A Ray of Sunshine in the Lower Ninth Ward

Gorbachev in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans:

"If things haven't changed by our next visit, we may have to announce a revolution," the former head of the Soviet Union mused as he walked the streets of the devastated neighborhood recently.

One of the continuing stories we follow on this site is the avoidable, continuing, and constantly compounding tragedy of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. While the entire Gulf Coast was shellacked by the huge storm in 2005— and while many areas of Mississippi and Louisiana have also been woefully underserved and forgotten by the Federal government in its wake (see Don and Leslie Wilson’s fine film, Mississippi Son), the most inundated and affected area was and continues to be the City of New Orleans.

The canal break and levee toppings there were the product not just of a hurricane, but of government neglect and under-funding, neglect continued in spite of dire warnings of the potential consequences of leaving the canals and levees in the condition Hurricane Katrina found them. The immediate aftermath of the Hurricane is still all-too-familiar to most of us— and is certainly one of the most shameful episodes in the annals of the Bush Administration. The way New Orleans’ residents were left to fend for themselves—even blamed by some in the media and on the Right for their own tragic misfortune— left much of the world wondering how such a thing could occur in the planet’s most powerful country.

The flood has been followed not just by a huge recovery project, but by over two years of bureaucratic mismanagement and callousness, broken promises, and implicitly racist dismissals of the ability of New Orleans’ largely African American population to pull itself out of the post-disaster devastation, if properly supported with aid programs. Some pundits have even thrown out the idea that New Orleans wasn’t worth rebuilding. Imagine if major media personalities had floated such an idea about New York after 9/11.

One of the many Lower Ninth Ward families working hard to rebuild after Katrina has recently had it even harder than their neighbors. As readers here know, we’ve been highlighting the story of the Kellie Joseph household’s plight. We’re taking part in an effort to focus attention and internet fundraising strength on their Herculean task of rebuilding one NOLA home yet again, for a family that saw all their hard work literally go up in flames last month.

Here’s the Good News:

We’re pleased to report that the first $10,000 has already been successfully raised to start the reconstruction of the Josephs’ home after a fire that burned down their 80%-finished structure in September. It’s been only just a few weeks since some intrepid medical students at Tulane University, NOLA area officials, local journalists, and lately, a small but growing cadre of progressive bloggers have taken up the cause of the Joseph Family. Please pass the word through your blogs and visit the website of the Rebuilding Fund. Send your own donation and your personal greetings to Kellie and her family. Let them know we won’t ignore them.

Together, we can make a big difference for one family. It won’t change the big picture in the Lower Ninth Ward by itself, but the world is a funny place. Sometimes, you put some love, some pennies, and some courage on the table—and bigger things come of it.

Comments

[Dennis Joseph]

I hope this note reaches all of you in good health and spirit. My family and I are moved and thankful for your involvement during this critical time in our lives. While we have a ways to go to bring Kellie and the kids home, we see hope in the kind deeds of our extended family all over the world. We still believe that there are Angels watching over us. Otherwise we would not have the faith we have. Rest assured that every donation is valued and needed. We have made a major step forward. We hope that the Brad Pitt organization which is building 150 houses in the lower 9th ward, blocks from where Kellie's house was, will hear our plea. Unfortunately, we have not been successful in our efforts to contact them. Perhaps someone has direct contact with the "Make it Right" foundation and can share our plight. I can be reached at dnnsjoseph@yahoo.com.
We will continue to pursue all possibilites. Again, thank you for your concern, prayers and contributions

Dennis Joseph
Brother of Kellie