In the aftermath of Katrina it is time to reflect and reconsider everything we believed was Black America and those we believed were Black Americans. Katrina will be best remembered for the devastation in Mississippi, Louisiana, and the city of New Orleans, and the face of a hurt nation that wondered indeed, " Does their President like Black People?". But in reality, it’s true effect was the annihilation of a virtual reality and the far bigger question do Black People like Black People? .
The election of President Barak Obama enabled a Black citizens to create a dream world and a monumental testament to progress, achievement, and charisma. Since that triumphant victory celebration in Chicago's Grant Park the media, self anointed leaders, clergy, and the greater community at large have all preached a single sermon based on the gospel of money, fame, and glamour. In conjunction with the idea that Black are poor because of simple decisions and lack of personal responsibility.
BET, music videos, celebrity politicians, million dollar athletes, mega preachers and mega churches tell the same story-The elderly and uneducated, unwed and single mother, dope addicted and convicted felon, and men with no hope for a future are all destined to become victims of some self made catastrophe; it is both their predictable stererotype and their destiny. Their stories do not fit the picture of great progress. One needs to understand being an American means preferring reality TV, rather than reality.
Much has been publicized by the slow response and apathy of the Bush Administration, but what has been the response of the currrent administration. Further, even less was mentioned by the response of Black America the early days of the disaster.
The hurricane hit the same night as the MTV awards and the week of the National Baptist Convention in Atlanta, so the disaster was virtually ignored. Little did it matter that the hurricane hit the heart of the Black Belt, or that of the 16 cities devastated by the sudden flood had Black Mayors. The first three days all pleas for help were disregarded and the tears were turned off with a click of a television remote.
The general media bombarded Black America’s safe and sanitary fantasy world with reports of chaos; looting, rape and murder. The unfortunate minority who live within the minority received little compassion from their brethren. There were some, I’m sure who just wished the damn water would dry up so that they could return to their virtual realities and plans for the Labor Day Weekend. It was an embarrassment to see so many dark skinned Americans surrounded by flood waters and trapped on abandoned rooftops. They made themselves poor, appeared the general thinking. 50 cent made it after being shot ten times, why can’t they?
For decades houses of worship, radio airwaves, newspapers, and magazines have bombarded mass images of progress and prosperity, based on the extravagant lifestyles of individuals. Now, the false god of equality created in TV shows, magazines, movies, and music videos have fallen. The myth of Black compassion, unity and progress fell in one swoop to the mighty hand of mother nature.
The Black Clergy, building million dollar sanctuaries on the gospel of success was confronted with the reality that prosperity without compassion is greed. The politicians, who promising to empower the poor and impoverished must now face the truth that they left their constituents in the lurch. The confused and economically hard hit Black Middle Class, out of touch with one class and living in the million shadows of humiliations of another were forced to face their collective sins.
There is no doubt the hurricane survivors felt hatred and anger for White People. Kanye West said so "Bush don’t like Black People". But one wonders how much of that resentment and anger was directed toward Black People. The sister who left them to fend for themselves. The well off cousin with multiple vehicles who never offered rides. The big church buses that rolled out of town with empty seats. Where will that bitterness go?
Hurricane Katrina will be best remembered as the ultimate wake up from the end of false delusions; fortune, fame and popularity. In 2008, the same year America elected it’s first Black President, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, the first Black American to represent Louisiana in Congress since Reconstruction, epitomize New Orleans for three decades and a force on the local political stage, lost his congressional seat. He was defeated by a Republican challenger Anh "Joseph" Cao, who became the first Vietnamese-American in Congress. Cao now represents a district that was specifically drawn to give Black Americans an electoral advantage and one in which two of every three voters are registered Democrats.
One needs to remind Black America, that Black on Black love should mean more than a poster, and Black on Black crime is not just a trend, and fashionable. There is a growing resentment and festering hate among black people. The first to return to New Orleans was the murder. As the economy takes it toll forcing more people out the mainstream Black Americans must get serious about compassion for Black Americans. If the rampant individulism continues , a seething ebuilation of turmoil and neglect could blow the myth about achieving the dream, and hoping for change off the face of the planet. However, this time it won't be a natural disaster. " As the lord said to Noah, no more water, the fire next time".
