Not So Proud to be an American

Been caught up in Katrina for days now - and it's amazing to me to see that the major networks have been able to pull together some kind of aid faster than the goddamned government of our country.

And now the questions of racism arise.

While I think ignorance and hubris played a bigger part than racism, I cannot rule out the specter of racism affecting the speed (or lack thereof) with which we have responded to this disaster.

Though the more I think of it, the more I think it's not just a black thing either. I think there are elements of simple prejudice against the poor, and those who were simply not able to leave. Perhaps because they didn't have a car, or a friend to get a ride with. Or because they couldn't afford the $40 tank of gas (that would now be $60) they needed in order to get to safety.

I think back to President Bush's words from Fahrenheit 9/11 (an admittedly leftist piece of propaganda, but still quotable) - where he was at a fundraising dinner and said "What an impressive crowd: the haves, and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite, I call you my base."

I can't help but admit that we may no longer see ourselves in our fellow humans who do not have the same things and same means that we may have (even when they are modest means indeed).

There will be committee investigations by congress, and maybe even a "Katrina Commission" to peer into how the government can better cover it's ass next time - but in the end, I begin to doubt it will at all change how we, as a society think towards those who didn't have the option of finding safety in time. (For arguments sake, I'm ruling out those people who decided to stay just because they wanted to.)

Perhaps a natural disaster you couldn't run from and couldn't see coming, like a major earthquake, that affects EVERYBODY no matter income level or race, or mobility, would wake us up.

We desperately need to be looking at the people we see in New Orleans and elsewhere in the Gulf, and see our selves. Our own humanity and suffering. And beat the crap out of the little voice in your head that might be saying "well, I'm smart enough, I would have left." or "Well, I'm not like them."

Yes. We are.

Please consider donating to the victims of this disaster:
Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities.