It has been a year since the largest, costliest, deadliest, natural disaster in history struck the Gulf Coast. Over 1800 people lost their lives, and hundreds of thousands of others are scattered across the nation. Many residents want to return, but several factors, like the off-the-cuff comments made by Louisiana's government officials, lack of resources, and sheer fear of another "big one" striking the coast, with the knowledge that the existing levees are just not strong enough to protect the city, prevent them from doing so. We have heard and witnessed the local, state and federal government's inability and lack of preparedness in handling the aftermath of a disaster of this magnitude, despite being forewarned a year prior of what would happen to the Gulf Coast region if a category 4 or 5 storm would strike. We have heard and witnessed the experiences.......those who were trapped in attics and had to be rescued; those who were trapped in the Superdome and at the Convention Center with mayhem and disorder surrounding them; the horrid living conditions that followed, like not being able to bathe or use a clean restroom for several days, walking in toxic water to find shelter and food, fighting for increasingly dwindling food and water rations, and being separated from loved ones, not knowing whether they are alive or dead. The experiences I remember vividly were those of young kids being rescued from the flood waters, brought to the Superdome, crying bitterly, because they saw, sometimes all their family members, going under that water, and never resurfacing.
Those days were some of the roughest times many of us have ever experienced, and yet, we were on the verge of another daunting experience: starting over again. We were suddenly faced with the reality that we couldn't go back home. Many of us lived in our cities and neighborhoods all our lives. New Orleans, Mississippi, the Gulf Coast, was all we ever knew. Many of us didn't have transportation; we relied on city buses to get around. It was a well-known fact that many residents, plagued by decades of poverty, poor education and scant resources, were not prepared for, or lacked the resolve necessary to start new lives elsewhere successfully. The nation held its breath as they watched the situation unfold in the Gulf Coast. Many wondered, "If they make it out of there alive, what will we do with all those people?!?"
Today, on this first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I, a well-documented hurricane survivor, who has, for the most part, tried to share my experiences, good and bad, with all who were willing to walk this road with me, would like to take this time to offer several things you can do to continue to help the survivors of the Gulf Coast. Many, or probably all, of the things listed won't require a monetary donation. I found in my personal experience that I didn't feel like I needed money as much as I needed support and encouragement. This wonderful group of men and women that make up this J-Land family has given that to me, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Today, I ask that you open your hearts and minds to my fellow brothers and sisters who are hurricane survivors by:
1) Listening to us.
Yes, you have probably heard your displaced co-worker, family member, or neighbor tell that same story hundreds of times. But what happened to us was devastating. Imagine all you know and hold dear being wiped out in a matter of minutes, and by no fault of your own. This wasn't some bad business deal, separation or divorce, or anything that we could control. This wasn't an incident that we brought on ourselves (no matter what some religious fanatics may speculate). This was an act of God. There was no discrimination; it happened to all of us, across all racial and socio-economic lines. No matter how much you wish and want us to just snap out of it, we probably won't for awhile. If you just can't take it anymore, please offer us some leads on counseling resources you might have at your disposal. But if you think you can stand to hear the story one more time, bite your lip, and listen. Resist the temptation to offer advice unless asked to do so. We just want to know that someone out here cares. You have no idea how much the little time you are taking to listen means to us.
2) Not discriminating against us.
This is so important. Everyone from New Orleans isn't dirt poor, on drugs, and living in a housing development! We are not all criminals, and we are not seeking to"get over" on the system or commit crimes on you! I of all people know and realize that there exists "an element." But I have also learned from my experience in law enforcement that the percentages of that element is very small, but because the media capitalizes on the behavior of a small group of individuals (well, actually, their antics warrant the attention), they inadvertently become representatives of a whole race or region of people. This is, in fact, true all across the country. Please, and this is especially a plea to those of you who are employers, clergy, law enforcers, anyone who offers services to the public. Please don't lump everyone from New Orleans or the Gulf Coast region into the same category. Don't base your knowledge of us on everything you saw or heard in the media. Many of us held jobs. They may have been low-paying, but we contributed to Louisiana's tax base. Many of us are educated, intelligent, well-spoken people. And what can be said about most of us is that we are extremely hospitable. In other words, we are warm, caring, loving people. Our strength comes from the ability to survive in the conditions we were subject to for so many years. Try viewing us as individuals. Give us a chance. We promise, you won't be sorry.
3) Giving us time.
"Why would you want to return there?"
"The hurricane happened last year....why are you still referring to yourself as an evacuee?"
"It doesn't seem like New Orleans is livable....why don't you stay here, with us, in this great state of_________?"
These are a few of many questions asked to me, from some extremely well-meaning people, who earnestly want to make my family feel welcome, and who REALLY want us to stay! LOL These comments are not hurtful AT ALL, but it shows that many still don't understand how hard it is for many of us to start a new life.
We have the kids who want to return home to see their friends and family again. We have the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins......especially the older ones, who are struggling on all accounts to try and start anew. No matter how much you read to them, show them, or tell them about conditions in the region, they miss home, and want to return. Our homesickness IS NO REFLECTION ON YOU, MY DEAR PEOPLE. Many of us will eventually stay where we are. But if and when New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast is rebuilt, countless others will return home.
For those of us who are staying, it is a process. Many of us lost all our documents, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, school records, social security cards, shot records........all those things that identify us as citizens. And for those of us not yet blessed with transportation or internet service, it has been a struggle to get to the places that will help us obtain copies of these things. Many jobs require that we have that documentation. We also have to deal with the insufficient, or lack of FEMA funding, and/or the refusal of homeowners insurance companies to cover damages done to our property, not to mention the promise of federal money that forlorn, longsuffering residents who are still in New Orleans have yet to see. Many of us are still unemployed, NOT because we don't want to work or don't have skills, but because three factors are an issue:
a) Transportation;
b) Insufficient documentation; and
c) Employers overlooking evacuees for fear that they will return home soon
The company that I work for had given its employees who were impacted by the storm ample time to return to work, and I had taken advantage of that opportunity to learn Houston, and settle my family.
My husband wasn't so lucky; he, and many others, were let go, laid off, fired, or terminated from the companies they worked for because they couldn't return home to work. Many companies were at a loss as to what to do with all of its displaced employees. A lot of companies didn't, and still don't have a plan in place to deal with such a crisis. As a result, many of us, especially the men, are finding it increasingly difficult to find and keep new jobs. My husband, who worked for UPS eight long years, is struggling to find his way. He is currently in school trying to obtain certifications to work as a computer technician, but he, like many others, are hoping that they will find salaries that match or exceed what they were being paid before Katrina. Many are not willing to accept menial work, but financial conditions are forcing them to do so. It is harder for the men to start all over again, and for those of us who are standing by them, watching them struggle, it is heartbreaking. I implore you to please be patient with us. Give us time. We are trying to "get it together." Unfortunately, starting over isn't easy, and takes longer than we would like. Please, try and bear with us just a little while longer.
And, finally:
4) Praying for us.
This is for all the faith-filled people reading this; please, DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF PRAYER. I tell you, prayer has done much for us. Where you just don't feel that you can help much, sincere, heartfelt prayers on our behalf to THE ONE who can do ANYTHING will move mountains!!!!!! The prayers of a nation are the reason why we are still here today, and surviving. We thank you, and we beg of you, don't stop praying!!!!!!!!
As we remember the day that changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of my fellow brother and sister Americans, please make an effort to be more considerate, more hospitable, more understanding, patient, and gracious. We thank you for all your help so far. It is the citizens of this great nation, not the government, that have opened up their hearts, homes, and pocketbooks to help their fellow Americans in their time of need. I know that many of you are burdened by the stress of what seems to be multiple disasters and increased mayhem in the world, but please know, and I feel that I speak for all when I say this, that
WE APPRECIATE YOU! 
I want to thank all out here in J-Land who have traveled this road with me. You have listened, you have laughed, cried, and felt my pain. I thank God every day for you all, because I know that if it weren't for your listening, encouragement, and your challenging me to press on, the struggles would have been even more difficult to deal with. Please, my good people, continue to extend that love and encouragement to my fellow brothers and sisters today.
Love,
Adrian
