“The human suffering from Hurricane Katrina and the images of mostly black hurricane victims and looters have provoked new debates about tough public policy decisions, the nation’s troubled racial history and the racial and economic barriers that still separate Americans. CBS Radio News reports that New Orleans City Councilman Oliver Thomas said, ‘People are too afraid of black people to go in and save them.’ He added that rumors of shootings and riots are making people afraid to take in people who are being portrayed as thugs and thieves” (Alfano, 2005). This type of discrimination was portrayed all over the states effected by Hurricane Katrina, but displayed a dominance in discrimination in New Orleans, Louisiana. This portrayed racisms that developed following Hurricane Katrina sparked a lot of discussion nation wide about the prominence of racism displayed in our culture. “Katrina provides an unprecedented opportunity to communicate that “racism” is not just a matter of the psychology of hatred but is instead also a matter of the racial structure of political and economic inclusion and exclusion. This is one lesson from Katrina that social science should help communicate. Moreover, we should not blinker ourselves: this message is one that is deeply opposed by powerful political forces in the United States today” (David, 2006). In addition, powerful political figures were also making controversial statements during this time. “In a nationally-televised address from post-Katrina New Orleans, even President George W. Bush admitted that ‘deep, persistent poverty’ in the area ‘has roots in a history of racial discrimination, which cut off generations from the opportunity of America’ and acknowledged a “duty to confront this poverty with bold action.” (Lavelle, 2015). The Bush administration denies that these comments were made with racist intentions, but these statements are still considered controversial.
This video of President George W. Bush was his first address to the nation after Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana. Some of his comments during this speech were considered racists and created a lot of controversy.
Again related to the address given by George W. Bush, this plaque is displayed within the Hurricane Katrina exhibit quoting some of what are considered controversial lines from his address.
Alexander, David. "What Katrina Teaches about the Meaning of Racism." What Katrina Teaches about the Meaning of Racism. N.p., 2006. Web. 02 Jan. 2017.
Alfano, Sean. "Race An Issue In Katrina Response." CBS News. CBS Interactive, 2005. Web. 02 Jan. 2017.
Lavelle, Kristen . "Hurricane Katrina: The Race and Class Debate by Kristen Lavelle." Monthly Review. N.p., 2015. Web. 02 Jan. 2017.
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