a different perspective... [Eve]

I am back in Los Angeles from my trip to Biloxi, and I don't know where to begin. There is so much to say, yet I want to refrain from having y'all read a novel (I talk real southern now ;). It is important for me to state that I was so elated to come to work one morning several months ago to find an email that changed my life; that mass email addressed to "Public LA" about volunteering with Habitat for Humanity for the victims of Katrina. I signed up immediately.

I think the reason I was so excited, like many other coworkers, was for the first time I saw myself being able to really make a difference for those who had lost so much. After Katrina first hit, I felt miniscule in my capacity to make a real difference, but this project enabled me to see how I and others can contribute and really show our support. It made so much sense.
As an aside: My only real connection to any where in the Deep South was a brief visit to my dad’s family in Atlanta post-Katrina. I went to a fairly popular open mic event one evening where coincidentally many of the victims of Katrina happened to be there and took the mic. It was the first time I heard people who had been personally affected by this catastrophe and I was completely moved by what they shared; how they felt left behind by our government and president, and their feelings about being called "refugees", resonated with me. At one point, a poet took stage and talked about how Katrina was a sign from God, Who was trying to wash away all the injustices and pain from the history of racism in this country. It was very deep, and definitely startled me, however it echoed with irony, because in both instances the victims of many of the grave injustices have been blacks.

But to return to the main point, before Katrina hit, Biloxi, Mississippi was a beautiful, and booming, beach-front city situated on the Gulf of Mexico. Little did I know, before the storm hit, Biloxi and the surrounding Gulf Coast region was considered a leading gambling center in the southern United States. Along the coast, the highway was filled with antebellum homes, high-rises, several restaurants, the oh-so-popular Waffle House chain, gas stations, and the beaches were often filled with people and their families.

Unlike New Orleans there are no levees, seawalls, or barriers that could have deflected storm surges, which should not surprise the reader to know Biloxi was hit much harder than New Orleans, by a 30-foot storm surge that gutted third floor levels and pushed its casinos inland. Yet, Biloxi has had received little press attention.


First and foremost, I am inspired by the victims of the hurricane and the government's failed response to its devastation, because of their strength and initiative to get through these hard times and help rebuild their loves. Yet, I am also very proud of my 14 coworkers and I, who put our blood and sweat into house building, devoted to a cause greater than they and I as individuals. My coworkers and I are responsible for putting up rooftops and shingles, doors, etc. lending a hand as we could. Every where we went, as a group, we were noticed, and the people were appreciative of us taking time out of our lives to come help them in their serious time of need, when they have been seemingly abandoned by the government. After almost two years there has not been much rebuilding of homes, save the few that Habitat for Humanity has helped construct. I remain shocked that a casino has been rebuilt in that time, yet many remain homeless, or relegated to trailers that they will soon lose, leaving me to wonder where the priorities rest. My housing coordinator, quit her job as a financial consultant and moved to Biloxi 8 months ago, has built over 40 houses, but I was told by her that FEMA has only provided people vouchers to purchase trailer homes which will be taken back in August, leaving people once again without homes.

thanks for reading ;)

Eve