For the last week I have been reading Michael Eric Dyson's Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster which, in my opinion, has really delved deep into Louisiana and Hurricane Katrina. It takes Spike Lee's documentary to a whole nother level when the two are really put together in your mind. I can only really read like a chapter or two a day because it is so much to grapple with as an outsider so to speak.

Geaux Saints!!!!!
 

For a bit a good news...

GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

We Won....First game in the Superdome since Katrina, we beat the Falcons, and we lead the division....We are on an emotional high!!!!!:D :D :D :D

For my N.O. folks "Who Dat" ,"Bless You Boys" and "Ohhhh I Believeeeee...."

NCBCP Black Women’s Roundtable
Celebrate Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast Wellness Journey
Scheduled activities during the
Second Anniversary of Katrina-Rita National Call to Action
August 2-29, 2007

On the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s women’s initiative, Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR), hosted a Gulf Coast Hear Me Now Listening Sessions Bus Tour of regions hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The seven-city tour set out to learn how women directly impacted by the storms were surviving one year after enduring the life-altering affects of Katrina and Rita. The tour revealed that the storms exacerbated the already fragile social and economic existence of many African American women in the Gulf Coast region in three of the most economically depressed states in the nation—Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

After listening to our sister’s voices about their experiences in the rebuilding process, the barriers they encountered and how they were affected by this natural disaster, the National Coalition was able to identify the most pressing issues thwarting recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast region----affordable housing, education, and mental/physical health topped the list.

As we approach the second anniversary of the worst storm in America’s history, sluggish rebuilding efforts have increased despair, frustration, and stress among people already emotionally traumatized. The never-ending struggle to secure a sense of dignity and stability has aggravated the severe mental stress and physical health problems survivors of these storms are facing on a daily basis in rural and urban communities in the Gulf Coast and all across the country where displaced survivors are attempting to rebuild their lives.

In 2006 the women of Black Women’s Roundtable heard the voices of our beloved sisters in the Gulf Coast. Further, to build upon what we learned from our Gulf Coast recovery & rebuilding work and from the women of the gulf coast over the past year, NCBCP will utilize the Black Women’s Roundtable Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Initiative to assist the women of the Gulf with their civic engagement and provide vehicles for their voices to be heard by policy and opinion makers across the country.

NCBCP will incorporate the mission of BWR – to promote healthy families – as we return to New Orleans to commemorate the second anniversary of Katrina through our 2007 BWR Celebrate Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast Wellness Journey. The journey will include a full day focused on health and wellness through exercise, volunteerism, pampering, dialogue, entertainment, spiritual upliftment, recognition, and information gathering. NCBCP will host a regional organizing briefing and conduct a scientific survey/poll of survivors to evaluate their recovery/rebuilding experiences over the past year, document their stories of success and the barriers Katrina-Rita survivors continue to encounter as well as stand in solidarity with the people of the Gulf Coast for a national call to action on August 27-29, 2007 in New Orleans, LA. Co-sponsored by Ms. Foundation for Women, AFL-CIO, Twenty-First Century Foundation.

NCBCP Black Women’s Roundtable
Celebrate Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast Wellness Journey
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Tuesday August 28, 2007

A Day of Public Policy & Community Service

UNITY Day of Community Service
TIME: 7 A.M. – 5 P.M.

LOCATION: Various locations around New Orleans

DESCRIPTION: NCBCP, National Urban League, AFL-CIO, NAFEO, The Advancement Project, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, American Federation of Teachers, A. Philip Randolph Institute, Black Leadership Forum, Blacks In Government, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, International Association of Black Firefighters, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, The People’s Agenda, The Praxis Project and Saving Our Selves Coalition, and 100 Black Men of America volunteers will join volunteers from across the country for a Day of Service assisting in environmental cleaning up of damaged neighborhoods, schools and churches in New Orleans and we will visit the sick and elderly in the few nursing homes that have reopened including Guste Home Senior Citizens Highrise. Volunteers will help to paint, pressure wash and repair play grounds in a local public school and remove contaminated top soil from communities. Our goal is to personally touch as many survivors as physically possible to let the people of the Gulf know that we will not let the country forget the devastation that still exists in the Gulf. Day of Service organized by Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard University, Mount Zion United Methodist Church, AALP, Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Rainbow PUSH New Orleans, Millions More Movement and LA Unity Coalition.

TO VOLUNTEER CONTACT: RosariaBeasley@bellsouth.net or call the Urban League of Greater New Orleans at 504-620-2332

Public Policy Forum

Hosted by Gulf Coast Collaborative Recovery & Renewal

Louisiana Justice Institute

TIME: 1:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

LOCATION: Dillard University in Lawless Memorial Chapel

The August 28th session will feature two two-hour town hall meetings with Gulf Coast residents discussing recovery and renewal efforts ranging from housing and economic development to education and the environment. One session will begin at 1:00 a.m. and a second session will start at 4:00 p.m. Expected to participate are national policymakers, including Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (Texas), Representative William Jefferson (Louisiana), Representative Bennie Thompson (Mississippi) and Representative Maxine Waters (California). Dillard University is located in the storm racked Gentilly section of New Orleans.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracie Washington at www.louisianainstitute.org

BWR Celebrate Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast Dialogue & Recognition Ceremony

TIME: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

LOCATION: Loew’s Hotel

DESCRIPTION: NCBCP Black Women’s Roundtable hosts “Celebrating Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast” Dialogue & Recognition Ceremony. NCBCP, Louisiana Unity Coalition and Saving Our Selves Coalition will recognize women from the region who have worked tirelessly to assist hurricane survivors and advocate for comprehensive recovery and rebuilding of the Gulf Coast. The evening will include dinner, music, poetry, comedy, and the presentation of certificates of recognition. Each roundtable will consist of people from different regions, elected officials, and celebrity guests dispersed throughout the crowd to allow the women to share their successes and challenges on a more personal level. Speakers include: Susan Taylor, Editorial Director, Essence Magazine and Iyanla Vanzant, author, radio host and spiritual leader. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Latosha Brown at latoshab@truthspeaks.info or Ruby Pulliam at events@ncbcp.org. Co-sponsored by Ms. Foundation for Women, AFL-CIO, Twenty-First Century Foundation.

BWR Old-School Dance Therapy
TIME: 9:30 PM – 10:00 PM

LOCATION: Loew’s

DESCRIPTION: To make sure our appetizing dinner is thoroughly digested and prepare for the long day ahead of us, we’ll have a 30-minute boogie session to end the night, hosted by LA Unity Coalition.

Wednesday August 29, 2007
A DAY OF PRESENCE – A NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION!

Unity Prayer Breakfast
TIME: 7:30 am – 9:00 am

LOCATION: Loew’s

DESCRIPTION: Our journey to wellness will address our spiritual health with a morning Unity Prayer Breakfast co-hosted by Marc Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League and Melanie Campbell, ED & CEO, NCBCP.

Day of Presence National Call to Action
TIME: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Rally & Call to Action)

LOCATION: Across from Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

A Day of Presence is a national Call to Action co-convened by national, regional and locally-based organizations and leaders to demand justice NOW with and for the people of the Gulf Coast Region. National and regional co-conveners include: NCBCP, National Urban League, Children’s Defense Fund, Louisiana Unity Coalition, LA Justice Institute, AALP, Millions More Movement, NAACP, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, National Action Network, The Praxis Project, The Advancement Project, Greater New Orleans Urban League, New Orleans Rainbow PUSH, Saving Our Selves Coalition, Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Mississippi Coalition on Black Civic Participation and many others, (there will be additional national and local groups joining as co-conveners as the organizing progresses).

For more information NCBCP National Headquarters contacts:

Melanie L. Campbell

Executive Director & CEO, NCBCP

melaniec@ncbcp.org

(202) 659-4929

Kevin Parker Event Planning

Deputy Director, NCBCP Ruby Pulliam or Jean Bennett

kparker@ncbcp.org events@ncbcp.org

(202) 659-4929 (202) 659-4929

NCBCP State Affiliates - Gulf Coast Region contacts:

Vincent Sylvain

Convener, LA Unity Coalition

sylvainsolutions@msn.com

(504) 232-3499

Latosha Brown

Regional Director, NCBCP

Convener, Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation

latoshab@truthspeaks.info

(404) 664-7588

Media Contact:

Edrea Davis

edmedia@dogonvillage.com

(770) 961-6200

Check MailCompose Search Mail: Search MailSearch the Web

Katrina efforts
 

Thanks for posting this Soror. I am curious about something.

What political plan of action will be encouraged for those of us who live outside of Louisana?

Would anyone happen to know if form letters, a day to call on Congress,or other activities to engage the politicians (particularly those who are campaigning) are in the works?

During the Essence Festival, Susan Taylor suggested that we contact our US Representatives and Senators of the ongoing struggles many along the Gulf Coast Region continue to face 2 years post-Katrina/Rita.
I don't know if form letters exist.

An unpopular opinion
 

As we approach the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I extend my condolences to those of you who lost loved ones, be it friends, neighbors or relatives in the disaster, if I had not done so initially.

Having said that, I understand that many of you are upset that FEMA dropped the ball in extending expedient help and aid to those needing it in the floods and evacuation. While I fully agree that what they did (or rather, didn't do) was intentional, I disagree that it was racially motivated.

Believe it or not, IMHO there was a much bigger reason behind that, and it wasn't because "George Bush doesn't like black people".

To my fellow Black Americans, all I can say is, "Don't take it personally" (read: as a racially motivated slight).

Carry on...

Help me understand how cavalier this attitude is after millions of people were displaced by a natural disaster and who happened to be people of color?

Moreover, the failure in human public health without a directive given from our publicly elected leaders who where a bit more concerned about payment upon looming disaster.

I have never lived in NOLA, I have visited numerous times. This city was targeted just like Falluja, Iraq. The only difference is it was not OVERTLY done by human hands, unless you consider global warming.

So please, help me understand that the Fed who has a piss poor history toward African Americans would be brought to justice? Or Just Us?

Monet, you are looking at this very myopically. And FEMA and the Feds are taking full advantage of the fact that a lot of Black Americans will be seeing their lack of intervention during Katrina as racially motivated. But in the grand scheme of things, it is par for the course as far as they are concerned, and again, this whole incident ultimately goes beyond slighting Black Americans. There is something much bigger going on that we cannot afford to take this personally.

Put another way, not everyone who comes to our rescue is a Good Samaritan doing it out of goodwill. What you saw during Katrina is one instance of what will be the ultimate mindf[rea]k.

All I will say at this point is: FEMA and the Feds are playing headgames with Americans, which it is particularly easy to do with Black Americans, because we are too easily swayed by anything that even remotely appears to be race related. It's a trap! Don't fall for the okey-doke.

FEMA Response or lack there of
 

It's hard not to take the mass suffering of people personally when you are a caring individual and I am surprised by this reply.

Even the mainstream US and Europeon press has called the lack of FEMA response racially motivated. I was shocked to read the coverage of a major German publication in 2005 after the Katrina disaster where their press flat out called the US Government racist.

Now, I don't know if you have ever traveled abroad, but let's just say that Germany is not known for outstanding multicultural relations.

So given the facts and coverage of Katrina by the world press, it's not really appropriate to suggest that anyone who feels that the racist burden of suffering in Louisana myopic.

I'm not sure where you reside but I lived in Florida at one time with my family and have encountered several natural disasters including hurricanes and tornados. FEMA was always quick to respond and usually there within hours of the tragedy along with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. But we also lived in a middle class area.

Not only of the lack of FEMA response in the case of Katrina indicates short comings of this lousy administration; but it also speaks to the gross incompetence that plagues our major governmental agencies.

If you understood what was really going on with the politics behind FEMA's actions during Katrina, my post should not surprise you at all.

I look at mainstream media news with a jaundiced eye and for the most part take it with a grain of salt. But I can fully understand why they reported the Katrina news they way they did, so I can't hold it against them.

That's because you haven't peeped FEMA's/Fed's hole card; the fact that it happened in a majority black city was happenstance; Katrina could've happened in any major city and I daresay that the outcome as far as FEMA's lack of intervention would've been similar, if not identical.

FEMA did respond promptly to the disaster, just not in the ways we expected. There were a number of little incidents involving them that to the average person made no sense (why were the evacuees quarantined at the Superdome 6 days after the storm? Why weren't evacuees allowed the cross the bridge? Things that make you go Hmmmmmm). FEMA/the Fed's primary motive behind this was definately NOT racial. The fact that it involved a majority black city gives off the illusion of such, but again, if you peep FEMA's hole card, it is not racial, at least not primarily.

Personally, I wouldn't want the Feds or FEMA to help me out of my flooded basement, much less my city. Playing with FEMA involves marked cards and loaded dice, something I'm not willing to gamble with.

That's what they want you to think, and they could care less if you think that way about them. But the fact is, they are very competent, and they are VERY shrewd in how they handle matters such as this.

Again, this isn't racial. Don't let FEMA fool you into thinking this is the case. Because once you find this out, the trap will have been sprung.

The citizens of the Gulf Coast and the victims of these storms thank you for your opinion and commentary. :blank stare, no comments, moving on:

Here is an article from today's paper. The first "tell all" from inside the Nagin Administration during the storm.

http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/...lall_book.html

This should be an interesting read, to say the least....

2D, your post is rather non-sequitur, giving me a blank stare at what I posted, and then posting an article that essentially echoes what I have been saying all along, except IMHO this "tell all" doesn't appear to tell enough:

So in one sense we are all on the same page as to the politics involved in Katrina, but on the other hand I don't know why I'm getting looked at like a Sony Betamax VCR (read: They still make you?)

This time, it's really not about YOU!

:confused:
While I don't know what the basis was for this comment, but for the sake of keeping the peace, I'll just say ohhhhhkkaaayyyyy, as it appears we are all on the same page.

More Katrina articles forthcoming....