| DID RACE PLAY A PART IN THE NEW ORLEANS DEBACLE?
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(AFP/File/NicholasKamm) | I don't think so! I've listened and read lots for the last couple of weeks. On one program, one of the experts, if there is such a thing, said something like, "Because segregation continues to persist, what we have are large pockets of the disenfranchised grouped together." I agree. We saw it in New Orleans.
Although having been to New Orleans dozens of times over the last 30 years, thinking that over half of the city are African Americans and 30% are below the poverty line never entered my mind. However, the first two days of Katrina, the issue of race and poverty overwhelmed everyone who was glued to the television.
Let's face it, there's always unequal opportunities. In New Orleans, the issue isn't race so much as it is class. In our country, class is something we don't talk about. New Orleans, more than any other crisis I've seen, represents the stark reality that we are a country of the haves and the have-nots. It doesn't take a rocket scientist, even in our great country, to understand that to rise out of poverty takes a Herculean effort; and, under any circumstances and along the way, many simply give up.
REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi | I don't think race; however, entered into the equation in New Orleans. With Katrina at best there were miscues; and, at worst, out and out f... ups on how folks in New Orleans were treated. That being said, I still believe that most Americans are reluctant to stare into the face of racial discrimination. It exists; and, in a sense, Katrina reflects at some level, class discrimination.
The poor couldn't leave New Orleans as they didn't have any wheels; and, if they did, they didn't have anywhere to go. Suddenly, we had all these displaced Americans who were mostly black in deplorable circumstances. Our hearts were broken as we saw Americans suffering including little kids with no food and water. We didn't think race. We thought deprivation and horror. And, then, many like myself, felt anger at those who screwed up.
I think this tragedy offers the best opportunity, in a collective way, for America to pull some willing victims out of the cycle of poverty. Let's do it. KT
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I just heard the Red Cross is looking for 4,000 volunteers for the Gulf Coast. I did read where the Catholic schools in our area were admitting students tuition free. There's so much to think about, talk about, and learn from this tragedy. I'm more the type to look at the immediate needs and sort through all the errors and b.s. later.
One thing that occurred to me is that no where else would the citizens be able to so publicly state their opinions, anger, frustration, etc. And most certainly, the press and media would not have the access and ability to call for explanations and answers from all levels of government. So if you think about that, it is one little bright light for hope.
God Bless America. S.
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Just read a news item that FEMA has asked the media not to show pictures of the dead. So what do you think? They are saying it's sensitivity to the families but surely a lot of it is to try to keep their image clean.
I still don't understand why there haven't been more concrete numbers on the casualties from the storm. People are going around and finding the dead and surely passing on the info-no one wants to take the blame and all I can think is that so many don't even know if their loved ones are still alive. And then, how are they going to be able to have funerals? What closure will they get? KT
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