Anniversary of Katrina: Post your comments

[admin]

Watch Spike Lee's "Children of The Storm" documentary premiering tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 8 pm EST on CNN.

Post your comments and share your stories!

Any rude or disrespectful posts will be removed from the board. Any comments made on other member’s posts will be removed from the board. Please do not use any profanity and make sure to respect one another's opinions. This is an exchange of opinions not a debate. Please do not post any personal contact information or telephone numbers.

[Lboogie69]

another sad and unfair chapter in American History!

[kenia79]

We as African-Americans need to get it right and UNITE....it sounds cheesy but it is the truth...the reason that the government is succeeding in railroading us as African americans and as human beings is because we have not learned to become one. Most of these kids don't want to hear anything because they feel that it has no relevance to their life....it starts at home!!!!Parents need to take back their families!!!PLEASE!!!!let us start taking our CHILDREN back..the government don't care...SOMEONE needs to!!!!

[Blackman7]

Thanks! I didn't know that documentary was coming on. I missed it the last time it was televised. Don't want to miss it again.

I'd just like to say that sometimes i'm STILL angry when I watch the news anchor Robin Meade. During the storm, when the TV showed those black victims of Hurricane Katrina frantically running in and out of stores, trying to get food, medicine, and supplies, she FROWNED as she watched them on her TV monitor and kept asking, "Isn't that disgusting???"

I'd also like to say that my heart goes out to ALL the black victims of Hurricane Katrina(and for all the victims of white supremacy).

Stay strong, keep the faith, and remember that GOD is in control!

[Diva_Reaux]

My great aunt in her 80's just returned to New Orleans last month and contacted my father. She lost everything. We presumed she was dead. Her along with several other assorted relatives were all together living in Dallas, Texas unable to reach us in Chicago. There are so many more "stories" not being revealed. My uncle is still in a trailer next door to his home. My brother is somewhere in Texas. My Aunt D who experienced the horror of the Superdome moved a few blocks away from me, died approximately six months later due to all kinds of medical complications exacerbated by her ordeal.
I can't remember the name of all the media I have since scorned. But the one that went toe-to-toe with Al Sharpton whose first comment was, "I know you're not going to make this about race!" Al tore him a new one. But one CNN journalist's wife and her church showed up with a truck load of supplies on day 3 and he reported that they didn't even have a problem driving there from (I think) Florida. It takes me right back there. Wondering if my people were dead or alive. Not being able to sleep. Lord help us. This cannot happen again.

[Vocal]

[SIZE="3"]Wow! The time seems to have gone by fast, but still so many are still living with the "non-true-needed-support" from our US government! Yes, I do some- what understand the size of the scope of the relief-issue, but I can not understand why the wheels right here in the US are moving so so slow in helping the people that need the help in trying to start living a meaningful life again. The resources (know-how and equipmen) are here in the US. It seems that the impasses for the speedy-flow in rebuilding better are "race" and money spent to help those of a certain race. I am still hoping that sooner not later the right thing is done with the government (local, state, national) to truly help the people!

Prayers and best wishes are sent!

[freshnnews]

Shortley,after the devasting Katrina, my first thoughts were they were not going to re-build. I had a deep feeling in my stomach that told me that the government was going to let this devastation wipe out New Orleans as we know It. Eventually, they are going to re-build once the ninth ward residents are gone into a high income area. The property value is going to be unaffordable for the current and previous residents. I honestly believe this is on purpose the slow way to recovery, to force them out for good. It still brings tears to my eyes watching the stories out of Katrina. I hate to say It but my first thoughts are playing out to be true.

[goldnchyl]

Of course the world is familiar with Hurricane Katrina and the havoc it wreaked upon the Gulf Coast. Most people also know of the political fallout behind the government’s ineptitude in handling this crisis that continues to this day. We’ve all heard about it and I, for one, thought that I had a reasonable grasp on the situation.

But today, on the Michael Baisden show, in a short clip during the break I saw how clueless I was.

Michael was talking to a young man from Louisiana. I don’t even know the details of the interview because it was just part of the break format. The young man is talking about how there was waste everywhere after the storm. How people were getting sick and dying and … the babies being born…

Even now, as I am writing these words, I can’t stop the tears from flowing, even gushing at times at the realization of the reality of what happened in the wake of Katrina. The young man is talking about the waste and then he says, “…and the babies…”, and Michael with so much compassion coming through in his voice says, “I know it’s hard, but you’ve got to hold it together, man.”

The visual of what that young man had witnessed flashed through my mind and my heart cracked open. I couldn’t stop the torrents of tears and the flood of awareness that burst throughout my body. What he had lived through? What must he have seen. Oh my God!! Where were we??? Why didn’t we know this??? Why isn’t there outrage??? How did they get left there like that???

And then the underlying knowing that the “refugees” didn’t really have a home. The government’s official stance concerning these American citizens’ pretty much says it all. It hit me like a ton of bricks and I could not stop crying. This young man and hundreds of thousands more African American citizens were left in one of the fifty United State’s cities severely flooded, not because of the storm, but because the government ignored evidence and requests for assistance, and treated as if they were refugees in some remote part of the world where assistance couldn’t reach them. Hell, we all know that assistance from Cuba, South America and others was rejected and not allowed into the area to help our people. And the rest of us have just accepted it as so. For what has become two years? And we know deep down that we have been complicit in the scheme of things. Remember that Hitler was not the true villain in the holocaust but those who allowed him to be and do what he did. The world sat around and did nothing then claimed ignorance.

And now, the small town municipality of Jena, Louisiana, stuck in the past is attempting to end the lives of six young and promising black boys in a blatantly racist farce of a "case". Again, this mockery of justice happened almost a year ago and we are just learning the details of it. The ball was dropped again and "those people down there" didn't warrant the attention of their government or the mass media. Just didn't matter.

I am a long-standing believer that every downfall is an opportunity to create a new reality, whatever the situation. Humanity has truly missed this concept over the eons. But I have this opportunity NOW! This moment, the only moment I have. The only time that I can do anything about. The past is done, the future is not yet here. Right now I can do something.

I was already toying with the idea of attending the gathering on the 20th of September. You know all the mental conversations. “Can I take that time off from work? Can I afford to go? Will the money be alright?” Always about the money. The modern day Golden Calf. I’m clear that I can’t afford not to be a part of the energy that we are building in order to ensure that justice is done. In the core of me I know that we can shift the energy of this attempted travesty.that 's being made on these boys and each and everyone one of us. Powerful and positive and trusting the Source that made us. All that has come to light about the power of intention can give us the fuel needed to make it happen if we stay clear about our goals personal and universal.

Let’s do this.

Peace and Continual Good Fortune

Katrina

[darmitab]

After hearing the frustration in the voices of the residents of the lower 9th ward. After hearing the horrible pain I needed to understand something. I needed to understand how much money had really been given to the victims. I needed to understand what is taking so long to rebuild.

Here is what I found:

The Bush Administration has devoted $300 billion dollars to the Iraq War(MSNBC, 2007).

So far, through various charities, donations, Red Cross and Government aid approx. $11.4 billion (MSNBC) has been allocated (do not believe the hype, the so-called $100 billion is still tied up somewhere) to the Gulf Coast region (Mississippi, Louisana and parts of Texas). New Orleans residents received somewhere in the amount of $2 million dollars (MSNBC). The lower 9th Ward has recieved almost nothing to rebuild. There still remains very little running water in the lower 9th ward. The schools have not been rebuild.

The people of New Orleans are family. They came here to Texas, some stayed some returned to what they know as home. What they returned to was pain, horror and destruction. Their home has become identical to what many of us view as a third-world country.

New Orleans troubles was not caused by a natural diseaster but by a FAILING Government. This was not God's will BUT Man's Neglect!!!

Yet again our Government has failed!!! When is ENOUGH...ENOUGH!

It is our DUTY to put our Government on BLAST...Obama...Hilary...we must fight for our people rights! Our rights...the next time it could be any of us.

Laying DOWN is not an OPTION!!

[aboutus]

Katrina



I know you have seen me once or twice before
Same tatter clothes and innocent face
I have no money, I have no food
I cannot support my life
You see im extending out my hand?
Im soiled from head to toe
Excuse me "mister can you spare a dime or two
Im hungry
Im cold
Im thirsty
you notice im reaching out to you.
Like a poor dog limping, I wander the streets
You see my eyes speaking
You hear my lips moving
You probably do not understand me
Another faceless nameless casualty
Of God's war

a flood

a flood of anger toward choices
i did not choose this
All im asking is for a little
Help to get me through
My daughter is crying
My father is dying
Look at me.... does it look like i am lying
We are all just asking is for a little help
I want to live
we want to breathe
I want to eat
And sleep
In some place comfortable
I ask once again
Hey "mister can you spare a dime"
For me
Please
I thank you kindly

...for your love

[aboutus]

Watch Spike Lee's "Children of The Storm" documentary premiering tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 8 pm EST on CNN.

Post your comments and share your stories!

Any rude or disrespectful posts will be removed from the board. Any comments made on other member’s posts will be removed from the board. Please do not use any profanity and make sure to respect one another's opinions. This is an exchange of opinions not a debate. Please do not post any personal contact information or telephone numbers.

Katrina



I know you have seen me once or twice before
Same tatter clothes and innocent face
I have no money, I have no food
I cannot support my life
You see im extending out my hand?
Im soiled from head to toe
Excuse me "mister can you spare a dime or two
Im hungry
Im cold
Im thirsty
you notice im reaching out to you.
Like a poor dog limping, I wander the streets
You see my eyes speaking
You hear my lips moving
You probably do not understand me
Another faceless nameless casualty
Of God's war

a flood

a flood of anger toward choices
i did not choose this
All im asking is for a little
Help to get me through
My daughter is crying
My father is dying
Look at me.... does it look like i am lying
We are all just asking is for a little help
I want to live
we want to breathe
I want to eat
And sleep
In some place comfortable
I ask once again
Hey "mister can you spare a dime"
For me
Please
I thank you kindly

...for your love

[aboutus]

Katrina



I know you have seen me once or twice before
Same tatter clothes and innocent face
I have no money, I have no food
I cannot support my life
You see im extending out my hand?
Im soiled from head to toe
Excuse me "mister can you spare a dime or two
Im hungry
Im cold
Im thirsty
you notice im reaching out to you.
Like a poor dog limping, I wander the streets
You see my eyes speaking
You hear my lips moving
You probably do not understand me
Another faceless nameless casualty
Of God's war

a flood

a flood of anger toward choices
i did not choose this
All im asking is for a little
Help to get me through
My daughter is crying
My father is dying
Look at me.... does it look like i am lying
We are all just asking is for a little help
I want to live
we want to breathe
I want to eat
And sleep
In some place comfortable
I ask once again
Hey "mister can you spare a dime"
For me
Please
I thank you kindly

...for your love

[sharon1]

I just want to let everyone know that on this anniversity of Katrina, I honor my brother Larry Jones, who lost everything because of this hurricane. Larry is a survivor because he was able to leave with the clothes on his back.He somehow made it to Florida to live with me, his sister. After some time, he returned, but this time to Jackson Mississippi where he now lives. He was somehow able to put his life back together even after suffering a heart attack and a stroke! And now runs his own internet website, www.souland bluesreport.com. My brother Larry is truly a survivor, he never gave up hope and refused to stay away from a place he truly loves.He is an unknown hero!

[thall]

My heart goes out to the victims of this life-altering event. The media has shown us bits and pieces of what it's like there, and I can only imagine what it's like to truly experience something of such first hand. Though it may seem like it's a long dark lonely road ahead to recovery; taking back what's rightfully yours according to your Creator may appear difficult but it's surely not impossible.

Keep the faith and know that what belongs to you, absolutely no one can deny you of it.


Teresa,
Transitional Anger Mgmt Services
901-283-8968

[Prizm96]

Family,

If you would like to see an excellent documentary on Katrina by Spike Lee on dvd, "When The Levees Broke," is available for viewing at Blockbuster, etc.

I have live to see a lot in my lifetime ... but I never thought in this day and age that I would witness such a disaster on the soil of the US. The disaster being the slow response to help our own. We have every device you can imagine available and can even go to the moon....which I believe every time one of those rockets go up ...it effects the weather. The natural disasters now hitting the US are fires, floods & tornados. People are loosing everything. Why does money comes hard when something happens at home... yet we are taxed every which way. Billions are spent for a war that is killing up our young...in this day and age....need I say more. What is wrong with this picture?

One thing I would like to say is thank you to all the celebrities that came forth and brought communities together in raising money and items for people affected by Katrina & Rita. Here in St. Louis... Nelly asked people to bring items to his building and had tractor trailers available to move those items to areas in need. The response was overwhelming by the generosity of concerned people of St. Louis.

Thiere is a lesson for all of us to learn. We need to become more self-reliant and prepare ourselves to take care of ourselves. We need to buy up boats or blow-up rafts, stock can goods, water and medical supplies. Disasters are happening everywhere. Global warming is no joke. People need to take seriously about doing something to help with this global problem.

Family Member

[Mahogany Love]

Do you know how embarrassing it is to live in the US? Jena 6 is hush, hush because of this fact. It is embarrassing for our country to participate in a war that is suppose to restructure a broken society but in fact our own society is broken. It’s CRAZY!!!!

When you take a close look at the New Orleans situation no one has really waken up to the fact that this is a destruction from GOD to wake us up that his WRATH is no JOKE (doesn't matter if someone was suppose to fix something HE CONTROLS ALL), one that is proving time & time again that some ancestors have taught there linage that it is ok to continually suppress the next man when in fact the LORD created us ALL equal.

The LORD has not brought destruction on ALL man kind in such a long time, do your research on when the LAST mankind destruction was & why and you will see for YOURSELF HE IS GETTING TIRED AND HIS WRATH WILL BE MIGHTY!

At least my ancestors talked about, sang about, danced about GOD all the time what about theirs? There is prove all over the place as there is shameful prove all over the place. WE need to continue this for our ancestors worked very hard. DON’T CONTINUE TO GET SUCKED INTO THE INTELLIGENT ONES PLOY TO RUIN OUR MIGHTY ANCESTORS NAME. Again I tell you the LORD will have mercy on the severely suppress and his MERCY is ALL THAT COUNTS! BUT we must do what it takes on a daily basis to walk on the right path until HE RETURNS TO SAVE US FROM THE EVILDOERS OF THIS EARTH.

I laugh at their money sitting in the bank (and yes I would laugh if I needed to receive it because the LORD has opened MY eyes) and so should the suppressed in New Orleans cause THEY think they are GOD ALMIGHTY to hold it there…… JUDGEMENT DAY is all I can say. LET’S CONTINUE TO LEND A HELPING HAND EVEN THOUGH OUR INTELLIGENT GOVERNMENT WILL NOT.

It is an embarrassment and I hope other countries are watching!!!!! What do you think they are saying about us LAND OF THE FREE yeah right…..

WORDS from Our Heavenly Father

Always: Love, Peace & Harmony

[january]

I'm an educator and the students in my class suprise me concering Katrinia. Only one child in my class was familiar with Katrinia, these are 8th graders. Parents are not talking to their children:(

[TravelPro]

Katrina affected my family as well. We schedule our family reunion during the Labor Day weekend. Of course in 2005, prior to Katrina, everything was on track for our families to come together for another fabulous weekend of fellowship. It did not happen as a majority of our family were/are located in the Gulf Region (LA and MS). Homes and lives were turned upside down, we all bonded together and made sure everyone were taken care of (clothing, food, shelter, etc).

It brings me great pleasure to announce that this Labor Day weekend, for the first time since Katrina, we are all coming together for another Family Reunion. I'm very excited and look forward to seeing everyone all in one place once again. I thank God for the Blessing.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend....

[Blackman7]

Katrina



I know you have seen me once or twice before
Same tatter clothes and innocent face
I have no money, I have no food
I cannot support my life
You see im extending out my hand?
Im soiled from head to toe
Excuse me "mister can you spare a dime or two
Im hungry
Im cold
Im thirsty
you notice im reaching out to you.
Like a poor dog limping, I wander the streets
You see my eyes speaking
You hear my lips moving
You probably do not understand me
Another faceless nameless casualty
Of God's war

a flood

a flood of anger toward choices
i did not choose this
All im asking is for a little
Help to get me through
My daughter is crying
My father is dying
Look at me.... does it look like i am lying
We are all just asking is for a little help
I want to live
we want to breathe
I want to eat
And sleep
In some place comfortable
I ask once again
Hey "mister can you spare a dime"
For me
Please
I thank you kindly

...for your love

That was great! Thanks!

[bluezy34759]

So What Happens Next….

Seven days a week, my fiction battles fact,
Eight days a week, the word “struggle” is colored black ,
2006 brought us a nightmare called Katrina,
2007’s nightmare is a monster called Jena:
The civil war continues amongst the tried and the true,
Could I, or should I vote, when the election is a fluke,
A country where our flag is replaced with a noose,
A devil hides in a BUSH, allowing injustice to run loose:
My people last year, who chose Louisiana to reside,
Were either deceased or homeless, because of the sweeping of a tide…
Where’s my leaders? where’s my community? Lord we leave it in your hands,
Everyday brings us closer to Revelations, so understand:
Our ancestors died, so that we may live, walk, and dream,
The word “movement”, has no action, it’s an adjective so it seems,
We marched in the past with no end, just until,
So my people tell me what happened, why do we keep standing still:
I fear for my children who one day will have their own,
Decisions to be made, like is this place really our home?
If I were to die today, my last advice to my people of black,
let’s get it together, because if we’re not careful, slavery will come back:

[paula ward]

Dear Friends,

I am writing today to offer continued prayer and thanksgiving for the folks who survived Katrina and for the celebration of life for those whose family and friends are no longer among the living.

I think it is a shame that after reading all the news, reviewing all the reports and photos, that this city is still not whole. Realizing that everything takes a certain amount of time to recover, when I look around and see the fantastic and expedicious planning and recovery of other cities where disaster has struck (New York, etc.), I am not amazed, but ashamed that these United States - cities and states alike - are still separated by the horrible prejudices and evil that exist in the hearts of man. Those who are in power and authority and control are the ones who have the sufficient "pen power" to sign and make things happen. Obviously - not enough people of color maintain this power, or not enough people are blinded by anything other than WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOOD for the betterment of the people.

This tragedy is an example to show Americans as they prepare to vote for a new President next year - to consider all the needs of all the peoples in our country. Will this new person INSIST upon the good and right of everyone, instead of flying around atop the city, looking down (what a message!) on the 'little people' and making decisions that affect others in a tragic way.

Just because you can remove yourself from the tragedy does not mean the tragedy still does not exist. I am sure these families will suffer long after Katrina is nothing more than a few lines in the history books that nobody will read.

We cannot allow anyone to ignore the needs of the people of this land. We must continue to write, call, march, pray, work, work, and work more to ensure that our country and its cities and states are structure-secure and safe from all alarm.

In the name of Jesus, I pray for us all....

[dena45]

Katrina was truly a devastation to us all, I live in Texas and Texas housed a lot of the Katrina Victims and it was an experience, some good and some bad,
I will help anyone that needs help it's in my heart to do so, I allowed myself to be taken in by this Family whom I choose to help during Christmas, to make sure that there children would have a great Christmas, and please do not misunderstand me I would help the kids over and over again, but what the Parent did was hard for me because I opened my home up and for Christmas and the father of the kids stole my check book and credit cards and purchased over 3000.00 worth of merchandise wrote 500.00 worth of checks,and I am still fighting with the capitol one in getting this resolve,
but this person was returning back to New Orleans and tried to use the card again to purchase gas 3 days later after I had reported them stolen, he was
apprehended, and later called me and did not apoligize but wanted me not to press charges against him because he had a family.
I sympathized with him - what about my family.:confused:

[ukdoc]

Watch Spike Lee's "Children of The Storm" documentary premiering tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 8 pm EST on CNN.

Post your comments and share your stories!

Any rude or disrespectful posts will be removed from the board. Any comments made on other member’s posts will be removed from the board. Please do not use any profanity and make sure to respect one another's opinions. This is an exchange of opinions not a debate. Please do not post any personal contact information or telephone numbers.




Im really liking this thread and forum.

Great stuff.