New Orleans natives engaged in one sided rivalry with Baton Rouge

New Orleans natives who move to Baton Rouge to attend Louisiana State University are in a unique situation.

These students now live in a place they have been socialized to hate. Ellen Sedlacek, New Orleans native and freshman at LSU, said she has hated Baton Rouge for as long as she can remember. Sedlacek finds Baton Rouge to be “bland, boring and trying to copy New Orleans.” She doesn’t view Baton Rouge as a city within its own right. 

LSU students who are from Baton Rouge have a different view on the city. Damon Scott, Baton Rouge native and LSU junior, said, Baton Rouge is good at preserving historical culture. Many of the buildings with a historic significance have been preserved to keep older parts of the city’s culture alive.

Baton Rouge natives are aware that New Orleans natives hate their city. Scott said, “Baton Rouge people don’t care about New Orleans. Even if they hate us, we don’t really hate them.” New Orleans natives have a rivalry with Baton Rouge, but it is one sided. People from Baton Rouge don’t return the hate to people from New Orleans or the city itself.

New Orleans natives call Baton Rouge boring, but there are many things to do in the city such as visiting parks, playing miniature golf or attending concerts. People can visit parks, play mini-golf or see live music. The city is home to the state Capitol, and it offers a variety of tours that will teach people about the history and culture of Baton Rouge.