This is a quote that is of reflection to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, not on catastrophic terms based on a rebuild of structures and a city as a whole, but on the subject of discrimination. Since Hurricane Katrina made its arrival to land some eleven years ago, there have been accusations of blatant racism in the governments response, but this being accompanied by adamant denials that race has played any part at all. What happened during and after Hurricane Katrina was determined not only by the present circumstances in the Gulf Coast but also by a history of discriminatory policies, particular in the New Orleans area, that created socioeconomic and consequent housing disparities along racial lines. There has been a recognition of a particular "colorblindness" in the aftermath without any particular sensitivity to the black population which in turn, these actions, were subtly biased and produced racially disparate consequences.
In the midst of the impact that Hurricane Katrina had, being catastrophic by all measures, it was particularly devastating for blacks. The flooding caused particularly damaging to Black neighborhoods-communities that were for the most part not insured against floods. This is where the discrimination lies. Many of the Blacks in New Orleans who survived but were displaced by the catastrophe will not be able to afford a return to the city and the areas they once lived. In historical means, New Orleans, a place of institutional discrimination which has show discriminatory reflection in housing and mortgage policies and practices have left Blacks more vulnerable to begin with. This vulnerability came to a head when the evacuation orders were issued. Many Blacks who were at risk, lacked the resources that would sustain their leaving. During the response in the time of emergency, there was found a different pattern of initial, visceral responsiveness as well as the observed pattern of actual intervention for Black and White victims. In the review of the response, it was found that response was quite different in correlation to if New Orleans had been inhabited more by Whites rather than Black citizens.
In the midst of it all, the discrimination lies in the response and recovery of a city that was in ruins. Study and examination finds that response may have been different if demographic and race were suited in a different way. Many in the Black population faced multiple forms of discrimination, especially in terms of rescue and recovery. Overall, this has caused racial distrust and suspicions in the New Orleans area as a whole, even eleven years later.
Video Retrieved from: ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUyx-vBwcog
The Presbytere Museum was very open to what happened during Hurricane Katrina and was sure to show every part even the parts where many may be embarrassed or not want to admit to such a thing taking place like inequality. It was shown in the exhibit that African American's were not treated the same as other races, some were even denied special programs to rebuild their homes.
Information by Emily Cohoon
Works Cited
Henkel, Kirstin, et al. "Institutional Discrimination, Individual Racism, and Hurricane Katrina." Psu.edu, Penn State, 2006, citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download Doi: 10.1.570.1586
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