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The Old Money Hierarchy and Luncheon Clubs Make Class Mutiny Easy!
by nola anarcha
Thursday, May. 26, 2011 at 11:53 AM
nolaanarcha@gmail.com (email address validated)
In New Orleans, old money families have controlled the social, economic, and political life of our city for centuries. While these feudal lords currently represent an older form of hierarchical power that relies on extremely racialized and extremely gendered structures, more contemporary forms have recently elbowed their way into some spheres of influence (which was a necessary requirement for the continued reproduction of capitalism). However, the white old money elites still (mis-)rule much of New Orleans and are squarely to blame for the severe inequalities that still exist in our city.
In New Orleans, old money families have controlled the social, economic, and political life of our city for centuries. While these feudal lords currently represent an older form of hierarchical power that relies on extremely racialized and extremely gendered structures, more contemporary forms have recently elbowed their way into some spheres of influence (which was a necessary requirement for the continued reproduction of capitalism). However, the white old money elites still (mis-)rule much of New Orleans and are squarely to blame for the severe inequalities that still exist in our city.
Lucky for us, many old money patriarchs like to gather in Luncheon Clubs such as the Boston Club, Stratford Club, Pickwick Club, and the Louisiana Club, making them easier for us to find and confront. These Clubs are the exclusive domains of heirs to slave plantation wealth and other elite, rich lineages. They also happen to be the places from which many old-line Mardi Gras krewes emerged, including the Krewe of Comus and the Krewe of Momus, both made infamous by their decision to stop parading when integration was set as a condition for getting city parade permits in the early 1990s.
These Luncheon Clubs connect the elite of New Orleans. They are places where business deals, social appointments, arcane traditions, and other elements that maintain the wealth in the hands of the few are carried out over cocktails and steaks.
Therefore, if ever we have problems with the way social, economic, and political life is constructed and reproduced in New Orleans, these are probably the people we should go see about it!
At the same time, we must consciously orient ourselves during such challenges to old-money power structures such that we are not just clearing the way for the recent, multicultural, liberal elites to transfer more power into their own hands. We must demand the destruction of power itself, and challenge all who would re-concentrate it in new forms while we simultaneously disturb the genteel peace the old money elites have so far enjoyed until they release their stranglehold on our city. It can't hurt to ask, right?
nolaanarcha.blogspot.com/2011/05/old-money-hierarchy-and-luncheon-clubs.html
mr.
by bruce
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011 at 9:23 PM
Don't believe much old money remains in New Orleans. Most of the businesses controlled by old money are gone. National chains have taken their place. Old money can't be too close to their bankers as in the past, Whitney Bank is no longer local.
Also as the generations pass the younger scions lose the drive or just don't have the smarts that the founders had.
I find very few old money names in New Orleans. The only one that comes to mind is Villere. They make their money by telling you and I how to invest our money!
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