Class Raises Money for Hurricane Katrina Victims

Hurricane Katrina Awareness Night, sponsored by the Hurricane Katrina Anatomy of a Disaster sociology class, raised over $100 for the victims of the disaster. The class will continue to have fundraising events throughout the year. The class screened the documentary Trouble in the Water, which features Hurricane Katrina survivor Kimberley Rivers Roberts and the story of one community on its journey during and after Katrina. In the film, Roberts raises awareness about the brutality of Hurricane Katrina and the insufficient relief provided by the United States government. It also served as a fundraising event. The class is dedicated to the study of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Students learn about the government's efforts, the community organizations, and every other aspect of the hurricane. At the end of the year the class is required to put on a service project. The class created "Hurricane Katrina Awareness Night" as part of the course. "We decided to show a movie because a lot of people did not know about what the true effects of Katrina are," Lovelyn Bogle '10 said. "They still think that the government took care of it." The class decided to show Trouble in the Water because it shows the aftermath of the storm when the government was supposed to be helping rebuild New Orleans. The documentary exposes the lack of government aid that the community was offered. The film shows scenes from the delayed rescue, the deceased still in houses two weeks later, hospitals not being evacuated, Army officials threatening to shoot people, and the superficial plans to rebuild the rich side of New Orleans, but not the part of the city where most families lived. "This really put a face on Hurricane Katrina to a level we can relate to, to see how individuals were truly devastated by the hurricane," Lauren Kelly '13 said. "Unfortunately, it got to the point where people felt their hands were tied, when in fact they probably could have done a little more to try and evacuate New Orleans. I think this film shed light on that." Kelly Johnson '13 agreed, feeling the film helped show a different side to the story many have not already heard. "Before [Hurricane Katrina Awareness Night] I just saw what everyone else saw on the news, which was not first hand," she said. "The film helped you see how individuals, not just the group, was affected." The sociology class used the movie to raise awareness and accept donations for Common Ground Relief. Common Ground Relief is a nonprofit organization that has helped aid thousands of people affected by Hurricane Katrina solely through volunteers and donations. Common Ground Relief has begun to help the community of the lower Ninth Ward, where 45 percent of the population of New Orleans lived, rebuilding homes and furnishing them as well as opening other free services. Common Ground Relief has established health and women's clinic, free legal services, a farming coalition, counseling, and a job training program. While many who lived in the New Orleans community want to return, they have been unable to due to insufficient assistance. The government created an organization called Road Home which was only applicable until 2007 and allocated a supposed $6 million, although many have not seen a penny. "We felt the government failed the citizens in numerous ways-not only are the homes not being rebuilt but they are not being allowed to come back," Bogle said. "There is massive devastation and the government is not doing anything." While the government was not helping, Bogle felt little things like the awareness night can help raise awareness and help give back to the community what was lost. "Courses like this inspire students to do something, but after this class what is next?" Bogle said. "Unless we are shown, we do not know. A lot of it is ignorance, but we continue to raise money. It is important to give to these people some of what they lost." Kelly felt that the awareness night was very moving, and successful in its goals. "Things like this make me more motivated to see how I can help," Kelly said. "Also, seeing actual footage is mind-blowing and really powerful and emotional."