How did katrina affected the lives and way of life of people ?

Question

And had the social class of ppl been different would the local government responded quicker?
It left me puzzled but i would like to hear ur opinion

Answer 1

I totally, and utterly, disagree with an above poster.

He says:
"Of course, if the old New Orleans was a rich White city...."

I say:

I'm so tired of racism being used as an excuse for ignorance. I mean, really, it's not like hurricanes appear out of thin air and pave a path of destruction through your backyard overnight. New Orleans is a soup bowl, under the sea level, with known levee problems. There was a category 5 hurricane headed to their area. They warned on every media device in the 21st century DAYS in advance, that it was a destructive storm, and it will hit. They were also warned that due to the strength and nature of this storm, it was mandatory that everyone evacuate the area, and any who chose to stay would be at their OWN RISK. The fury of this storm was nearing record proportions, and they also warned no emergency crews would be out to help anyone for days. But, yeah, people suddenly want to conveniently forget that it was their CHOICE to stay, and point the blame at every one around them. Yes, I do use the word "choice." Even if I was poor, you'd better believe I'd do anything in this world to save myself and my children - even if it meant walking the interstate out of there with just the shirt on my back. Let's not forget the companies who actually had vehicles waiting to bus people out of there. Still, they chose not to save themselves.

He says:
"the Louisiana National Guard actually obstructed private citizens who tried to rush to the aid of the stricken. "

I say:

I sure would like to see official documentation backing this one up. In fact, the National Guard went door-to-door prior to the storm in order to have people sign releases absolving the public for their choices, and probable death. If, for any reason, the Guard tried to "obstruct" citizens from getting in to New Orleans directly after the storm, it was for their safety. New Orleans was flooded, not to mention debris everywhere. It was a standing safety hazard. They could barely get in themselves to save those who stupidly chose to stay behind. Before you go bashing the military further, Navy air-craft carriers were dispatched to the area immediately as well. Guess what? They couldn't get too close to the shore either, due to the debris.

I don't know that the media fabricated the looting. I fail to see what someone would need a TV for in the middle of a flooded town with no electricity though. He was caught on camera carrying it out of a store. I do, however, sympathize with a few who were interviewed walking out of a looted drugstore with nothing but toothbrushes, paste and soap in their hands. Their homes were destroyed, and even basic needs such as these needed to be met. I was happy to see that they only went in for what was needed, and not half the things others were carrying out behind him.

But, I digress. My whole point to this post is - be responsible for yourself before pointing any blame.

Answer 2

It's easy to say that the government didn't do that great of a job (at first), but they're just people too. Even though they have MORE power than we do, it still doesn't mean they're any more on-the-ball, if you catch what I mean. Either way, I think that the social class would be exactly the way it is now, even if they HAD responded in a timely manner.

What happened can't be avoided or just swept away within the matter of a few hours - this is certainly going to take some time. I'm just grateful I didn't have to go through it, that must have been terrible.

Answer 3

Your argument is right, the incompetence of our government was shown. That's what happen when the government isn't synchronized with the real needs of the people. They are spending millions of dollars in worthy things as this stupid war far away, where our people are dying like flies instead to use that money in here where is needed for the revitalization of the area of the Mississippi after Katrina. Money that can be used to eliminate or at least to reduce the probabilities of a future disaster like this one in the future.

I totally agree with you Karma. Here's always a moron who doesn't know what he/she is talking about.

Answer 4

plenty people deal with disasters in their life from hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, fires , earthquakes, civil wars and even strangers or family members murdering people.
Hurricane Katrina was awful but so is life if you only look at the bad.
My list of "good" goes off these charts and it's a pity more people aren't able to see that.
it's amazing that more people weren't killed by Katrina and today the survivors all have a chance to make a better life for themselves and their future generations .
Thinking positive is healthier for everyone

Answer 5

i think the dammage was bound to happend because of the water flooding every thing. i think the common people in the area of katrina were efected the worst. it broought out the worst in people, and good in some, alot of people tried to scam the government for asistance money, and the people that were trying to be honest and play by the rules got the sharp end of the stick. yes i most defenitly think that if the government would of responded faster more could of been done to help. i will give you a exsample, i work for the fire service i am a government emplyee, which makes me part of f.e.m.a. i am sure you have heard of them. me and my fire buds. sat and watched on the news the tragity unfold, helpless to do anything. and at the time we were not even on a job we were just standing by. about 3 months later we get a call to go help in the huracane region. we were so far inland that we hardly seen any damage, but we worked hard and did what was expected of us. while i was there i talked to some local fire fighter about every thing. i told them what are people were trained to do, they admited that they could of used us alot sooner. if we would of been there we could of helped clear the roads of debri and things of this nature so the emergency vehicles could of got through to help more people. my opinion is that they need to form a unit of people that can respond to these disasteres, and i am not talking about the national guard not every one wants to be in the guard. sure they would have to pay these people for there time but they would be earning there money, unlike some people that i will not mintion. i have seen volunteer fire departments that operate better than what happend with katrina. and most of them are just ran by some good old country boys with some common since. its ver simple find out who wants to be involved in a national disastere team, what there spechielty is, they are allready trained if they are working in the emergence feild. if theres a problem and the governments need help call them up and they will come. THE lower you are in the social class. the longer it will take to get help. and it dont matter if you are black, white , red, are blue, the ritch control the votes. its called cominity relations i have been put in places were i was just there to look good, check on the nice houses first, the old and run down ones will have to wait, because those people are low life for not keeping there houses up. people dont stop to think taht maybe a old couple live there are maybe they are disabled. i no some body is going to read this and argue with me but i know what i know. except it are reject it. i have seen it.

Answer 6

About half of New Orleans population have been effectively deported from their homes. And the refugees are disproportionately poor and African American. New Orleans has gone from being a 60% Black city to being only 25% Black.

Of course, if the old New Orleans was a rich White city, the city, parish, state and federal response would have been much faster than it was.

New Orleansians were basically left to die, and the Louisiana National Guard actually obstructed private citizens who tried to rush to the aid of the stricken. There was also a torrent of racist propaganda in the media about "looting" "rape" "shooting" and "murders" that was totaly fabricated - and you would not have seen that kind of media propaganda if New Orleans had been a rich White city, instead of a poor Black city.

Answer 7

More crime here in my hometown of Houston. More taxpayers, paying for the Welfare, and tons of more problems for us.