August 29, 2005 many of us remember thetradgedy that was and is New Orleans. In June 2007 I began to ask myself questions. Two years later what strides have been made to rebuild New Orleans? Have the levees been rebuilt? How has New Orleans changed since I went to visit my husband's family last year. Surely things have changed for the better. Sometimes we equate the lack of media coverage to everything being fine. When some news stories are run, you often see the French Quarter and tourist on Bourbon Street. The false perception is that everything in New Orleans is fine. Newsflash...the French Quarter is not New Orleans. My brother-in-law Damien told me, that since the hurricane CNN has opened a bureau in New Orleans. My husband was organising a bus trip to New Orleans, for the annual Essence Music Festival. The festival is always held the week of the 4th of July. In the African American community, the Essence Music Festival is HUGE! This also marked the return of the Essence Music Festival since Hurrican Katrina. For African Americans in New Orleans and around the country, the Essence Music Festival was, "coming home."
Meanwhile, back in St. Louis, I had to decide what my Video Production for Media Literacy class project would be. The timing was perfect because I was going on the bus trip. We went around the classroom to share our project idea. As it neared my turn, I began to have second thoughts. Thoughts of not doing the project raced through my mind. Was this something I wanted take on? What angle would I take? How could I approach this from a media literacy view? Am I going to have time to find people to interview? Am I going to have time to go to the Lower 9th Ward to shoot video? What about all the crime? Is there really a story to tell? My mother-in-law has moved back into her home. I mean she hasn't completely furnished her home but she's there. What about the fun of Essence? If I have to shoot video during the day, then I would miss out on the empowerment sessions. I rationalised that as long as I can go to the concerts at night I'll be ok. I admit that some of my thoughts were selfish. I was curious to know what I would find. The question I feared the most was, how would this affect me? My husband is affected, because he was born and raised in New Orleans. Many in his family still live there. His roots run deep. It's interesting how you can be close to someone but still remain a bystander. Let's face it, being a bystander is comfortable. You can sit around with friends, talk about the latest news, give your opinion and agree to disagree. In this case what have you done? Not a damn thing. Was I ready to step out of my bystander comfort zone? Was I ready to be in the midst? My biggest fear was, if things were not as how the media portrayed or left out, what then?
I found that I had no problems finding people to interview. Talk about people being gracious and humble. I was able to get an interview with Environmental Reporter, Mark Schleifstein, with the Times-Picayune. I mean this man with his Pulitzer Prize and George Polk Award, didn't know me. Nor did he know someone, who knew someone, who knew me. He took an hour out of his day to talk on camera. He shared that along with CNN, NPR and Brian Williams lead the charge to continue reporting on New Orleans (much to the dismay of some colleagues). Mr. Schleifstein wasn't the only one. People like Marvin Hudson, Elverina Clark, LaCola Lucien, Raymond August, Robert Green Sr., came out of their houses and trailers. They put their hammers, buzzsaws and wheelbarrows down to talk and answer questions. My mother-in-law, Trulove Curtis, took me to film everywhere from dilapidated areas to homes that had been rebuilt. She too shared her thoughts for the camera.
During my visit (and return a week later) I discovered that the people of New Orleans understand that the struggle of their city is no longer newsworthy. However, all the people I interviewed said they felt as if the rest of the nation had forgotten them. Many of the people I interviewed said local news covered more stories about Lakeview and St. Bernard Parish than about New Orleans East and the Lower 9th Ward. Lakeview and St. Bernard are predominantly white. Some felt that media exposure would help bring attention to the struggle of those trying to come home and rebuild. Some felt that it wouldn't make a difference. Why else would funding that has already been alotted take so long for people to get? Why is it so many don't even know that they can come home? I met a volunteer church group from Ripley Church of Christ, in Big Prairie, Ohio. They were clearing brush (in 99 degree weather), taller than me and mowing around empty lots where houses once stood, in the Lower 9th ward. I talked to Sharla Clark, who was a part of that group. Soaking from sweat and the unforgiving heat, she expressed her disbelief about how much work needed to be done. She could not beleive how many areas looked like a wasteland, with overgrown grass and homes untouched for almost two years. She too asked where was the media and the government.
Seeing the devastation firsthand was alot to process and I felt a range of emotions (mostly anger and sadness). I thought going to the concerts would take my mind off of the things I saw earlier that day. I was wrong. As I sat in my seat in anticipation of seeing Robin Thicke, it suddenly hit me that I was in the Superdome. The roof that the nation saw blow away on television,was fixed. No more people crowded in like sardines, unable to leave and fearing for their lives. The chaos and mayhem, even those that died resonated. Was I sitting where someone had died? At that precise moment I got chills. Call me crazy but I believe buildings and their walls hold memories. At that moment I bowed my head and said a prayer.
From what I saw, touched, felt and smelled, "Kanye was right." However, despite having to continually face obstacles, the people of New Orleans have hope and faith. I went to New Orleans not knowing what to expect. At the end of the day I was in awe of the people. All I could say was wow. I was and am inspired by their honesty, kindness, spirit, courage, and resilience. Despite the lack of media coverage. Depite the lack of federal funding. Despite the false perceptions. The spirit and the will of the people in New Orleans will not be broken. Go beyond your comfort zone. Don't just sit back and be a bystander.
Footnote: On the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, all media was focused on the memorials, stories and a visit from our nations president. On that same day the White House conveniently leaked a story, that President Bush will reportedly ask congress for an additional 50 billion dollars, for the continued funding of the war in Iraq. Talk about strategic planning.
My final project is dedicated to the people of New Orleans. A city and people forgotten.
http://www.youtube.com/ZouiGJ
Visit these links if you want to to view stories of other survivors (via voicesfromthegulf.com), help others tell their stories, or if you are a survivor wanting to share your own experience:
http://www.colorofchange.org/vfg/?id=2300-173918 http://www.colorofchange.org/vfg/camera.html?id=2300-173918
http://www.colorofchange.org/vfg/survivor.html?id=2300-173918.
