Day 26 - Village de L'Est, New Orleans East, Louisana
📌APIA Every Day (26) - New Orleans East, renowned as Village de L'Est, stands as a poignant testament to the Vietnamese immigrant experience, forming a significant enclave following the Fall of Saigon in 1975. A critical chapter in this history involves the efforts of Catholic Charities, spearheaded by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan, who played a pivotal role in sponsoring around 1,000 Vietnamese families in New Orleans. Fueled by the climate similarities to Vietnam and the welcoming Catholic environment, the initial wave of immigrants settled in Section 8 properties in the Versailles area of New Orleans East. This marked the genesis of a vibrant community that not only weathered adversities but also became an integral part of the city's multicultural identity.
The resilience of the Vietnamese community in New Orleans East was put to the test during the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In response to the landfill threat, Versailles residents mobilized, rebuilding over half of the neighborhood by January 2006 through personal efforts, as government support remained scarce. The community leaders formulated an ambitious redevelopment plan, including senior housing, a cultural center, and a community farm. However, their struggle intensified when Mayor Ray Nagin opened the nearby Chef Menteur landfill without an environmental impact study, leading to widespread protests and legal battles at both state and federal levels. Despite the profound challenges posed by the storm's aftermath, the community displayed remarkable strength and determination, earning recognition for their swift recovery efforts.
However, one enduring struggle in the post-Katrina era revolves around the redevelopment of the Versailles Apartments, a key residential complex in the Vietnamese enclave. The proposed transformation, known as the Village of Versailles, has encountered opposition and controversy from some residents who argue against the demolition of the original structures, claiming ongoing occupancy despite the complex being padlocked. This ongoing debate underscores the intricate dynamics of urban development, affordable housing, and the preservation of cultural identity within the Vietnamese community in New Orleans East.
LEARN MORE:
American Historical Association: Disastrous Displacement: Vietnamese Americans in New Orleans East
Folklife in Lousiana: Beyond Gastronomy: Locating the Vietnamese Population in New Orleans
New York Times: Vietnamese Forged a Community in New Orleans. Now It May Be Fading
64 Parishes: Vietnamese in Louisiana
NewOrleans.com: Vietnamese have thriving presence in New Orleans
Paved Paradise Tours: The Vietnamese In New Orleans
PBS: A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES (2010 documentary, directed by S. Leo Chiang)
A Village Called Versailles: Home Page (2010 documentary, directed by S. Leo Chiang)
NOLA.com: Vietnam on the Bayou
NOLA.com: Village of Versailles in New Orleans East set for $53 million upgrade (2021)
WDSU News: Abandoned Versailles apartments get $53M overhaul (2016)
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