Katrina: An Exercise in Sensationalism

Two weeks prior to the drowning of the French Quarter, I was touring the cobblestone streets marvelling at the unique melting pot of culture, art and architecture that is New Orleans. The local pubs and restaurants were all buzzing about how oppresively humid the weather had been, even for the notroiously damp Louisiana. It still gives me chills to think that if I had postponed my flight and stayed in the city, as I had wanted, I would've been caught in the middle of the destructive path of Hurricane Katrina. Imagine my shock as I returned home to Arizona to discover the hotel I had slept in mere days earlier was now submerged. Surreal to say the least.

As the "reports" poured in about the immense failure of FEMA and the local government, like many Americans, I became concerned, frustrated, then furious. How could the rescuers leave people behind? Why was there a shortage of emergency responders? Why couldn't the National Guard establish order inside the supposed refuge of the Superdome?

Much like a terrible reality television program, scenes of the destruction and aftermath were cut to appear as though nothing was being done. People who didn't leave the flooded areas were not left behind, they chose to stay. And those who remained and were seen "looting" were, in majority, taking supplies necessary to survive (i.e. food, water, etc.).

I was shocked to discover that on the streets of New Orleans, during the chaos, there was not a single murder commited. Reporters and anchors would have us believe that anarchy ruled the day in the parrishes. Even more surprising was the actual response effort was the largest and fastest rescue effort in U.S. history. Applause are due to those who helped in the aid.

The only thing I can truly comment on is the responsibility of our national news providers. We live in an age where an idea can travel the globe in seconds. The ability to send and receive information is a great, and terrible power for any individual. That being said, I feel that while the response to Hurricane Katrina may not have remedied the situation as quickly as people had hoped, the circumstances were exasperated by overly passionate reporters and news anchors.

During a national crisis such as this, we all have a responsibility to assist our fellow americans. For example, I was working for a large food chain at the time pf Katrina and our organization donated hundreds of tons of food products to those affected by the destruction. The least that those who deliver information all over america could have done was support responders, not cut them down from behind a microphone. Those who were in the trenches, fighting to help surivors and the people of New Orleans deserve better than being painted as contributors to an exercise in anarchy following a disaster.

-Cameron