VOICES FROM THE STORM
The People of New Orleans on Hurricane Katrina and Its Aftermath
Edited by Chris Ying and Lola Vollen
With far too little help from those that owed it to them, the poor bore the brunt of the Gulf Coast disaster. Evacuations were ordered too late and left many behind. As a result, the residents of traditionally poor and minority communities suffered incalculable losses and endured unimaginable conditions. The few facilities that did exist to help victims quickly became miserable, dangerous places.
Now, the victims of Hurricane Katrina find themselves spread across the United States, far from the homes they left, and forced to start anew. Families are struggling to secure jobs, homes, schools, and a sense of place in unfamiliar surroundings. Meanwhile, the rebuilding of their former home cities remains out of their hands. Many fear that unique black communities like that of New Orleans’ Ninth Ward will be lost forever.
The stories of the men and women who survived Hurricane Katrina, only to be victimized again by their own government, are not only compelling, but also revealing about the racial and economic rifts that continue to plague American cities. Still, major news outlets chose to ignore these individuals, placing far more value on roving reporters and analysts. Voice of Witness’s second book features the candid recollections of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, filling in a crucial gap in the understanding of this disaster.
