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April 3, 2008
For Ashley
Our council member Shelley Midura's speech at today's City Council meeting:
I wanted to honor the life and passing of one of my district's neighborhood activists, Professor Ashley Morris, who we lost to an early passing yesterday morning. He was a friend to my office and a champion of his neighborhood. More than almost anything though, he was a fierce lover of New Orleans. He spent much of his time during the week teaching at an out-of-town university, yet he had no desire to move there. He preferred to commute.To Chicago. From New Orleans.
Why would he do that? Why do so many others in our city do such things? I believe it was because Professor Morris wanted to be able to tell people, "I'm from New Orleans." He wanted people to know that New Orleans was his home and that this truth was not only conscious and deliberate, but perhaps also something fated. He seemed to believe that New Orleans chose him as much as he chose us, as if it were some quantum entanglement that could not be logically explained or rationalized. It was a matter of the heart and knowing in the bottom of your soul exactly where you belong. It was a deep yearning for a city he loved, cherished, and felt gratitude and appreciation towards every day, despite the challenges and the ups and downs of post-Katrina life.
On his blog only a couple months ago, he wrote about going out to lunch with his friend Ray to Willie Mae's and grabbing take-out there and how "There on the stoop, we tore into a whole fried chicken, macaroni and cheese casserole, mixed greens, and candied yams that tasted more like bread pudding. An excellent meal, as you can see… anywhere else, we'd be having lunch. Here in New Orleans, we were having a world class meal. For lunch." Ashley knew that any moment in New Orleans was unlike any moment anywhere else in the world, that typical days here are not typical days anywhere else on this planet, and that being a New Orleanian, especially now, comes with a special badge of honor.
And so I honor my fellow New Orleanian, Professor Ashley Morris. He will be so dearly missed by so many, of whom I am only one. New Orleans aches for him today and wishes his wife, young children, family, and loved ones its heartfelt condolences.
Posted by ray at April 3, 2008 8:10 PM | Permalink
Categories: [new orleans ]
Comments
i cannot imagine being capable of writing such a beautiful elegy. it is sad that such beauty is a result of heartbreak. hang in there, ray.
Posted by: sarah at April 3, 2008 9:02 PM
She managed to honor both Ashley and your friendship. It was very nice to be there in Council and hear that
Posted by: Karen at April 3, 2008 10:22 PM
Every year....
Every year, since the Storm, I've lost someone I call my friend....
Ashley was one who I had many a conversation with--only on the Internet, though. I wish we had met, and this last time I was in town, I "knew" I would see him at one of the St. Pat's parades.... and I kept a look out for him to say hello.
I will miss you, my friend....
And Ray, my heart is with you right now. My thoughts are with you all....
Man, I wish I was back home, for all sorts of reasons....
Banzai
Posted by: Banzai Bill at April 4, 2008 12:00 AM
Hey babe--tried to post my condolences yesterday, but the computer hiccupped. I'm so sorry you lost your pal. What a great photo this is!
Take heart. Somewhere, Ashley Morris is second-lining over the White House, FEMA, and an endless maze of contracting, permitting, and insurance weasels, shouting down from the heavens with God on his side, "Fuck you, you fucking fucks!"
One minute at a time, Ray. And fuck any and all of the fucking fucks that float through your head saying otherwise.
Love,
Your Purple-Green-and-Gold-Bleedin' Pal,
FYYFF 504 Soulja 4 Life,
Robin
P.S. Did you give Julie a big hug for me? I'm going to try and swing a visit, even if it's just me, at some point this summer. I fully expect to spend my entire time on the wrecking krewe with you.
Posted by: Robin at April 4, 2008 7:08 PM
Ray,
I knew you guys were tight. Thanks for explaining even if just a little why.
I saw Shelley at a school function Sunday night, told her I heard what she said about Ashley and thanked her for that. She told me Ashley had been a significant help to her many times and that we are all going to miss him, all of New Orleans is going to miss him.
Peace,
Tim
Posted by: Tim at April 8, 2008 12:56 AM
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