Every human disaster of the scale of the one that struck Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi is a tragedy that effects everyone. All of us watched it on TV, some visited, or have friends or even family in the effected area. I have been to Mobil, Alabama three years ago. Watching these pictures on TV affects me so deeply. What are your thoughts on this tragedy? Do you think it coming way too soon after the Tsunami in Asia?
The majority of folks you see that are wading the waters of the aftermath of Katrina are people of color whom are in the lowest income bracket in the south.
When the mandatory evacuation was given, they were told to leave town and find a place to ???hold up.???That policy does not work for many low income house holds in communities of color. Being a Caucasian who grew up in a low income neighborhood, let me tell you??? if someone asked me to ???pick up and take shelter elsewhere.??? My family would not know where to go. Our entire world (family, friends, network of support) were within 2 square miles of my house. Many of these low income families only have each other. Being through several hurricanes, these folks felt their best chances are with the support network.
When the levee???s broke, it flooded these communities. Many who had no way to leave, or no place to go.
Some took shelter in the Superdome, but we know that story.
The folks directly affected by this tragedy were the lower class, and communities of color.
We need to look at how to safely evacuate and provide shelter to these communities versus just a warning and leaving them to their doom.
Sorry??? I had to say it.
The evacuation warnings (by default) were only given to those who has the privilege to pack up and leave. Many did not.
And folks wonder why the looting began. Dont!*Note: I don't want anyone to take offense to this last statement but when the French people were deported out of here many years ago, I am sure they felt just as these people now do (Displaced, Sad, Hungry, Lost, Afraid, Angry). It's only human.