New Orleans 2008
The trip to New Orleans was an unforgettable experience. I went with a group called ReachOut which consisted of about sixty students, faculty and staff. Encountering personally the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina brings about an experience and understanding which is nearly impossible to describe and explain to any outsider. The vacant lots, whether commercial or residential, with overgrown grass and debris, gutted houses with boarded up windows and siding, wood or brick exterior damages, and garbage filled, families gone streets are ubiquitous. Almost all store fronts and houses have an X with numbers and letters in the four sections of the X. I did not find out exactly what each section represented but I do know the letters TFW meant toxic flood water and some of the numbers indicate a body count in the house after the water lowered. The whole scene is difficult to describe and in a way does no justice to the area. One needs to go down there themselves and drive around on the main street, walk up and down the neighborhoods and step inside abandon, gutted businesses, schools and homes.
Photo: Phil bratta 2008
I stayed at a place called Camp Hope, which is an inactive middle school that houses and feeds volunteers. 700 volunteers stayed there the whole week. Thousands more volunteers were located around New Orleans, and even with as many volunteers there are, the city and surrounding towns still need help. Much needs to be rebuilt.
Photo: Phil bratta 2008
I worked several days doing environmental work. The storm destroyed the closed canopy and imported, invasive species were able to multiple at an unprecedented rate. I helped clean up forest preserves so that they can soon be used again for the residents. In the morning one of the days I worked in the lower 9th ward, where a gentleman named James needed help cleaning up the shingles from his damaged roof. James was living in a trailer behind his house which was engulfed with 22 feet of water. Two and a half years later he just finished gutting the house and beginning to work on the roof. In the afternoon I worked construction at Ms. Bessie’s house. During that week, our group was able to put up siding on her house and saw her apply her first paint stroke on the siding. Another day I worked at an elementary school and did arts and crafts for the kids on their spring break.
Photo: Phil bratta 2008
While down there I was able to speak with several residents. What amazed me the most was the hope and resilience in the hearts of these people. Of course, there was some anger and frustration for how the situation was handled on a national, state and local level, but this element of their character only emerged when I brought up the subject. Otherwise, the residents were thankful for volunteer’s help and hopeful for the future. They showed a patience and temperament that I don’t think I may be able to foster after everything that has happened. I honor and respect the residents of New Orleans greatly and am so grateful to have met and helped them. This is a week that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Phil Bratta
3 April 2008
Cultural Studies