Supreme Court decision document.
Stylized black & white photo of Dr. White & Band playing on JAZZ Park stage.

Song o' the Day-"Plessy's Dream"

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

Special Event
  • May 18, 2021 at Sunrise
  • Free

New Orleans JAZZ NHP’s Song o’ the Day:

Plessy’s Dream

 

“Separate but equal”.  It was on this day, May 18th, in 1896, that the Supreme Court of these United States upheld the Louisiana “Separate Car Act” and decided treating some folks differently than others should be proper!  The Plessy v. Ferguson decision stipulated, of course, that determinations of who-gets-what should be “even-handed” and based entirely upon “race”.  (You know what a “race” is: a contest to see who can get somewhere first and collect the prize!)  The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy points out, “The ambiguities and confusion associated with determining the boundaries of racial categories have provoked a widespread scholarly consensus that discrete or essentialist races are socially constructed, not biologically real.”

Dr. Michael White’s ethereal start and upbeat progression in this song surely reflect the effort, hope and patience required of all involved in the quest for Human Rights during this period, and, for that matter, ALL of human history!

(For complete references & links visit the JAZZ Park calendar for this date at https://www.nps.gov/jazz/planyourvisit/calendar.htm)

Written by:  Dr. Michael White

Produced by:  National Park Service

Featuring:  Dr. Michael White & Orchestra

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Schedule

Date:

May 18, 2021

Time:

Sunrise

Contact Information

Ranger Charles
(504) 589-4841
Contact Us

Event Type

  • Performance
  • Virtual/Digital