I wish I knew how to fully express how I am feeling right now. I guess... depressed, frustrated, angry, sad, impassioned, motivated, and overwhelmed might begin to cover it. Tonight I met with some of the folks I'm going to New Orleans with to watch "When the Levees Broke" by Spike Lee. I know some of the people that will read this have seen this film and will understand why I am so moved. If you haven't seen it, I highly suggest you do. I also suggest you maybe don't watch it all at once like we did tonight, it was a bit much.
I fully expected to cry my way through the film, but I actually didn't. I don't know if it was because it was all so horrible and gut-wrenching that you just couldn't feel it all- as some sort of self-preservation. Or maybe seeing all the images and hearing all the stories, I just started to get desensitized. Don't get me wrong, I certainly felt it, but I'm someone that can cry for a sappy commercial, so I expected to be a mess watching this film. I did get teary eyed a few times, but I remained more composed that I expected.
Maybe I didn't cry because I got so pissed. What the hell are we doing spending billions in Iraq and not helping our own citizens? My god, what is wrong with our government?! Why didn't Bush go down there immediately? Why didn't FEMA and others get aid (water, food, etc) to the survivors immediately? Why mark a house saying it has been checked, when clearly it hadn't? Why build levees that don't work? Then when they break, do a crappy job fixing them so we could be facing this same disaster in a few years.... What the f*&k???
I was glued to the TV when everything started with Katrina because I have always, and will always, loved New Orleans. I cried for the city, the culture, and all of the citizens. But it wasn't until tonight that I knew the extent of how much the area was abandoned and ignored after tragedy struck. It makes me so angry and sad.
I guess the best I can do is take comfort in those of us that are doing something to help. I feel more inspired than ever before to go down and give my time and energy to the cause. To all those that are going with me, and those that have gone down before, bless you for doing your part to help! And to those that can't make the trip, but give financially to people like me so we can make the trip, bless you also for doing your part! What we are all doing will make a difference!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
43 days to go...
"Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
When that’s where you left your heart?..."
When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts a documentary by Spike Lee.
This amazing photo is from http://www.flickr.com/photos/42304632@N00/107699770/
Sunday, February 10, 2008
I love a place I've never actually visited...
I don't really remember when it started. Maybe it was the sadly beautiful photograph of Bourbon Street in the midst of hurricane Hugo that hung in our living room when I was growing up. Or my mother's stories of the people, the music, and the food. Maybe it was the music and the fact that I have always loved good Jazz and the rousing sound of Zydeco. Or the attaction to a city with such a rich and diverse background. Maybe it was even something as silly as my brother's love of the city and a little sister's desire to be just like her big brother! Whatever it was, for as long as I can recall I have loved New Orleans. I dreamt about the day I could go and give in fully to my love affair with this fine city.
In late August of 2005, I had just moved to Auburn, WA and I knew nobody. I was so deeply moved and saddened by the images on the television. The city I love was flooded, broken, and mostly, ignored. I remember talking to my friend J on the phone, my heart breaking from the reality of what was happening. I cried for the people, the music, the culture, the food, and for the city itself.
In July of 2008, almost 3 years after Katrina hit New Orleans, I will finally get to meet the city I love, face to face. I will be part of a group of volunteers going to New Orleans with Seattle Works. We will be working with Hands on New Orleans to help in the rebuilding efforts, mostly in the 9th Ward. This isn't the trip I imagined when I was young, but in many ways it is more fitting. Love is about standing by someone (or in this case, somewhere) when the times are good and when they are bad. I love New Orleans for all that it is, all that it was, and all that it will be again. My love doesn't fade because she has been hurt and bruised. My love has grown because of the spirit the people have shown in the face of horrific circumstances. The people are survivors. New Orleans is a survivor! I will be honored to be part of rebuilding efforts of an amazing, strong, and beautiful city!
In late August of 2005, I had just moved to Auburn, WA and I knew nobody. I was so deeply moved and saddened by the images on the television. The city I love was flooded, broken, and mostly, ignored. I remember talking to my friend J on the phone, my heart breaking from the reality of what was happening. I cried for the people, the music, the culture, the food, and for the city itself.
In July of 2008, almost 3 years after Katrina hit New Orleans, I will finally get to meet the city I love, face to face. I will be part of a group of volunteers going to New Orleans with Seattle Works. We will be working with Hands on New Orleans to help in the rebuilding efforts, mostly in the 9th Ward. This isn't the trip I imagined when I was young, but in many ways it is more fitting. Love is about standing by someone (or in this case, somewhere) when the times are good and when they are bad. I love New Orleans for all that it is, all that it was, and all that it will be again. My love doesn't fade because she has been hurt and bruised. My love has grown because of the spirit the people have shown in the face of horrific circumstances. The people are survivors. New Orleans is a survivor! I will be honored to be part of rebuilding efforts of an amazing, strong, and beautiful city!
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