Meet Montero Morton, a Lede New Orleans Senior Fellow
Montero Morton will be doing community reporting work in New Orleans this spring as part of the Lede New Orleans fellowship program.
By Kels J. Whitmore
Montero Morton remembers being “mad at the world” as a teenager in New Orleans. As a young Black gay man, he struggled to find acceptance, including among family. To most people in his life, “being gay was just completely out of the box and wrong,” Morton said.
Morton turned to the worlds of science fiction and fantasy novels for strength and inspiration. His love for reading actually started with a movie trailer. Morton was watching TV in 2014 when a trailer for the film adaptation of the “Divergent” series caught his eye. He was intrigued, and soon bought the books. He devoured the book series, immersing himself in dystopian Chicago where people were divided into factions based on human virtues.
“I’ve been a bookworm ever since,” Morton said, grinning. He likes how sci-fi authors challenge norms and build whole new worlds, he added.
Morton was 5 years old when Hurricane Katrina hit and the levees broke, flooding his hometown and forcing his family to relocate to Houston. He had gotten used to life in Texas when his family returned to New Orleans in 2010, uprooting him yet again.
Morton, 22, said he had to learn to be his own “safety net,” and find acceptance and motivation within himself while coming to terms with his identity amid the post-Katrina uncertainty.
“I needed to believe in myself. I needed to say, ‘This is who I am,’ with no excuses,” Morton said. “I didn’t have that growing up. I want that for me and everyone after me.”
Morton is still figuring out his next step in life, but he knows he wants to continue to write, act, take photos and make films. As a Senior Fellow, he is interested in getting more experience working with a camera and making photos and videos.
What was it like returning to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina?
Moving back from New Orleans was a big adjustment, but a good adjustment. It felt like home returning back, especially with all of my family being down here. Since moving back I’ve also realized that I missed the whole experience of New Orleans. I’m ready to branch off and enjoy home.
How have you grown as a person?
I was mad at the world growing up. I took things out on everyone around me. That wasn’t fair and I know that. I blamed it on what I had going on, which was pretty much just me being young. I never thought I would have overcome it, but I’m happy that I did.
Why do you think you were drawn to writing and acting?
Growing up, I wasn’t the easiest person to be around. That made me have some trouble with accepting myself. I wanted to feel like I was good. I was different and young and wanted to feel a sense of belonging. I needed to feel safe and happy in my own skin. I wasn’t told that growing up. I needed to be my own happiness, my own motivation and my own safety net.
What do you like about creative work?
The feeling of accomplishment. It feeds into my confidence. I pray for that drive when it comes to my creativity. It doesn’t come often or easy, because I admit that I don’t always put forth the effort. But when I do accomplish something I always think, “Wow, I really did that.” It might take me a while to do it again, but I will.
What challenge do you face as a writer?
To start, I’m very hard on myself. I don’t motivate myself or put in enough effort. I sit and dream so big, but I don’t push hard enough to meet that dream. I also don’t practice enough. I need more structure when it comes to practicing, and I don’t have that. No one at home asks “What are you writing? Can I read that? Do you need any help?” I don’t fault anyone for that, but it makes it hard for me to motivate myself and push forward.
Kels J. Whitmore is a Lede New Orleans Spring 2021 Fellow. She is a proud Memphis native, Tennessee State University graduate and former educator. Read more.
