The disaster in New Orleans shows our racial divide

Not very often, but sometimes, I'm asked whether the imperative of the YWCA -- to eliminate racism wherever it exists by any means necessary -- is still relevant. What we have been witnessing in New Orleans is a poignant message to everyone in this country. Starvation, death and disease are suffered by tens of thousands of black Americans for five days before truckloads of water and food were sent. Headlines focus on the criminal activity of a few instead of the dire circumstances faced by Americans, in the wealthiest country in the world. Hospitals that were filled with black and poor white people were literally abandoned.

We can blame the government, FEMA and other governmental entities for that. But when some irresponsible "journalists" and naive Americans call in to talk shows and blame the people for not evacuating, I am literally horrified.

The poverty data was known by the city, state and the feds prior to the hurricane. As a matter of fact, reporters announced that there would be many who could not evacuate because they did not have money. Yet there were no provisions delivered to the shelters prior to the storm. I've heard folks say that you can't fly a helicopter during a hurricane. They're absolutely right! But what happened before the clearly forecasted hurricane started? What happened the day after? We can make provision drops all over the world, why couldn't they occur in New Orleans and Biloxi?

Some callers into talk shows have asked why didn't the people who couldn't evacuate have any money. Clearly, they don't know their own American history -- or they're in denial. The commercial that says, "We make money the old-fashioned way -- we earned it," is only part of the story. They earned it because they had access to jobs when blacks didn't. They earned it because they were promoted to senior-level positions when blacks were relegated to service jobs. They earned it because they had the capacity afforded to them by quality schools and higher levels of education, which has been denied to masses of black poor students.

Let us not blame the victim, not this time. Blame those in power who could have made a difference and didn't. Blame the structural inequality often discussed at conferences but which never leads to the deconstruction of the systems of inequality.

The good that I hope comes from this is that the United States, for the first time in a long time, will be shamed into addressing the systems of apartheid that continue to exist in this country.

CECILIA GRIFFIN GOLDEN
CEO, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
Downtown

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Witness to horror

I lived most of my life in Pittsburgh and relocated to the Mobile, Ala. area six years ago. I was touched to read ("Local Volunteers Mustering for Relief Effort; Donations Sought," Sept. 2) that organizations and people in Pittsburgh are seeking donations and assistance for Hurricane Victims of the Gulf Coast. One cannot truly realize the devastation that Katrina has caused.

My husband and I experienced Hurricane Ivan last year and saw the damage it did to Gulf Shores, Ala., which at the time we thought was horrible. Well, Ivan was minimal compared with the devastation that Katrina has brought to the Gulf Coast area.

Luckily, where I live we did not have anywhere near the damage and flooding the coastal areas have sustained. We mainly lost power and had trees down. However, we have friends and co-workers who do live in the coastal areas and have lost everything -- including family, friends and loved ones. The pictures being broadcast do show some horrific images, but I don't think one can fully comprehend the devastation. A friend who lives in Biloxi went back to her home a day after the hurricane. She said, "I got out of my car and I could smell death all around me."

As we wait in lines at gas stations for two to three hours, we meet people who have traveled from Mississippi to try and get gas, food and provision to take back home. A grown man started crying when he said he is from Biloxi and that he rode out the storm at his home. He can't even talk he is so emotional.

I don't think words can truly express the millions of lives this disaster has affected and changed. Every day I have been praying and thanking God that my family and I are safe. Biloxi is only 45 miles from my home. It could have easily been us.

My heart goes out for all those suffering and grieving. We always think, "Oh, that could never happen to us." Well, Hurricane Katrina proves that saying incorrect.

SUSAN (HEMPHILL) STOKLEY
Semmes, Ala.

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Knee-jerk bashers

I am so disappointed at the outcry of many of your op-ed writers -- Dennis Roddy, Ann McFeatters, Paul Krugman (now there's a surprise!) -- about the alleged mishandling of the Katrina tragedy. Most so far have been only too eager to allow their ingrained hatred of our president, to somehow blame him personally for this. They do not wish to wait for the facts to emerge; that might only confuse them. Instead, their rants only inflame a desperate situation, at a desperate time, thereby exacerbating the horror of this event. Is this the best that they can do?

It would be interesting to know what any one of them would do on a sinking ship: Would they immediately focus their attention on, and curse, the captain, the ship's owner, some other person or entity, with whom they have nurtured a grievance for so long? Or would they fight the fires, try to pump out the flooding waters, somehow help to save the ship?

It may well be that the facts will prove your guys right, but let's solve the problem first, then hold the inquisitions. It might also be possible that they are dead wrong and that their hatred of George Bush has only blinded them into incorrect conclusions. Surely Journalism School taught you that there are other courses to be mastered besides Criticism 101 -- like Rationality, Objectivity and Responsibility.

DICK NIEWOEHNER
Upper St. Clair

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A crying shame

FEMA Director Michael Brown should be fired.

In New Orleans, people were starving to death. They had no food, water or medical attention for days. Riots broke out. Men still wander the streets with guns, loot hospitals and attack women. People wade through filth. Bodies were piled against the wall in the convention center. Despite all this, Brown thought "things are going relatively well." The Federal Emergency Management Agency should be renamed The National Joke.

Despite the enormous amount of money that has been spent on homeland security and disaster preparedness since 9/11, this country was unable to provide basic life-sustaining assistance to the victims of this hurricane in a timely fashion.

As an American I am ashamed of the response to this disaster and personally afraid for my safety should a major disaster strike Western Pennsylvania.

KRISTIN POHASKI
Freeport

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The heavy hand

If you vote, you are responsible for the disaster in New Orleans.

Your government has the monopoly for maintaining the levee system and masked the reality that it was unwise and unsafe to build on a flood plain.

Your government uses your money to keep New Orleans' inner-city denizens in perpetual dependency with no sense of responsibility and property.

Your government herded some citizens into the Superdome and convention center without food or water and prohibited 25,000 others from returning to their own homes to deal with damage and looters.

Only private entities like Wal-Mart, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities USA, State Farm Insurance and your direct donations effectively and immediately improved the calamity. Only private insurers have the incentive to analyze risks and benefits of building in high-risk areas.

The question is: How long will you continue to mindlessly trust federal and state employees with your money, life and liberty?

MARK D. VALENTI
Robinson

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More sacrifice

While watching the anticipated devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina, I couldn't help but consider the aftermath. Previous hurricanes left devastation in their path that required extensive government assistance, both monetary and military.

While considering the fate of those in the hurricane's path, I thought of the billions of dollars wasted in Iraq, and all the soldiers fighting an unnecessary war with their families needing help in their own country.

I care about our troops, for their safety and psychological well-being (since the start of the war, August is quickly becoming the fifth-worst month for soldier deaths in Iraq). But it infuriates me to think of the military families, as they flee their homes not knowing what they will return to, and their need of help and psychological support from spouses, mothers, fathers, etc.; and the frustration of soldiers stationed in Iraq wondering of the safety of the families they've left behind.

Sacrifice is one thing, like fighting for your country, but unnecessary sacrifice is another. Instead of the financial drain supporting a bungled war, our military and money would help in coming days as the wrath of the hurricane unfolds in the stories of the devastated lives of those affected.

When we consider the fear, anxiety and devastation happening at home these last few days in August, it is one more example of how the lies and mismanagement of what's happening in Iraq is a travesty to this country.

WARD PAYNE
Ross

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Same difference

What is the difference between the looters in New Orleans and the Pennsylvania state legislators who voted themselves a pay raise?

The looters' clothes are wet.

MARTY STEWART
Plum