** French President Macron visits New Orleans by WALT HANDELSMAN | STAFF EDITORIAL Cartoonist
With Russia and Ukraine fighting a full-scale drone war these days, and the US White House hosting a dinner banquet this week for the French President, there is enough oomph to celebrate a much needed drive for congenial relations. The world is at a dire need to connect and heal in 2023 after a pandemic mess, and a war that has ravaged Eastern Europe and driven the point for higher ground the need to communicate. Language and diplomacy go hand in hand in this new geopolitical world that emphasizes the objective to connect more than ever.
A language school has a profound impact when showcasing the wonderful talent much needed to pursue a new way of thinking and cultural camaraderie on a global scale. Seeds for language acquisition are instilled in both children and adults for the long haul, wide and far. Learning a foreign language satisfies life-goals in attaining a better quality of life over the course of a lifetime if it is to be well-lived to the fullest.
With today’s French President Macron visit to New Orleans, it is reassuring that whenever a foreign dignitary visits the U.S. there is due attention paid to connect and retrace cultural roots. Monsieur Macron’s visit to the French Quarter is designed to create headlines and highlight cultural heritage meant to drive the francophone point that French in Louisiana remains relevant. Every time somebody has the opportunity to connect the dots and establish new ties with another country, language is the tool. When one speaks the language of another, or shows respect to learn the traits of another, communication is possible.
With deterrence on everybody’s mind, world leaders and politicians aim to please by extending an olive branch using a much sought after diplomatic protocol and projecting strength while imbuing dialogue with the possibility of long-term discourse towards peace. War can be averted and common decency and respect amongst nationals are highlighted.
With this hopeful elegy, language schools have a pressing mantra to spread fascination with rich and diverse ideas through language acquisition. People often have a passion to connect with their heritage language in a self-contained manner. We pursue a new year’s goal of learning a second language or gifting one’s saplings with one’s own ancestral language legacy, be it Spanish, Italian, French or Arabic. These are things that feel golden and deserving of that. However, it is often fascinating when one comes across a new language that has nothing to do with one’s own culture of immigration path via the Mississippi Delta or the New York Harbor. Let us celebrate pursuing a language that has nothing to do with one’s heritage, whenever possible. This is not a novel idea but is attune to learning the ways of another and communicating better in good times and bad times. This is a tribute to humanity in learning the ways of another culture and achieving better communication in both golden hours and challenging times.
Community betterment courtesy of WWNO. New Orleans Public Radio
** President Emmanuel Macron of France, French First Lady Brigitte Macron and other members of the French delegation will touch down in New Orleans for a day of French Quarter touring, climate talks, and celebrating its shared Francophone culture in Louisiana on Friday afternoon.
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