Holly Sarre, New Orleans artist of Jackson Square, has hope for the city.
Credit: Carol Forsloff | ©Carol Forsloff
Natchitoches, Louisiana -- Those people living in Louisiana can remember where they were and what they were doing when Hurricane Katrina hit the coast. That's true even in the North and Central areas of the State that only felt a little wind that day. Those who watched the events unfold from the comfort of living rooms in areas of Louisiana not impacted by the storm said they found it painful to watch the grandest city in the State, and the most unique in the nation, dissolve first into the wind, then the water, then the dissolution, disarray, chaos and ruin. Folks around the nation watched New Orleans taken down past its knees and on to its belly by the terrible storm Hurricane Katrina. What is it like there now? A visit before the 2008 election provided some answers.
More than three years later the city still stands wretched, despite protestations of officials to the contrary. In August 2008, after edges of another storm passed around the great city, it was savaged again. Folks can still be seen walking dazed along the streets filled with litter that blows from all sides. Little activity remains in the hot spots of the city except the bars with men who stand at the doorways, leering for citizens to enter. New Orleans doesn't look like the pictures on television this October before the election. It continues to look like a dazed woman that has staggered into the sunlight after a wretched night with too much liquor and too many men.
Politicians in Louisiana declare that New Orleans is 100% better. It hardly looks so. Buildings look ragged; people look hopeless. The landscape of the city is not what it was before; and one wonders if it ever will be what it once was before the storm.
More than three years later the city still stands wretched, despite protestations of officials to the contrary. In August 2008, after edges of another storm passed around the great city, it was savaged again. Folks can still be seen walking dazed along the streets filled with litter that blows from all sides. Little activity remains in the hot spots of the city except the bars with men who stand at the doorways, leering for citizens to enter. New Orleans doesn't look like the pictures on television this October before the election. It continues to look like a dazed woman that has staggered into the sunlight after a wretched night with too much liquor and too many men.
Politicians in Louisiana declare that New Orleans is 100% better. It hardly looks so. Buildings look ragged; people look hopeless. The landscape of the city is not what it was before; and one wonders if it ever will be what it once was before the storm.
Comments
Onemargaret, Many of the people that left NO stayed away, people in the ninth ward were bused and in many cases, did not have the money to return. Those that could return knew that they would be without electricity and power for an extended period, and they chose to build new lives elsewhere. After the storm, and the houses being wet and empty.... roaches and rats flourished. Termites thought they were at a buffet. The roads were all littered with debris and many many nails, screws and broken glass. Since the city gave most of the cleanup contracts to relatives out of town... the contractors got in no hurry to get anything done. Stagnant water in houses and derelict pools made mosquitos unbearable. All of that and the fact that most services (grocery stores, gas stations, etc were not operating.. made NO like a third world country.
New Orleans still looks very much like it did after the hurricane. People have waited for years to receive the help that was promised them only to be disappointed time and again. What people need to realize though is that George Bush DID NOT cause the hurricane no matter what the liberal comments here suggest. The system in New Orleans (which was, and still is corrupt) received billions of dollars in relief money which disappeared into some huge black hole. It might be noted that the entire governing body of NO were Democrats and THEY were the ones that encouraged cronyism, waste and incompetence. Bobby Jindal got elected because the greater majority of people in Louisiana were tired of being robbed by the Democratic Political machine there.
Great article. I often wondered how things were really doing, since Katrina hit. There was so much attentiion focused to the city for awhile, then hardly anything was said. What happened to all the homeless people, who were bused to different parts of the United States? Do they have permanent homes now? I am sure that some people moved back to their homes, but, if so, what other dangers did they face upon arrival? There was so much damage and alot of people died. I felt so bad for the old people in the rest home. So, so sad! Some things just won't go away, no matter how much time has passed! Thank you for the insight. Have a wonderful day.
I am surprised that there has not been more coverage and exposure of the conditions that the area still endures. The treatment of the area and its people is just another fatality of the current administration. Why the American People have LET them continue to ruin this aspect of what our country once stood for is an embarassment to those of who care more about what happens to our citizens than continuing to "fight" an unwinnable "war". The most reputable VICTORY that our country could attain would be to take care of its people first! This is what spreading the wealth is all about, not what some lead others to believe. I'd love to read more about the current state of the Katrina hit areas if you have more info!
Great job
Kudos on this article. New Orleans is so wonderful....
I know where I was during Katrina as well, Carol. I was glued to my television, watching Geraldo and Anderson and others in open-mouthed dismay, shock, and disbelief. Bush's response to Katrina was an impeachable offense. It was Congress' non -response to Bush's non-response that really pissed me off. All those people dead and dying and that ridiculous piece of crap flying over and offering worthless platitudes. And then Congress letting him get away with it. The entire bunch should have been sent packing... My apologies. Good article. I love New Orleans. I'm hoping for a strong comeback...
Great job on article! Front page is the perfect place for it to be.
The devastation that still continues Louisiana is heart breaking. I will never understand how such a beautiful cultural city could be consistently overlooked and forgotten by the nation it has inspired with art, music, and so much more!!!
Thank you for your submission. You have been featured on the front page of AC in the "In the News" section.
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