NEW ORLEANS ENVIRONMENT "What went wrong"

When humans hand interfere and manipulates its natural resource Hurricane Katrina was natures action and payback after many years of exploitation. Many questions were asked? Many questions remain unanswered. But, what most of the people know is that Hurricane Katrina is and it will remain to be the act of an Environmental issue.
Hurricane Katrina is an excuse for the catastrophic event that wiped out 80% of New Orleans. The breaching of the levees, the flooding, and the violent waves is the result of many years of negligence toward the Mississippi River Delta, including city of New Orleans, which is slowing disappearing into the Gulf of Mexico this fact is presented in the book "City Adrift: New Orleans Before and After Katrina (2007) pg 7. "

What's bad about the situation is that the government is aware of the issue and nothing is being done. The answers could be total extermination of the weak and black communities. People of color have always been view as the unwanted child of society. Many of the black neighborhoods were located by the mouth of the Mississippi River.

If retracing to the settlement of the black communities, it is easy to determine that black people were distributed to the less desire locations by the white community. The backswamp were drained so black communities in need of homes move into the unwanted place. The screw pump helped to alleviate the flooding. What the engineers fail to realize is that the drainage left the city 6 feet below the sea level.
Humans’ interference with nature began when levees, 9,000 oil and gas pipelines and shipping canals were place and build into the earth. These are the facts to blame because humans wanted to shape nature according to their needs and desire for wealth. What they forgot is that nature’s best defense the wetlands and Barrier Island was destroyed. For instant the levees were place around the Mississippi River and the Lake Pontchartrain, the result of levees distribution is a “bowl” effect. This means that when water gets inside the city is very hard to get it out.

The result of wetlands destruction is the vulnerability that the city has against storm surges. One of the many environmental issues that need to be taken into consideration is the sinking of the land. The soft soil of the Mississippi Delta is gradually sinking into the earth. This is the result of the salt water flowing into the canals and killing cypress swamps and marsh grasses that held the earth together. Which represent a major threat to the entire community; build environment, levees and everything else in New Orleans gets lower each year.

Sara Shipley Hiles points out the magnitude of devastating situation. Since the 1930s, Louisiana has lost about 1,900 square miles of coastal land. Marshland is disappearing very fast, and the result is the approach of powerful storms to New Orleans every day. Besides that every 90 minutes Louisiana loses a football field worth of land.

What humans called wasteland were actually wetlands that serve a purpose in nature, but humans decided to alter its habitat with heavy machinery and buildings by covering it with new soil. But underneath the pressure of the heavy sediment is causing it to sink. For example MR. GO is the name given to all the shipping canals build in the Mississippi River -Gulf Outlet. This project destroyed more than 27,000 acres of wetland and created a big impact on the environment. Not only because it facilitated salt water to settle at the bottom of the lake creating a dead zone, and Katrina surge storm straight into the city.

The catastrophic event was already predicted and MR GO project was the reason why Hurricane Katrina destroyed everything that once belonged to Mother Nature. Since, humans had failed to replenish wetlands with new sediment. Besides the destruction of natural plants; New Orleans city face another problem. The channels and canal constructed to keep the water out were not properly design for a big storm surge. The canals water were link to each other therefore the flooding became bigger and the amount of water into the channels was bigger.

Hurricane Katrina left behind numerous environmental problems, from contamination, and trash to increase erosion. For example, the Agriculture Street Landfill, an old city dump converted into subsidizes housing in the 1970s. Poor families live in it, until Katrina event destroy it. Now what is left is a piece of land full of pesticides, bacteria, chemical waste and other debris. Now what is left is a “toxic gumbo”. The water contains arsenic, a metal associated with cancer of the bladder, lung and skin, lead, a neurological poison; and benzo (a) pyrene, petroleum by –product that can cause chromosomal damage and cancer (Sara Shipley Hiles pg 14.) The neighborhood is considered to be inhabitable.

The list continuous to grow and the horror of the tragedy is not over. Air quality can turn into a deadly weapon if the chemicals turn into dust and become airborne. The 22 million tons of debris is another environmental issue. The decomposing materials and waste keep adding to the environmental clean up.

Katrina is not a natural phenomenon that destroyed New Orleans. Human intelligence, selfishness, power and ignorance is the main reasons to blame. If humans had only protected what kept them dry and respected certain boundaries. New Orleans today could have been one of the richest cities in the Unites States.

New Orleans is one of the best novels being writing today because of human ignorance and arrogance. If the government officials could have accepted the 2050 environmental restoration plans at $14 billion. New Orleans novel could have had a happy ending. However, this amount was rejected by government officials. Ironically five months after Katrina the government spent over $85 billion, to clean up debris and houses.
To date, recovery efforts have focus on plugging leaks in levies by the U.S Army Engineers, cleaning debris and repairing sewer systems. The long term health issues, biodiversity and ecological health are issues that are being left for later treatment.
The impact of Hurricane Katrina will never be solved, because humans are always worried of making more money. Politicians may priority is making wealth for themselves, without caring about its citizens or Mother Nature.

YOANI SANCHEZ

December 14, 2009 i heard that Yoani Sanchez was assaulted by Cuban officers on November 6, 2009. And her husband Reinaldo Escobar was assaulted as well, as he demanded an answer as why his "wife" has hit by undecover police officers. Channel 41 briefly describe, Yoani Sanchez as an individual that is fighting for democracy by using her blog. And they also mention that another incident occur on December 10, 2009 mother,wives and daughters were also assaulted and violated Humans Rights.

I was trying to get the full information of the event but i was unable. But am glad that her work and case is being expose worldwide. Cuban supporters have said that that Yoani Sanchez, uses her blog because she is unsatisfy with her life in Cuba. They call her " Una lobezna disfrasada de cordero" as she manipulates the media.


CUBA NEEDS FREEDOM AND THANKS TO A COURAGEOUS WOMEN HER WORK AND IDEAS ARE READ ALL OVER THE WORLD>

New Orleans, history, culture and geography.

New Orleans is remembered by people all over the world by the catastrophic event occurred in August 29, 2005. This is the day that Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States. Hurricane Katrina was registered as a category 3 with winds of 125 mph, with a death toll of 1,325 and some that will never be accounted for. Hurricane Katrina destroy 80% of New Orleans city as the levee breach failed and New Orleans city was flooded.New Orleans is referred as an Oasis of civilization in a hostile swamp. New Orleans remains to be a unique multicultural city. Its heritage can be trace back thousands of years ago when the Natives Americans had settle along the river banks. The Native Americans created a portage between the headwaters of Bayou St. John and the Mississippi River. The Bayou flowed into Lake Pontchartrain creating on important trade route.New Orleans, Louisiana is a mix of French, Spanish control, and back again to the French ruling before it became part of the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. And lets’ not forget the African slaves that added the extra spice to a unique civilization. New Orleans originated in 1718 when Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville established New Orleans as the capital of Louisiana. The perfect location gave French colony the control of the American wealth, since it became one of the busiest and most important ports by the 1967.However, French ruling it did not last, by 1763 Spanish ruling was introduce to New Orleans under the Treaty of Paris, which lasted until 1980. Spanish ruling was over and it was returned to French ruling once again.This is how a unique multicultural and multilingual heritage was born. The city began to flourish with the influence of Americans, French, Creoles, Irish, Germans and Africans. By the 18th century New Orleans was rich in architectural style. Citizens of New Orleans begun to show their roots as they were able to build shot gun,, bungalow style houses, Creole townhouses, Creole cottages.New Orleans city was growing rapidly as people began to migrate and settle in New Orleans. By the 1809, 2,731 whites, 3,102 free persons of African descent, 3,226 enslaved refugees had double French speaking population. Along with the people that migrated to New Orleans were Haitians refugees and white men who brought slaves with them. The slaves were primarily use for labor and the cultivation of sugar and cotton in the large plantation located outside the city.New Orleans was the first city that had free black men often well educated and middle class property owners. Even dough the city seem to be a perfect place for free black men, the port had a major role in the Atlantic slave trade. The port was able to connect the exterior with the interior for trade purposes, a s the goods were transported in small vessels and distributed throughout the length of the Mississippi River.By the 1940s New Orleans was one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, but it was also one of the largest cities in slave trade market. New Orleans economy was base on maritime trade and the income that slaves provided as they were brought in by force and sold to a white demanding market.New Orleans prosperity and wealth took a plunge after the Civil War and the Reconstruction period 1865-1877. New Orleans became one of the poorest cities in the South. When this happened blacks that were able to afford homes in French Quarter were push back to Treme neighborhoods, Sixth Ward, and areas that were adjacent to the French Quarter. However, the Sixth Ward became crowded, many moved to the Seventh Ward , next to the sixth making a natural creation of black communities. Black communities were growing and the need for better facilities and infrastructure to alleviate the degrading conditions black communities suffered. Living conditions were not the only issue black communities had to encounter. In addition they had segregation among white and blacks was clearly visible. The fear of black authority over white supremacy, created a world of inhumane acts as lynches of black men began, racial discrimination was a daily struggle among black and whites.White citizens did not want to share bathrooms, churches, schools, or transportation. Everything was label white only or black only. This idea was enforce when the Jim Crow laws was establish during 1877 -1960. This period can be known as the WHITE SUPREMACY ERA. Whites had the idea that they were better than the black race. The struggle for equal treatment and equality finally was seen when Brown vs. Board of Education laid the foundation for human rights regardless of the color. In 1954 racial segregation was clearly stated that it violated the 14 amendment to the U. S Constitution, which guarantees all citizens equal protection of the laws. And this is how New Orleans historical struggle to maintain its roots and multicultural heritage began.What makes New Orleans, Louisiana a unique culture its not that is located in the South, instead it can be best describe as a Caribbean city. New Orleans culture originates from Native Americans, French ruling, Spanish ruling, and African slaves that were introduce in the 18th century. New Orleans City has a unique dialect, let’s not forget that American English with significant variations is the primary language. French is not commonly use. However, Spanish is commonly heard in New Orleans. This is the result of the 1990 Free trade Agreement, this act involve Cuba, Honduras and Venezuela. But, before they arrive there was a small community of of Spaniarads from the Canarian Island who had settle near the Bayou Manchac and the Amite River in 1778.Cajun French and Vietnamese are also heard in the city; Cajun speakers came into the southeast Louisiana between 1970s and 1980s when the great oil boom. The distinctive accent is what makes New Orleans a new cultural place. Example for its unique accent is "Where ya from?Besides the language we have New Orleans music and food. Its music is a mix of European, Latin America and African American rhythm. Jazz, rock and roll and blues along with the brass band use for funeral was the result of a mix culture. The Treme neighborhood is the perfect example of jazz music that escapes from the sidewalks, when they played at a funeral. If you wanted to hear the real down-home bluesmen, such as "Polka Dot Slim", "Harmonica" Al, Boogie" Bill Webb or "Tuts" Washington, a venture into the 9th Ward nightlife was in order (New Orleans pg 113).Food is an international creation because by now we know that French, Spanish, Italian, African, Cajun, Native American, and Cuban tradition created the world best Louisiana flavor. Gumbo, jambalaya, French doughnuts, crawfish, red beans and rice, and the menu continue. New Orleans is not only about the tragedy or the segregation that African slaves and American blacks suffered. New Orleans is the city that gave birth to a multicultural city that remains a unique place with its traditional Mardi Gras, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.New Orleans geographical location can be best described as a place surrounded by water. The city is located at the mouth of the Mississippi River delta below the sea level, on the east Lake Borgne and west bank and south of the Lake Pontchartrain. This location created a major flooding problem. The people that occupied the New Orleans back swamp were the poor black and the rich not by surprise move into the highest and best land. The poor black communities were protected by the natural levee, where drainage was bad, mosquito endemic, cheap materials were use for housing and streets maintenance was bad.
The annual temperature is recorded as 68.1 degrees Fahrenheit, and its precipitation is recorded at 61.8. Its proximity to Mississippi River creates coastal and bay areas with ridges and hollows.

What went wrong in Hurricane Katrina that led to 80 percent of the city under water and over 180,000 homes destroyed, health care delivery systems gone, schools, businesses, jobs and a way of life wipe out in hours. This was the result of government neglecting the catastrophic event that was predicte by scientists, meteorologist, and journalist. Furthermore, Bush administration, local, state, or the federal government were not ready to respond to its challenge that was told for years. What did happen was that the poor minorities were left behind, that transportation for them was not available to evacuate in time. The elderly and the ill could not move without transportation. Once again the government fails to provide protection to the most vulnerable citizens in time on need.
Katrina was a natural event that only helps to reinforce that poverty, inequality, and social isolation, and racism that black citizens encounter in their daily routine.

HOW I FEEL about WAR

Today is one of many days that i feel sad...i can not help to feel this way. I am bless with a beautiful family but i feel so empty and broken. I wish that i can understand myself and feel super happy but i can not.

What i think about war with no meaning... Everyday i recall seeing a child face and crying out for help. His image is in my heart and mind just like a tattoo that will never go away. I got to see children starving and dress in raggedy clothes. I have ask GOD why me? But so far i have no answer as of why i had to experience a cruel reality. Let say that facing reality is more disturbing than watching over the news or reading about it in the internet or printed media.

How can i forget the image of a little girl who was six years old, but she looked like a 9 month old baby, because she had a heart problem and her parents wanted American doctors to rescue her. She was so fragile and her eyes were socked in and her lips were dry and chapped.
Ohh poor child ..why were you left behind in a misery. What had you done.. Why were you born?
What was i to do when your parents had to be seacrh and go into a system that said sorry i can not help you. We do not have the facility nor the tools to perform a surgery.

Your parents walked away and i never got to see you again. Many days have gone by and i still remember people coming from all over the place just to seek medical help and the American and Italian doctors were loved by them.
How can i forget the pain and sorrow that WAR causes in innocent people. How can i forget if i have a role in it. Freedom will never be freedom....

I wish one day i can smile again.. for now i live day by day being thankful to my lord for having my family.