Customer Reviews

After the Storm: Black Intellectuals Explore the Meaning of Hurricane Katrina

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I lived in New Orleans 18 years and have relocated since Katrina. My fellow law professors have done an excellent job exposing the reality of New Orleans before and after the storm. I recommend this collection of thoughtful essays to anyone who wants a candid look at how race is relevant even when it shouldn't be. All Americans should be outraged and continue to seek justice for our fellow citizens.

I loved this book, a collection of short essays that discuss the meaning of race and class in the aftermath of Katrina. I study American Studies at University and have become engrossed in African America, and Katrina is the defining event of recent times for race relations and "the color line".

This book does not simply argue that the U.S is some racist hell and point blame at the federal government, rather it eloquently outlines the arguments both for and against the theory that race caused the situation in New Orleans post-hurricane devastation.

Some writers conclude that racism had everything to do with it, others point out that the blame game itself and the lack of black America's responsibility for its own destiny were to blame. Some blame Mayor Nagin and the new middle class black America for not doing enough, others point to the legacy of slavery and the inability of New Orleans to save itself. Some argue that as all the low lying areas of the city were cheaper places to live and thus liable to storm surge, its a legacy of poverty that caused such disaster for the 98% African-American areas of New Orleans East, St.Bernard and the Lower Ninth Ward.

Whatever your view, remember that all these writers are black and all arguments are put forward in an intelligent and thought provoking manner.

Recommended not just for those wishing to understand Katrina, but anyone who wants to look at race relations in America and the sociological and psychological legacy of the old south. An excellent read i recommend to anyone.

A very intelligent collection of essays on the Katrina disaster and how the Untied States mishandled the situation. Some of the issues were race related and others were not. The picture showing a white couple carrying food supplies and assuming an African American man was looting based upon his race and the fact that he was carrying a bag is exposed as poor journalism.

The book gives a good history on the demographics of New Orleans and that because its predominantly poor African Americans who live there, it carries a stigma to more non black communities. The writers hint at other non race related issues as buses left many supposed refugees to fend for themselves.

The collection of essays offers a provocative account of how New Orleans was before and after the storm.