Culture is a critical element of resilience.  Resilience is the ability to draw on all your assets in response to system shocks.  In an enterprise, assets include information, management skill and best practices.  In a city or a nation, assets include all of those — and culture and heritage as well.

According to The Monitor (South Texas), criticism of the decision to go ahead with Mardi Gras…

…rather misses the point of Mardi Gras, New Orleans, and the resilient spirit that a celebration of Mardi Gras, even though not as large-scale as in the past, suggests. It’s not a slap in the face. It’s a symbol of defiance and perseverance in the face of what has truly been a tragedy of devastating proportions. When tragedy hits you can become bitter, or you can decide to carry on.

“Mardi Gras Resilience,” they call it.  We agree.