Participants of the Furious Five second-line parade during a procession on Sunday, August 26, 2018, in New Orleans. The Valley of Silent Men Social Aid & Pleasure Club’s 33rd annual parade marked the beginning of the second-line season, concluding around Father’s Day in June. This parade paid tribute to Leon Anderson Sr., Larry Mazant, John West, Derice Bailey, and Deborah ‘Big Red’ Cotton. Captured by SCOTT THRELKELD for The Advocate. Img source: nola.com
May 15, 2024 Story by: Editor
A decade ago, on Mother’s Day 2013, New Orleans was shaken by a tragic incident that reverberated globally. Gunmen unleashed gunfire into a Mother’s Day second-line parade at Frenchmen and North Villere streets, leaving nineteen people wounded and one trampled. This event, marked as the city’s most significant mass shooting in recent history, struck a chord beyond its immediate impact.
The targeted assault on an emblematic tradition of African American culture elevated the tragedy into a profound symbol of outrage. Reflecting on the incident, singer John Boutte’ likened it to “bringing a gun to church and starting to shoot people.” The immediacy of the event’s coverage was underscored by journalist Lauren McGaughy’s firsthand account, prompting rapid media response and international attention.
The gravely injured victim, Deborah “Big Red” Cotton, emerged as a poignant voice for mercy and understanding amid the chaos. Despite sustaining life-threatening injuries, she advocated for compassion towards the alleged gunmen. Cotton’s message, delivered amidst her own battle for survival, challenged the prevailing narrative and urged introspection.
In the aftermath, Cotton’s remarkable resilience and forgiveness stirred debate and reflection. Her plea for empathy resonated deeply, offering a nuanced perspective on the complexities of racial dynamics and societal injustices. Despite her eventual passing, Cotton’s legacy endures as a testament to the enduring struggle against systemic racism.
The Mother’s Day shooting, as framed by Cotton, foreshadowed the ethos of the emerging Black Lives Matter movement. Her insistence on the value of Black lives, even in the face of reprehensible actions, underscored the pervasive impact of racism. In her words, “racism can kill Black people even when a Black finger pulls the trigger.” Source: nola.com
