Katrina ought to reshape us

David M. Whettstone, Washington Witness
Used with permission

The crisis brought on by Hurricane Katrina reminds us that significant problems persist between Americans due to race and class (neither is exclusive of the other).
A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll found that six in 10 African Americans (as opposed to one in eight white respondents) said the federal government was slow in rescuing those stranded in New Orleans because many in the city were black. Sixty-three percent of blacks and 21 percent of whites stated poverty was to blame.
The tragedies that followed the hurricane forced us to see people often rendered invisible and neglected by society: African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Vietnamese, Garifuna, poor white and rural folk. The worst-flooded sections of New Orleans were the most segregated, where the highest concentrations of African American and poor people live.
One congressman has been quoted as saying, "We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did." In contrast, what would have happened if the nation saw our leaders engaging early the frustrated, stricken crowds of the Superdome or Convention Center?

What we saw after Hurricane Katrina confirmed environmentalists' warnings: The poor, many of them people of color, in New Orleans and elsewhere were relegated to polluted places deemed uninhabitable. Sadly, there are already signals that the privileged are encouraged to resettle, while the poor are told to abandon what little they have.
The disaster showed that the news media must do an even better job. No one justifies looting, but long days of heat, humidity, lack of food, unsanitary conditions and overcrowding led to desperation for everyone. Why were black people pictured as "looters" and white people as "finders"?
Broadcast news reports stressed numerous armed gangs and shootouts with little corroboration. A BBC report seemed to be unique with video footage and strong context. We must move beyond sensationalism and drama.
The hurricane caused a re- examination of social relationships. Media highlighted the fact that some people did not want to leave. However, many did not have the means to escape. Varied observers used "refugee" and "evacuee" interchangeably. Regardless of parallels to other tragedies, victims objected. One woman exclaimed, "Ain't I American, too?"
The rescuers and responders who had agency were primarily white. Victims were primarily black. What does that tell us about long-existing structures and systems?

Hurricane Katrina also brought out the best in people, starting with help and care from everyday citizens - neighbors from the whole country to the global community. Even nations reckoned as enemies offered help.
Within the church, we must allow this event to revitalize our offering of opportunities for voluntary service. In doing this, the leadership of youth and under represented communities is vital. Often those most affected by problems have the best responses.
As individuals, no one can live without another. As a nation, we cannot live well without communities that seek justice and equality.
After the storm, we are beginning a new journey. We humbly ask that God will be with us as restoration and re-creation come.

 

David M. Whettstone is a legislative associate for domestic affairs in the MCC Washington Office.