Your Voice Is Not My Voice

Think Before You Speak

Dear Captain, your voice is not my voice, nor is it the voice of the 3,500 of women you are representative of. I get that, as the captain of the largest female Krewe in New Orleans, you felt the need to say something, to support your sisters, but you didn’t think before you spoke and because of this, you ruined something beautiful. Your words were more than words; you put out ignorance. In the eyes of our city, as a Krewe, we are one voice, so because of your statement, our Krewe has fallen apart and lost the love of our city.

Phone a Friend

The beauty of our Krewe is its diversity. There are women from every walk of life, women of every color, every race, every ethnicity. There are fresh 21 year olds, and there are women in their 70s. We are a sisterhood of so many beautiful women, smart women, well-spoken women. So why didn’t you call on some of our sisters to help you put together a statement representative of our Krewe? You could have done so much better than a Google searched image with a hashtag that isn’t supportive of what so many are fighting for right now. You could have done what so many of us our doing right now; you could have listened, you could have learned, but you didn’t. You posted that picture and that hashtag, and it blew up.

Disappointment

I am so disappointed. I am disappointed that you used your platform without making sure what you were using it for was right. I am disappointed in the apology. I am disappointed at how many other sisters don’t see the wrong in it. I am disappointed that, even though YOU are not the reason that so many of us ride in this Krewe, YOU are the reason so many of us feel like we can no longer be a part of a Krewe that was such a beautiful thing. I hope you have learned from this. I hope next time you can do better and be a better representative for your Krewe.

What Now

We have paid partial dues. I am sure the treasurer has been overwhelmed with refund requests. I haven’t sent mine yet because I am not ready to acknowledge that it’s over. I have taken my Nyx magnet off my car; I have answered the text messages asking what my feelings are about your comment and apology.

My first year it poured and was freezing, the second year we had some rain but it was an amazing ride, and last year, well, we know how that went. Even with all of that, I was ready to come back for another year. My glitter cottage is ready to start working on my purses, but now, I don’t know if I can come back. I am mourning this; I love being a part of something that brings so much joy to others. Nyx was my thing, it was what golf is to my husband. I don’t ask about how much he has spent on rounds of golf, clubs, or balls and he doesn’t ask how much I have spent on glitter, dues, or throws. I tell people that glittering is my therapy; it allows me that much needed alone time.

Will the Krewe be able to survive this? Will people come out to see Nyx? Will they show love? Will it be safe for riders? All these questions … all because you didn’t think before you spoke.

where my Nyx magnet used to be
Nikki
Nikki was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she has lived in Seattle and Portland. After visiting New Orleans, she fell in love with the city, and she and her husband decided to take a chance and move from the PNW to NOLA. Nikki has two kids, Amaya (16) and Tyson (13), she and her husband Dave have been married for 16 years, they live on the Northshore. Nikki works full time as a NICU nurse. Nikki and her family have fully embraced the culture of New Orleans, while they live on the Northshore, they play in New Orleans as often as they can. As a member of New Orleans Mom, she hopes to bring the perspective of the veteran mom and life with big kids and teenagers.

3 COMMENTS

  1. BRAVO! You hit the mark with your sentiments. She ruined my favorite past time…….glittering and creating purses. We are the talk of the town (Negatively)! I am truly embarrassed!!

  2. Thank you. Brilliantly said. I’m sad to walk after 4 rides, but, I simply cannot give her another penny.

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