The Order of Myths: Racism and Traditionalism in Mardi Gras

My initial response to the film, “The Order of Myths,” was shock. I was almost incredulous to learn how much racism is involved in the events of Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama. I had no idea that Blacks and Whites held their own celebrations and parades, chose separate kings and queens, and that the two parties have only recently made motions to put aside their differences and integrate. As the movie stated, Mardi Gras is one of the last strongholds of segregation between Whites and Blacks. What has caused racism to persist to such a degree in the South even to this day?

Could it be for economic reasons? Perhaps the Bigwigs who make a profit off of Mardi Gras fear that integration will take a toll on revenues collected from the celebration. The film mentioned that in 2004, they brought in a total of $227 million. Perhaps the economic differences between the Black and White social classes is one reason causing a rift between the two sectors. I noticed that in the film, the portions featuring the White king and queen were all about expensive outfits and elaborate, ornate balls and festivities, while the portions portraying the Black king and queen often discussed how expensive it was for them to be involved and definitely seemed to imply that they did not have the financial means that the White party had.

I feel that the main element that has kept racism rooted in Mobile’s Mardi Gras for so long is traditionalism. Some of the film discussed that southerners are hard-core traditionalists. A large amount of what they do is tied to history or past events; for example, they like to dress up to the same degree that their ancestors did. In fact, they rarely even trim back trees whose roots grow through and mangle the sidewalk, because they value their “roots” (I think this pun was intended). In addition to these traditions, one elderly man interviewed in the film made quite clear his opinion that Mardi Gras should remain as it is. This reminds me of a parable in the Bible that Jesus tells in the book of Luke, comparing the pharisees to old wineskins. Just like new wine cannot be poured into old wineskins because the wine will ferment and expand causing the already stretched wineskin to burst, the pharisees held so tightly to their laws and traditions that they would not accept Jesus’ new message of salvation and freedom. I feel that southern traditionalists act the same way, in that they cling so tightly to tradition that they miss out on something new and better that is in store for them and the good of society – and that is a unified, integrated nation that actually puts into place the freedom and equality for which it supposedly stands.