The NAACP annual report said the unemployment of “urban blacks in 1971 was worse than at anytime since the great depression of the thirties.” The report also said that more school desegregation occurred in 1971 in any other year since the 1954 school decision.

Louisiana legislature met in New Orleans.  The temporary chairman of the house was  African American Representative, R. H. Isabelle.  Oscar J. Dunn presided over the senate.  Seven of the 36 senators were African American.  Thirty-five of the 101 representatives were African American.