Uprooted and Scattered Far From the Familiar

Hurricane Katrina savagely ripped through the lives of the residents of Louisiana. Families were separated, homes were destroyed, and people were left with next to nothing to compensate for their losses. With Louisiana in shambles and slow government help responses, the residents had no other choice but to relocate. The refuge they have sought is in areas like Salt Lake City, which aren’t as culturally diverse and rich as their hometowns. It is a reality check for all; those who live in these cities, and those who have been thrown into them. A person who was relocated was quoted saying "We're getting shown a lot of love, but we're also getting a lot of stares like we're aliens or something.. am I the only person out here with dreadlocks?" I feel bad for these people, because they have moved away from all they know, and now they feel lost in unknown territory, forced to begin again. This reminds me of many instances in American History. During the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s, skies darkened with mile-high walls of dust and the land dried up. People fled and sought safety in other frontiers. They left behind all that they knew in search of a better life. [Grapes of Wrath, what what?!] Also, immigrants flock America daily in search of new homes and lives, whether their homes were plagued with natural disasters or not. Hurricane Katrina has forced the residents of Lousiana to become nomadic immigrants, moving from town to town in search of a place where they can start a new life.


Link - http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/national/nationalspecial/11diaspora.html?hp&ex=1126497600&en=d7fbc478bacc4608&ei=5094&partner=homepage