blog #10: Katrina

It is interesting to me that when people talk about hurricane Katrina, they automatically think of New Orleans, and the aftermath of the levees breaking. When you think about it the hurricane itself really did not do much damage to New Orleans at all. Katrina did its most damage to Alabama and Mississippi. But why is that aspect not talked about in the media? Why do those two states get the shaft on this horrific event?

The people of Alabama and Mississippi also had a devastating encounter during this time, if not worse than those who were affected in New Orleans. Obviously, New Orleans had a huge outrage because of the levees breaking. With the shocking event of the levees breaking, a lot of racism was brought out through this tragedy. Most of it was the racism was brought to surface because of the media, though not all claims were true. As everyone knows the media definitely likes to stretch the truth or emphasize on things that the public wants to see. Society likes to see tragedy, heartbreak, and drama. It is what gets their attention.

Now back to talking about the New Orleans levees, was Katrina truly a natural disaster? I would definitely say yes. The fact that the hurricane was coming and where it came is uncontrollable. The levee itself was known to only be able to hold against a level 3 hurricane. So with these facts everyone knew what was coming to New Orleans. The levee breaking is also another fact that could not be controlled. The state of Louisiana should have had a levee that could withstand a stronger hurricane than a level three.

            When you look at the geography of Louisiana it just so happens that the more impoverished people of New Orleans live in an area that is the furthest below sea level. Such as the ninth ward. This part of the state is known for holding poorer families. Louisiana has a population of 32% African American, while the national percentage for African Americans is 13.6. This population percentage is very high for the black community in the state of Louisiana. So to look at the amount of African American people who were affected by the levees breaking cannot really be a factor of the incident. There are many people who believe that the Levees breaking were not an accident. The race card is thrown into play because of the areas that the water covered.

            Here is a piece of a report written about the wetland problem that has been occurring in Louisiana for a few years now. It was not just the levees that were a problem.

“Hurricane Katrina’s disastrous flooding of the Gulf Coast confirmed three decades of warnings by scientists. Most of New Orleans is below sea level, and South Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, which once helped buffer the city from giant storms, have been disappearing at a spectacularly swift pace. Now some researchers are calling for restoration of wetlands and barrier islands to help protect New Orleans the next time a hurricane strikes.

An average of 34 square miles of South Louisiana land, mostly marsh, has disappeared each year for the past five decades, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). As much as 80% of the nation’s coastal wetland loss in this time occurred in Louisiana. From 1932 to 2000, the state lost 1,900 square miles of land to the Gulf of Mexico.

By 2050, if nothing is done to stop this process, the state could lose another 700 square miles, and one-third of 1930s coastal Louisiana will have vanished. Importantly, New Orleans and surrounding areas will become ever more vulnerable to future storms. “New Orleans can’t be restored unless we also address coastal and wetland restoration too,” says Craig E. Colten, a geographer at Louisiana State University (LSU).”

This report helps prove the point that the disaster occurring in New Orleans was not a man made tragedy but a true natural disaster. 

Media coverage on Katrina

The discussion we had earlier this semester about the food industry made me think a little in comparison to the media, specifically with Katrina coverage. Given the question ‘Do we really have choices when it comes to food? Or are the foods we eat chosen for us and brought to the stores for us to buy?’  This makes me think the same of the Media. When the media covered Katrina only certain aspects were shown to the public on what issues were occurring at the time. But who chooses what is televised in the News? How do they choose? These are questions I have always wondered. Every News station will have a slightly different interpretation of the story they cover, but for the most part every station will be covering the same stories.

And I find it interesting that in class we discuss how certain terrible events were not covered or even talked about with Katrina referring to racial events; though the people who were affected by these instances are predominately liberal. And the media itself is primarily controlled by the liberal population. So how does that work? Wouldn’t it make sense that people who support the Democratic Party would want to share these kinds of horrific events with the public? The same events that the liberal party is always accusing the republicans for doing (hinting at racism).

I feel that many people want change in the world; though it is not always talked about upfront because there is no plan to do so. I think that if there was a clear way to change society and make it so that everyone could be equal it would happen. But my question is how you someone or a group of people actually go about doing so?

Again going back to my first statemtent of comparing the food industry to the media. The media just as teh food industry has a lot of power against the public. They choose what we watch, and what we are informed on. For instance there are many killings, rapes, and missing children everyday. But not all of these instances are covered through the media. How are things like this prioritized? How is one childs missing story chosen over another? Who decides what is shown? Who decides what is important and what is not?

Splitting up New Orleans

Today in class we stared to discuss the locations people in New Orleans lived. The number of people who lived there, and the race of the people. Specifically we talked about the ninth ward, which is predominately African American, and holds mostly impoverished families. Many were discussing the question of why it is that the location was chosen for the lower class citizens, who happen to be predominately black, of New Orleans to be at a lower elevation; thus causing more flooding to their areas as opposed to the predominately white neighborhoods.

                For me this is not a question or blame against race. This is simply an issue of money. When you think of who had built the homes, and sold them, that businessman was purely looking at this as a business deal. How can he make the most money? Someone who is rich for example, will spend more money for a home that is larger, and in a great location. So when you look at the geography of New Orleans, the area in which the ninth ward falls is not as attractive. This is because it is closer to the levees, and not on higher ground. Someone who is in the reality business easily recognizes this so he will build nicer houses on higher ground (better location), and will then be able to sell the house for more money as opposed to a house which is built in a more worse off location.

                This is just like when anyone is looking for a house, they will look at the location of the area. Building that surround it, if there are good schools, parks, and making sure that their house would not be in danger at all when it comes to any kind of natural disasters. These factors are what make the deciding factors of what the homes are worth.

So again I do not see this as a race issue, but as a money issue. And yes, when you look at who has money and who doesn’t, it factors out to be that there is a higher number of African Americans in the ninth ward than white but, the percentage of African Americans who live in New Orleans alone is 60.2%, while there is only 33% of Caucasian (U.S. Census). So I feel with these facts you cannot compare as much. I do not see that a business man would turn a deal away from anyone, no matter the race, if they had the money to do so. The man selling the home just wants to make money and will do whatever he can to make the most he can. Even though this reminds me a little of how our food industry acts the same way about money comapred to the person it may affect, it is still a business, though it may be wrong, that is the thought process of a businessman.

Blog #6: Placement of Products (continued)

Here is a photo I forgot to add to my original blog of product placement. right after halloween this display was set up at our local pullman walmart. It was toward the back of the store, but still very hard to miss. Obviously promoting coke products in an interesting way to get peoples attention.

Blog #8: CIW/ La Compesina workers

                After reading and doing research about both the CIW and the La via Compesina, I realized that the main differences between the two organizations is that the La Via Compesina is more international based and the CIW is directly related to the workers Florida. With the CIW organization they try to make the voices heard specifically for the immigrant workers, mostly at farms, who are in Florida. These workers typically are not paid minimum wage as the average American in this country. For example a tomato worker will be paid per bucket they fill. Not paid by hourly wage, but by the amount of crop they pick. This could be seen as a commission standpoint which could be very beneficial to one person, but then could be detrimental to another. This easily causes very low wages for these workers.

                The CIW tries to make sure that fair wages are given to such workers, even if they are illegal. They feel that it is a human right not a citizen’s right to be paid fairly. The CIW also looks to keeping labor laws in effect for these workers. Harsh working conditions are usually found in situations such as these. The workers are usually immigrants who do not have a place to stay while they work for the farmer. There is usually someone who will set them up with work along with living conditions and food, for them to be able to stay in the U.S. These are normally not good conditions. The CIW tries very hard in keeping conditions such as these in control.

                A large argument found against the CIW would be the fact that illegal’s should not be here in the U.S. anyway. Therefore, these people should not be concerned, and media should not care for the working conditions they are given. If they do not like the conditions they are given then they should go back to where they came from.

                I do not exactly know where I stand on this argument. I am definitely against having illegals here in the U.S. If someone wants to come live in the U.S. then they can easily become a citizen and go through the necessary processes. I have seen many issues with having illegal’s here in the U.S. Many taxpayers have to spend money on these noncitizens; Medical bills, education, etc. This causes great issues and concern for the taxpayers of our country.        

                Having said that, I also do not feel that human right should be discarded because of this. I understand after reading Patel that these workers are easily “stuck” in situations such as these. A form of slavery can be built around the workers. Once involved in a situation where they were promised many things, and then just not given the promises, the workers cannot get out of their situation. They end up in debt, and just cannot afford to leave because of the lack of money they receive from their bosses.

                Another issue with the illegal workers is that they usually will do the hard labor, particularly farm work, that many Americans would never do. This video shows a little understanding on this issue.  Steven Colbert went in front of the Congressional subcommittee with an opening statement that reflected on the illegal farm workers in the U.S.

The La Via Compesina on the other hand is not so specific. They are an organization that brings together millions of peasants, small and medium-size farmers, landless people women farmers, indigenous people, migrants and agricultural workers from around the world. They want to give a voice to all farmers who are small or just do not have the ability to speak for themselves. This group is looked at now that they have become so largely known. Just as a union is built, they have come together to help each other receive proper treatment and payment for their work.



Locations that are affected by La Via Compesina



Blog #9: Who to blame for Katrina Chaos

I was born in New Orleans and therefore I have many friends and family who live there. All of whom I have talked to have different perspectives on the events that occurred. Everyone has a different viewpoint on who was responsible for the terrible events, and different viewpoints on the actions that should have been taken. The video that we had watched in class was a good reflection on the thoughts throughout the community. The video showed many community members and officials who were involved in the catastrophic events, and they were able to give their personal thoughts on what really happened. Everyone who was interviewed all had a unique viewpoint on the events.

                 Some people blame President Bush, for not coming to New Orleans sooner, and not helping to his full extent. Some look towards the Governors and the mayor for not preparing the community for this disaster. I feel that anyway you look at this event there would be no way around any kind of disaster. Even if the state was prepared to the fullest, there would always be something that is out of everyone hands that cannot be controlled.

(To the left os a photo of President Bush, and Governor Blanco. Who had tried to blame Bush just before, for not catering to her demands for help from the federal government. Though, Bush on the other hand does not recognize any of these claims.)           

On that note, I do feel that there is blame to be had in the overall situation. The problem that arose with Katrina was simply the lack of preparation. To me this falls in the hands of the state. After watching the video in class it seems that many officials were looking at one another wondering who would truly be in charge to take control of such an event. I feel that governor Blanco was the one who should have stepped up. The governor was told well before the hurricane that everyone must be evacuated. She knew how big the hurricane was going to be, though nothing happened until days after the hurricane hit. It is primarily the responsibility of the state to take control, if they are unable then they may choose to  ask the federal government for help. The federal government is not allowed to step into a situation such as this, until the state asks otherwise. This was a huge mistake made by the Governor.

                The video was interesting because Governor Blanco seemed to contradict herself. She tried to blame everyone around her for the lack of attention toward this event. Even though legally she is to blame. After talking to friends and family from New Orleans, reading the book Floodlines by Jordan Flaherty, I have come to the conclusion that the true problem was from the lack of attention beforehand. Why did it take so long for the National Guard to come to the south? Where were all the buses to take all the people out of New Orleans? Why did it take a week after the levees to break for Mayor Ray Nagin to come on to the radio crying; and wondering why things are so bad?

                Well, I know the answer to these questions. PREPARATION! Which was not there. I think that the mayor’s radio interview had to be fake in a way. I am sure after seeing his home city destroyed and the hurt of all the people affected, that he was affected by it.  I also think that he used that interview to try and block any possible negative attention he might get by showing how much he cares, and trying to deflect the responsibility to someone else. I may have fell for something like this, but you have to look at the timeline of when this radio interview had fallen. It was too late in my eyes.

                The notice was out for all residents of New Orleans to leave. The government should have known that not everyone would leave. As seen in the video we watched in class, reasons people did not leave were the fact that they did not have the financial means to leave, no car, no money, and/or  no place to go after they had left. Others did not leave simply because they felt as though it would be a waste of time and money to leave. Some felt that they could survive this storm, just as they did with Hurricane Betsy.

                There should have been preparations for helping these people out, and to somewhere safe. There is no excuse to be made by these officials. Governor Blanco had the overall say of what would happen, and nothing did.

Extra Credit Blog: Food Inc.

I agree with the statement made by Richard Lobb. That, “In a way, we’re not producing chickens, we’re producing food.” This statement seems highly accurate to me being that farmers are raising these chicken for the purpose of humans to eat. These chickens are round up, and bred solely for this purpose. These chickens have their lives planned out for them, and have no other reason for being alive, besides to fulfill this purpose.

The video below is a news story covering the film “King Corn”. This film goes behind the scenes to show the true colors of what is in our food, and how corn affects it. It goes deeper into knowing how our corn is processed and where it is put.

After receiving more knowledge about the processing of our food, I can easily agree with this statement that “We want to pay the cheapest price for our food. We don’t understand that it comes at a price.” This is simply explaining that in our society, we want to be able to pay as little as possible on our food. Though in order to pay at such a cheap rate, we have to the dilute the quality of the food. This includes the process in which our food is harvested, such as the labor, pesticides used, etc. These events take away from our nutrition and health needs.

A tradition that my family holds dear is for Christmas Eve dinner. We always make our homemade enchiladas for dinner every year. This is a tradition that has been going on since my mother was a little girl. It first started by my great grandfather who came from Guatemala. Like the farmer’s who had their tradition of saving their seeds every year, to have my tradition taken away would be very upsetting. Traditions become close to the heart. It creates a unique bond between those involved. Traditions, normally, reflect good memories the families.  

Michael Pollan thinks that consumers should know what is really in the food that they purchase. The California Farm Bureau sends off a different message with their products. Many goods have symbols of farms, large fields, sunshine, etc. This all reflects on happiness, sense of being natural and healthy. Though, this is not always an accurate reflection. As talked about previously our food has many added ingredients and treatments that we are unaware of.

Overall, the video gave me a good insight on today's world of farming. Comparing the perceived vs. the reality of what we are being provided in our grocery stores. The video reveals the true identity of this market.