Katrina and the Second Disaster


"A Twenty-Point Plan to Destroy Black New Orleans" is the model analysis -- not always given credit -- for Americans who conclude that the "oversight" on rebuilding low-and-middle income housing in New Orleans ain't nothing more than Republikan redistricting.


Bush’s vision of Mother Nature is still lily white and out of date.

As reconstruction and rebuilding move forward in New Orleans and the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama Gulf Coast region, it is clear that the lethargic and inept emergency response after Hurricane Katrina was a disaster that overshadowed the deadly storm itself. Yet, there is a “second disaster” in the making-driven by racism, classism, elitism, paternalism, and old-fashion greed. The following “Twenty-Point Plan to Destroy Black New Orleans” is based on trends and observations made over the past three months. Hopefully, the good people of New Orleans, Louisiana, the Gulf Coast, and the United States will not allow this plan to go forward-and instead adopt a principled plan and approach to rebuilding and bringing back New Orleans that is respectful of all of its citizens.

Dr. Bullard is Ware Professor of Sociology and Director of the Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University. He’s served government, the private sector and educational institutions as an expert on the environment. His 20 point program is painted with a broad brush and I doubt if he expects 100% agreement from most; but, the questions raised are critical to the future of New Orleans.

Some consider our government’s rebuilding plans to be nothing less than ethnic cleansing — by ignoring low-and-middle income families who still are refugees from Katrina. The model is easy. Mostly Black, mostly Democrat voters have been removed from Louisiana — a state that still elects Democrats to Congress. Most of them have “temporarily” relocated to Texas and other southern states where their numbers aren’t great enough in any one area to tip the electoral balance away from Republikans. But, keeping them from returning to New Orleans would make a significant difference in the mid-term elections and probably the 2008 presidential race, as well.

Rove and Bush are expressing their thanks to Mother Nature — after the fact.

Posted: Sat - February 11, 2006 at 08:18 AM