The Responding Front
Hello all,
I sent out an e-mail to a number of readers that were either from the area affected by Hurricane Katrina, or those that went to school there. I received a response from a good friend of mine, a Miss Philadelphia :-) who is allegedly a graduating senior at Howard (just having fun with you Philly.) Anyway, she spoke out, and as you see, has a lot on her mind. Check it out:
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I want to say my heart goes out to all who have been affected by the hurricane. I would love to respond to your comment or question, by speaking not only as a resident of Louisiana, a person whose family was directly and totally affected by the hurricane, but also as a citizen of the US. But I don't really know what to address or discuss first. I will however just list a few things about the whole situation in general that I am really having a tough time dealing with.
• First I believe a lot of the problems and complications surrounding the hurricane situation stems a lack of clear and precise communication, preparation, and leadership. On both lower level gov. (the governor specifically) and national (Bush). And I am not saying this to Bush bash, but I think the way in which he responded what not only with a lack of the utmost response, but in a more nonchalant manner. I feel that the government knew a hurricane was coming and was going to hit somewhere, why weren't there proceedures food, aid, etc, already in place, so that when the storm did hit, things would already being in place, they would just have to go into the targeted area.
• Second, I am disturbed, with the delayed response to give aid to the people. If we think back, when the Tsunami hit, the US was sending aid, through money, clothing/food, and service, within a matter of two days. With the issue of Iraq, the US took the liberty of going into this country, without being asked, and began to impose the American lifestyles and culture on these people, then after destroying their country we then provided aid to them in order to help them rebuild and have a "fresh start," when 9/11 occurred, the government was the first ones to disburse food, water, clothing, and over 1 million dollars within a matter of hours, yet in this case the government decided to follow regulations and procedures before disbursing aid. Saying that before they could send food, water, rescue team, and troops, the governor and mayor had to request it, although it was not requested during 9/11 but was automatically given, due to the situation. I guess when it is terrorist or man made threats that affect our nations majority, we respond but when it is an act of nature, and the majority that is affected in the minority, we have to follow the rules and regulations.
• Third, I am DISTURBED about the issue of transporting our residents all throughout the states. Now don't get me wrong, I am grateful that people and other states came to the rescue, but the next addressing issue from this point on is how will these people get back to their homes, one the city is back in a more live able condition. Many of these people were taken from their homes, and placed in new cities in TEMPORARY shelters, where in a few weeks they will have to leave, and have NOTHING. Yes, one can say this is an opportunity for them to start a new life, but when your whole life has been based and centered in a particular area and way of life to be taken away from it is already devastating, but to be placed so far away, without a way of knowing if you will ever be able to go back home, is even more devastating, which is why I think many of them do not want to leave, and why many are not going to these cities that are so far away. And in this case, if the govt. will not take them back home, then some of these people will never go back. And there is one thing I can say about my people and us in New Orelans, we are very territorial, and where we live is where we run it and where we stay. It is very rare that you find people all over town, we only go when we have to but after that we are back home in our own territory, and I think that taking them all over the states places them in a bad situation,
• Because another issues at hand is that before the storm hit, all of the rich and wealthier Caucasian Americans left, because they had the resources and the means to do so, so when this is all over and they begin to rebuild New Orelans, it will be a bigger and better, and more expensive place, and the rich and wealthier Caucasians will be the the ones will move back sooner than many of the other African American residents, and by then it will be too expensive for them to live, which will then have New Orleans become a more predominately white city. And we as black residents are like, we can't let that happen, because this is our home, or city our culture or heritage,and if THEY live there then they have not only kept us out, but have hidden and taken over our culture.
• As a sidebar, this only reminds me of when they brought the slaves over on boats, they did the same thing, took them from their environment, where they were planted and rooted in their culture and heritage, and were transported to a new place, miles and miles away from their home, where they were told to just adjust and start a new life, never to really return back home, and in this new place, they did adjust and practically start over, but in the midst of starting over they adapted the new culture and did not fully embrace their own, which then created a new culture. Now tell me does this not sound like our residents being transported to these new cities, and saying since you can't go home until Jan. anyway, you might as well just start over and adapt.
• Last, I would just like to say I am VERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRY DISTURBED at how Bush, somehow in the midst of taking his time to send immediate aid to dying, malnutrition and desperate people, he somehow found time to IMMEDIATELY, 2 days later to be exact, appoint one of his BOYS to the CHIEF JUSTICE seat, after Rehnquist died, only 2 days earlier. (editor's note, AND FOUND TIME TO VACATION :-] ) This to me truly shows where his attention was. Appointing someone who, number one was initially nominated to replace Justice Sandra O'Connor, but was SUDDENLY CLAIMED nominee for C.J. Someone who is "SUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPER CONSERVATIVE" and will be if/when confirmed, able to make decision on MAJOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR ISSUES surrounding AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, ABORTION, GAY RIGHTS, AND RELIGION IN SOCIETY. These issues that DIRECTLY EFFECT US as BLACK AMERICANS. He is also nominating a YOUNG conservative to the position of O'Connor, who is now planning to stay until a replacement is found.
• I'm also observing how easily our government's attention is diverted, but color-based barrier or 'lesser' issues (i.e. when Ray Charles died, media coverage covered, snippets of his life, but a few days later, Reagan died, and ALLLLLLLLLL media coverage went to Reagan, and Charles had been forgotten and never re mentioned. Likewise, we have the New Orleans relief and rescue mission, then the Justice dies and his predecessor political conflict is then covered. and a host of other issues, but these are here to name a few.)
In conclusion, I am devastated at the response of the US govt. and even of some of the people of the United States concerning this situation. I will say many came to the rescue and many talk about how they would like to help. We'll don't sit back and be sorry, be concerned by getting up and doing something to help and make a change. I will say this, to me this just shows me that racism is STILL ALIVE AND WELL TODAY, the only thing is it took a hurricane to uncover the truth. I thank you for letting me vent, and just hearing me out.
Philadelphia
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You guys take care and respond likewise.
The Good Doctor
I sent out an e-mail to a number of readers that were either from the area affected by Hurricane Katrina, or those that went to school there. I received a response from a good friend of mine, a Miss Philadelphia :-) who is allegedly a graduating senior at Howard (just having fun with you Philly.) Anyway, she spoke out, and as you see, has a lot on her mind. Check it out:
----------
I want to say my heart goes out to all who have been affected by the hurricane. I would love to respond to your comment or question, by speaking not only as a resident of Louisiana, a person whose family was directly and totally affected by the hurricane, but also as a citizen of the US. But I don't really know what to address or discuss first. I will however just list a few things about the whole situation in general that I am really having a tough time dealing with.
• First I believe a lot of the problems and complications surrounding the hurricane situation stems a lack of clear and precise communication, preparation, and leadership. On both lower level gov. (the governor specifically) and national (Bush). And I am not saying this to Bush bash, but I think the way in which he responded what not only with a lack of the utmost response, but in a more nonchalant manner. I feel that the government knew a hurricane was coming and was going to hit somewhere, why weren't there proceedures food, aid, etc, already in place, so that when the storm did hit, things would already being in place, they would just have to go into the targeted area.
• Second, I am disturbed, with the delayed response to give aid to the people. If we think back, when the Tsunami hit, the US was sending aid, through money, clothing/food, and service, within a matter of two days. With the issue of Iraq, the US took the liberty of going into this country, without being asked, and began to impose the American lifestyles and culture on these people, then after destroying their country we then provided aid to them in order to help them rebuild and have a "fresh start," when 9/11 occurred, the government was the first ones to disburse food, water, clothing, and over 1 million dollars within a matter of hours, yet in this case the government decided to follow regulations and procedures before disbursing aid. Saying that before they could send food, water, rescue team, and troops, the governor and mayor had to request it, although it was not requested during 9/11 but was automatically given, due to the situation. I guess when it is terrorist or man made threats that affect our nations majority, we respond but when it is an act of nature, and the majority that is affected in the minority, we have to follow the rules and regulations.
• Third, I am DISTURBED about the issue of transporting our residents all throughout the states. Now don't get me wrong, I am grateful that people and other states came to the rescue, but the next addressing issue from this point on is how will these people get back to their homes, one the city is back in a more live able condition. Many of these people were taken from their homes, and placed in new cities in TEMPORARY shelters, where in a few weeks they will have to leave, and have NOTHING. Yes, one can say this is an opportunity for them to start a new life, but when your whole life has been based and centered in a particular area and way of life to be taken away from it is already devastating, but to be placed so far away, without a way of knowing if you will ever be able to go back home, is even more devastating, which is why I think many of them do not want to leave, and why many are not going to these cities that are so far away. And in this case, if the govt. will not take them back home, then some of these people will never go back. And there is one thing I can say about my people and us in New Orelans, we are very territorial, and where we live is where we run it and where we stay. It is very rare that you find people all over town, we only go when we have to but after that we are back home in our own territory, and I think that taking them all over the states places them in a bad situation,
• Because another issues at hand is that before the storm hit, all of the rich and wealthier Caucasian Americans left, because they had the resources and the means to do so, so when this is all over and they begin to rebuild New Orelans, it will be a bigger and better, and more expensive place, and the rich and wealthier Caucasians will be the the ones will move back sooner than many of the other African American residents, and by then it will be too expensive for them to live, which will then have New Orleans become a more predominately white city. And we as black residents are like, we can't let that happen, because this is our home, or city our culture or heritage,and if THEY live there then they have not only kept us out, but have hidden and taken over our culture.
• As a sidebar, this only reminds me of when they brought the slaves over on boats, they did the same thing, took them from their environment, where they were planted and rooted in their culture and heritage, and were transported to a new place, miles and miles away from their home, where they were told to just adjust and start a new life, never to really return back home, and in this new place, they did adjust and practically start over, but in the midst of starting over they adapted the new culture and did not fully embrace their own, which then created a new culture. Now tell me does this not sound like our residents being transported to these new cities, and saying since you can't go home until Jan. anyway, you might as well just start over and adapt.
• Last, I would just like to say I am VERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRY DISTURBED at how Bush, somehow in the midst of taking his time to send immediate aid to dying, malnutrition and desperate people, he somehow found time to IMMEDIATELY, 2 days later to be exact, appoint one of his BOYS to the CHIEF JUSTICE seat, after Rehnquist died, only 2 days earlier. (editor's note, AND FOUND TIME TO VACATION :-] ) This to me truly shows where his attention was. Appointing someone who, number one was initially nominated to replace Justice Sandra O'Connor, but was SUDDENLY CLAIMED nominee for C.J. Someone who is "SUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPER CONSERVATIVE" and will be if/when confirmed, able to make decision on MAJOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR ISSUES surrounding AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, ABORTION, GAY RIGHTS, AND RELIGION IN SOCIETY. These issues that DIRECTLY EFFECT US as BLACK AMERICANS. He is also nominating a YOUNG conservative to the position of O'Connor, who is now planning to stay until a replacement is found.
• I'm also observing how easily our government's attention is diverted, but color-based barrier or 'lesser' issues (i.e. when Ray Charles died, media coverage covered, snippets of his life, but a few days later, Reagan died, and ALLLLLLLLLL media coverage went to Reagan, and Charles had been forgotten and never re mentioned. Likewise, we have the New Orleans relief and rescue mission, then the Justice dies and his predecessor political conflict is then covered. and a host of other issues, but these are here to name a few.)
In conclusion, I am devastated at the response of the US govt. and even of some of the people of the United States concerning this situation. I will say many came to the rescue and many talk about how they would like to help. We'll don't sit back and be sorry, be concerned by getting up and doing something to help and make a change. I will say this, to me this just shows me that racism is STILL ALIVE AND WELL TODAY, the only thing is it took a hurricane to uncover the truth. I thank you for letting me vent, and just hearing me out.
Philadelphia
----------
You guys take care and respond likewise.
The Good Doctor
posted by The Good Doctor at 10:20 PM
2 Comments:
It's just a shame that we even owe people the explanation of "I am not saying this to Bush Bash." How many more incidents must occur before he has to take real accountability?
So much I could say, but then it'll just end up a mess, and my final comment will be way left-field, something about watching Rosewood and murdering my neighbors.
The comment from Ms. Holmes that really hit me was the territorial thing. It's not just a New Orleans thing. This is America. Blah blah blah family, blah blah blah unity. How many people are gonna let these "dirty black people" in their home? How many are gonna help their "brethren" pick up the pieces? Once again, I don't even feel like expounding anymore energy online. But nothing is more ridiculous than to see all this coverage, and then cut to a commercial about Cialis. Or who they got their Hanes on now. "Traaaaaade in your BREAKFAST for a Dannon Frusion smoothay!"
*sigh*
I was talking to a friend and we were checking out democracynow.org when we came across the following headline. Just something I thought y'all would like to think about.
"Meanwhile a number of Republican Congressmen have come under criticism in recent days for comments made about the hurricane. Congressman Richard Baker of Baton Rouge was overheard telling lobbyists 'We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did.'"
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