Mira Oberman writes in a New Orleans newspaper, regarding Hurricane Katrina...Your thoughts ?

Question

by Mira Oberman
Thu Aug 24, 9:05 AM ET



NEW ORLEANS, United States (AFP) - The chaos following Hurricane Katrina showed millions of Americans that deep racial divides, poverty and racism persist in their country.

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Images of seas of black faces begging for help that took days to arrive, and stories of sheriffs from adjacent white suburbs turning desperate evacuees away at gunpoint as they tried to flee New Orleans, horrified the nation.

But for many who grew up in a city that had hosted the slave trade and clung to segregation, the initial shock was transformed into fury that their deepest fears and suspicions were true: the government does not care about black people.

"The racism is so raw here," said Barbara Major, a community activist who co-chaired Mayor Ray Nagin's Bring New Orleans Back commission.

"People were outraged that people were dying. People been dying," she said. "They should have been outraged that children didn't get a decent education. That there wasn't decent housing here (just) like in every other city in the United States."

More than 140 years after the abolition of slavery, and more than 40 years since the passage of the civil rights act, New Orleans remained a highly segregated city. Blacks held significant political power, but economic power remained the domain of whites.

Poverty was widespread, as those educated in crumbling public schools were stuck in the low-wage service sectors that supported the city's massive tourist industry. Drugs, gangs and violence were rampant.

Answer 1

Kanye West already said this, but he used way fewer words.

Answer 2

Well written. What happened to the victims of Katrina and Rita still dominate today. Despite the controversy of Kanye's statement, it is sad that they are still reliving the tragedy of that day. Many homes and neighborhoods look like disaster areas. Bush has done what was necessary to rebuild Iraq but our people right here in America still suffer. Kinda make you think there's some truth to the statement. The proof's in the pudding...

Answer 3

Your rehash of history provides nothing new and is a call for sympathy. You sound like a leftist who wants people of better judgment and initiative to give you what they have earned.

As Forest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does". A lot of, if not most, of the poverty in New Orleans like so many other places, is the result of single women having babies. 45 to 95% (depending in the source) if men entering federal prisons are sons of unwed mothers. If you want to do the world a favor stop crying and campaign to have all single women forcilbly sterilized after their first birth. We would then all be safer and have our tax money spent for more productive purposes.

Answer 4

It's just like online gaming vs the real life. Like Wizard101, you can be quick friends, just by clicking the 'Add Friend' button. But it takes more than a chat or two to become connected to have a friendship-relationship.

Answer 5

People in French Quarter are scum. At one time that Lenten event was must do once. Never will go there. With their guard dogs and arm patrol they made sure no one touched their dry ground.

Answer 6

Change begins at home and with that comment I mean change begins in each persons heart.Its time we took a good hard look at ourselves...Then after I have gotten myself in check, we start up the governmental ladder.

Answer 7

What occured in New Orleans should never have happened.. it should have been a utopia.. has been under democratic control for many years.. if their programs were workable, none of this should have happened.

Answer 8

Sound like more liberal bashing of conservatives by the Democrats who have governed the city for decades.

Answer 9

Interesting article.
Everybody has an opinion
and is entitled to voice that opinion.

Answer 10

very good piece of reporting