Katrina V

Five years ago, Katrina came ashore. She did her thing, the engineering disaster (man made, y'all) did its thing and this city hasn't been the same since. I am just now realizing that everyone out there who has cable television has been watching these scenes play out all over again. The pandemonium. The chaos. And most of all, the sadness and heart break that occurs when your state and federal government fails you.

If you believe that you are safe in this country, that if some horrible, tragic events happen in your neck of the woods, you would be taken care of. Your government, local, state, and federal, would know what to do in an event such as Hurricane Katrina. Go on, chickens, keep on having faith, because as Americans, it's what we are born and bred to believe.

Except, what about the Gulf Coast? Remember the Gulf? Fabulous shrimp and seafood, sailing on the ocean blue (well, more brownish green...), and of course, the wetlands. Protection from mother nature's wrath is important.

Katrina happened and local government was late in calling an evacuation. Why? Because they had to consult with lawyers and business people. Katrina happened and our federal government, failed to show up for 4 FREAKING DAYS, while people in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, residents of New Orleans, and Biloxi, and Gulf Shores, and Chalmette, and Slidell, and on and on and on, were left to fend from themselves.

Do you think the residents of the Gulf Coast have faith in their government? Not really. There is a wariness, you can see it in the people's eyes when you hear them talk about Katrina and the BP Oil Spill. Wouldn't you be concerned?

So, upon this anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I am happy and grateful that I don't have cable television to revisit every tragic scene from that terrible time in our Nation's history. I mourned plenty during that time and developed a numbness to the events I was seeing on T.V. All the while, worrying about my family and friends in New Orleans who had been directly affected.

I now fully understand the scale of devastation that happened during Katrina. It took me living here for a year, walking these streets day in and day out. Hearing stories about Katrina, even now, still gives me the same nauseous, goosebumpy feeling that I had 5 years ago and have continued to have in reference to this storm. I realize that when I'm driving on the highway, there are parts that were completely under water. You still see the marks, but you also see the rebuilding and the hope. The people of this area are strong - stronger than most. And America needs to recognize that your fellow Americans from these parts are tough as nails and make a mean bloody mary. Fix the wetlands. Fix the levees. Make right on your promises.

Bottom line, I am so happy and grateful that Kevin and I moved here. I know the flavors of the gumbo that make up this city have changed and the true locals prefer the old recipe, but I think they are warming up to these new flavors. Come visit, too. You will fall in love with this special place. I promise.

P.S. I also posted my research paper in its entirety here.