Louisiana Creoles: Cultural Recovery and Mixed-Race Native American Identity

(Paperback)

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Description

Louisiana Creoles examines the recent efforts of the Louisiana Creole Heritage Center to document and preserve the distinct ethnic heritage of this unique American population. Dr. Andrew Jolivtte uses sociological inquiry to analyze the factors that influence ethnic and racial identity formation and community construction among Creoles of Color living in and out of the state of Louisiana. By including the voices of contemporary Creole organizations, preservationists, and grassroots organizers, Jolivtte offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the ways in which history has impacted the ability of Creoles to self-define their own community in political, social, and legal contexts. This book raises important questions concerning the process of cultural formation and the politics of ethnic categories for multiracial communities in the United States. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina the themes found throughout Louisiana Creoles are especially relevant for students of sociology and those interested in identity issues.

Reviews

Louisiana Creoles is an insightful exploration of the complex experience of one of the longest-standing 'multiracial' communities in the United States as well as of contemporary individual and organizational efforts to document and preserve that experience. A major contribution to not only the growing body of literature on multiraciality, but also the larger body of research on questions of racial, gender, class, and cultural formations and the construction of identity. -- G. Reginald Daniel, University of California, Santa Barbara
Jolivtte argues forcefully that Louisiana Creoles can only be properly viewed - and view themselves - through the lens of multiraciality. The writing style is free of jargon, the book includes many informative quote, and Jolivtte is insightful. Other useful features include a table summarizing key historical moments in Creole history and a list of Creole organizations and Web sites. Recommended. * Choice Reviews *
At its core the book discusses the internal struggle of Louisiana Creoles with mixed heritage to define themselves among family and friends, within local communities, and among Americans at large. . . . The study approaches questions about race, ethnicity, and choice both sociologically and anthropologically. Jolivette includes portions of his research tools in the appendices. These include a survey, interview questions, and a list of Creole organizations, periodicals, and Web sites, all of which give the reader a glimpse into his methodology. . . . Louisiana Creoles does prove a useful book for examining why individuals identify themselves among family members, publicly and politically, if not always culturally, and provides a starting point for other works on multiethnic identity. * American Indian Quarterly *
Andrew Jolivette has provided the reading audience with an excellent study of a much needed topic: the historical and contemporary experiences of Creole people outside of the New Orleans area. A must read for those interested in America's mixed-race phenomenon. -- Troy Johnson, Chair, American Indian Studies, California State University

Author Bio

Andrew Jolivtte is assistant professor in the American Indian studies department at San Francisco State University.