Race, class issues reasons for aid delay This
is one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in the history of the
United States. Where is help? A common question among survivors who
had gone days without food and water. The government’s
essentially negligent response during the initial state of
emergency was baffling to many Americans and the international
community. But the reason for such an inadequate response has
become shockingly clear, and is as saddening as the natural
disaster itself. One must only look at the social-economic
circumstances: therein lies the face of a capitalist, classist
America. In New Orleans, blacks comprise 70 percent of the
population, with more than half living under the poverty line.
Generations of our fellow Americans have been ignored and treated
like second class citizens. When told to evacuate, many had no
means to do so and nowhere else to go. The little that they
possessed has been reduced to zero and the government extended a
hand in slow motion. Category 2 in Florida. Government response?
Fast, quick and in a hurry! Category 5 in Louisiana. Government
response? Let’s wait a few days and see what happens. Simply
put, class, socio-economics, racism and capitalism played a part in
prioritizing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
By Jasimen Syler Second-year, political
science