Life — January 15, 1925 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon depicting New Orleans street life, likely from the early 20th century. The scene shows the St. Charles Hotel and Baptist Church alongside various labeled figures engaged in stereotypical behavior. The cartoon uses exaggerated dialect and caricature—including what appears to be racist depictions of African American and Creole figures speaking in broken English ("Yo' invitation of Al Clolsen fo' Admil Farragut," "Bress yo' hart Misto' La Salle"). The satire targets New Orleans' multicultural character, its Creole aristocracy, and perceived cultural chaos. References to "Voodoo," "Gris Gris," and "old egg" invoke stereotypes about folk practices. The crowded, chaotic composition itself seems to mock the city's disorder and diverse, competing populations and traditions.