McDonogh 19 was the first school to desegregate and it’s time people learn the truth.
Desegregation in New Orleans
Leona Tate with U.S. Over 100 black families applied for their school-age children to play a part in this process.
I can also remember being escorted to school with two U.S.
Plaque outside of the former site of MocDonogh 19 Elementary School (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Marshals and my mother.
These masses of people were actually angry mobs of white protestorsmost of whom had children enrolled in the school.
I didn’t understand how much my life was affected for quite some time, she admits to us.
Leona Tate with U.S. Marshals (Photo:The National Parks Service[CC BY 2.0])
My life changed drastically.
I was confined to my house and school.
I always had protection by the U.S.
The Lower Ninth Ward (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Jonathan_Densford/Shutterstock)
Marshals or the New Orleans Police Department.
The transformation of McDonogh 19 will be a place for racial healing, Tate told us.
I feel like the racism started there and we should end it there.
Etienne, Tate, and Prevost with their second grade teacher
A museum requires archiving and that is space we will not have, Tate tells us.
The three-floor space will also provide affordable housing units to low-income seniors as well as ample educational space.
