Dr.John's Stroll

Dr. John’s Stroll

There is a block on a street, unlike any block on any other street, in the historic neighborhood of Carrollton in Uptown New Orleans (NOLA).

Part of a street which more than a century ago, even before Carrollton was part of NOLA, was the main business thoroughfare, is now a major vein linking the old town to Tulane University. Now, it is in the heart of a quiet residential neighborhood; except for this block, on this street, in this neighborhood. This is the block in which the Doctor strolls.

Unlike any block in this neighborhood, from Carrollton’s main named avenue to its famed university, this block is a historic portal to a historic past. This block, with the largest oldest historic tree, which is the street’s namesake, can single-handedly teach us the story of the Native’s joys and pains, the enslaved African’s Voodoo rebellions and games, and the Confederacy’s truths and claims.

In this block, on this street, in this neighborhood, during this stroll, all of these stories, historic and news, come together to create something wonderfully true!

Step by step the pastor of the Church of Gris Gris passes…It is on that block that I see legend strolling by with his – step by step. With a walking-stick in one hand, and the ‘soul of New Orleans’ in the other, this ‘medicine-man’ and this historic block become brothers, again. They show the potential of the brotherhood between man and nature that is NOLA Voodoo, NOLA gumbo, and Crescent City Jazz.

And with every step of his stroll, the Doctor moves forward bringing forth the cries of the Bayou Indians, the cosmic spirituality of the Children of the Spirit (which is Voodoo), and the reunion of them all through the Afro-Creole culture of NOLA cuisine: its gumbo, music, and friendship, with all of peoples it has encountered.

As Dr. John strolls pass the giant oak tree on Oak Street, in the neighborhood of Carrollton, our ancestors stroll right back with him!

So, long live New Orleans, long live Afro-Creole Voodoo, and long live Dr. John, too! Keep strolling Baby☺!!

-- D. Wole' Murray-Ife,,
The Afrocreole Griot