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Aug 18, 2008

Congressional Action to help families of Katrina

At Trouble the Water screenings in Los Angeles and New York PolicyLink, national research and action institute, is letting viewers know about an important bill in the Senate: the Gulf Coast Multifamily and Assisted Housing Recovery Act (S. 2975)

This legislation would provide additional funds for affordable housing for low-income seniors, disabled persons, and others who lost their homes as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This group is also encouraging contributions to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation.

Click here for more information.

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#1

Let’s stop destroying lives overseas, and put our attention to rebuilding lives here!

Posted by Phyllis S. in Southern California | 08/21/08, 05:43 PM EDT
#2

I was born in New Orleans.  I love it, I crave it, it is the Creole spice that makes me who I am.
I have lived all of my adult life in Los Angeles, but I still call New Orleans home.
Seeing portions of this film reminds me of a fickled husband who no longer considers his wife beautiful.  When times were good, her skin was flawless, hair was coifed just so, and the clothes she wore were stylish and pristine although not new. Now that she is somewhat tarnished in appearence, her husband no longer looks upon her with eyes of glee.  Not to worry my sweet, you have lovers all over the globe who are still willing to worship at your feet and adore you.  Your are still the Grand Dame I have always known and come to love.  You a great Lady New Orleans, and even if the twinkle in your husband’s eyes has faded, you are still THE most beautiful woman I have ever known. 
I love you.  Always have, always will!

Posted by BJ Varnado in Los Angeles, California | 08/22/08, 02:33 PM EDT
#3

First, this film in riveting on so many levels; as one who does not believe in coincidences I know they were all brought together to show the world this view of what happened in August 2005.  The film also shows an aspect of U.S. life rarely seen on the big screen prior to Katrina and Rita - urban southern poverty against a vivacious canvas of integrity, ingenuity, creativity, sense of community and love.

The film showed “black family” in its broadest sense - a framework that is drawn from a collective memory of the slave experience. Whenever we could we left no one behind and strangers could become family at the turn of an event. One of the most striking aspects of the film is the relationship between Kim and Scott.  Rarely do we see black couples in the media that reflect the complexities we experience in Kim and Scott.  They love each other.  They support each other. They’ve discovered a balance that allows for give and take and each to contribute his/her best to the relationship. Just they way they move through the journey is an inspiration, especially because they are so young.

This is a powerful film that I’m already beginning to tell others about and I truly thank Tia and Carl et. al.  for developing it. There are some that may feel - we’ve moved beyond Katrina and we already know what happened.  Until you see this film you do not!

Throughout history the most compelling accounts of history have been those shared by eyewitness and to date no Katrina eyewitness has been able to share a perspective like this.  Also as the rebuilding effort continues - New Orleans-continues to suffer from centuries of underdevelopment and political corruption that most Americans would just as soon forget.  This film, with its fresh perspective - brings the issue back to the foreground where it belongs.

Posted by Robin Semple in New York, New York | 08/22/08, 05:09 PM EDT