Alternative Journalism Fall 2020: The Harsh Truth Behind The Camellia Grill

Around 18 million Tourists from all over the world come to New Orleans each year to experience the vibrant culture and what is thought to be one of the most diverse cities in America. Our city has thrived off of this very fact since the beginning, however, we overlook the racism that is deeply rooted in New Orleans. We capitalize on being diverse and cultured, but we leave out the people who actually made our city this way. In the turn of the century, New Orleans started to promote the fusion of whiteness and creole in order to entice visitors to a place that was rich in “culture,” but never gave credit or celebrated black history. By examining a place unique to New Orleans, The Camellia Grill, it is easy to find that tourists and locals still flock to places that reinforces racism and uncomfortable stereotypes.

The Camellia Grill is known for its distinct diner ambiance with fantastic food and a “classic” New Orleans experience, taking visitors back to a different era. The diner is old fashion and the lines are always out the door. Why do the almost exclusively male African American waiters wear tuxedos and why do I feel uncomfortable about this custom? When one “Googles” the diner, you not only learn about its history, but come to the stark realization concerning this and other New Orleans attractions, whose allure is often rooted in stereotypes that reflect the city’s history of both explicit and veiled racial divide. Although Camellia Grill’s website boasts that the diner was the first establishment in New Orleans to allow African American men to serve as waiters at the front of the house, were not allowed to dine at the Grill. I struck up a conversation with a long time New Orleans native; “Why do they wear tuxedos?” I learned that similarly to the customs at The Camellia Grill, black workers at all white country clubs were required to wear tuxedos, along with white gloves, to make the white clientele feel that the waiters were like servants.

When I sat at the Camella Grill and the waiter took the paper off my straw, I realized that this part of the “show” was deeply rooted in slave culture. The waiters are trapped in the stereotype of old New Orleans, as they must put on a performance each time a new visitor enters the grill. There are racial undertones that bring tourists to the restaurant. Ironically, the website states “it’s a place to get to know your neighbors and to be a part of the real New Orleans.” That statement sets forth some truth, as “the real New Orleans” still has a way to go, as tourists are still drawn in by racial stereotyping and waiters entertaining and serving in a subservient way. We can do better.

This is just one example of countless ways in which New Orleans tourist culture exploits the true owners of the story that is told. Sadly, these stories reinforce racial stereotyping of African Americans and somewhat normalize the degradation of black people. What is problematic is that many New Orleans attractions link back to slavery, a lack of civil rights and opportunity, poverty and the need for a spectacle. Maya Angelou stated, “Once we know better, we have to do better.” In New Orleans, we first must open our eyes to what we are pretending not to see. Even though an experience may be amusing or delicious, we still need to ask ourselves serious questions concerning our indulgence, and whether it should be continued at the expense of the exploitation of these stereotypes. By recognizing the failures in our history, we will be able to move forward and make positive changes to the city. We must come together and pay forward respect to the black community who made New Orleans the amazing, vibrant, and rich cultured city that we know and love today. The Camellia Grill in particular should make major changes in the restaurants policies. Although these aspects of the Grill might be nostalgic to some, these traditions are now outdated and offensive. In order for this city to grow and learn from its mistakes, it is important to change and make new traditions.