Louisiana virtues represent cultural, spiritual ways as the prism ofunderstanding

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Carol Forsloff---Louisiana is often portrayed on television, by the movies and political and social media outlets as a place of ignorance, prejudice and unhealthy ways.  Yet like every place, or everyone, its virtues are often neglected.  An examination of those virtues offers the way to understand differences and revel in our commonalities, shared beliefs and end the chasm that often exists when mythology is embraced instead of reason.

The South offers a microcosm of much of what is good about America.  Those statements about Southern hospitality are true and manifested by many of those ways that identify a culture much misunderstood and often seen only in stereotypes.

If you want to visit a people who live by the motto, "Laugh and the world laughs with you," then go South and find them there.  That kind of motto might be lived in other places, but it is deepened into the very earth walked by people of the South and is part of the air they breathe.

"Laiseez le bon temp" is not an idle saying.  Instead that message of letting the good times roll is a way of reminding us that regardless of the difficulties and despairs of our world, we should focus on those good times, find ways to make them last and bring laughter and good times wherever we go.  The message also tells us it is up to all of us to be among those who laugh and share the good times, for in life there is recognition that the bad times can be overridden by memories that are good.

The welcome mat is virtually spelled out in front of many Southern doors, a mat that has at times not been shared as extensively as it should, but the gradual growth of inclusion is finding its way into a culture that might end up being the source of teaching us all just what it means to welcome someone else.  For the welcome mat of Louisiana is one that says that welcome means a friend inside the door, with a kettle of hot soup and a hug as well.  For feelings are shared abundantly by people who aren't afraid to reveal their love in big ways and in small.

Then there is the matter of faith, for people share a multitude of beliefs, although not quite as widely in number as other regions might have.  But the faith is deep, and that old notion of family first is found almost everywhere.  When you make a friend of a Southerner, you are apt to be in that family group.  It takes, however, time and the willingness to look beyond differences for any family to function; and for those adopted by a Southern family, the benefits are immense.

Culture is defined as the customs and lifestyles of a people, and in this case Louisiana literally dances with them, blending Native American, Western and Southern European, and African American styles with vigor in music, art and that Laissez les bons temp rouler that is intimately part of Louisiana culture

A philosopher-ethicist-prophet once said that if a man has one fault and one virtue, look at his virtue and forget his faults, as is an encouraging way to view life. Louisiana folks surely have more than one virtue, so sorting and finding those virtues is not a difficult task. When those virtues are discovered, they bring the truth of this message about faults and virtues and become the prism of true understanding.