There’s no two ways about it: New Orleans has a lot of issues. We aren’t a town where we have everything figured out. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have things to be proud of. In fact, as we try to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our city right now, it’s good to remind yourself what makes New Orleans so special. Here are 11 reasons to be proud of New Orleans.

1) We take the time needed to celebrate our lives.
facebook.com/jazznheritage
Some may say that we party too much, and for some it's true...but mostly, I would say the rest of the country celebrates too little.
2) We nurture the artist in our children.
facebook.com/NewOrleansCenterForCreativeArts
From NOCCA to the music and dance and visual art programs that enliven so many of our public schools, we know how to help our children honor their inner artist from the very start.
3) We survived.
Wikicommons / U.S. Coast Guard, Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Niemi
With all of the political debates that go on and on about this and that, it can be easy to forget how uncertain it really was that anyone would ever inhabit New Orleans again in the years after Katrina. As we continue to face enormous environmental challenges, we should remember how much strength, courage, and determination it required for us to exist here at all following that storm. We are survivors, and we are adaptors. We should be proud of it.
4) We aren’t afraid of the truth.
Flickr.com / Shelly Prevost
In New Orleans, more often than not, someone is going to tell you like it really is. And we embrace that!
5) We know how to live and let live.
Flickr.com / Thomas Beauchamp - Arnold
To each their own, laissez les bon temps roulez, and on and on...in New Orleans, we've figured out how to give each other the space to express ourselves without too much controversy...

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6) We put family and community before work and ambition.
Flickr.com / Elise Dicharry
While some people who move here could say that we are lazy or unproductive, in my opinion, we just have different priorities. And I'm proud of that.
7) We say hello to one another on the streets and look each other in the eye
Flickr.com / Bart Everson
It's just the way of doing things here.
8) We appreciate great music.
facebook.com/jazznheritage
While we still have a long way to go in making sure our musicians have a comfortable lifestyle, at least we have an innate acknowledgment and appreciation for the amazing gifts great, heartfelt music brings us.
9) We put in the effort to preserve our historic architecture and streetscapes.
Flickr.com / lrf
And we've got the amazing beauty all around us to prove it.
10) We know the meaning of hospitality.
Flickr.com / YEE: NOLA Goes Gaucho at Fogo de Chão
Even though we often groan at tourists and all of the challenges they can bring, at the core of it, we in New Orleans know how to welcome the stranger with open arms and we take pleasure in doing it the right way.
11) We know how to honor those that pass with dignity and joy.
Flickr.com / Shelia
In New Orleans, we understand that death is a part of life and we celebrate the lives of those who have passed.

What do you think people in New Orleans should be the most proud of? Let us know why you are proud of our city in the comments. We love hearing your thoughts and opinions about our amazing city!

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