When Renaissance Took Over New Orleans
In honor of Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé being released, I’m remembering my experience at the concert of the same name and the impact it had on Black women.
As we entered the train station — my mother, sister, and I (two generations of Black women) — the first thought I had was wow, we’re all here for Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour. We’ve taken over the train station.
When I told my sister this, she was doubtful.
Sister: the whole train station, really??? *eye roll*
Me: yessssssssss!!! don’t you see the outfits, the makeup, and the hair in pin curls? these black women and girls, from ages 12 to 70, are in this train station to travel to New Orleans to see Renaissance.
Sister: *another eye roll*
But it was true.
It wasn’t long before more of us rolled into the train station, excited that in about eight hours, we’d be seeing the critically acclaimed Renaissance World Tour.
It wasn’t just a concert.
It was a moment. An experience.
Renaissance means rebirth in French.
New Orleans is a former French territory.
It also belonged to Spain before the United States acquired it in 1803 through the Louisiana…
