Hey everyone,
I felt like I needed to send an email to all my friends and their friends, in part to educate the US about New Orleans. The past week has not only been the worst week of my life, but it has also been filled with mis-information and mis-guided blame. So here it goes.
Over the past week, I have been asked countless times when I will start to look for a job in Houston. It seems that everyone I talk to assumes that there is nothing to go back for and that we might as well restart our lives somewhere else.
To me, this is a sign that people around the US just don't understand, or appreciate the New Orleans way of life. We love our city so much. It is like no other place in the world. Our city is not just special for its architecture, but for its people, food, culture, music and much more. All of this remains intact.
Yes, it will be extremely difficult and heart-breaking to return. But we will rebuild, no matter how long it takes.
Secondly, I have heard countless negative comments about our mayor. I can't express fully enough how much my friends and I support him 100%. Personally, I have been so proud this week. His 24 hour dedication to the city, his sweat, tears, anger, and commitment have earned him a place in my heart forever. I couldn't have asked for a better reaction or response from him to the situation. The problems with the evacuation and rescue efforts were not his fault. We have known about these issues since the 1930's. New Orleans has been in talks and has gone through simulations with the federal government for years and years now. The federal government and FEMA have been well aware of what would happen in a category 4 hurricane for decades. It is my understanding, in fact, that we didn't even have a plan to house people at the superdome until this administration. The people of New Orleans have been well-aware that the city did not have the means to do a mandatory evacuation. He did what he could. And he has my full support.
Third, the Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, is such an asshole. I am appalled that he would suggest not rebuilding New Orleans. Would he have suggested not rebuilding Miami after Hurricane Andrew? or San Francisco after the last major earthquake? It is our home, and one of the last great cultural centers of the US. Please show your support by sending him letters and emails in any language that you choose.
Fourth, although we have some crazy people in New Orleans, the media has exaggerated the current situation. We have heard from countless people in New Orleans that people are banding together and working as one. Yes, there is some crime- looting, shooting, but it is not the norm. The norm is one of support and care.
Finally, to update everyone: as far as we know, our house has not been flooded at all. No water. No apparent damage to the structure from the street. As of 3 days ago, there had been no looting in our area. So, we are very fortunate. We are safe in my parent's home in Houston. We are slowly starting to breathe again, although we have all developed various maladies in response to the stress. Our new mantra has been "Every day that we wake up is a day closer to rebuilding New Orleans ."
Please spread the love and this email. I want people to understand the support we have for our city. We hope to host you in our homes again this upcoming Jazz Fest.
love,
Camille Terk