Katrina exposes New Orleans’ deep poverty

[Amelia]

Katrina exposes New Orleans’ deep poverty

Media images of looters shed light on city’s issues regarding race, class

By Bob Faw

Correspondent

NBC News

Sept. 1, 2005

WASHINGTON - Americans, watching from afar, have been stunned. Some have been sickened by the looting, random and indiscriminate. Basics and luxuries — anything not nailed down — are hauled off.

But don’t act surprised, some argue.

“There are always people who are going to be opportunistic when they see situations unfolding the way that they are in New Orleans,” says Jeffrey Robinson, a professor of urban economic studies at New York University.

But why are so many of those so-called “opportunists” — on TV, at least — black?

The answer? Sixty-seven percent of New Orleans' residents are black. And huge numbers of them are poor. Nearly 30 percent of people in New Orleans live below the poverty line, and only a handful of large American cities have lower household incomes than the Big Easy.

For young, distressed Katrina victims, it’s even worse: Only Mississippi next door has a higher child poverty rate than Louisiana. According to estimates, half of all children in Louisiana live in poverty.

It was already bad before Katrina — most of the poor didn’t have insurance. Some needed to wait for their government checks, due the first of the month, three days after Katrina hit. Some 134,000 people couldn’t leave because they couldn't afford transportation.

This natural disaster illustrates what experts have known all along — disasters do not treat everyone alike. Surviving is easier for whites who have than for blacks who don’t. And when push comes to shove, it’s every man, woman and child for himself.

Katrina is, in its aftermath, exposing a part of the Big Easy overlooked in all that hype about Mardi Gras, jasmine and flaming desserts — the catastrophe has shed light on misery and provided an unfortunate commentary on race and class.

[Dr. Shane]

What has occured to me over and over is that laws do make people act morally. The reason so many do not steal is because it is against the law - which means there is an enforcing civil authority. Take away the law enforcement and self-will runs riot.

We saw this same thing in Bagdad after Saddam fell. For a time there was no law enforcment and looting abounded. Unfortunately many people only obey the law because of the consequences of breaking it. Now we even have people raping others. Why? Because there are no consequences, no law enforcement.

[Dr. Shane]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Surviving is easier for whites who have than for blacks who don’t.

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Why play the race card? It is also true that it is easier for blacks that have than whites that don't. Blacks don't have a monopoly on poverty. Money does make one safer. No doubt about that. However the black mayor should have done a lot more to protect the black poor.

[Naomi]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Shane said:

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Surviving is easier for whites who have than for blacks who don’t.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Why play the race card? It is also true that it is easier for blacks that have than whites that don't. Blacks don't have a monopoly on poverty. Money does make one safer. No doubt about that. However the black mayor should have done a lot more to protect the black poor.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Thank you Shane.

That statement could be reversed, Surviving is easier for blacks who have than for whites who don't. Why not just say, "Surviving is easier for those who have." ?

Naomi

[cricket]

Quote:

---

Unfortunately many people only obey the law because of the consequences of breaking it. Now we even have people raping others. Why? Because there are no consequences, no law enforcement.

---

Ahh, but there are consequences! The consequences may not seem to be immediate, but there are consequences. In finality, the law will be enforced. That is the law that says the wages of sin is death! Praise be to God for those of us who will uphold our morals--who have faith that justice will ultimately be served--even during the times when no immediate, man-made punishment is being met.

[cricket]

Even so, this statement is also true: Surviving is easier for whites who have than it is for blacks who have. The "race card" is always played.

I read a news article tonight that said that something like 40% of the population in New Orleans is black. The majority of the poverty-stricken are among these same people. The TV images of looters, by consequence, are mainly those of black people. These images then become ingrained in the human mind.

No matter who you are--white, black, red, yellow, orange, green, whatever--you will be affected by visual stimuli. If the people were purple and these images were played over and over, you'd fear purple people.

I would venture to say that if you lived in the outskirts of New Orleans, your blood pressure would be more likely to rise if you saw a black man approaching your family more than it would rise if a white man were approaching.

[Bravus]

It's sad that race is an issue: it shouldn't be. But I was reading somewhere that... Ah, here are those stats:

White (28 percent of population) -- $31,971

Latino (3 percent of the population) -- $16,151

Black (67 percent) -- $11,332

It's simply true (and shameful) that there are more black folk who are very poor there than anyone else - and perhaps hiding that is itself a problem.

But here's another perspective on the looting (the rapes and murders are different):

"Every time I read an article about "looting" my blood pressure rises. New Orleans is largely destroyed, thousands are possibly killed, hundreds of thousands will be homeless for quite a while. So why are we giving even a second glance at looting?

The people left behind in New Orleans are the poorest residents, the ones who couldn't afford to buy a car to run away in, or buy a plane ticket out of Louisiana. They're stuck in a ruined city with no fresh water, no electricity, and no way out except by helicopter rescue teams. Of course they're going to "loot" grocery stores. How are they going to survive otherwise? And it's not as though there's anyone in the store to accept their money if they did want to pay.

These are poor people left to die in the face of a hurricane. We've failed them enough already without branding their struggle to survive as criminal.

-- Denise Riffle"

(Letter to the editor from Salon.com)

In other words, is property crime the big issue when dead bodies are lying in the streets, in the Louisiana heat, in the places where crowds of people are stranded, for days on end? Sure, some people grabbed TVs as well as food from stores... and that's wrong, but again, is it the most important issue right now?

[Naomi]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Bravus said:

...........

But here's another perspective on the looting (the rapes and murders are different):

"Every time I read an article about "looting" my blood pressure rises. New Orleans is largely destroyed, thousands are possibly killed, hundreds of thousands will be homeless for quite a while. So why are we giving even a second glance at looting?

The people left behind in New Orleans are the poorest residents, the ones who couldn't afford to buy a car to run away in, or buy a plane ticket out of Louisiana. They're stuck in a ruined city with no fresh water, no electricity, and no way out except by helicopter rescue teams. Of course they're going to "loot" grocery stores. How are they going to survive otherwise? And it's not as though there's anyone in the store to accept their money if they did want to pay.

These are poor people left to die in the face of a hurricane. We've failed them enough already without branding their struggle to survive as criminal.

-- Denise Riffle"

(Letter to the editor from Salon.com)

In other words, is property crime the big issue when dead bodies are lying in the streets, in the Louisiana heat, in the places where crowds of people are stranded, for days on end? Sure, some people grabbed TVs as well as food from stores... and that's wrong, but again, is it the most important issue right now?

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

People first, things second. Most of the stuff will be ruined or lost no matter whose hands hold it. When it comes to getting things to survive for your family or yourself, would any one of us not go into a store and take food, water, diapers, medicine ... those things necessary to function? Who can throw the first stone?

[Naomi]

An interesting story last evening:

The police were taking away a man who had several cases of water and some other items. The wife and children were crying and begging them not to take him away. He was handcluffed. The things he had taken from the store were on the sidewalk. She & the children and others grabbed the stuff and walked away.

What's wrong with this picture?

[cricket]

Was he taken away for looting, or was he taken away for shooting someone while in the process of looting?

[Bravus]

But on the *other*, other hand, there are plenty of poor people who might take some food and water, but otherwise are still doing the right thing even in these extreme circumstances, and some who are preying on others and trying to enrich themselves. I get Shane's bit about laws making people behave and their absence showing what people do without police enforcement, but it's important to remember that it's not everyone, just some people, who choose to be lawless when there is no law enforcement. Many understand that right action is rooted in personal integrity, and continue to do right and help others even in extreme situations. That's the other bad side of looking at the looting, and of all the 'shoot to kill' rhetoric about it - are we hearing the stories of those who sacrificed to help others?

[Gail]

Why couldn't people just give away the store stock, which will be covered by insurance anyway, to the poor, and call it part of the relief effort? That would be pro-active

[Jeannieb43]

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Gail said:

Why couldn't people just give away the store stock, which will be covered by insurance anyway, to the poor, and call it part of the relief effort? That would be pro-active

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Some of them did.

I saw a store owner interviewed on CNN, and she said she would be glad to give away her store's contents. She just objected to the way the looters broke in. She knew the stuff wouldn't be salvageable later.

[Bravus]

I think part of the reason is that the store owners were able to evacuate, and did.

[Dr. Shane]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

It's simply true (and shameful) that there are more black folk who are very poor there than anyone else - and perhaps hiding that is itself a problem.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

This is not true. It is completely wrong in every way that it can be wrong. This preception makes for poor public policy.

There are more poor white people than poor black people. That is the truth - at least in the US.

If 14% of whites are poor and 70% of blacks are poor, which group is larger? The white group is larger because the white population is so much larger. 14% of whites is more than 70% of blacks. So while public policy is made to help the 70% of blacks get special breaks, the 14% of whites get nothing. Does anyone believe we won't find poor white folks floating face down in New Orleans?

[Bravus]

Shane: I did say *there*, i.e. in New Orleans. I wasn't talking about the whole country. And no matter what the proportions of black to white rich and poor, if the mean income for blacks is that much lower than the mean income for whites *in that city*, and given the relative population sizes, there are more poor blacks than whites *in that city*.

[Dr. Shane]

That is correct, for New Orleans. Here in Texas it is also correct as whites are now a minority in the state.

However while whites are a minority in Texas. Most college graduates are still white so whites will still be getting most of the good paying jobs. Since minorities are given more funding and opportunities for higher education than their poor white peers, one needs to ask why more of them are not completing college and why there are still such descrepencies after 30 years of affirmative action programs. I suspect it is cultural. Greater importance is placed on education in the white culture than in the hispanic and black culture.

[Naomi]

Shane said:</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

That is correct, for New Orleans. Here in Texas it is also correct as whites are now a minority in the state.

However while whites are a minority in Texas. Most college graduates are still white so whites will still be getting most of the good paying jobs. Since minorities are given more funding and opportunities for higher education than their poor white peers, one needs to ask why more of them are not completing college and why there are still such descrepencies after 30 years of affirmative action programs. I suspect it is cultural. Greater importance is placed on education in the white culture than in the hispanic and black culture.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Shane,

I have not seen the stats for the area I live (North Texas). However, I must say the majority of new additions of housing $300,000 or greater, according to a friend who is President of North Texas Realitors, 80% of the homes are being purchased by minorities. I know I earn above average income, and can't afford one of those houses. If they are not getting the good paying jobs, how can they afford the homes and expensive automobiles?

True, if we were hit by a major storm you would see lots of blacks and other minorities because we have areas in Dallas, Ft Worth & the Mid-City area that are predonimately black and poor. If one were to have reason to focus on those areas it would apprear that is all who live in these areas.

Naomi

[aldona]

Australian survivors tell of their experiences: Read the story here

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

The Aussies stuck together and the men protected the women, forming a tight circle around them while gangs prowled the stadium preying on women, children and the weak. Mr Hopes emerged as a hero for the Australians, fending off threats from gangs who wanted to rob them and drag the women away.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

"The girls were in real danger. We knew we had to stick together. We were a minority group inside a stadium with 25,000 people.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

"There were gangsters, thugs, rapists, child molesters, anything you want to put in there, it was in there. They were molesting children that we saw. If girls from our group walked to the toilet they were felt up and filthy comments made to them. It was horrible, terrible.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

"We were really worried as guys kept pestering us. The English girl went to the toilets and she was grabbed by some of them, but she managed to run away.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

"You couldn't go anywhere without being grabbed and hassled.

"We stopped queuing up for food as we were too scared. The boys in the group said not to go anywhere by ourselves but to go with them.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

"Nobody really slept at night. The boys stayed awake watching as we were afraid the generator would go out and it would be total darkness again. That is when the rapes happened."

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I can understand looting - after all, people have got to have food and water in order to survive - but what's with the constant and unrelenting drive to rape and indecently assault?

I recall reading about other desperate refugee situations - from world wars I and II, other wars, famines, and even the recent Asian tsunami - and of course there is chaos, but I have never before heard of this amount of rape and threatened rape.

What disturbed me too was the comment above, implying that part of the danger to the women was that they were part of a minority group in the stadium (i.e. whites among a large number of black people).

Please tell me that this is just distorted reporting, and that those old racist rumors about black men wanting to rape white women were just that...vicious and unfounded rumors.

aldona

[Paula]

I have to say... as someone who is white... I too would loot if I were in their situation... and I would have NO problems with my conscience. I don't think it would be a sin. If you have not had food, water, diapers, basic necessities for your kids and yourself for 3 days... the government isn't doing it's job... everything is destroyed... why NOT take the basics??? The store owner can't sell it... no one is going to come back to city for months, at which point everything will be thrown in the trash... Insurance is going to cover everything because of the HURRICANE... so why is everyone acting like these people are criminals for taking food and water? I can understand condeming the taking of eletronics and other non-essentials... but come on... everyone here regardless of color or race would take food if in their situation. And no one could begrudge them!

And I resent the journalist playing the race card... this is NOT a race issue. People are doing what they need to do to survive... period.

[Dr. Shane]

What about murdering and raping? Would you do that too?

~ just asking <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I agree 5,250% this is not a race issue.

[Paula]

No... I'd just loot!! hehehehehe

[Neil D]

Shane,

I may be going out on a limb here, but I don't think you have to worry about Paula raping you....

Paula , I do have a curiosity question about your post...

Given that the merchandise is not yours to make those decisions, and also given that they would be necessary for survival...what is the difference between taking the merchidise in the NO situation and everyday somewhere else situation? IOWs, is there a difference in your reasoning as to place, ie if you were in a different place that wasn't flooded, what's keeping you from looting the merchandise from the grocers? After all, you do need it to survive....

[And Shane, I already know what your opinion is..Please let Paula or some other person jump in here to answer this, 'k? I ain't trying to be exclusive, but I did direct this to Paula]

[cricket]

At the risk of taking this thread off topic, I wish to comment on this:

Quote:

---

I agree 5,250% this is not a race issue.

---

While I agree that this is not something that is happening because of the race associated with these criminals (rapists, murderers, molesters), I have to say that our society plays a major role in how people of any race react.

The media is sending out reports about the government not helping because the majority of the citizens affected are minorities. Without a doubt, these thoughts have crossed the minds of these affected citizens as well.

When these ideas infect our minds, we have little control over our subconscious reactions. It is only through careful decision making, observance and analysis that we can respond in a God-like manner.

Too often people make the mistake of putting labels on race/gender/class without taking into consideration the context of the situation.

Whites think, "These black men are proving the stereotype that all black men want to rape white women."

Blacks think, "These white folks are proving the stereotype that all whites hate blacks."

Both thoughts are faulty; nonetheless, they are thoughts that are occuring in our country even as I write.

Is there a race issue? Yes. There is always a race issue. It is inescapable.

[Dr. Shane]

The reason so many blacks were there is because over 65% of the city was black and a larger portion of the black population is poor than the white population. If it were to happen where I live one would see a lot of hispanics because 87% of the people here are hispanic.

Did the Mayor of New Orleans mess up the evacuation and hurricane preperation because of race? No

Did the Governor fail to activate enough National Guard troops to aid in the evacuation and shelters because of race? No

Did Bush declare the area a disaster two days before the hurricane hit becuase of race? No

Did FEMA fail to get supplies to the refugees quickly due to race? No