Displaced New Orleans' Residents Opportunities to Reinvent Themselves

[IrishEyes]

Rocky, I don't think you're a jerk at all. I even agree with you to a very large degree. I think there needs to be some sort of line between giving people the necesseties for day-to-day living, and giving them more than others have, just because they were struck by a natural disaster.

Of course, it's a really sore subject for me, since my only brother is one of the ones affected. He worked his butt off for years, was in school, was doing his best to get by, and he lost everything. Yes, he's getting some money from FEMA, and he's not hurting for cash because he's got some very generous friends and family. But it just irks me that people that had a lot less than he did will come out of this with so much more. I really can't explain it, but I hope you understand what I mean.

It's also very hard for me to watch the stories on the news about people that were evacuated, taken out of a very bad situation, and are complaining about their 'living conditions'. WHAT?!? I'm of the opinion that there should be an attitude of gratitude from people. I just don't understand people that think they deserve something extra because they were displaced. Is not a free place to sleep, warm food, clean clothes, and the fact that you are still breathing enough?

 

But this also makes me wonder... If most of the world, and pretty much our entire country, can step in and help 'those poor people in New Orleans that were hit by the hurricane', WHY oh WHY can we not band together and do something about the poverty that riddles other major cities in our country, or even other major countries around the globe? Why does it take a globally televised natural disaster to bring to light the reality that a major portion of every metropolitan area lives well beneath the poverty line? Are we, as humans, really that complacent? Is it really ok to only help the people that make the news?

 

I know these two ideas contradict "Why give them more when they didn't have it before?" and "Why did it take Katrina to make us help?", but both have been bothering me for the past few weeks. Hope you can understand my emotional dilemma, and not think it's too too twisted. :doh:

[IrishEyes]

And McG, I love the idea of people having the chance to reinvent themselves. That was one of my favorite sports as a child. We moved an incredible amount of times while I grew up. My brother and I handled it in very different ways. He hated the moves, and would complain that he had no friends. I relished the opportunity to become a new person with every new place. I could be friendly or shy, happy or withdrawn, whatever I wanted to be. I stopped short of telling lies about myself or my past, but it was very fun to let people see only what I wanted them to see. It was also an incredible defense mechanism.

I mentioned this to my brother recently, after reading this thread the first time. He thought it was a rather cool idea, that people could just walk away from their lives and start over from scratch somewhere new. Knowing that you don't have to have the stigma of living in 'that' neighborhood, or going to 'that' school, or being friends with 'that' person when you start over in a new place has got to be a breath of freedom that some of those people might never have gotten.

Of course, i laughed my butt off when he suggested that he start over in someplace like Vermont and re-invent himself as a self-made millionaire that lost everything because he didn't believe in banks. :doh:

[McGyver]

Am I a jerk because I think that us tax payers shouldn't have to pay to give all these people in NO things that they never had before? I mean, poverty is horrible and all, but if these people didn't have anything before, I can understand giving them some government housing or something, but I think they should still have to work for it. It seems kind of strange to me to go out and just give things away to people who have nothing only because a hurricane hit them. I think it's more important to help those who had belongings that got destoryed and who worked for what they had and who payed taxes into the system. What's the point of paying into a system if the only people who benefit from it are the people who don't pay into the system? Maybe I'm just a jerk. :doh:

 

Your point is well taken. How would you propose rebuilding New Orleans? Do you propose only rebuilding the parts covered by insurance, and for only those who paid their taxes?

 

Is it justified that big American companies like Haliburton and oil companies "profit" extraordinarily from this tragedy? How about the huge amount of money a cruise line was paid for the use of their ship. That company hit "paydirt!"

 

How many of you would support a stipulation that out of area rebuilding companies must price their products and services below market price, to even the weaker position of local businesses?

 

I was there in April 2005. Many of the poor had very little, and you could clearly see a racial divide - which affects opportunites. I authored this discussion on the premise that rebuilding would be undertaken, and since it would be done, it would be well worth the investment to do it correctly - so as to treat two problems with one effort.

 

New Orleans could never be rebuilt with its own resources - and that extends to the wealthy and those covered through insurance.

 

I propose that rebuilding be a combination of "public" and "private" partnerships, and again as this was a tragedy of historic proportion, companies should provide products and services below market price, with some being flat out philanthropy. Such a project would require leadership with vision, understanding of the issues, and great sales and speaking skills. Such a partnership would bring down the rebuilding costs significantly.

[rockytriton]

if a company has assets that were insured, they have the right to be paid if those assets were destoryed. If a person lives in a hole in the wall, they do not have the right to be given a palace because their hole in the wall is not just a hole with no wall. That's just what I'm trying to say. Sure it sucks that companies make a profit when a disaster happens, but what is a company? Is it not people? Is a company some evil spiritual entity or is it a group of people?

[McGyver]

if a company has assets that were insured, they have the right to be paid if those assets were destoryed. If a person lives in a hole in the wall, they do not have the right to be given a palace because their hole in the wall is not just a hole with no wall. That's just what I'm trying to say. Sure it sucks that companies make a profit when a disaster happens, but what is a company? Is it not people? Is a company some evil spiritual entity or is it a group of people?

 

It is doubtful that any of the insurance policies of the affected companies and homeowners will cover the extent of the damages from water, toxins, vandalism, and losses of revenue from no area business infrastructure - so the feds will be helping even those thought to be finacially strong and adequately covered. An issue that has arisen with area companies is how or where to get funds to pay employees when there is no work.

 

As for companies involved in rebuilding - they often get paid 2 - 3 times market price because the process was not opened up to bidding. It is also my experience that when you secure a "great volume" of business from one company - the price gets reduced - as the co. makes up for it in volume. Sadly, I don't believe this will happen in the NO rebuilding, and such many companies will get the FAT kind of rich - rather than fair market price and value for products and services. If any kind of welfare is objectionable - it is corporate welfare and cronyism.

[rockytriton]

so they get paid more and can hire more workers creating more jobs so less people will be doing nothing for free government aid.

[McGyver]

so they get paid more and can hire more workers creating more jobs so less people will be doing nothing for free government aid.

 

Rockytriton:

 

I wish this were true, but by all accounts only 7% of the rebuilding work is being done by those affected in that gulf states region. So guess what businesses the state and local governments want to encourage ASAP? New gamgling casinos. I wish someone would explain HOW gaming will spur economic growth when those who live there have NO money, and that which is spent in casinos will go to national companies with limited interests in that region.

[lindagarrette]

Rockytriton:

 

I wish this were true, but by all accounts only 7% of the rebuilding work is being done by those affected in that gulf states region. So guess what businesses the state and local governments want to encourage ASAP? New gamgling casinos. I wish someone would explain HOW gaming will spur economic growth when those who live there have NO money, and that which is spent in casinos will go to national companies with limited interests in that region.

Gambling increases state revenues through taxation. Only inflation is a greater revenue producer for the government. Also, I suppose that when the average guy has a windfall, he will purchase a truckload of consumer goods rather than stashing it away.

 

I'm disheartened by the money being thrown at supposedly disaster areas because of the huge waste, not only what you mentioned, but also how it only addresses the symptoms, not the underlying cause. Poverty in areas most affected, and prevention by better education and preparedness are approached much later if at all, and usually as an overreaction in the wrong way. I heard and this may not be fact, that many people in NO were given debit cards for up to $2000. No strings attached.

[IrishEyes]

I heard and this may not be fact, that many people in NO were given debit cards for up to $2000. No strings attached.

My brother was given a debit card by FEMA. He could spend it on basically anything he wanted. He had to fill out a mountain of paperwork to get it. He used it to buy new clothes for him and his daughter, since they were sick of wearing the same three outfits over and over again. I mean, he has friends, so his food and shelter are taken care of for the time being. What he really needed was something that would help his daughter get through this whole "ok, big stotm on its way, gotta leave.... big storm just took out my city, now we're moving.... my mom's a crazy idiot, so now we're moving back into my city that just got washed away... dad doesn't want to be away from me, where it's safe, so now dad's moving back too..." Her life is just a mess right now, so he used that FEMA money to buy her some new clothes. And that's also what he told everyone to get both of them for their birthdays ( Sept 7 & 15).

He is getting to take two classes online at his college, and they aren't charging him for the classes. But he can't find a place to live anywhere in or near the city. He says that he saw a 1 bedroom, 500 sqft apartment going for almost $1000, and it was rented the first hour the paper came out. He doesn't have enough money to rent one of these places, and it's very difficult to gett them before anyone else does anyhow. Honestly, I have no idea who is renting these places, since many companies are not open, and those prices are just outrageous for 'before storm' prices, much less when people don't even have jobs anymore!

On the job front, he's a bartender right now. That's what he does to pay the bills. Plus, it helps that he goes to college full time during the day, so he works at night. Well, there just aren't that many bars opening yet. Imagine that! He's sent out over 30 resumes, gone in for walk-ins, etc., but just no luck. Again, very difficult to get a job for him right now. But the mayor is still saying that they will have Mardi Gras. Of course, they don't have any of the hotels ready and there is no way that NO could support the millions of people that typically descend for that event. It should be a very interesting few months for the city.

 

I'm going to try to talk my brother into logging on and sharing some stuff with you guys. If nothing else, he's got some great pics that could go in the gallery.

[lindagarrette]

I wonder what sort of paperwork was required to qualify for the debit card. Obviously, posing that requirement was a method of discrimination. Wonder how many poor, unemploiyed minimally educated and uninformed black families were able to complete the paperwork. I suspect FEMA didn't just hand out the cards randomly or to the "most needy." Relief programs are notoriously unfair. A few hundred new homes were raised by Habitat for Humanity. That's great for the elite few who got lucky or were selected based on who knows what criteria.

 

I heard one newscast about a family giving thanks and praising God after they moved into their new house. We can't blame God as if he were a terrorist, since he doesn't exist. If he did exist, he would be a terrible entity to perpetrate such catastrophe on unsuspecting and undeserving people, regardless of how destitute they already were.

[rockytriton]

Maybe God does exist, but he create the earth as a science experiment and he doesn't interfere, so it's probably unfair to call him terrible because he doesn't cause the problems nor stop them. Also, the governemnt isn't to blame when people didn't go to school and learn to read. It's a bunch of BS to say that it's the government's fault for not giving enough money to education, that's not what causes them to fail in school, it's laziness and poor parental influence. I think natural selection comes into play when illiterate people cannot fend for themselves to get aid.

[IrishEyes]

I wonder what sort of paperwork was required to qualify for the debit card. Obviously, posing that requirement was a method of discrimination.

I just don't follow your line of thinking here. How is having to fill out a few forms an act of discrimination? What in the world do you mean by that?

Wonder how many poor, unemploiyed minimally educated and uninformed black families were able to complete the paperwork. I suspect FEMA didn't just hand out the cards randomly or to the "most needy." Relief programs are notoriously unfair.

How so? Is it unfair that my brother got help because he is a poor white man, instead of a poor black man? Or is it unfair that he actually got out and looked for people that were offering help, and found what he needed to get on with his life? I'll ask him to make sure, but I seriously doubt the paperwork had racist questions. From what he explained, it was more of a "who are you and where did you live" type of thing, more for keeping track of who already received them than anything else.

A few hundred new homes were raised by Habitat for Humanity. That's great for the elite few who got lucky or were selected based on who knows what criteria.

Habitat for Humanity seems like a really great program to me. And while a few hundred is nothing near what will be needed, at least they are doing something! As for the 'elite few' that were lucky enough to get selected, there is a criteria. You can check it out on the FAQ page for HFHI.

HFHI FAQ page

[McGyver]

I have read with great interest the many views and 1st and 2nd hand accounts of issues facing New Orleans. Sadly, I believe the very people (NO mayor, city council, and governor) entrusted to run government in that region have LITTLE to NO experience in the rebuilding that this region faces. As such, there is and has been tremendous waste - and cronyism too.

 

Government officials need to call for an appointed CHIEF to lead the rebuilding, and then step aside. Mayor Nagan is actually hurting progress now by his emotionally-led efforts. Public and private partnerships with Fortune 500 companies could be HUGE in facilitating the rebuilding - as well as leadership. They need jobs, but businesses 1st, and businesses willing to operate at a loss for a period of time - and this is difficult. Then they need housing, and general infrastructure services. It must be a piece by piece strategic development process. A $2000 debit card is nothing. That will last maybe a month at best.

 

Mayor Nagan and other local leaders must accept that NO will NOT be a tourists destination for 1 to 2 years, and forget about pushing for Mardi Gras. It may be symbolic for progress - but it's actually delerious to put up as a marker of progress!

 

My sister lives in NO proper, so I get reports from her and they are really saddened over when NO might be functional. Her husband is having to make payroll when there is limited work in his oil related operations, nor housing for employees.

 

I look forward to seeing 1st or 2nd hand accounts on this thread from the region.

[IrishEyes]

Hey McG - Where did your sister and family go when the storm hit? My brother went to Baton Rouge during the storm, then to Lafayette for the weeks after. He's now back in Metarie with friends, looking for a place to stay. His ex-wife is back in their house, minimal damage. How did your sister's house fare? And do they know of anyone renting places right now? Or in need of a really good bartender? ;)

[McGyver]

Hey McG - Where did your sister and family go when the storm hit? My brother went to Baton Rouge during the storm, then to Lafayette for the weeks after. He's now back in Metarie with friends, looking for a place to stay. His ex-wife is back in their house, minimal damage. How did your sister's house fare? And do they know of anyone renting places right now? Or in need of a really good bartender? :)

 

They shared a place in Florida with another family. They have moved their kids to private schools as the public schools were being used by rescue and rebuild staff. Their house suffered some minimal wind, tree, and water damage - since they live north of town. I can't speak for them as to accomodating other people - they have their hands full. Many people even with jobs in the area find housing scarce. I suspect the best resource for work or housing would be through local sources and Internet bulletin boards. Have your brother go to the respective parish government web sites. Search on Google the parish name, and look for sites that are .org for best bulletin boards.

[McGyver]

As many of you have observed in media coverage, there has been a tremendous outpouring of federal and private funds to assist those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. I identify three (3) phases: 1) Acute response and rescue (nearly complete); 2) Interim management of displaced and affected residents (up to 3 mo); and 3) Long term rebuilding and reintroduction of the displaced populace into society (up to 3 years).

 

In this discussion, I am most interested in #3 - regarding reintroduction and "reinventing" of those most severely affected by the disaster. The plight of the poor in New Orleans can be summed up in a quote from a Black woman displaced by the disaster:

 

"I had nothing before Katrina hit, and now I have less."

 

Clearly her sentiments reflect the dismal living conditions that the poor and many Blacks faced in the region. My perspective of their plight today, however, is that their outlook may have never looked better!

 

Opportunities of a lifetime for work and self-improvement may come out of this disaster. Displaced residents with no home or job will likely be provided unprescendented opportunities not seen since the great depression, with extensive federal and private works and educational resources. The solution, however, is not how MUCH money is spent on the disaster, rather, WHAT new training and opportunities for work become available. Those most affected will have the opportunity of a lifetime to "reinvent themselves."

 

Katrina victims will need to reassess their lives and choose where they want to be with their lives. Resources should be prentiful for 1 to 3 years - and they need guidance and structure on how to best utilize these opportunities. This way - we're not simply throwing around money, we're investing in our people, which will pay dividends down the road.

 

When reinventing oneself - one must believe there are no barriers, no limits - only those one chooses to impose and adopt!

 

I hope viewers won't dismiss this as some kind of "liberal proposal," rather, view it as a sensable solution to a serious and lonstanding problem - brought to the forefront by Hurricane Katrina.

 

I'd appreciate other's thoughts and suggestions on the above.

 

In light of the announcement that the federal government's spending on Hurricane Katrina and recovery will expire on March 15, 2006, I felt the need to re-introduce this discussion.

 

I wrote that the final determinent of the relief effort's success would NOT so much be about money spent, rather, about a vision and planning. After six months, it would appear that deficiencies in vision and planning have been the achilles heel of the rebuilding efforts. Perhaps more startling was that with so much emphasis on "dollars spent," relief efforts became much more about the interests of the organizations and the government agencies - than about the future of the people and communities they were supposed to help.

 

Sociology students (particularly those in post graduate studies) should use the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts as a critical CASE STUDY on government and private sector community rebuilding.

 

My assessment is that there was too much emphasis on how it occurred and the dollars being spent, and too little on a vision for the future that would include such things as joint partnerships with the private sector, enterprise zones, and work programs, etc.. In the end, too much of the rebuilding was outsourced to out-of-state Fortune 500 firms.

 

It is too difficult at this juncture to project what the future may hold for New Orleans and the surrounding devastated towns. But with most of the allocated private and federal moneys having now mostly been spent - I will share that I am no longer enthusiastically optomistic as I once was!

[J.B]

Check this out:

 

http://www.wimp.com/orleansbattle/

 

Reality