Reflecting on the Not So Lovely Katrina
Thursday September 1, 2005
New Orleans "will not be functional for two or three months,"
according to Mayor Nagin. And President Bush said the recovery will take years. The Big Easy, America's iconic "drink, dance and be merry" city, is not rolling in good times this week. It has come to symbolize a disaster that reaches far beyond the Mississippi, a disaster of such scope that it is almost beyond comprehension.
More than 78,000 refugees are living in shelters from New Orleans to Mobile -- hot, cramped and thirsty. But how do you relocate thousands of people when the transportation infrastructure is in tatters? The 20,000 or so refugees in the Superdome are supposed to be moved to Houston's Astrodome by Friday. And the Feds have reportedly talked to cruise lines about using ships as floating shelters.
Why might New Orleans have come to symbolize this disaster? I believe it is more than the glitter of the French Quarter, which is a well-preserved historical neighborhood with fifth generation families. New Orleans is almost 300 years old. It was founded in 1718 by a French Canadian naval officer, Jean Baptiste Bienville. Then in 1762, Louis XV transferred Louisiana to his Spanish cousin. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase secured the colony for the United States; we bought the land from Napolean (the colony had been secretly returned to France in 1800). In 1812, Louisiana became the 18th state. By 1840, the New Orleans port was ranked fourth in the world, and in 1852, it was the third largest city in the country.
New Orleans is a place of legend: it was the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, where General Andrew Jackson upset British forces in the War of 1812. It is also the birthplace of jazz, America's contribution to the world of music. And it is a memorable vacation (or business trip) for 10 million tourists each year.
That the city has survived this long is a miracle. In 1788 and 1794 the French Quarter was almost destroyed by fire. In 1913, Albert Baldwin Wood developed the screw pump, the technology used to insulate New Orleans from the waters around (and above) her.
New Orleans is fixed in my mind as an exotic and sultry spot. One designed for carefree living and creole cooking ... shared laughter with friends, along with café au lait and beignets (and the occasional Pat O'Brian Hurricane!). When I see the news reports, I feel voyeuristic and sad at the same time. I hope that I will be able to once again visit the Crescent City, to walk Bourbon Street and sway to jazz notes filtering into the street. With a heavy heart, I hope.
See History of the French Quarter, Gateway to New Orleans, New Orleans History (Mayor's Office)
Technorati Tags:
Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Politics
More than 78,000 refugees are living in shelters from New Orleans to Mobile -- hot, cramped and thirsty. But how do you relocate thousands of people when the transportation infrastructure is in tatters? The 20,000 or so refugees in the Superdome are supposed to be moved to Houston's Astrodome by Friday. And the Feds have reportedly talked to cruise lines about using ships as floating shelters.
Why might New Orleans have come to symbolize this disaster? I believe it is more than the glitter of the French Quarter, which is a well-preserved historical neighborhood with fifth generation families. New Orleans is almost 300 years old. It was founded in 1718 by a French Canadian naval officer, Jean Baptiste Bienville. Then in 1762, Louis XV transferred Louisiana to his Spanish cousin. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase secured the colony for the United States; we bought the land from Napolean (the colony had been secretly returned to France in 1800). In 1812, Louisiana became the 18th state. By 1840, the New Orleans port was ranked fourth in the world, and in 1852, it was the third largest city in the country.
New Orleans is a place of legend: it was the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, where General Andrew Jackson upset British forces in the War of 1812. It is also the birthplace of jazz, America's contribution to the world of music. And it is a memorable vacation (or business trip) for 10 million tourists each year.
That the city has survived this long is a miracle. In 1788 and 1794 the French Quarter was almost destroyed by fire. In 1913, Albert Baldwin Wood developed the screw pump, the technology used to insulate New Orleans from the waters around (and above) her.
New Orleans is fixed in my mind as an exotic and sultry spot. One designed for carefree living and creole cooking ... shared laughter with friends, along with café au lait and beignets (and the occasional Pat O'Brian Hurricane!). When I see the news reports, I feel voyeuristic and sad at the same time. I hope that I will be able to once again visit the Crescent City, to walk Bourbon Street and sway to jazz notes filtering into the street. With a heavy heart, I hope.
See History of the French Quarter, Gateway to New Orleans, New Orleans History (Mayor's Office)
Technorati Tags:
Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Politics