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December 08, 2005
New Orleans Katrina Victims Speak Out
By: Rowan
There are a number of hearings happening in Washington right now on the response to, and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. C-Span has the streaming videos of a number of the now available. Of the testimony that I have seen, there is none more riveting than those of the New Orleans's victims. The video is listed as "Challenges Facing African-American Evacuees from Hurricane Katrina," Parts 1 and 2.
While there is a lot that is startling in the testimony of those who lived through this debacle, what is truly striking is the new perspective this offers. The coverage we saw was one point of view. Even the interviews with the victims did not get at this extended first person testimony. One has to wonder, why the corporate press did not interview these people.
Regardless, the issues that are raised, and the perceptions shared go to a very different level of understanding. For example, the perceptions of being someone trapped on your roof as helicopter after helicopter passes you by. The perceptions of how one responds to gun fire when you have seen people shot down in front of you by police. Or the feelings of trying to escape from the city only to be turned back by men with guns.
If you have a little time, I highly recommend watching this testimony.
Posted by Rowan at December 8, 2005 10:52 AM Category: Environmental Justice