Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been here three days, yet there is no command and control. We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims but we can’t bail out the city of New Orleans. It’s a national disgrace. [Terry Ebbert, director of FEMA New Orleans]
Enough said?
Well, just a final thought:
Whereas Hurricane Katrina inflicted her wrath indiscriminately, relief for her victims seems to have been a matter of race…and class. Many (white) people are dumfounded by the national neglect that led to the horrific images of misery and chaos shown on TV. They are “shocked, shocked” that these scenes (with thirst and hunger compounded by rape and murder) are playing out in New Orleans, and not in “some third world country”. But in the souls of black folk, we know that an America where such neglect did not exist…was never America to us.
Indeed, people all over the world listened in disbelief as the black Mayor of New Orleans sent out a desperate SOS 48 hours after Katrina had blown past his city. Yet, blacks all over America can attest that emergency (911) calls from their parts of town are invariably treated with such salutary neglect.
So, here’s the truth laid bare for the world to see: If New Orleans were mostly white, these scenes, in fact, would not exist!
Note: If a hurricane can render America’s post 9/11 homeland security and emergency response services so utterly useless, God help us when al Qaeda strikes again….
And one more thing – is it just me or do reports from New Orleans now bear an uncanny (and disturbing) resemblance to reports from Iraq?
News and Politics
Pseudo-intellectual lunatic says
cool blog
Anonymous says
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog for months but have been too intimidated to post a comment. But I was so moved by your comments on Katrina that I had to let you know how much I appreciate your blog. Any chance we’ll get to see what you look like. Many of my friends think I’m crazy for believing that you are really a black man?
Jennifer
Anonymous says
I totally agree. There is no question about it – the fact that the majority of victims are low-middle class black citizens is the reason behind thousands of unbearable images coming from New Orleans that look like coming from a Third World country.
I am sitting here in Canada and thinkng are we now going to have to provide organized help to the US because US government cannot / would not handle the situation? It is hard not to see a political irony in all this.
Anonymous says
this is a really great article. it is informative and provocative without being meanspirited. in fact, i was so impressed i just spent the past 3 hours reading through some of your archives. i’m impressed that all your postings are the same. you have a new fan.
Anonymous says
The first time I saw indignation at the pace of relief efforts in New Orleans was on Cnn. Jack Cafferty, in his normal outspoken self, lashed out at the federal government, at the Bush administration, and at Fema. Of course after the commercial break he apologized for his tirade. I rather enjoyed it; the tirade not the apology.
I can’t beleive that this happened in my America. I’m ex-military and can tell you that dropping food and water into the affected areas would not have been a big deal. In the whole scheme of things New Orleans is down the block from a bunch of other states. Yet people were thirsty, hungry, and dying. Three days after the hurricane they were still bungling the relief effort. This is not the efficient government military machine I knew. Heads will not roll; they never do in this administration.
Noel
Anonymous says
Hey Jennifer: He is black and he is stunning! I know!I’ve seen him.
Noel
Anonymous says
Thanks Noel. Now how about a name and number?
Anonymous says
Yes, Jennifer. Noel is right; he really is black and really stunning – to say nothing of his intellect, wit and charm (but this of course you can already guage by reading his column). He is one of the most amazing people I know.
Anonymous says
Jennifer, why do your friends think you’re crazy for believing “he” really is a black man?