Being a refugee
I�ve heard the word refugee since I was a very young boy but it never had any real meaning to me. Now, it certainly does. I don�t like phrases like �displaced� because it lacks the bite that the situation has. I�m not displaced; I�m a refugee because that word just fits better.
So many people lost so much more than me that I actually have waves of guilt and sadmess that sweep over me every few hours. Even if I loose everything I own from looting or fires, having survived the storm and flooding, it isn�t even so significant because, to be honest, my stuff isn�t really that nice and can be replaced over the next few years. I don�t mean that as self-deprecating, it�s just a pragmatic observation. I don�t have children so I don�t have pictures of when they were little, or the only copies of long gone grandparents; I don�t have a 30 year mortgage and no house or inadequate insurance to rebuild. My job is in Houston so I�m not even out of work and looking for a job. So many lost so much more than me and I feel certain thoughts crash through my mind; I have to take a deep breath and compose myself trying to hold it all together for just a little while longer. I�ve been saying �just a little while longer� for days now. It hasn�t even been a week.
I can�t stand to watch the news but I can�t stand to be disconnected from the situation. I don�t like reading some of the comments on this site because I am not interested in the politics and the racism and the blame. It isn�t productive and only serves to emphasize the fundamental problems New Orleans has been dealing with (or not dealing with) for years. Still, I understand that people are rationalizing, synthesizing and internalizing all the information that�s flooding in. It�s easy to see that people are in different stages of grief, whether they have a direct connection with the effected areas or just by proxy through the media. Also, there are words of encouragement and people whose comments show they are wracking their brains trying to find something helpful to say and something helpful to do.
I would imagine, like me, most refugees that got out and are alright don�t really have the means to help. The only thing we can do is try not to be a burden to the relief effort and remain self-sufficient as much as possible for as long as possible. There�s something terribly sad when the best thing you can do is stay out of the way while all that�s going on just happens. I hope I never forget this feeling. I won�t always be a refugee, but I�ll always understand what the word means.
I just know I’d like to help with all that’s going on there. It pains to see all of this and to be reminded of 911 and many other things.
Sadly!
Linda
Your blog brought tears. We sit up here in WA wishing we could do something to help all the sad faces on the news. This is truly a sad situation, that no politics can rectify. Hang in there and give our regards to every one you see. Hope and Love Weena and Brandon
The new bankruptcy law have just taken effect. All the victims who are lucky to survive, will be screwed. Again.
Jack,
I have said it several times in the past few days, so much so that it is begining to sound hollow, but I will say it again: my thoughts, my heart, my sadness, my hopes are with the people of New Orleans. I can not imagine how you must feel.
I was relieved to find this blog, days ago, because it provides information along with a much more personal glimpse of this unfathomable tradgedy. This is greatly appreciated at a time when so many of us feel the need to connect somehow with what is happening in New Orleans. I feel helpless. I think we all feel that way on some level. Still it is only a fraction of the helplessness that New Orleanians must feel.
I have posted comments here that some have seen as political and I apologize if this has offended you or anyone else.
I am horribly frustrated and I admit that I do feel a need to rationalize, explain, explore the whys, the whos and the hows.
Your post has humbled me a bit. Thanks.
Jack Ware, you are wise, far beyond your age. I commend you for your comments. My heart and prayers go out to all of the refugees in the disaster areas, especially NOLA~~~
God Bless, Carol
Just know that people all over this nation are holding in their hearts people like yourself who are suffering through this unbelievably devastating event. While it’s taking a long time for help to get there, it’s coming. I live outside the city of L.A. and all over the southland here there are fundraising drives to collect money to help. Kids are emptying their piggy banks. The large entertainment moguls are pledging a couple million. Our search and rescue teams are already in the hurricane area. And the rest of us who can only open our hearts and wallets are weeping in front of our TVs and praying as we watch our fellow countrymen having to endure conditions no human beings should have to endure.
I’ve read some of the comments on this site and many of them are deplorable. But many of them are also very concerned and aggreived about the situation. There are many more good people out there supporting you than there are insensitive jerks. Take heart.
As a forienger,someone who has visited NOLA many times in the past, I am amazed that the US government can sit on TV and applaud themselves while the people of the state are begging for food and water. The sight of thousands left to fend for themselves as animals is heartbreaking and despicable. Not to mention, the “looting” as the right wingers on tv keep mentioning only promotes their conservative agendas while people are trying to survive. May God bless the people of Nola. You and your magnificent city will come back stronger than ever. Keep strong and know that the world is rooting for you.
I for one am appalled at our collective treatment of those most in need. I, like you, cannot bear to watch but cannot seem to turn away. Up here in Indianapolis it’s like watching a friend slowly die while you stand helpless.
To think that there was little contingency planning beforehand boggles my mind. That is the true lesson of the needless deaths and destruction arising from the wake of the hurricane. We, as fellow citizens, as fellow humans must do better for one another. There’s so much wealth and luxury in this country that it is incredible, just outrageous that people have to perish from lack of clean water. That’s why we have a government, for shared security.
So while you’d like to personally avoid the political firestorm that has erupted around this event it’s important to remember that we’re all in this together and that government is one of the central elements of our commonality.
Jack:
Thank you for posting. Just talking to us helps us feel connected. I need to feel that connection.
SJL
You’re not alone in your sentiments Phil. It’s not so much about politics as it is about the inexcusable way we are not helping each other.
Then again, I take that back. People ARE helping each other. There have been people on the ground 24/7 trying to help, but the larger organizations, like our government, who could have mobilized much larger amounts of resources, have not been moving as quickly as they should have and it’s cost the lives of many people. To me, this is criminal.
Army trucks are moving into New Orleans with food, water and supplies. A little ray of light. Godspeed to them.
Thank God you got out with you life! You’re story brought tears to my eyes also. My heart is so full of sadness, I feel so bad for all the people that have lost loved ones, friends and family. Please know that you and everyone else is in my prayers each and every night and that there are others out here that think about you continuous. May God Bless each and everyone one of you!
I just wanted to say that i think think that it is a dirty shame how long it is taking for the people of New Orleans to get help… This is the USA and help is all around…so why is it taking so long… I dont have family there but i feel for all the people there… My heart and prayers go out to all… I also wonder if the president had lived there or had family members there would it have seemed like more of an emergency to the government…
Why hasn’t the government accepted the offers of international aid? How many rescures from other countries are not here because of our delay? Nagin’s SOS went out yesterday, the city is being lost before our very eyes. Are we too proud to accept help from outside our borders?
Jack–
Chalk me up as another someone desperately wishing for something helpful to say. Just know my heart goes out to you and all your fellow refugees. Everyone I talk to up here in Philly is looking for a way to help/donate/reach out. May all our efforts thoughout the country and the world begin to ease the pain and suffering so many are experiencing in the wake of Katrina.
Best wishes,
Sherri W. (fellow metroblogger)
Lo’, gone these three generation now… indeed, never been to ‘Ol Miss never had any real desire to do so… yet this somehow haunts.
Channelling good juju from the Oregon High Desert, cous. I’ll bookmark, I’ll be back.
In order to accept outside help you first have to admit there’s a problem. In spite of that, we may not need international aid. We’d like to think we can take care of our own people. However, the pictures from journalists inside the Superdome and in other areas indicate pretty sharply thee fact that we haven’t. I don’t think it’s that we can’t take care of our own people, we (meaning larger governmental organizations), for whatever reasons, just haven’t.
Why has the aid been so slow in getting there? That question is being asked by many people now. The director of FEMA said yesterday to Brian Williams on NBC that he didn’t know things were that bad there (specifically in the Superdome). HE DIDN’T KNOW?? Anyone watching CNN knew how bad things were!
The trick is taking it from here. The supplies are heading in. This can’t happen like this again.
Pass the word. Registry for survivors and friends and family searching for information.
“The search side of the site allows for a specific pinpoint search for a person by household rather than generic searches by city. All the search requires is the person
I have an idea that may sound frivolous to some, but I’m totally serious that it could save lives.
(This is my side of a series of email conversations with some friends of mine. I have thrown out my ideas to them, and one of my friends
What the hell is wrong with you people?? Sitting in your comfortable offices and homes, well fed and watered….blaming the GOVERNMENT for not acting faster to rescue these people? That’s exactly what got them in this fix in the first place. These people are where they are because they have been allowing the government to take care of them for GENERATIONS!!
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for yourself! If the young and able bodied among them had practiced a little birth control, a little self control, gotten an education and gotten off the dole, then they might well have HAD cars, money and the resources to save themselves long before an evacuation was called for….it’s this whole liberal, bleeding heart, welfare mentality that has gotten us and them into this mess to begin with. The Government is NOT my daddy, and I’m not sitting around with my thumb up my ass waiting for ‘daddy’ to come save me from stuff I could prevent with a little…omg…WORK and EDUCATION.
I’m sorry that it has taken a natural disaster to highlight this situation, and before the rest of you bleeding hearts come after me with your verbal shotguns, let’s just take a look at the situation. Believe me, I have all the sympathy in the world for the old and infirm who are helpless in this situation, but let’s face it, the young and able bodied folks in this mess brought it on themselves by perpetuating that “the government owes me a living because my great-great-great grandparents were slaves” mentality, refusing to get any and all of the education offered to them, taking advantage of the millions of dollars in grants available to the financially challenged, and spending what little money they DO earn on junk jewelery, expensive clothing and cars. They EXPECT the government to take care of them from the cradle to the grave, and I, for one, am tired of funding that notion with my tax money. Let them get a J-O-B like the rest of us, pay their own way, and save a little money like the rest of us try to do. I DO have a job and an education, and I struggle on a daily basis to keep my head above water and the necessities of life going on.
I’m sick and tired of this “the government don’t give us nuffin” attitude. Sorry, but get off your lazy, section 8 livin, food stamp usin, drug sellin on the street corner, immediate gratification wantin ass and get an education and a job and become a productive citizen like the rest of us, so that NEXT TIME your local government calls for an evacuation, you will have the RESOURCES to leave.
May God give strength to all in need, Many hearts are heavy with this terrible tragidy.
One thing bothers me is the word “refugee” should we not all say Americans?
Jack-Thank you for your blog…it makes the tragedy human to those of us only seeing one part of it on tv.I remember my visits to New Orleans..and how I compare it to Venice,Italy..it is/will always be that elegant,gracious lady…that Tennessee Williams so evokes in his novels and plays… and the history and decadence that breathes life into all that is Southern to me. My hope is that it can be saved.. and built better… that this episode will only add a different dimension of character to her shimmering and glamourous facade,coating her in ever more mystery and drama.Time heals all wounds… grieve and cry for your loss.. feel your pain to its full extent… until you feel you have cried enough tears…. and then you will know what to do… how to proceed… right now just going through the motions may help you to keep your sanity… exercise they say helps… as does writing your feelings down…. thank you for sharing… keep it going.keep on… Charles.
TexasRedHead
You have some serious issues. Not everyone has the oppurtunities you have. These people are asking for basic living supplies to survive, food, water, medical because of a Huricane. Not everyone is a section 8 case, and either way we need to help our fellow American’s. The government should have never waited this long to bring in help and support to take control of the madness. Nobody is asking for welfare checks, they need basic survival items. You obviously have some major racial problems that have nothing to do with this NATURAL DISASTER. None of these people brought this on themselves. People like you make me sick. So if a disaster hits your hometown we should just let you fend for yourselves regardless of the situation. Leave all the young,old, wounded,people to rot and die because in the end its their fault????
Your ignorance is amazing, and I sure hope you don’t consider yourself a good person!!!!
You certainly fit the stereotype of Texas!!!!
Just proves that our Government will put more effort into foreign disasters than it will our own peoples! The problem is you are not an oil rich nation and the Bush family has NO investments in New Orleans that weren’t insured! I find it hard to believe that in the information age that we could not mobilize help for you a whole lot faster, as an American citizen I am appalled out our slow response to our fellow citizens plight and hope that someones head will roll over this tragedy! I sincerely believed that if we had an earthquake or tornado or other catastrope that we would be prepared, I have at least learned that is far from the truth. It is amid much sadness and a feeing of helplessness that I have found this truth. I can at least donate money but it is a far cry from feeling like I am really helping, I will watch and pray for all of you down there and make certain that the next candidate I vote for addresses Emegency Response. May God be with you all. Is there any thing else that we can do? How can private citizens help you?
What a great post. Your site has been an oasis during this. News, links, commentary, a sense of humor (w/ some brevity), and of course darn good writing. Be safe.
Last night I did some research and found more then 50 people in St. Louis (where I am) offering up their homes. I have spoken to about half of them, and they are serious. But the question is how do we get those people to us? I’ve been talking to a few of my LSU professor from grad school, but they are so busy right now (TP is now based in their building it seems) they don’t have time to think about it. Do you are anyone reading this have any ideas?
Dear Jack Ware and all others in New Orleans
You may be a refugee, but you ARE a SURVIVOR. Take strength and hope mentally from all of us and from God and know that you WILL somehow be okay.
love&light
Silverhawk
Hi there!
I’m terribly sorry about the big tragedy of NOLA but I’m furious and puzzled at the same time. How can it ever happen at the Imperio’s heart? One thing that atracted my atention was that the investments to improve safety in the walls to protect the town from the waters were cut down in favour of Iraq’s war.
In the other hand, it has been crudely revealed the big poverty bubble existent and that violence just generates more violence. All the lootering would have been lower if people didn’t have handy firearms…
I come from a country were is difficult to buy one and nearly no one has them. Would you please care watching again
It’s somehow strangely comforting to know that in a world of cataclysmic disasters, some things remain constant – for instance, the ignorant racism of assholes like Texasredhed.
If there is any karmic justice in this universe, you will one day find yourself in a desparate situation with nobody willing to lend a hand.
To the extent that you can, you don’t need to feel guilty that you are coming out of this better than a lot of people. This was beyond your control.
K-Dog: I have issues, no doubt, but I support myself, and I don’t wait around with my thumb up my ass for the government to GIVE me anything. Yes, this is a natural disaster, but my point is that these people (the young and able bodied, mind you, not the children and the old) are in the situation they are in because they have consistently (and by consistently, I mean over the span of several generations) remained part of the un- and undereducated class of people who feel like the government owes them a living, for whatever reason. They consistently refuse to get an education, yet they think that they are ENTITLED to the same benefits as those people who work hard for a living, pay their bills, own homes, and save money. These folks got their piece of the American Pie because they got an education, and they have a work ethic, not because it’s handed to them by the government.
You know what the bible says….give a man a fish and he eats for a day; TEACH a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime. So it goes with the underclass in our country.
Call me racist? So be it. Funny, the faces in all the news footage are overwhelmingly (97%) black. How come I don’t see any hispanic faces? How come I’m not seeing any oriental faces? Of course I didn’t see that many white faces either, but I’ve just mentioned 2 minorities, neither of which seem to be in the face of the news camera claiming that “the government didn’t GIVE us nuffin.” Perhaps if these folks had taken advantage of even the poor education offered in the Louisianna public schools (and remember, I live in Texas, so I know what crappy public schools are) and their parents took a hand in establishing a work ethic among these people when they were children, instead of promoting the welfare mindset perpetrated in the South (and, by the way, I did grow up in the South) that says “the government (translation: WHITE MAN) owes us a living because our ancesters were slaves,” they might have the jobs, the education and the resources to have saved themselves instead of waiting around for somebody else to do it.
There are plenty of well to do blacks in this great country of ours, and I guarantee they didn’t get that way by waiting for the government to hand it to them. They took their asses out there and they got educated, got jobs and pulled themselves out of the ghetto by their bootstraps. This is the 21st century and there is NO EXCUSE for any minority to whine that they are stuck in the ghetto because some faceless “white man” is holding them back. That is so much bullshit. All it takes to have your piece of that pie in America is to get an education and a j-o-b like the rest of us.
Sorry, but I have no patience and no compassion for a bunch of lazy, uneducated whiners who refuse to help themselves to anything but somebody else’s things because they have some distorted sense of entitlement.
How people have lived their lives in prior to “Katrina” is irrelevant. What you have right now are fellow human beings in a desperate situation.
I can only hope that your federal governement (please read George W. Bush) will accept the help that Paul Martin(Prime Minister) and the rest of Canada has extended. As of early this morning we have the majority of our military on standby with food and medical supplies ready and waiting for permission to assist.
Perhaps pressure to accept sincere assistance in this time of need would be a far more beneficial then the continued attitude of isolationism.
Our thoughts are with all those affected.
“sense of entitlement” Oh My Texasredhead.What a poor misguided fool you are.Don’t you think those poeple would have left if they could? Those poeple who are left are the ones who did not have the means to leave.Do you think they chose to be where they are.You can’t tell a mother whose child is starving to be patient.You can’t tell her not to do what she has to do to keep her child alive.A person is not poor because they don’t want to work.I work and I’m still poor.I am a white married woman whose husband also works and we are poor.Not because we won’t “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps”.Now don’t think I agree with looting and killing but I do agree with doing what you have to so survive.So don’t give me this bulls**t about it only being blacks and only being the poor.Frankly I think you give southerners a bad name and thats why all the yankees think we are hayseeds!
“sense of entitlement” Oh My Texasredhead.What a poor misguided fool you are.Don’t you think those poeple would have left if they could? Those poeple who are left are the ones who did not have the means to leave.Do you think they chose to be where they are.You can’t tell a mother whose child is starving to be patient.You can’t tell her not to do what she has to do to keep her child alive.A person is not poor because they don’t want to work.I work and I’m still poor.I am a white married woman whose husband also works and we are poor.Not because we won’t “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps”.Now don’t think I agree with looting and killing but I do agree with doing what you have to so survive.So don’t give me this bulls**t about it only being blacks and only being the poor.Frankly I think you give southerners a bad name and thats why all the yankees think we are hayseeds!
Dead Texasredhed:
It’s amusing to watch you waste paragraph upon paragraph pretending to make a point when all you’re really doing is reverse engineering a justification for your ignorance.
C’mon, stop holding back, boy. Use the word “nigger” a few times. I know you want to. It’s written between the lines already anyway.
Shame on your parents for raising you to be white trash.
Hey Texasredass
You are a discusting piece of filth suffering from dillusions of adequacey. Your misinformed, ignorant rantings and views are far more damaging to our culture, our society, and our dignity than are all of the members of “the underclass of our society” put together. It always stuns me when racist idiots like yourself quote the bible. If you’ve ever actually read the bible you obviously missed the point. What a surprise. But I never worry about swollen glands like you. Your karma will undoubtedly eat you alive.
Pass the word. Registry for survivors and friends and family searching for information:
The search side of the site allows for a specific pinpoint search for a person. All the search requires is the person
People on both sides of this ongoing socialogical debate may have valid points, even Texas (without the rancor and personal attacks), but
LOOK AT IT. . . Americans are suffering in a natural catastrophy the likes we haven’t seen in this country in, at least, a 100 years. Not just NOLA, but several outlaying towns and areas are devastated. It’s not the time or place to have such ramblings. Americans are needlessly suffering and we must all send our prays and direct help to stablize this situation.
And
You can believe only the US itself will be responsible for cleaning this up, I wouldn’t count on the rest of the world for much more than a lot of “serves you right”, “told you so”, etc. So we must stand united and strong. Bush administration’s slow response may relate to the magnitude of this crisis rather than the buracracy, blah, blah, blah. Ain’t never seen anything like this, no sir.
Vic Santa Rosa CA
Has anyone noticed that about 99% of the refugees are black. New Orleans has about 30% of its population on welfare and food stamps. Did you notice in the TV telecasts that about 99%of the looters are negroes. This is what happens in a poor black area when police and law enforcement pulls out. The blacks go on a looting spree. It is had been possible they would have rioted, but fortunately the water kept the blacks contained. Once again the white man is coming to rescue our black burden.
Has anyone noticed that 100% of racists are complete fucking morons?
Hammer: I am not shocked or appauled by your statements. I know there are people out there who think the way you do. What does bother me is that you let those thoughts out of your head. You should leave them in there and let them poison you – sounds like that’s already begun…
God bless the Hurricane Katrina victims and everyone in America.
We live in this country so we can have freedom of speech but let’s not comment on people who are trying to justify their thoughts and opinions.
Let’s not give them the satisfaction of answering them or commenting on their posts. Because one day, they too may need help and we will be there to help.
There are many Americans of different shades who are poor and live in poverty in our cities, New Orleans is one of them. They are not able like some too afford the richer things in life, not even the necessities.
I too am very frustrated with the situation and what is going on but you can’t stress out until the point of making yourself sick.
Let’s have positive thinking so we can make this a better place. I believe and hope that there’s a reason for everything. Who’s to say I’m right, noone, just my opinion.
Believe in prayer and yourselves. Godspeed!!!
Wow Texasredhead , if only getting a “j-o-b” ensured economic stability for all of us as you implied in your message. Is that what you believe to be true? If so let me be the one to inform and “educate” you on how your message holds no valid point and only proves your level of ignorance. Are you aware that the average incomeof the poorest city in the U.S. (Loop County Nebraska) is only $6,000/year? I bet you didn’t. Are you going to tell me that those people are all jobless and black with a penchant for temp gold, 22 inch rims, and welfare checks. People who couldn’t prioritize or educate themselves? Or maybe they are just a product of a social structure that inevitably puts people into the category of the have and have-nots? Maybe they were never in the position to receive a good education. I know from personal experience that there were students in highschool who had to drop-out or get a G.E.D because they were working J-O-B-S to support their families (who were already on welfare). And if you are aware of the poor state of our public schools wouldn’t that make you consider that maybe everyone graduating from high schoool isn’t well prepared for a college level education? I’m sure you haven’t because like many conservatives you only think in terms of huge generalities. For example, if you read your post you will notice how many times you used the term “these people”. Why not stand behind your truly racist convictions and use the words truly intended. I hear your kind use it all the time ,”these people can refer to the following: homosexuals, feminists, liberals, any minority, etc. It is commonly used by neo-nazis, white trash, religious lunatics. and other various forms of swine. To answer your question on why 97% of everyone on T.V. is black… take this fact into consideration, 67% of New Orleans entire population is black!!! So use your education and do the math and leave the rest of the cultural minority out of it. As a HIspanic I don’t appreciate hate-mongers like yourself incorporating my people into your pointless metaphors of psycho-babble. Also, any Asian-American will tell you that the term “Oriental” applies to rugs, not people. So before you ostracize blacks for being helped by the governemnt for “generations” remember that it was only a generation or two ago that “these people” where being denied basic civil rights and had to attain it for themselves. And it wasn’t too many generations before that “these people” were enslaved property. Think outside of your sick generalities and stop giving Texans and Americans alike the stereotype of Ignorant yokels.
Question for Hammer:
Did African Americans become “the black burden” before or after they were raped from there own country?
I am all the way in the Caribbean on the island of Curacao. Your post brought tears to my eyes as I am once again reminded how lucky we all were to have been spared the wrath of Ivan the Terrible last year. It makes me feel ashamed of the people here on the island who got angry at the government because they instructed everyone to take measures to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones. I cringe when I remember the stupid comments we heard from people who wanted the hurricane to hit our island, just so they could experience this ‘adventure’.
It saddens me that I am so far away and can not do a lot more than pray for all of you. It saddens me that I did not have the opportunity to visit your wonderful city but rest assured that I will be doing so as soon as you rebuild, and it will be even better then it was before…
Please remember the kindness shown to you by others and please, pay it forward. Keep the faith, keep counting your blessings, however small and insignificant they may seem, and know that people all around the world are remembering you in their prayers.
… remain as self-sufficiant as long as possible and stay out of the way. Think that is how alot of
us New Yorkers dealt with the after-affects of 9/11.
I lived in N.O. a while ago, always planned to come back; hope I still can. To me this is much worse than 9/11; God-speed your recovery everyone and please, please keep your character. Don’t lose it
like New York has been in the process of doing these
last 4 years. You lose that and you lose your heart and end up looking like recovery but actually you are just a shell. Stay strong and true everyone.And again, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
TEXASREDHEAD, Humans are amazing!! And when faced with life/death situations, their true character is revealed. Your posts cleary reveal your true character. What America NOW NEEDS IS COMPASSION.
Do you know what the largest Human Organ is?? -It is your skin, which covers your body- the skin tone is based on several factors and not one of them has to do, with a job, the economy, a welfare check or any other item you listed.
***to qoute the bible you so fondly referred to:
1st John 3:17-18 but if anyone has this world’s resources for sustaining life-and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of GOD live and remain in him. Little children let us not love merely in theory or in speech but in deed, and in truth, in practice and in sincerity.
Your Bible quote is a chinese proverb. It is not a scripture. and I am sure any of the stranded people would surely love a fish, deep fried with some good ol tarter sauce–about now
So many people lost so much more than me that I actually have waves of guilt and sadness that sweep over me every few hours.
Hey, Jack. Like Marie said, you’ve got nothing to be ashamed of; it’s called “survivor guilt”, it’s not rational but it’s very normal. We all want to believe the world is fair and just, so how do you deal with knowing that people just like you didn’t escape and you did? The temptation is to feel guilty that you got luckier than you “deserve”.
People like TexasButtHead deal with survivor guilt in a way that’s ultimately much more toxic to themselves and those around them: they convince themselves that actually the people who didn’t get away didn’t deserve to, because they were bad and lazy people. The irony is that every disaster includes a proportion of people who’ve thought that way all their lives, and they find they’re not as all-powerful as they think they are. They’ve just been lucky.
Thomas, your walking plan was well-meaning but naive. If no organisation is providing support in the form of food, water, shelter from the sun, medical aid, and a safe haven at the other end, you’re asking people to risk a death march for no reason. You didn’t realise it, but your own journey across America was supported by a vast infra-structure, one which you had 100% confidence would be there for you at the end of every day’s walk.
On the other hand, any organisation able to credibly promise and deliver the support listed above is also able to credibly promise and deliver mechanised transport, so the need for a walk goes away. Put bluntly, an organisation that can’t arrange for a fleet of trucks in a week couldn’t have organised a safe mass march in a week either.
Fortunately, and thank goodness, it looks like that mechanised transport is finally on the way. Maybe one day, in the far future, gasoline will be so scarce that a government that can’t organise a fleet of trucks can still organise a mass march following a disaster, and your plan will have a point to it, but for now, it’s still a survivalist fantasy.
First of all the people of New Orleans are not refugees, they are citizens of the United States of America, let us not forget that. Secondly, for those who have posted their ignorant comments I say to you “there but for the grace of God go I”.
I am outraged by the response time of our Government, it has been 5 days and STILL evacuations are going on. I am ashamed as a citizen of this great country that we cannot even muster enough organization to provide basic needs. If the media had enough organization to get down there to exploit this disaster why couldn’t our Government?
Thank you Mr. President for cutting your 5 week vacation short, Secretary of State; Ms. Rice I hope that you enjoyed that Broadway show you were taking in on Tuesday night while millions of citizens were in desperate dire straits. If we do not learn from this and take measures for preparedness, then history is doomed to repeat itself.
In response to some of the scathing remarks in this blog:
My mother (who sadly passed away this year) always taught me “If you don’t have something nice to say….don’t say anything at all.”
My prayers and good thoughts go to the Katrina victims. I can’t even fathom what you are going through.
I heard that some of you will be coming to Colorado to be sheltered. A warm welcome to you.
Just an FYI posting since this is all so disorganized right now and I hope this may help someone, anyone – some shelters have been open in North Carolina for days for people that could get themselves out and now more are open tonight and flights expected in Greensboro tonight with people from NOLA. Urgent calls and tv broadcasts went out to medical personell and citizens for help a couple hours ago here. Charlotte and Raleigh also expecting and preparing for evacuees. They are saying to use the red cross info line and that it will take some time to process these people in.
I hope finding lost loved ones is speedy. God Bless you all.
Hello, “Praying”…just after my comment your’s was very nice.
Good information! I really wish we could help these people. They are our family….and we really should help them with all our hearts.
To the people: we love you….and will help you….don’t worry! Please. Hang on…Hang on. The world may not care…but WE do! The USA common people care. We love you!
Hang on! We won’t desert you.
Has anyone noticed that the “fucking (verb) morons” appear to be right on your TV screen?
Lets all get our checkbooks out and write out a big one because the weekly “looting” of our paychecks by the feds won’t even begin to cover this one! And the elephants found higher ground before the Tsunami…
The generational entitlement mentality is a serious problem we see in so much of the Katrina coverage…. Though I feel incredible compassion for the truly helpless – the elderly, the babies… I also understant that the entitlement mentality has led to a significant portion of the helplessness, whining and crime we are seeing showcased in the evening news.
I think the real failure of the government is not being too slow to rush aid to the gulf states – The real failure of the government is for decades being too quick to bail out irresponsible behaviour and creating a welfare state.
As a former welfare recipient…. I’d like to say to the able-bodied young whiners and looters – quit your whining – roll up your sleeves and do what you can to help…and make a decision to be a participant in the rebuilidng of your lives and home… Be a heroe rather than a zero.
I agree with formerwelfarecase that a fair amount of the tragedy we have witnessed is due to the entitlement mentality that has become so pronounced in our society.
If people would learn to be more self reliant they would’ve had the opportunity to evacuate like the rest of the people who as a result of hard work had the resources to evacuate.
What a great idea – let’s add insult to injury! It isn’t enough that human beings had to live through a hurricane and its horrific aftermath – we’ve gotta BLAME the victims for their plight! If Jesus was alive today he’d bitchslap you pompous fuckers.
Incidentally, I’m amused by the suggestion that everything would be alright if everybody owned a car. Anybody with half a brain knows that more cars is the LAST thing this nation needs. Besides, if you think about it, public roads are (*gasp*) socialism in action – and you lazy fuckers feel you’re – yup – ENTITLED to them! Oh no!
Okay, okay, so we’ve got racists on this blog and the people who reel furiously in reaction against them. The word, right now, is FUSION….our nation is split by our own unconscious.
If Texas is a Redhead, she could be the daughter of an immigrant not much liked in this country many years ago, the Irish. Now, I happen to love the Irish, particularly, but maybe this one’s passion and ferocity has fettered out into judgment and hatred.
We are ALL ONE, folks. That right, what happens in New Orleans affects what people feel in Los Angeles, what people do in North Carolina, how someone reacts in Oregon. Or Sri Lanka for that matter.
It’s just different facets of the same Diamond Mind of which we are all a part.
Now is the time to speak past your own limitations, integrate your own shadows, and wear your lovingkindness.
Poverty and lack of education are complicated subjects. Redhead could have some points, but shooting off her guns that way will not encourage one person, — enculturated and de-energized past their resources — to do anything but be put in opposition. Particularly at this time. My God, the whole country is Post Traumatically Stressed, and most certainly those who physically endured a horrendous hurricane, floated past the dead to a Superdome or Convention Center reality of no resources for five days in a state of shock.
Let’s be kind. Let’s dialogue. It’s Our Mind, rapper and rich, a bitch, shure, gotta in-teg-rate her now, how, which way the door?
Yes, just extend the olive branch to hate-mongers and everything will be fine. *rolls eyes*
It saddens me that people like texasredhead and charles see the color of someone’s skin and can make such broad generalizations about them. Yes, while there are the welfare recipients there are also the working poor. Who do you think worked all the low paying jobs in the hotels and restaurants? Who do you think were the housekeepers and nannies for the upper income people? I am sure many people stayed in their homes, yes, “their” homes, did so assuming they could ride it out. That was certainly not the first time it was done. And if by some miracle all the residents had been evacuated prior to the levee breaking, where would they have gone? This would have still been a major crisis. Furthermore, many middle income families are displaced and in need of assistance from the gov’t. They also fled their homes in cars, but with no electricity they could not use credit cards, gas stations had no gas, banks were and maybe still are closed and their homes are gone. Should we not be able to look to our gov’t for assistance in such times?
Stupid Black Men?
Whoops, What I meant to write is Stupid White Men! Sorry for the knee-jerk. How about writing a book about the absence of black leadership in times of crisis and call it Stupid Black Men, perhaps a picture of Marion Barry smoking crack and Jesse “Hymie Town” Jackson getting a medal from Chavez in Venezuela when he should have been on the phone with Ray Nagin. Perhaps a photo of Al Sharpton with Tawana Brawley would be appropriate. Pagones, the defendant in the Brawley case, was awarded $150 million in suit for a defamation of character that he brought against Sharpton. Stupid Black Men! Point is they were stupid men and it would seem silly to bring race into question, but if you are a liberal its ok and Stupid White Men is fine and dandy, after all its a white guy doing the writing, I am sure I could find a black man to take a check for the authorship as easily as Bush found Condeleza Rice willing to bomb other people as color as well. Now Hurricane Katrina has illustrated the the racial lines that divide this country, once again, like the election of 2000, the blame game is an adherence to what people want to believe and few are interested in thinking outside of whatever box they live in, be it liberal or conservative. In 2004, the democrats coughed up another rich white guy from the same Yale frat as Bush who killed innocent people in the democrat started war of Vietnam, Sorry I didn
Doesn’t Texas still practice Corporal Punishment? If so, TEXASREDHED should be paddled. (And should learn to spell “Head.”
Jesse Jackson was just on MSNBC tonight still jabbering about the term “refugee” being racist. I’m confused: is it racist to call all the displaced New Orlean residents “refugees”, or just the black residents? What do you call the white, hispanic, etc. residents? Maybe “evacuees”…?
My thoughts on this term are well documented and I stand by them. I disagree with Reverend Jackson and the Black Caucus on this issue. It isn
Can’t agree with you, Jack, on the power-play aspect, especially 3 weeks after the fact. Maybe it’s just another problem with “language” – but I guess it’s still a more politically correct term than the term “DP” (displaced person) used to identify the Eastern Europeans who came to America and other countries after WW2, like my parents did! But they were white…and times were different, supposedly; however, after reading some of the entries on this blog, though, can’t see how times have really changed at all!
Just wanted to clarify something – I’m not the same “Charles” with some previous posts!
Hello all. My husband is going to New Orleans soon to help rebuild. He is a masonary. I also want to help in any way i can but i am having some trouble and if any one can help me please email me at ladybugs251980@yahoo.com i need to find a city or small town close to New Orleans with a cheap motel but i don’t know which towns survived the hurricane and i have tried searching but have found no info. I am interested in Hammond LA. can someone tell me if Hammond has survived the hurricane? God Bless the hurricane victiams. Everyone at First Assembly of God in Webbers Falls Ok. is praying for you guys.
Officer S M SMITH NOPD clearly reminds me of what my mother called,” low grade poor white trash”.. What a shame he is employed where he sets such an example along with the rest of the “mob” titled POLICE DEP’T, New Orleans……….
Hammond may have something – also try LaPlace
hey l just wanna say that it was sad to hear and people need helps… and l what to say May god be with you all…