It's an article describing the benevolent societies and social aid and pleasure clubs that were a necessity in New Orleans during and after slavery and segregation. These societies were formed so that people could ease the burden of poverty and allow for their dead to be buried during a time when white funeral home owners weren't keen about allowing black bodies into their establishments. The result is still a huge part of the fabric of New Orleans area culture to this day.
thanks for the rec! gonna piggyback this and plug the book "hammer and hoe" by robin d.g. kelley if anybody wants a deeeeeep dive into a 20th century history of communism in alabama. the article touches on that (the sharecroppers unions etc)
It's an article describing the benevolent societies and social aid and pleasure clubs that were a necessity in New Orleans during and after slavery and segregation. These societies were formed so that people could ease the burden of poverty and allow for their dead to be buried during a time when white funeral home owners weren't keen about allowing black bodies into their establishments. The result is still a huge part of the fabric of New Orleans area culture to this day.