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GCC professor of history Alyssa Arnell presents this year's Dovi Afesi Lecture. In 1865, Pierre Fazende parceled off seven acres of land situated downriver of New Orleans in neighboring St. Bernard Parish. He sold plots to newly freed and other people of color. For a century, the community of Fazendeville thrived. In its heyday, Fazendeville boasted over 100 families, two grocery stores, and a school that doubled as a dance hall where Fats Dominos was known to play. “The Village,” as Fazendeville was fondly nicknamed, was a community known for its collective political and economic action. But Fazendeville was situated on a parcel of land coveted by heritage and memorialization associations for its connection to the War of 1812. In 1815, Andrew Jackson led a diverse army to victory against invading British forces that marched across this field. “The Battle of New Orleans” victory was the last engagement of the war, and the victory propelled Jackson onto the national political scene. In 1962, Congress was persuaded to pass legislation creating a national military park in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle. This law gave the Secretary of the Interior authority to demolish Fazendeville, reasoning that the military park…