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.