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2007 Royal Monarchs Douglas Marcellus Melancon & Stephanie Brown Bender Stand as the first African Americans to reign over a predominantly Caucasian Krewe in New Orleans.
King Arthur XXXI & Queen Guinevere Make Carnival History
NEW ORLEANS........ Friday, Dec 15, 2006 - During the 2007 Carnival season, there awaits a great unknown for the Carnival celebration in New Orleans. Since Hurricane Katrina, things have changed for the celebration and Krewes in very big ways. The Krewe of King Arthur, on last Friday night December 15, 2006, added to that great unknown, and in the process made Carnival history in New Orleans.
Mr.
Douglas Marcellus Melancon & Mrs. Stephanie Brown Bender, became the first
African Americans in New Orleans Carnival history to reign
as King and Queen in a predominately white Krewe.
Crowned King Arthur, the XXXI and Queen Guinevere, while the captain and the Krewe looked on, the crowd broke out in thunderous applause as the couple assumed the mantle of power from last years monarch, Mr. Chad Michael Usea and Ms. Heather Gail Autin.
Brandishing the traditional sword of Arthur, the new monarch, as is usual, with the royalty of Arthur added his unique style to the blade. The hilt and handle were custom designed and made for his majesty. The handle ends in one of the best looking that we have seen, a fantastic piece of work.
Mr. Douglas Marcellus Melancon is a native of New Orleans. He gladly tells of his journey through life with such accomplishments of owning his own business and making carnival history( being the first African American to serve as a king in an fully integrated krewe). He reminiscence on the time in New Orleans when Dorothy Taylor, a council woman along with other supporters on the council, in the 1990 's, introduced a non discrimination legislation which stated, if any entity public or private wish to use public facilities then that entity was obligated to sign a non discrimination clause, stating that they did not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, gender or national origin. As a result of this bill such krewes as Momus, Comus, Proteus, amongst others, cancelled parades rather than sign the disclosure form. The source of discontent with the bill was not the fact that they had to admit African American, but rather it was seen as wrestling control or pulling control of their membership away from those clubs. The clubs themselves viewed it as an intrusion upon their civil rights. Dorothy Taylor's name today is not well liked in the carnival industry, a memory which she does not deserve.
With this known, the Capitan and the krewe of King Arthur should be commended for their bravely and willingness to weather coming a storm of ill-will that may come their way for taking such a bold step.
Often the leader in innovation, as well as creativity, the krewe, stunned many with it's 2001 parade, in the historic downtown business district by the floats and the Krewe. Often noted and winning awards, as the "Friendliest, the most diverse, and best looking Krewes in parades, it is no surprise to many, that this one organization, well regarded as one of the best business model in Carnival, would take this step. Those that truly know K.A.'s Captain Phil Fricano, understand his absolute delight, the down right giddiness, he takes from shaking up the status Quo. He has a long history of such, beginning the trend by becoming the "Youngest Captain in Carnival" when he founded Arthur in 1977.
We wish congratulations to the krewe and of course the new King and Queen of King Arthur's legends. Long Live King Arthur!
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