Ola Sims Prejean and Francesco Crocco
Recorded
December 17, 2023
Archived
December 17, 2023
34:29 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
mby023405
Description
Colleagues and friends Ola Sims Prejean [no age given] and Dr. Francesco “Frank” Crocco (47) discuss their work with their organization “Move the Mindset” and their efforts to move a statue of a Confederate general from downtown Lafayette, Louisiana.Subject Log / Time Code
Ola provides background on their organization "Move the Mindset" and Francesco (Frank) describes his introduction to Move the Mindset's work and issue area. Frank describes meeting Ola's deceased husband Fred Prejean.
Frank describes his background and passion for removing a Confederate statue in Lafayette and the history and context surrounding the statue.
Ola speaks about the Mouton family and the process behind the statue being placed. Ola describes the process of attempting to move the statue in the present day.
Ola and Frank describe the beginnings of Move the Mindset.
Frank describes the public meeting to discuss moving the statue of Alfred Mouton and the opposition it faced.
Frank revisits the context and time period surrounding the creation of the statue of Alfred Mouton and calls it a "Jim Crow statue" instead of a "Confederate statue," describing what the statue represents.
Ola shares their perspective on what the statue represented and meant to the community, as well as the process and progress in shifting its common perception.
Ola describes a unanimous vote by the City Council to move the statue and the legal battle that ensued. Ola describes the eventual success in moving the statue.
Frank describes the resistance to moving the statue.
Frank asks Ola about their first direct experiences with Move the Mindset and the aftermath of the decision to move the statue.
Ola talks about Move the Mindset's goals for the statue.
Frank describes his first meeting with and impressions of Ola. Frank remembers Ola's deceased husband Fred and the notable role he played in Move the Mindset with his work and determination.
Frank and Ola talk about Move the Mindset's work and goals after the statue was moved. Frank expresses gratitude for Ola.
Participants
- Ola Sims Prejean
- Francesco Crocco