 josh 
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from Andy:
Post-Katrina Update
Message: Hey Everyone,
I just thought I would give you all my post-Katrina update. First of all, if you havent heard from me, I am okay. I left early for my parents house, way before the hurricane hit. If I didnt contact you, Im sorry. There was a lot going on.
It has been really hard trying to figure out what to do next. I really love New Orleans and still cant believe that is not actually a city at this point. But, what I have decided to do is to move to Chicago as a temporary situation. Cassandra and I will be able to stay at her parents house for a time while we look for jobs.
Even as I type this, I question how much I want leave the area. Especially after seeing the blatant disregard for the poor people of New Orleans the medias handling of the story. All of us that evacuated to my parents house were in awe as we watched the mainstream medias coverage of the disaster. The evolution of the story was totally
fucked up. They went from the usual sensationalism as the storm approached to
focusing on black people looting the city. I dont think I need to explain how people in need have every right to break into stores that will receive all sorts of compensation. As for pointing to those who took tvs and such, people should pay attention to what Malik Rahim, Black Panther and veteran New Orleans activist had to say (http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/lotus-malik-katrina.mp3 ). He stayed throughout the storm and had first-hand knowledge of what was going on. People were getting these things in order to have something to barter with for getting out of the city. You are talking about a lot of people without the means for getting out. Of course they are
going to do desperate things.
Of course the media didnt switch their tone until the mayor of New Orleans gave a fiery interview cursing at people to send help soon and the Black Caucus held a press conference condemning the lack of help. Then, 4 days later, the media began to substitute images of black people looting with that of black people suffering. And of course, now all the black commentators they can find are now out in the field. This is totally fucked up.
I think there has been a lot of questions now of what to do. First, I would say, find out the true stories of what happened from the alternative media. One place to start is with the New Orleans Indymedia site, http://neworleans.indymedia.org. Also, if you want to donate money, try grassroots funds that will go directly to people of color and the poor rather than the big bureaucracies that suck up all the relief, http://www.sparkplugfoundation.org/katrinarelief.html.
So, my plans are to leave tomorrow for Chicago. Im really sad that I cant say bye to many of you before I go. I cant tell you how hard it was watching the other 9 people who stayed with me during the storm head off in several directions. But, I plan to keep in touch with as many of you as I can, because I know I would go crazy otherwise.
Please take care.
Love,
Andy
[ posted by josh at 09/04/2005 08:28:09 PM ] [ trackback ]
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