Op-Ed: “Don’t Call Me Mister”
by The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet

Editors’ Note: This article originally appeared in Where Y’at Magazine.

Now I know there’s been a lot of controversy about the job I’ve been doing and there’s a lot of talk about shutting me down forever with a big dam.

I’m a big boy. I can handle criticism. But I want to set the record straight one thing.

Don’t call me Mister.

My father was “Mister” Go. You can call me Terence. Terence Go.

You see, I just think we just got off on the wrong foot, New Orleans.

Since my completion in 1965, there have been all sorts of problems. I know that I’m three times as wide as planned because of erosion. And I know that my earthen levees have been worn down over time.

I know it’s all the fashion in this country to blame your parents for your problems; and I take responsibility for my own actions. But that’s not all my fault. You’ve got to blame my designers for that one.

So come on, New Orleans. It’s me, your native son. Terence.

We’ve had some good times. Really good times. I brought a lot of jobs to this city. Shipbuilding, repairs, and even NASA!

Everybody loves NASA.

Think on that for a while, will you? Not the giant 20-foot storm surge that destroyed the Industrial Canal levee and all of St. Bernard Parish.

We were good together before. And we can be again.

Just give me a chance.

Love,
Terence

The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet connects the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal (known locally as “The Industrial Canal”) with Lake Borgne and the Gulf of Mexico.

All opinions expressed in Op-Ed pieces are the solely those of the author. The Creole-Tomato assumes no responsibility for their content.