Published August 28, 2007
Two years ago, the largest, most destructive natural disaster changed Louisiana forever. The combination of a powerful hurricane, an inadequate Corps of Engineers design and a stalled response from the government provided the foundation to devastation all summed up with two words: Hurricane Katrina.
As some battle "Katrina fatigue" and others ponder why recovery efforts seem nonexistent in some areas, many people try to figure out how they can assist in the rebuilding of one of America's greatest cities. I have a short list of things we all can do to help.
Donations
I won't point fingers — at least not now — and say specific national or international organizations aren't using the money they received on behalf of Katrina recovery for Katrina. It goes without saying some entities may seemingly accept money under the guise of one specific effort while sending your hard earned money to, oh let's say, Asia or something.
There's nothing wrong with spreading the wealth, but sometimes you want what you send to go where you were trying to send it. Because of that, I suggest you give directly. If there's an organization, cause or field you're passionate about, give to a local branch instead of giving to huge corporations and hoping some of what you donated trickles down to the intended destination.
Money isn't the only thing you can give. Offer your time. Become a mentor or volunteer with groups or organizations that work on projects important to you. There are always opportunities with grass-roots institutions and they typically offer you a hands-on approach.
Political activism
State Rep. Juan LaFonta, D-New Orleans, says the biggest thing people in Shreveport and around the state can do to assist in Katrina recovery is "put pressure on their local delegation to assist in getting residents back to New Orleans." He went on to add that Rep. Patrick Williams and Sen. Lydia Jackson have been active in ensuring his city has the support it needs to recover.
Let's not limit our voices to our local politicians, we should also let New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C., lawmakers know that we're watching them and we have expectations. Even if you have no personal interest in the area, you should take note that what does or does not happen south of the Ark-La-Tex affects us here. Maybe this is a foreign concept to some, but 64 parishes create one Louisiana and we should act accordingly.
Offer a helping handand understanding
As cheesy and after-school special as it may sound, small gestures really do make a difference. Asking a person how things are coming along, being eager to introduce him or her to a support system, offering an ear or just simple words of encouragement could mean more than you'd ever imagine.
In our lifetime, there may never be a point when people can fairly ask, "When will they get over that?" For many people, especially children, the mental, emotional and social affects of Katrina will be long-term. Yes, people will rebuild houses and get new cars but that doesn't erase the damage of being trapped in subtropical conditions for nearly a week while powerful officials gave us their interpretation of what inadequate leadership looks like.
Most of us will never understand how it feels to lose your home. Not just your physical house but your home, your family, your past and what you thought would be your future. Because most us of won't experience that, we probably aren't in the position to tell people how they should feel.
With that being said, I want to commend all who have bravely endured hardships that many people will never be able to comprehend. Because of that, I don't call them Katrina victims but Katrina survivors.
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Katrina L. Rogers is a member of The Times Community Board.
