The wake of Hurricane Katrina literally flooded that nation’s hearts, minds and souls with compassion and question, then responsibility and blame. The enormity of the destruction on land and in American humanity unveiled the roots of a deeper problem: absent, irresponsible fathers and socially victimized mothers. Residents like these and others leaned on the relief efforts of local and federal governments to begin helping put their lives together again.

The Independent Women’s Forum hosted “Katrina: One Year Later,” a panel discussion several months ago in attempt to analyze the effects of this disaster on poverty in the South now, then, and in the future. Three prominent black writers and one white historian joined President Michelle D. Bernard in presenting their version of reality, reason, and resolve for this dire situation.

Victimization became the central theme in Katrina’s aftermath, bringing to light a myriad of issues rooted in crime, poverty, broken families and the Southern black community. In the absence of an effective plan due to time restraint, resident demand, and necessity, the government on either level was unable to reconcile an acceptable emergency recovery.

An outpouring of love from those around the country came in the form of finances, relief teams, and prayers, but the actions were not enough to salvage the loss of, not only home and family, but also the morale and character of many casualties.

The Roots of the Problem

The overall sentiment of the panelists, consisting of Charles Murray, Star Parker, John McWhorter, and Nicole Galinas, was that Katrina simply pulled back the shade of a problem that has festered for decades, even centuries.

The underclass, on which the conversation centered, was defined by Murray as, “people preying directly on other members of the community and not contributing to mainstream America.”

Directly following Katrina, the number of underclass increased significantly for this particular region, therefore upping the consequences of such poverty-stricken circumstances. Murray played on the idea that mainstream America chooses not to recognize poverty for what it is because it, “fundamentally betrays America as an idea.”

Parker echoed Murray’s sentiments, claiming that the government does not belong in charity. She livened the idea of personal responsibility and self-sufficiency as the answer to poverty’s end, accusing sexual promiscuity as the number one root of the epidemic.

Parker claimed that out of wedlock children remain the number one characterization of the poor, such it is an “equal opportunity destroyer.” Katrina’s results proved that the government cannot make up for broken families no matter the genuine effort.

Parker detailed the following as steps out of poverty: reduce labor law and government, increase local community daycare, education and training, saving and investing, and increasing charity opportunities. Local politics and reliance on community members on a small basis is the only way to solve the problem, in her opinion.

Playing Race and Government

Harsh criticism of the federal government surfaced quickly when all needs weren’t met and the race game came into play. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin received some blame but he was just one of many. After commenting that New Orleans should become a “chocolate city” again, the public began to question his motive. Nagin embraced the violence and poverty that previously flourished by, according to an audience member, inviting criminals back to the city when they significantly increased crime rates in overflow cities like Houston.

Author McWhorter said, “There is a moral insensitivity on the part of the powers that be and that is why they haven’t done something they should have.”

Playing the race card is not relevant, according to McWhorter, who cited Chinatowns as a primary example that segregation in itself creates poverty.

Now, the government is talking about building neighborhoods around the temporary housing projects built for displaced residents. This would be a critical mistake in government funding and citizen morale.

As the city dried out, many residents decided against a move back to their hometown. New Orleans previously held high crime records and boasted a corrupt justice system. This phenomenon echoed loudly as Houston’s crime rate increased significantly with many acts perpetrated by Katrina casualties removed.

Victimized Beginnings

Galinas provided a backdrop for the origins of New Orleans poverty, referencing sailors from years ago who came down to the ports and had no way of returning home. Her analysis of crime, justice, and corruption in the bottomed city painted a clear picture of why poverty is re-invented generation after generation in certain areas.

Little boys with no fathers create role models in the form of adolescent boys, and are raised by welfare mothers who often have several children by different fathers. The situation cycles, a tragedy like Katrina striking at the heart of this already desperate situation, sets the bar back even further.

Because they are labeled victims, excuses and expectations that government should and will take care of everything leads to laziness, and justification for poverty. When the government fails to supply everything, complaints rise, the media portrays tear-stained, barefoot children in shacks, and the rest of the country never gets the whole story.

“The media conveyed the impression that many women of the women with three or four kids are already going to work and being responsible,” said Parker. “But that is not true; most of these women have never been socialized to the workplace.”

The falsities surrounded the roots of American poverty are alarmingly deceptive and this panel concluded that pushing a sense of personal responsibility, obligation, and character reform is the only way to get back on track.

Murray tracked what’s known as the “mobility theory” to one reason of poverty today: “they took sin and coupled in with a financial benefit” with welfare introduction in the 60’s. A general ending overtone suggested a return to traditional values, localized government, and personal responsibility would surely be steps in the right direction.

A year and a half after Katrina, crime rates and violence have only increased, and that’s with less than half of residents that returned to New Orleans. Reuters reported today, from the New Orleans Times-Picayune, that, “’3,000 arrested suspects were released in 2006 because prosecutors failed to indict them within the required 60 days. In January 2007, 580 were released for the same reason’”

All major tiers of the community—social, economic, education—need serious reformation. This overwhelming task will require dedicated individuals with mindsets to overcome adversity, reject victimization, restructure education, restore traditional family values and embrace personal responsibility. A modern day humanitarian stacked with liberty-minded principles and a rallying endurance is called for. Citizens using Katrina as a breeding ground for government culpability only stagnate the process of victory for this once beloved city. Its one thing to want New Orleans to come out glorious someday, but as often quoted, “People may not believe what you say, but they will always believe what you do.”