I’m not sure about the timing. I believe that he felt that he needed to establish a reputation in the state legislature, not only with the other legislators but with his constituents before making the change. There are a couple of other black politicians in St. Landry Parish who have really taken the bull by the horns to make changes in the attitudes in the area. It is an area that has been stuck in the 1930’s as far as race relations go and politics...but there are some nice aspects that you don’t find any more elsewhere: (I have moved to another state but I have still have a farm in a rural area) where no one locks their doors and the grocers still deliver your food and let you come by to pay the tab once a month...or whenever you are able. Unfortunately, I don’t see Elbert Lee except when I go visit family or have to go take care of issues at the farm.
As a life long urban dweller, wow.