Let It Go

I'm sick and tired of hearing about New Orleans and Katrina victims. For pete's sake! I know it is not PC for me to say such things, so here is a disclaimer: I do not, in any way, mean to dismiss the loss and tragedy. Yes, the response should have been better and come faster. Yes, it was horrible, awful, and yes the federal government has not entirely come through on all accounts, yes tons of people are still awaiting their aid. 

That said....This is really the first time I've ever spoken out about this, so...here are my frustrations.

 I'm tired of hearing about the people still struggling to get by. Mississippi was hit just as bad, if not harder...but do we hear about them? No. Why? Because they know how to suck it up and get on with their lives. What about the Ohio/Wisconsin flood victims? Yeah, they lost homes. They lost people. Some of them aren't getting a damn dime from anyone. Or, if they are, it isn't nearly enough. Was it as economically devastating as Katrina? Probably not....but the governments learned from the Katrina disaster on how to prepare, how to respond, and people listened about evacuations. So, it was handled slightly better. 

You see, it's a cultural difference, in my opinion. The areas that seemed to have suffered the most were the low-poverty areas where there has developed a mentality that everyone is against them, that they shoudl be supported by the government because of all the slavery issues and they have an excuse for why they can't work or go to school or care about their kids. Seriously...come on now...it sucked, it was horribly wrong, but what about all of my friends whose families have moved past that? (and, I'm not saying there are not exceptions, because there are, this is just a generalization.)

Is it still in the back of everyone's minds? Oh yes. Even I am nervous to approach the topic with some of my friends. But we cannot, as a society, improve if people do not make an honest effort to surge forward. Lots of families from New Orleans relocated and have started to build different lives. Not necessarily better, but different. They are truly exhibiting and accepting what it means to be an American, to be able to dig down and find what your ancestors did to colonize this nation. You just make the best of it, and start a life. Quit whining. Yeesh.

Not everyone is out to get you, we want to help. Please please please try to see that, and see past the filters you are imposing on the world around you to twist things to your favor. The teachers are there to help teach your kids,not change them. THe doctors are there to help the healthcare system rebuild, not belittle you and withhold treatment. Habitat for Humanity and all the church groups are there to help rebuild your houses and make up for what the Federal Government is so severely lacking ability to provide aid. Accept their help, if your pride will allow you, but don't curse and yell and scream at them just because they're from a different part of the US. Hopefully, we are not doing the same to you. 

And for Christ's sake, stop all the looting! I was floored when, immediately after the flood, I saw people breaking into stores and stealing things. Yes, the stores were abandoned, but what the hell were you goign to do with all of that stuff anyways? You were staying in a shelter or on a roof.. Ridiculous. I can't believe it happens out of any disaster....but you would seriously try to wade through rushing, waist-deep water to get that pair of Nike shoes? Wow...

And then, a radical thought I heard on NPR the other day...suggested by someone who e-mailed in about the Katrina coverage...what if those levvies broke because someone out there, God or mother nature or whomever you'd like to think, or just pure physics, knew that there needed to be change, and that change meant you had to start over?

Whoa. Wake-up call. I was shocked they read this on NPR....but it was an email, so they didn't take credit for it really,and launched into how some people didn't like all the coverage of New Orleans and wondered why Mississippi didn't get their dues. People there are just as bad off...they just don't whine about it. 

...it's just a sad state of affairs in our country. Would I still help the people down in New Orleans? Hell yes. There is a mission trip again this Christmas to go down there and help rebuild a home. Will I treat them differently? Hell no. I would expect them to expect the same things of me; to move on, and not whine. Because I know (at least, I hope) that the people doing these things are just a very small percentage, that the rest can eventually overcome.