The Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

August 31, 2007 at 1:28 PM

I know this has nothing to do with the violin or music, but there's been so much attention to the fates of people from New Orleans and whether or not they're recovering that I feel the need to share this blog entry by a friend from Biloxi, MS:
http://nyreak.livejournal.com/385850.html

Yesterday was the two year anniversary of Katrina. I kind of felt that I should say something here, as it affected our lives so very much, but found myself unable to after seeing so much on tv and hearing so much on the radio. Two years later, it still annoys me to see and hear every single thing (other than done by our local tv station/radio) relating to New Orleans. I guess it just really annoys me now because all you hear is how the people in New Orleans just aren't getting back on their feet. You don't even hear about the areas around there that were more devastated than New Orleans, like St. Bernard Parish, where the people are taking care of themselves. Sure, they need the grant money, just like we did, but that didn't stop them from gutting their houses and getting things ready so that they can rebuild if they get money. That hasn't stopped them from working together to make their community a good one again. They definitely don't mention here, the three counties that were all but flattened because we were on the worse side of the storm. You know, the areas that were working together right after the storm to clean, rebuild, and try to get their cities going again. No, it's the poor little people of New Orleans, the ones that couldn't be bothered to even bring their own food with them when they went to the shelters (which all shelters tell you to bring as they do not ever have food for people, just shelter), so how can we expect them to help the government help them? I just... I have anger issues. I do. Generally, I'm over it, I don't even think about it....but if I see one more video on the poor people of New Orleans with no mention of the people of their neighboring cities/towns/state, I really do think I'll scream. (Wait, I have already, haven't I?)
Keep in mind that it isn't that I don't think the people of New Orleans deserve the same help the rest of us were given, which was some assistance from FEMA and grant money (to those that owned homes to help them pay off mortgages/rebuild, not to those in apartments, as the money was specifically for building of houses, not for replacing items). It's just hard to sit and watch so many people with their hands out, their disgusting, moldy, crap filled houses still sitting behind them because they can't even be bothered to clean up on their own. It's hard work. I know. I did it. I don't feel bad about getting a grant, as we definitely needed it, but we did all that we could possibly do for ourselves as well. Shouldn't everyone?

From Anne Horvath
Posted on August 31, 2007 at 4:39 PM

Patty, I am very sorry for your friend's losses. It is good to hear that they are rebuilding their lives. I agree that the Gulf Coast area devastation does need more press coverage from the mainstream media.

Maybe the folks in New Orleans have done the best they can. Excuse my pointing, but maybe this is not the best week for pointing fingers.

For more on Biloxi, Tim Shorrock has an article up on Salon.com (8/29/07) called "Hurricane Recovery, Republican Style". Very interesting.

From Albert Justice
Posted on August 31, 2007 at 5:13 PM

Your point is clear and 'very' valid of course. But there aren't any words that can make the dysfunctional nature of government and media just go away!.

We underwrote a family's efforts to rebuild, getting their downpayment for a new house, and furnishing it for them, actually nicer than my own--they rented before.

And our family is from one of the most impoverished backward sliding regions of the country. So no, life does not make sense does it... I scream daily. Scream on. Scream once for me....

The trauma of tragedy says a couple things important to one's sanity. First, there are no real guarantees that one will not encounter such tragedy, even though for all practical purposes it's a one way ticket through this world. So, do what you can but protect the perimeters of your life. Renewal belong's to one's heart--not some inspirational writer or outside entity. Empower yourself as a starting point.

Also, the tides of change as well as the seasons of everyday life that create poverty around cities began long before the hurricane; and, the forces that watched them evolve are actually much larger than the hurricane. What exactly is the government really really suppose to address?

This interconnected world we live in tends to make the media a bully in our personal lives--do not let it... Cut the television off and at least teach yourself to ignore it when feeling overwhelmed for your own benefit. I'm sure you've already noticed the misinformation as you wrote clearly about it.

So: some lucid not bonding in pain advice:
1. Take care of yourself and nurture yourself daily irregardless. Remember your hopes and aspirations before the storm, and start reintegrating them into your life if you haven't already. You would be helping by fulfilling your own life--yes, I believe this.
2. Take care of your family, nurture them, and teach them to nurture themselves irregardless--the true first step towards community irregardless of the power of the 'join together' spirit.

Arbitrarily just reacting can only go so far, and will hinder the spirit rather than help in the long run if everyone is not able to nurture themselves. My family's reaction overwhelmed 'many' people but we got the job done, so I can't even imagine...
3. Stay connected with your extended family and focus on that health as well.
4. Let any efforts focus on your neighborhood, and those 'truly' in need that God, not the media, graces your heart to help--not your stress or the rippling effects of trauma.
5. Envision what your heart and mind would like for the greater area, and hold on to that. This is the power of thoughts and prayer, and likely the only thing you will be able to do in your lifetime concerning something of this magnitude.
6. Down the road if you can help with the bigger picture; and, in the spirit of 'your' vision, then respond--but only after you, your family, your extended family are under hat. And remember, life's changes will not stop the challenge. But be stubborn about, you, your family, your neighborhood, and your vision--there is strength in this that will empower you in many ways.

Good luck and God bless.

From John Allison
Posted on August 31, 2007 at 7:04 PM

Don't forget that as horrible as the hurricane was to the gulf coast region, it pales in comparison to areas in the rest of the world. Poverty, disease, ignorance, genocide. Try to keep a global view.

As difficult as it is to understand poverty in the United States, even the poorest of Americans have it much better than most of the world.

I don't want to belittle the problems in this country, but we as Americans tend to forget the rest of the world even exists half the time.

I am sure I'll get flamed for this ;)

From Samuel Thompson
Posted on September 4, 2007 at 4:50 PM

Patty-

Thank you for sharing this blog entry - it is difficult for many of us to discuss all of this and some very valid points are brought up here. However, there are some things said by your friend that are, well, questionable.

Case in point: BEING one of the people who was in one of those shelters, I can say that many people did bring "storm supplies" (food) for themselves before landfall. Of course, as the days went on, supplies ran out.

On Tuesday of that week (August 30, 2007), I was in line for MRE's (meals ready-to-eat, supplied to us by the National Guard twice a day) around 7pm and soon told "You might want to get into the other line if you want dinner, the helicopter hasn't landed yet".

So...while many people continue to rebuild, some doing better than others, it's important for all of us (and I check myself DAILY) to step back and do what we can, realizing that for everyone it may take a long time.

Sam

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The Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

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