Naw'lins
I sit here and watch the news reports and I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that New Orleans is pretty much gone. A major US city, one large enough to support a National Football League franchise, home of two of the most insane parties I've ever seen in Mardi Gras and Jazzfest...gone. Underwater, destroyed, devestated. It's too horrific and mind boggling for me to even understand.
I went to Jazzfest a few years ago and had a blast. New Orleans was the kind of place you could go for a weekend and have the time of your life but it can also get old fast. 3 days are perfect...4, too many. I was fascinated by the history, myths and legends of the French Quarter at the same time I was repulsed by the smells and ubiquitous puddles of vague "liquid" that seemed to be all over Bourbon Street. The city was alive. It had a heartbeat and an energy all it's own. And now, it's gone.
My heart breaks for the people trapped there, the people that lost their homes and families when the levy broke. I'm heartened by all of the people who seem to be helping out. And I'm disgusted at people like Sean Penn who are trying to get a photo op out of the whole deal (Penn allegedly took his boat down there, complete with personal photographer to document his "valiant" efforts). It makes me think back to 9/11 and how the nation really pulled together and you felt a sense of unity. Sure, there's a lot of finger pointing about who didn't do what when and who hates who. But that's just white noise. I prefer to focus on the people who are giving of themselves and helping out.
It's a shame it always takes a disaster for people to look up from their own lives and help others. It'd be nice to see it done, "just because".
I encourage you to give anything you can to the Red Cross. You can click the button below and be taken to their secure donation page.
<< Home