Today started off pretty slow. It was our first day going to neighborhoods in New Orleans pamphleting. We hit up areas, in which there were many shoppers and passer-byers. It wasn't quite too much of a success, especially since we walked in gloomy cold weather. We went through Magazine Street and were educated about some of the history of New Orleans. But the event that really topped off the day was that night.
After dinner, we attended Tulane University to listen to Dr. Cornel West. Going to that event and listening to his wise and powerful words, is exactly what we needed to hear. A lot of the students felt as if he was directing his whole speech towards us and what we as young people are striving to do and change. He dropped down knowledge and reinforced ideas that I needed to reminded of: about society, mainstream, the importance of individualism and courage, and how I do NOT want to be a "peacock." "A peacock struts because he can't fly," West said when referring to rappers who only try to look pretty with the bling bling, money and success. They're faking the funk.
After West spoke, the Louisiana Winter students were invited on the stage. Scott told West the details about the project and West replied, "You got 120% of my support." Students left the auditorium inspired and ready to take on the rest of the week. I know I did.
Wednesday, January 17
This was an early and definately QUIET morning. 6am and ready for our bus ride to Mississippi! We were welcomed with open arms at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Gulfport, MS. Kay Bethea, a Gulfport resident and Katrina survivor, spoke to us students about her experience during and after the storm. "I did not expect much from the government, and I have even got less," Kay said.
She shared her before and after photos with us, describing to us how her home was covered under 26-feet of water. She also gave a detailed desription of the stench of rotten food and how death peremeated throughout her neighborhood after she returned to see the damages Katrina had caused.
What followed, was the door-to-door visits we made to Gulfport residents. This was my favorite part of the day- being out in the neighborhoods and talking to residents who have been directly affected by the hurricane. I cannot stress the difference of hearing about Gulf Coast survivors through the filters of the media and actually meeting them for myself. It's surprising to sense their genuine willingness to listen to me, even if in the back of our heads, we know that they probably are tired of hearing people talk to them after more than a year of continous false promises. But the thing is, even if we just met, at that moment we are connected. And it's definately a beautiful thing when they respond with enthusiasm or even with a genuine nod of the head acknowledging the cause.
Gulfport resident Everett Roberson and his dog Buster at the Katrina Kitchen talked about his life before Katrina. He was once a photographer for twenty years and became a chef.
Shannon Cook, who lives in one of the FEMA park trailers, had a lot of interesting things to say about his community and with the social issues.
ANd here is my favorite photo. Through the rubble...
The flower that grew from concrete...
1 comment:
I've heard of Dr. West before, and what an honor it must have been to meet this extraordinary human being. It still amazes me to even acknowledge and accept how there are people like him, or people like you, who continue to DEFY the conventional, and continue to push the limits of the ordinary expectations of how and what a human life is capable of accomplishing. I'm at awe in reading your words and seeing the images you capture through the lens. And it is through your words, your pictures, and your stories that will make difference in peoples lives.
Congrats on your internships and journey through life!
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