1b. The Uniqueness of Louisiana
Hall begins by saying, “southern history has long played the role of myth reinforcing racism” (xiii). While looking at the archive and scholarly research, it is myth and rumor that appear to be synonymous terms, similar to conspiracy and plot. As such, the history of Louisiana is complicated because “all the documentation for colonial Louisiana is in French and Spanish” and the “manuscripts are scattered about in France, Spain and Louisiana” (xiii).
Additionally, “the shift from French to Spanish and then to American rule” created a very unique environment and culture in Louisiana, unlike any other area in the United States. As such, “colonial Louisiana left behind a heritage and tradition of official corruption, defiance of authority by the poor of all races, and violence, as well as a brutal, racist tradition that was viewed by its ruling groups as the only means of containing its competent, well organized, self-confident, and defiant Afro-Creole population” (xv).