Syndicate content

hurricane katrina

In the Gulf's Rising Tide, Hurricane Sandy Strikes a Familiar Chord

Down in the Louisiana bayou, people have first-hand knowledge of the kind of suffering a maelstrom like Superstorm Sandy brings. After the titanic tempest slammed into northeast coastal communities, killing more than 100 and making thousands homeless, people in the Gulf could feel their pain. [...Read more]

Rocky Kistner's picture
Rocky Kistner

Obama, Romney, and Race(less De)Baiting


obama romneyWhile Romney and Obama dance around race, the Gulf Coast continues to suffer devastating racial disparities, worsened by the government's inaction. By Rosana Cruz [...Read more]

Rosana Cruz's picture
Rosana Cruz

Have we Learned Nothing from Katrina? A Reflection on Hurricane Isaac 


flooding in biloxi isaacPeople say it’s not that bad. They aren’t homeless and outdoors like they were after Katrina. But if you don’t talk to the individual you don’t know what their pain is. Right now, a lot of people don't have any food. Red Cross and Salvation Army are requesting donations for food. Nobody has the strength to go through the FEMA process. 

 [...Read more]

Sharon Hanshaw's picture
Sharon Hanshaw

National Economic & Social Rights Initiative (NESRI) Asks Federal Government to Intervene in Unjust Evictions of Katrina Victims

safe harbor drawingBy Zack Carter, Alabama Fisheries Cooperative, A Multicultural Fisher & Seafood Worker-Owned Cooperative (Belle Fontaine, Ala.)  A well-written and informative introduction to this unbelievable story of corruption – which can only be understood as a brazen attempt to turn an $18 million Katrina housing development into a [...Read more]

Bridge The Gulf's picture
Bridge The Gulf

We Have Lost One of Our Own, Stella Mae Smith

south bay katrina tourAn Inspiring Community Leader from Bayou La Batre's Historic African American Community PassesBy Zack Carter. I am sad to report that one of our inspiring community elders, Stella Mae Smith of Snows Quarter, Bayou La Batre, Alabama has died. She suffered a heart attack at her home. [...Read more]

Bridge The Gulf's picture
Bridge The Gulf

"Exhale and welcome the change" - My interview with HealaSister.com

sharon hanshawI recently shared a bit of my life story with the website H.E.A.L. a Sister (tagline: dedicated to the well-being of all women). Please take a look:

Sharon Hanshaw Shares Her Story [...Read more]

Sharon Hanshaw's picture
Sharon Hanshaw

Connecting youth to their environment in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

[...Read more]

Bridge The Gulf's picture
Bridge The Gulf

Did Closing the Large Housing Projects in New Orleans Create a Spike in Crime and Violence?

vigilBy Dr. Lance Hill, crossposted from Justice Roars. One of the post-Katrina policies touted as a way of reducing poverty and crime was to demolish most of the large housing projects and disperse the poor throughout the city (and the nation). [...Read more]

Bridge The Gulf's picture
Bridge The Gulf

As Mayor faces charges for stealing from housing development, its residents face eviction

stan wright at safe harborIt’s uncanny timing. On September 30th 2011, a federal grand jury indicted Stan Wright, the Mayor of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, for stealing from a housing development built for Hurricane Katrina survivors. The very next day, October 1st, residents of that same development faced a rent hike that is forcing many of them to move out.

 [...Read more]

Ada McMahon's picture
Ada McMahon

Alabama town outraged, not surprised, by Mayor’s alleged Katrina theft

paul nelsonIn the latest Hurricane Katrina corruption scandal, Stan Wright, the Mayor of Bayou La Batre, Alabama has been indicted on eight federal counts – including theft, conspiracy, and embezzlement.

Though residents of this small fishing town are upset by their Mayor’s alleged corruption, many aren’t surprised. [...Read more]

Ada McMahon's picture
Ada McMahon