New Orleans through new eyes.

“The first light of day today revealed what we had feared. The devastation is greater than our worst fears. It’s just totally overwhelming.” —Kathleen Blanco

Hurricane Katrina’s devastation was a national tragedy that brought citizens together but also created a larger divide between the people and the government. While salvaging the lost possessions and preserving the culture’s rich history are important, the greater significance of government intervention, racism and social justice that were unearthed by this natural disaster. With the levees’ fragility, the city was bound to damage sooner or later, yet no precautions were taken to prevent this from happening. This had the people questioning the federal government’s dedication to its people, when surrounding neighborhoods and states were more willing to contribute than the administrative agencies. Years after the hurricane, people are still homeless and houses are still left dilapidated. If not now, when? If not us, then who will help them find safety and security in their own hometown?

Thus, we must walk the thin line between citizenship and apathy to encourage others to care, to give, to plan. Although New Orleans’ past is a mere memory, we must preserve its history and offer a path to reconstruction in order to look ahead and improve our future, as a lesson to all issues arising in social justice.

In “When the Levees Broke,” the documentary focuses on the testimonies of those living in the Lower Ninth Ward. The neighborhood was one the hardest hit areas due to its location on the Industrial Canal. Frustration and confusion laced the stories regarding FEMA and their expectations. These people thought they would be receiving aid, help was soon arriving and their troubles would be lessened. However, as time passed, their frustrations turned into anger and despair.

I thought the documentary was an excellent portrayal of the emotions and destruction. I think that we can take away the fact that government is not always going to be the driving force behind helping Americans, and that individuals will be left behind if there isn’t a Plan B. There should always be a Plan B, C, D, E, and F. Even though I am arriving years later, I expect to see homes still broken, and I know the overall aura of the city will feel boisterous but with a lingering twinge of sadness over the lost expectations. What I want to do there, with my fellow Bonners, is what many volunteers before us have done. We will be helping to rebuild the city, one piece at a time, because only small acts turn into big change. I expect to gain a newfound sense of patriotism and perspective for these people, I expect to hear their stories firsthand and empathize with them. When hope and faith are all one has, stranger become friends, too. I hope that this experience will encourage us to open our eyes, minds, and hearts to the bigger picture, and that this understanding will spring a tiny spark in our hearts that is only the kindling to a fire that will continue to grow as our passion for change develops over the years. Thank goodness they have this opportunity to speak up and stand up for this place they call home, a place with religious, cultural and familial ties.

That being said, I am incredibly excited and lucky to drive for hours and experience all of this for the first time with my fellow Bonners! There isn’t a better group of people to work with, we all experience different sites in Trenton and represent social change within our college community. To travel to one of the most beautiful places in America is an amazing opportunity and I absolutely cannot wait for what this trip has in store.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller