I have only managed to post a couple of comments although a day late due to being very busy 18 of the 24 hours the day before these posts started. We have been collecting and packing boxes of food, toiletries, clothes, you name it we packed it. There is still much to do and I unlike some who seem to believe flapping their gums will do someone some good have been working my behind off to do some real good. We will have enough supplies to fill two aircrafts. I don't care who gets these supplies, what their nationallity is, their color is or there sex is, so long as someone in 'need' gets them. I would like to see everyone put their muscle where there mouths are and do something, everyone can do something no matter how small it might seem. We are Boomer Women, we are better than this bickering and I am going to speak out of turn here so listen up. Yes Smile came across a bit harsh but she has been there, done that and maybe has earned the right to be a bit harsh and for those of you that see racism in her comments, I'm here to tell you that she and I were on the telephone a day before those comments and she was telling me her and her husband were discussing taking in a couple of the "NEEDIEST" families and putting them up, she said she could make room in her large home. She was tearfull as was I at what we were seeing going on right here in America. This is the woman some try to say is a racist. Not true and I hope she stays my friend after me telling you this. I apologize to her ahead of time but this finger pointing has to stop and stop now. She simply has a different take on some things as do others. Unless you do not live in a glass house, don't even think of picking up that stone. I am of the white race (big deal) but my heart and soul are multi colored and always have been. God Almighty created us all, remember that please and be kind, be kind, be kind!

[ September 05, 2005, 07:40 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

Chatty, thanks for your voice, and for being an inspiration. I too have great respect and love for Smile...when I first arrived here, broken and lost, Smile's was one of the voices here that brought great healing and warm care into my lonely life. So I know first hand what a caring, loving, kind person she is.

I wonder if anyone else has noticed in the midst of everything else that's going on here that Smile's son-in-law is in the National Guard and has been in NO since the very beginning, including those early days when rescue workers were being shot at. She's been worried sick for his safety, and yet I can't recall anybody here asking her about him, including me.

Smile, I'm sorry for forgetting to ask about him for this long. Have you heard from him? And isn't your daughter also in the National Guard?

Gee, what a difference a few days make. I went to Gatlinburg with some friends and any time we were in the condo, I had the news on, hoping and praying for the stranded victims to either get food and water and even better, get taken out of the city. 1 friend said watching it made her get depressed and it makes me sad also, but I couldn't pry myself away because I had to see people get rescued.

I was very surprised at the tone this thread has taken. I'm not sure if the offensive post was written before I left or after. The last post I read from Smile did not seem racist to me.

I believe the rescue delays and problems were due to the incompetence of the local and state governments and not based on race by the US. I certainly do believe there are racist people in this country, but our country as a whole is NOT. The Red Cross couldn't have collected $300M within just a few days if it was, or have people of all colors risking their lives to rescue those suffering. And even if a politician is a racist, they would not be stupid enough to do something that would cause him to get voted out of office in a heartbeat.

However, as we watched the happenings in NO, I was very shocked that there were very few poor white people who were stranded. Now, I am not familiar with the history of NO or the south and have only visited as a tourist. I realized that the poor were left behind, because they had no money, transportation or the good health to leave. Aren't there any poor white people in NO? Am I the only one asking this question?

Can we help each other understand?

Daisygirl

Maybe you didn't watch enough of the TV coverage. I saw dozen upon dozen of poor whites in the Convention center waiting for help. There are more blacks as a whole that populate New Orleans so of course there would be more in harms way. No one has mentioned the very large Asian commuinities either who needed rescueing. Today many of the rescuers were finding people still in their homes that REFUSED to leave no matter what the rescuers said. I don't understand this but I think its fear of the unknown and so many have seen Hurricanes every year and refuse to believe the City is not going to be business as usual. Larry King had Ex President Bush and Barbara Bush on tonight and he and Pesident Clinton raised in only 24 hours somewhere near $50 million dollars so far. We are people helping people, black, white, asian no matter, all are helping one another now when needed. God Bless us all.....

[ September 05, 2005, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

A quick answer on NO history is that many of them settled there after slavery was abolished and just never left. This swamp land was not fit for much but these people made it anyhow. Many more were forced by there slave masters to build the levees to protect the surrounding parishes. Most of them were freed from the French and given parcels of swamp land. They built their houses on bricks above the water and started making the wonderful art we see there todate to sell. The freed slaves were from many different tribes so there was an eclectic array of fine arts, music and art combined to make what has shaped NO. Most of them made their money by sitting on the corners with bands they formed playing their music and relying on tips from locals and tourist.

The deep soulful sultry sounds of the authentic blues that song the words to the pain they'd experienced began as a hobby or just plain of family/friends entertainment. Music combined with the exotic culinary artists and the mystery folk became the lure of NO.

The Cajun is a combination of French, Spanish, Indian and Africans that banned together to try to make life work after slavery was outlawed.

Many of us will feel the impact of loosing such people...the food and music especially. But, on the brighter side of that, these wonderful cooks and artists will be distributed throughout America now. I know that when I make Cajun foods, especially gumbo, dirty rice and jambalya and Pecan pies and Praline and blackberry dumplings, friends and family will travel miles for the authentic delights.

You can Google the history of NO to get an array of perspectives. Not many of them will mention the very origins or the people in the background of the mystery that attracts the tourists. National Geographics, PBS and The History Channels have done elaborate documentaries that display some of the very people that refuse to leave right now. They are very private and non-trusting of many people. This was just passed down like cultural DNA.

There are many plantations that profit there too. Tourists go to see the chains and little shacks that have been restored to preserve this history. There is also an original ship that was used to bring in the human cargo. Those chains lay on the bottoms of the ships and about the ships.

Too bad all of the original history has been washed away but maybe it is time to really put that behind.

Sheree

[ September 05, 2005, 11:49 PM: Message edited by: Sugaree ]

I heard many people didn't want to leave their homes because they didn't want to leave their pets behind. I know I would be very distraught if I had to leave my dog to such an uncertain fate.......I just couldn't imagine!

Yes, I did see some white people, but it was very disproportionate.


Daisygirl

I've heard from one of my friend who lived in Gulfport...she emailed me to let me know she was way up North at an AFB...but no other news from anyone else...I've been looking for names in the Red Cross.org link and found my friend who lived near the Grand Casino/Hotel that was destroyed in the hurricane...at least she's safe...her house is probably destroyed...I'll know next week when I head out to Gulfport to see for myself and help where I can there. There are still many not accounted for. This is all so heart breaking.

Sheree, thank you for the short history of NO. I read it the first time very late last night after a day of car travel. I am interested in finding more information and will research as I can find the time.

God can take any horrible situation and make something good come from it. I pray that the poor who were left behind will find a new and better life.

Daisygirl

Sheree,
I've always been fascinated by NO and it's history- I know once these resiliant people put this beautiful city back together I am going to plan a trip there because the art and music and food can't be beat!!

Been there as well and oh my goodness the sounds (music) and the smells(great food)was something you had to experience to appreciate. I do believe Bourbon Street and most of the historical places will rise again from the rubble around them. Some were hardly damamged at all. Maybe this tragedy will accomplish something that has gone unheeded far too long, the need to strenghten the levees...Much is now being done and with all eyes on the powers that be, much more will be done and done right...