Memories of Desire
Essays from the neighborhood.
First-person stories from people who grew up in Desire: holidays, summers, Friday nights, record trucks, church Sundays and the fights worth winning.
- Piety
- Pleasure
- Benefit
- Abundance
- Industry
- Desire
Featured essay · Winnifred Magee
A Street Called Desire
As I matured and traveled about, I paid attention to the names of streets. I like to learn, observe, and absorb my surroundings. Part of that, for me, is learning…
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A Different Kind of Summer
Spending time in Bassano this summer couldn’t be any more different from my childhood in Desire, especially summers. Here, in Bassano, it is so tranquil that you…
Gordon Plaza: When We Fight, We Win
Finally, a monetary victory win for the people of Gordon Plaza. Justice prevailed but the journey was not easy. Homeownership in the Desire neighborhood did not go…
A Street Called Desire
As I matured and traveled about, I paid attention to the names of streets. I like to learn, observe, and absorb my surroundings. Part of that, for me, is learning…
Stepping Into Easter
Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. The flowers are blooming, the grass is greener, and the weather in New Orleans is about the best that it can be.…
The Christmas Fruitcake
The Christmas Fruitcake made its appearance at my childhood home every year. It was my Dad’s tradition, and he kept it going well into his senior years. Now that I…
Summer Fun
It is hard, as well as unfair, to stereotype, or form generalities, concerning the summers of families in the Desire area. Because the Desire Housing Development…
Friday Night Feast
It’s Friday Night and I peeped inside of my refrigerator and thought how my Dad would create the best meals. Determined not to spend money, I decided to go old…
The Record Truck
Summertime in Desire. The memories are many of the three months we were out of school and enjoying each day. We were fortunate to live in a home that was always…
The Ladies’ Tammany Social & Aid Club
“Be it known, that on this sixth day of March, 1946…the name and title of said corporation shall be ‘THE LADIES’ TAMMANY SOCIAL AND AID CLUB.” From the Charter,…
Desire Proud, Desire Strong
Some people may see a brick in this photo. I see many years of dedication, hope, dreams, love and determination. I often wonder what part did this brick play in the…
Food for Thought
Woke up This Morning Thinking About That ” Place Called Desire ” // It’s A Phenomenon! What A Great Experience It Was! And It’s Still Going Strong!
Beg, Borrow, but Don’t Steal!
Many families in the Desire Housing Project had large numbers of children. The largest apartment consisted of four bedrooms, one bathroom, one kitchen and one…
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