Code Noir: The Law of the Land

Code Noir

"Code Noir" or the Black Code, was introduced in 1724 with the purpose of regulating the lives of enslaved and free Black people in Louisiana. Catholicism was the only religion allowed (which is why New Orleans has such a high, Black Catholic population). Enslaved people could not carry weapons, own property, or "congregate with slaves of different masters."

If a slave ran away for the first time and was caught, their ear was cut off. Second time, their hamstring would be cut. Third time, execution.

Despite rules that were put in place to strip us of our identities, Black people still managed to preserve their cultures, all the way from the tribes of West Africa, islands of the Caribbean, to right over in Congo Square, New Orleans.