Time to us is no longer linear, its cyclical. With the first president of African origin, the United States is in a very interesting place when it comes to dealing with history, race, and prospects for prosperity amongst ALL its people for the future. Although many have forgotten the exact date (August 24th 2005), the images of refugee status American citizens clinging to life on roofs and empty coolers as ocean waters engulfed the city of New Orleans is a little easier to recall.
While the Obama Administration is actively seeking to rectify the abhorrent handling of one of the worst humanitarian disasters the US has faced in recent times, we have to ask ourselves, are we that disconnected from our fellow citizens? In a story covered by NPR’s Jennifer Ludden, we get coverage of Katrina, 4 years later. Its amazing how Dubai, a desert fishing village was transformed into a sprawling destination for the worlds elite in less than 10 years yet in New Orleans, people still live in trailers.
QUOTE from the NPR interview:
[Mr. GRALEN BANKS] “Just let me say that I am a lot better off than a whole lot of folks because at least my trailer is in my driveway. I’m next to my house, which is gutted. I’m not in a FEMA trailer park, and thank God, I’m still in my hometown of New Orleans. So I could complain, but I won’t.”
END TRANSMISSION…
So beautiful people, where are we on the spectrum of humanity… Where do we fit in between barbaric and absolute compassion. This isn’t a post on what YOU need to do to change the entire world on your own… Its to pose the question. I remember when I was working in California in an office that was quite conservative to say the least. At that age, I felt that with just my will and my words I could change all that enraged, bothered, and made me cry at night. Ill never forget one of my colleagues saying “yeah you feel that way now but soon you will be as cynical as us.”
DAMN… 4 years later, I still have that fire but that focus has changed somewhat… I’m just a little more careful with how I about changing the world. 4 years ago I wanted to change the world on the outside. Now its changing the world on the inside… Because they are one and the same. So on this near anniversary of our nations biggest strategic blunder… Lets ask ourselves what about US caused THIS to happen.
Peace and blessings…
3E
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