The Order of Myths

While not a film widely known, the 2008 documentary The Order of Myths directed by Margret Brown illustrates perfectly the still lingering segregation of the South. At its release it was widely critically acclaimed, especially on the independent film circuit. It won the documentary prize at the Independent Spirit Awards, and was nominated for the Grand Jury prize at Sundance. This film is also very personal for me, taking place in my hometown Mobile, AL, where Mardi Gras is still a segregated celebration. The title is taken form the most prestigious Mardi Gras order, in which membership only consists of the oldest Mobile families, many of which have been there since before the Civil War. There are two Mardi Gras courts, which crown a king and queen every year. One is the Mobile Carnival Association, an all white organization, the other the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association, an all black organization. In between interviews with members of the two courts, the history of Mobile is given. It was one of the largest ports for slaves in the antebellum era. The last slave ship rolled into Mobile Bay years after the slave trade had ended as a bet by one of the ancestors of the MCA queen featured in the documentary. Mobile was also the site of the last KKK lynching, the black man, picked at random, swung from the oaks in front of the antebellum mansions many of the MCA members families built. That was in 1981. The film gives a little hope that things will change. For the first time the MAMGA king and queen are invited to attend the MCA ball, and the first integrated organization, the Conde Explorers parades. However, the film also highlights how Mobile is truly one of the last great bastions of Old South mentality.