Is this horse dead yet?
So, with all due respect to you folks outside New Orleans, I think y’all may be a little confused.
Thanks to the minuscule flame war that erupted after my anti-Chris Rose rant (made elsewhere), and thanks to a couple of emails I’ve recently received, it’s clear that some folks think New Orleans is still wallowing in sorrow like a P-I-G hog. That’s in part due to the fact that the media has moved on to cover presidential candidates and fashion week, meaning that images of the modern-day, new New Orleans have been fewer and further between in the national press
Which is not necessarily a bad thing. I mean, how many more times can we hear Anderson Cooper give the same field report about devastation and displacement? (I could watch it with the sound muted, but only ’cause he’s so freakin’ dreamy.) On the other hand, since you might not have seen us on the evening news, you might not know that many of us have gotten over it–the “it” being Katrina, the Corps, bureaucracy, political posturing, etc. Here’s an excerpt from a response I sent to one of the email queries that pretty much sums up my feelings and those of my family, friends, and co-workers:
Nearly three years after Katrina, yes, it is VERY safe to assume that many of us are tired of hearing the victim narrative. No, things aren’t fully back, but whatever: change is inevitable anywhere, the change in New Orleans was just accelerated. We’ve settled into the New Normal, and unlike that asshole Chris Rose, most of us aren’t weeping into our beer every evening. In big ways and small, most of us have moved on, emotionally speaking. Those who haven’t have moved on, geographically speaking.
Yes, we all hope that New Orleans will gradually become better than it was before the storm. (In certain ways, I think it already is.) Will it be perfect? Will it be utopia? I’m probably the wrong person to ask. To me, perfection has to exist in a bubble, and given the fact that everything is interconnected these days–informationally, electronically, meteorologically, and so on–that’s pretty much impossible. But New Orleans will continue to be a hub, there will be people living here, there will be Mardi Gras, there will be crime, there will be inequality, and there will be an ease of life unknown in most of America.
Also, I don’t think I’m the only one with these opinions. They’re pretty well documented elsewhere. Very few people–except some of the hippies who moved here after the storm and don’t know when to give it a rest–are still griping about storm-related stuff. Anyone who’s still here has to have made peace with it in some way.
I should add that by focusing only on the devastation and sadness that Katrina brought, in 60 minutes Chris Rose and Anthony Bourdain erased two and a half years of progress. The homes that have been rebuilt, the families and businesses that have returned, all the little triumphs that many of us have had, most of which came thanks to personal chutzpah and savings accounts–it’s like none of that mattered. Which is offensive and condescending and reprehensible, to say the least.
After however many months–29?–I’m really tired of making this argument, and I’m sure lots of people are really tired of reading it. But it’s like civil rights, or AIDS, or any other struggle for equality and recognition: until the dialogue shifts and we stop playing victim and become empowered, everything we do remains obscured by floodwater. Which sounds pretty hippy-fied, quite honestly, but there you are.
And besides, isn’t everybody over the whole “woe is me” story anyway? That dog won’t hunt no more.
I agree that too many people have not moved on. Wallowing is not healthy, and I think many folks here indulge in their victim status – and some like Rose even profit from it. I’m bored with it too, and its getting us nowhere. The rest of the country is just starting to think we’re whiny welfare junkies.
I disagree on your Bourdain rant though. Dude, it’s a freakin travel show! What did you want him to do – a political tirade? or act like *nothing* happened here? Even when this guy got caught in Lebanon and watched bombs fall around his hotel, he went in the kitchen and cooked for the crew – it’s what he knows, and I respect him for sticking to that. The only thing I think ruined it was Chris Rose, who acted soooo over-the-top. He had somekinda fake accent, and since I’m a true native of the land, it really pissed me off.
Thank you for writing this.
Apparently, it’s not the "folks OUTSIDE New Orleans" who are confused. Those of us who were actually born and raised here lost more than just the house we lived in. In case you forgot, there were areas outside of the city that were far more damaged and are NEVER coming back.
We had no choice but to find not only another geographic location, but another job, another circle of friends…I know that’s what a lot of people look for at some point in their lives, but when you get that choice made for you overnight – it’s just a little unsettling, don’t you think?
And something else – it’s kind of hard to "get over it" when you’re STILL trying to get any recovery from the insurance company you paid for 30 years, from the Federal government you HAVE to give money to so they can "help" you in this very case – all the while watching people who have always lived off of the welfare of others get everything handed to them.
"Woe is me" my ass. I’m not wallowing – I’m pissed off.
Utopia can only exist if every one of the free thinkers are atomized.
Utopia’s not cool.
Laurie
any one else feel like screaming after walking out of the voting booth today?
Laurie
Glad to know I’m not the only one who’s hating on Rose. He was, like, chewing on the scenery.
Pistolette: Just this afternoon, I caught a re-run of Andrew "Bizarre Foods" Zimmern’s Gulf Coast episode, and it was COMPLETELY the opposite of Bourdain’s. Whereas Bourdain was all b-roll of abandoned houses and signs blowing in the wind and lonely harmonicas, Zimmern (whose show also runs on Travel Channel and whose New Orleans episode was shot months and months BEFORE Bourdain) was hopeful, focusing on the food and culture that remain central to the region. His take was basically, "Yeah, the area got knocked around, but these folks are resilient. New Orleans is still an hugely important site for tourism and culture." If a half-baked quack like Zimmern can get it right, you’d think a reasonably brainy guy like Bourdain would be in the ball park.
And Anonymous: Not sure what you’re shouting about. I think we’re on the same page, kiddo.
I was just watching CNN and they showed a google map of Orleans Parish and made it a point to talk about all the blue tarps "still on the roofs" …. uh.. those google maps photos are from February 2006 you asshole! That’s TWO YEARS AGO! The blue tarps are gone. Indeed, they still want to paint us as a bunch of suffering, homeless victims. Sick of it.
I liked the show….
and NO.. we are NOT over it…
We can never be over it…
when you loose as much as we did the emotional scars will never fade..
that said.. I am tired of the people who whine and complain on the media… the give me give me growd. I’ am sick that the national media gives them attention.. giving the national audience the idea that we are all looking to line our pockets at the expense of the taxpayer.,.
but I thought the show was a good juxtopostition on all the possitive stuff that is going on..
with Mardi Gras, the NBA allstar game etc.. showing the possitive.. one little travel show showing that things are not all OK is a good thing..
And Chris Rose.. and the guy on the lawn mower with the blank look on his face…
they are NOT OK.. i think they both need some serious mental help…
Mr Rose was in N.O. during the flood and he must have seen some horrific things.. and he is messed up!!!…
you cant hide the fact that people here are deeply and permenantly affected by katrina…
NO.. we can not GET OVER IT…
but that does not mean that we wallowing in sorrow like a P-I-G either…
maybe someone who didn’t loose as much as those of us in Lakeview, the lower 9th.. chalmette.. etc.et.etc.. ..
can get over it..
but most of us are forever changed by the events..
some.. like mr.rose… worse than others…
P.S….
I think the last line Bourdain said in the show was..
I’m here!.. why aren’t you?
so showing that most of the area is still devestated (the true picture by the way) he asked people to come on down and see for themselves…
can’t see how you see this as a bad thing..
Louis: apparently I missed all that juxtaposition you’re talking about. You’re entitled to your opinion, but to my mind, there was no balance on the show at all. I’m sure the folks at hotels, restaurants, and the CVB were having a goddamn heart attack.
And I KNOW I missed Bourdain’s last-minute invitation to come to New Orleans–but then, since rest of the show had such an unpleasant effect on my stomach, maybe I’d mentally tuned him out by then. And honestly: following 59 minutes of death, destruction, and general pessimism (with the possible exception of Bill’s segment) with a quick little "C’mon down, y’all!" seems a little disingenuous, no?
There will never be anything written, said or sung about New Orleans by outsiders, natives or those in between, that is not in some way reviled.
Louis – may i correct you?? — Mr. Rose was not here during the ‘flood’. He took his family (the Saturday before the storm) to Picayune, Mississippi. He then moved on to Natchez, Mississippi and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He did in fact come back to his Magazine home (a week or so later)and hung out with his pals a few blocks away while he wrote for the paper.
Mr. Rose did what so many before him have done: he saw his opportunity to capitalize on the misfortune of others and ran with it.
big woo.
In Chris Rose’s defense, and speaking from personal experience, it didn’t take losing your home or job to get knocked on your ass psychologically by Katrina. The guy had a nervous breakdown and ended up losing his wife because of the mental stress. He’s a writer; he wrote about what he knew and was going through. With that said, he could, ya know, branch out now, broaden his literary and journalistic horizons a bit. I am kinda tired of reading Katrina crap.
On a side note, he was at MOMs Ball and he looked like utter crap! Take care of yourself, man!
@Richard, be glad Google is at the LEAST Post-K. Yahoos maps even though dated 2008 are Pre-K!
Wasn’t there a queen called "dick" who named Chris Rose, king for a day, back in 05? Is the underground railroad running south with carpetbaggers and mango munchers still operating on schedule? Is there a local resident besides Paul P. writing on this blog who truly understands the nuances and history of a unique, dysfunctional and exquisite city? Was Bourdain trying to drum up business for his industry? Why is there only one post in weeks from a city this size? Thank God Jack quit whinning!
Lou: If you’re so outdone with us, sister, step on up to the plate. I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I say you’re welcome to join our gorgeous mosaic of voices and viewpoints anytime you like.
I’ve been reading this blog ever since Katrina. I have even been to NOLA post Katrina.
I agree that some people become "professional victims" and the media love to feed on them. Some people though really have PTSD and need a few years to work through it. It is best IMO to forget the past and move forward with life, however much it sucks.
Yeah Lou, go ahead and write for MB – I’d love to see blog entries consisting of unorganized lists of random questions followed by an asinine statement.
Since you don’t seem to be able to make a coherent comment you probably aren’t ready for "the show".
(and if I were you I don’t think I’d be criticizing anyone.)
The is the second encouraging post I’ve read today – the other was written by Lord David over at Humid City.
I have to say that just last week on NPR there was a story about how many Americans are under the impression that NOLA is still flooded, that thanks to the pics and tapes that are run behind some ugly, sensational story about the city.
My sister lost her home in Chalmette, now lives in an Apt. in Metairie, unable to rebuild thanks to insurance co. I just received Mardi Gras pics from her and things (and people) have moved on.
If only the national press would cover the whole story and stop wallowing in the past, I am sure folks would be happy to hear the real story.
Thanks for this post. It gives a transplanted native very happy.