Your Comments

Not only was the response to Katrina horrible, but so was the coverage of the disaster since.

I was in Jackson, MI during the storm as a student at Jackson State University. It disturbed me greatly to continually read and watch stories about the negative impact that Katrina victims have had on the communities they now reside in. Give me a break! I will concede that with an increase in population comes an increase in crime, but for cities like Houston (who were all too happy to try to use Katrina evacuees for cheap labor) to place their crime issues at the feet of these people is shameful.

Jackson's population swelled after the storm as well, but we did not receive the press coverage for the full coliseum of people we housed. We did, however, get to be featured as the site of multiple cases of FEMA fraud. How interesting that a city who did more than their share to help during and since the tragedy would only receive negative press while other cities received lots of “good white folks helping blacks” stories. I guess our mayor and city council aren't press friendly.

Dr. Dyson - thank you for stating the truth in the national media that a majority of New Orleans residents were NOT simply sitting around "collecting checks." I am more than fed up with these broad stereotypes of people like me: poor black folks.

I heard Dr. Dyson's speech at the Blake School's annual Diversity Symposium.

WOW! What a great message!

Thank you for your words and your book.

Larry,
retired white liberal clergyman

The government's response sucked, plain & simple.

There was no government response for 2 days because they were not prepared for the magnitude of the hurricane.

Also as you say, Mr. Dyson, Bush doesn't care about the poor of any race.

I had the pleasure of hearing you on the radio today, and I wanted to send you my thanks for having the courage and the eloquence in speaking out. I hope many many people hear your message.

I love your passion and your sense of moral justice.

This is such a sensitive story because so many lives have been affected. I don't believe race played an issue in this case, even though many politicians want you to believe so. This was due to poor management starting from the local officials to the Federal Officials.

I believe that most of the responsibility should be placed on the Mayor and Governor. They should have known about the people they represent and should have had a plan to displace the people before the storm had hit. But even a well prepared plan would have flaws because the need was very great.

The media covered the story to make it seem as if race politics played a part on what decisions were being made to rescue the people. I am very saddened about how this country is still divided politically, racially and economically. Remember the old saying, "United we stand, divided we fall." Katrina really showed how poorly we are standing, and we are continuing to fall.

The complete failure of the Federal, State and Local infrastructure during and following hurricane Katrina illustrates incompetence on the part of big government.

The inherent inefficiency of bureaucracy is an unavoidable flaw of any form of government. What is the answer? Higher taxes, more government, empowering legislators to redistribute wealth. The only viable means to reducing government waste is to reduce government.

As we continue to increase the authority of the government society as a whole has suffered. Our system of government provides a level of control to the common man over all forms of government unprecedented in history. Until the public begins to pay as much attention to the direction of our nation as our beloved celebrities, politicians will not be held accountable for their (in)actions.

The federal goverment is not a responsible deparment when it comes to the lives of Americans. We should no longer think that the goverment is going to be concerned with the lives of poor people. They have showed time and time again that they are dysfunctional.

It's a shame that we live in a place where the value of life is not the same if you are poor. When our goverment puts the same value on all life, the citizens of this country will follow.

I think that the Katrina Hurricane and subsequent disaster brought out so much that we need at least 50 books written about the subject. What was glaringly revealed was the amount of poverty and suffering that Blacks endure everyday that contributes immeasurably to our lack of enthusiasm and confidence to respond to everyday systematic oppression. Hence, since we usually don't do anything when trouble comes, when an actual, immediate threat is present, we are lethargic to evaluate and formulate a response. But we need the stories from people who were there. Why don't we here much from them? They're tired.

Most importantly, Katrina and the subsequent debacle showed us that we can't keep waiting on God to come from the sky to save us. Or, more accurately, God lives in us, so we don't have to wait on the roof for the white man. Unless... we can't cooperate enough to save ourselves.

Please, black people with expertise, help us that don't know how things (government, politics, economic revolution) run by including us in the loop. Dumb it down, but pass it on. Everything doesn't have to be learned anew by each generation.

And, please, Black people, strive for self-sufficiency.

I truly believe that the leaders of this nation have shown that they really do not care for the race of people who have made this nation great. Katrina was just the footage to show how whites in power really feel.

I think it's a shame that the US does so much for other countries but so little for our own.

We hear more on the news about one young girl who disappeared than we do about the thousands who suffered and continue to suffer from Katrina.

I am ashamed of the way our government has handled things, although not surprised.

Oh the utter horror of it all... that the first link that I hit is Evan's from Chicago, IL! And after feeling such a sense of history AND hope upon reading Come Hell or High Water.

Thank you for your chronicle and contextualization of this truly tragic and unnatural disaster. Louisiana was my home for 11 years, yet my experience was so distinct and different from poor black folk living in poverty throughout the region. Your words have help me understand just a little bit more about those Americans, their fellow citizens, their government and myself.

Thank you for your continued courage to detail and discuss difficult issues and ideas. Your voice is valuable.

The national response to Katrina shows us that this nation is still very racist and does not care about the plight of Black America.

The fact that they took so long to get help to those people because of there race and economic class is a shame. I guess if there would have been some oil at those houses they would have been there very quick. When our government can send help to Afghanistan and Iraq and cant help its own citizens we really have a problem.

They have displaced the people of New Orleans from their homes and have made it almost impossible for them to come back. I pray that if this was a master plan to get Blacks out of New Orleans that when the white people take it over, and the most likely will, there is a Katrina every year.

You know the old saying, "God don't like ugly." This is an ugly situation.

I'm reading your book, Come Hell or High Water, and I just read your analysis of the two photos (pg 164)- the black "looter" vs. the resourceful white.

What struck me was where you went from there, to a secondary analysis, showing the difference in using the word "citizen" for the whites and only "a young man" for the black man. I have seen and recognized the earlier racial tactics to demean images of blacks, but this issue of belonging as a citizen, as a member, was too subtle for me. You could write an entire book on this concept alone - all of the implications behind that omission. Language is so powerful, and I appreciate you pointing that out to me as a reader.

This is the first book of yours that I've read, but I'm sure it won't be the last.

Thank you,
Vanessa

The national response to Katrina was a Grover Norquist moment. The administration looks upon poor people in America as a social problem. Mr. Norquist's philosophy is to kill the monster. In this case, the national agency responsible for rebuilding disasters is the monster. This past weekend, Republican Senators were calling for the end of FEMA. These right wing fascists’ view in America is one of a free market, a combination of government and big business.

This notion that our national government is bad for America is a bit radical. Our government is of and for the people of America. The problem is that our national government has no progressives to continue the legacy of FDR.

This will change in November.

It is not only my opinion, but my belief that if this traumatic life altering experience would have occurred in some other state such as Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma and the like, our national government would have been more eager to help.

Instead, our predominantly black city never had a chance.

Despite the setback, the people of our city are resilient.

The national government response sucked big time, and still continues to be. All this time, we in New Orleans thought we were Americans - how wrong we were!

A major American city is 80% destroyed, and instead of providing anything remotely like adequate assistance, the government just throws away our tax dollars in Iraq, of all places. It's just insane.

The three words that come into my mind when I think about Katina are unjust, unfair, an unethical. Individuals in hiearchy positions were aware of this travesty yet failed to relay and prepare the residence of New Orleans in a timely fashion.

I'm not saying that every life could've been saved; however, if the citizens of New Orleans were warned in advance to vacate the premises, more of God's children could've survived this event.

Adra

Dr. Dyson makes great points and can handle himself well on nationally televised talk shows. I admire his ability to get his point across even though I may not always agree with all of them.

The point that I would like to make is the same point that Spike Lee opened up one of his films with: Wake Up!
Katrina showed that as black people, we have no one looking out for us. I saw people smiling when they spoke of the catastrophe in N.O. It was disheartening but also sobering.

We think that the common good of man would invoke some feeling of compassion, but this country holds and harbors a lot of venomous hate. Impoverished black people are going to have to learn how to fight for their rights and not expect a lot of help. Frankly, many people, be they black, white, asian, latino, or any other race, do not care as much as they should.

I live within 60 miles of what is left of South Mississippi and in the days following Katrina there was no TV. I worked with my church and we just prayed to keep our heads above water, as we were feeding about 2500 people every day.

My main question for the media is "Why are you not still reporting the facts in this book?" We are still hurting and we have about 4 weeks to get ready again for another wild hurricane season.

The national response has been and is a disgrace.

All our tax money is going to a needless war, Iraq, improvements there (oil rich nation) and to the wealthy people in this country (tax cuts, provisions for them).

Katrina victims, their recovery, rebuilding their homes should be a national priority - it is not. Shameful. I feel like I live in a third world country.

I feel that our government can blow up a country and rush to help them, yet stand back and let the people of our country just die in the streets like animals and say they didn`t know what was going on.

I think it's time to give back the government to the people. I feel that our leaders have let us down and we as a people have let ourselves down. It's time to pick up where the Panthers, Dr. Williams, and many others left off. The struggle still goes on, just on different battle fronts.

As we all saw, the government doesn't care about us and, for the most part, we don't care about ourselves. I wish we stuck together as a pepole when we needed to the most. Instead, my people were raping and killing others and stealing. I'm not talking about the food and water that was taken, but the TVs and video games. What did they think they were going to plug them in to?

Mr. Dyson,

Perhaps you should watch yourself when you make overly broad generalizations about race and Hurricane Katrina. I know that my home was destroyed by the storm, and we didn't get fully compensated by insurance. The government didn't help my family escape, and it hasn't done much to rebuild my hometown either.

It's easy to sit above the carnage (inside your Ivy League walls) and complain about the government's racist action towards blacks after the storm. But the reality is that race was simply not an issue in this case. And despite how you attempt to make Katrina about black suffering in New Orleans, you cannot change the fact that it was bigger than race or class.

I look forward to you coming to speak at Rhodes in the next few days. In the meantime, forgive me if I think that your book is a complete joke.

David
Rhodes College
Class of 2006

Dr. Dyson is the most brilliant and articulate public character I had the chance to see in over twelve years since I’ve been in America. While I commend his activity as God’s shepherd, I simply deplore many of his other preferences such as: rap music, masculinity and multiculturalism, feminist thought and gender relations, popular culture and postmodernism.

There is no doubt that historically, blacks were subject to an abject and genocidal treatment in America and elsewhere but a religious man should remember two things: one is that social justice and economic wellbeing are not the necessary premises of happiness on Earth or hereafter and the other is that humanness has no color when it comes to its sublimity or its baseness.

Finally, we must say that it is sad and disappointing to notice that an individualistic complexion and a promethean propensity became life’s creed of such a superb intellectual and religious man.

I am David who frequently calls your show. Let me say from the start, I strongly disagree with your political ideals, which is what makes this the greatest country on God's green earth. However, I also acknowledge you are fair minded when it comes to allowing your callers the chance to confront and engage you with a differing viewpoint. Having said that, this Katrina crap, is just that: “crap.” For the longest time, President Bush has been hammered on many issues, including this one. This is appalling.

It was the Democratic party that first colorized the map with a red/blue color code designation differentiating the states between those that voted Republican and those that voted Democratic. Suddenly tossed into this mix, is the city of New Orleans. The last time I checked, LA was part of the red state/Republican voting electorate. To imply that there was evidence the levies was bombed, as Rev. Farrakhan claims, is not only blatantly ridiculous, but it further harbors a racially motivated divide in this country. There is not one bit of concrete evidence the levies were bombed.

Mayor Nagin, who openly spoke of a desire for a "Chocolate City", deserves to shoulder much of the blame. First of all, if you want to talk about racism, that reeks of it. Secondly, he allowed all those school buses to sit in the lot, and refused Amtrak’s offer to take many of those people out of New Orleans. The Governor of LA, another Democrat, also allowed much of this to occur.

This lame attempt to try and say President Bush allowed this to happen, or allowed the Blacks to die, is absurd. There is NO basis or factual evidence he approved or signed off on any of this. The fact that New Orleans has been run by Democrats for more than 60 years speaks volumes. For over 6 decades, the Democrat's stranglehold on New Orleans has proved just how destructive Democratic ideals have been. Look at the poverty throughout the "Big Easy" and you will see 60 years of failed policies.

Stop with the Bush bashing, and own up to the root cause of the problems. Do I think there were no mistakes made during this rescue effort? Hardly the case. Yet the blame should lie firstly on the Mayor and the Governor, the first line of defense for the people of New Orleans. If either Nagin or the Governor were Republicans, you bet your posterior that we would have heard how the evil white politicians/Republican conservatives allowed this to happen.

Nagin showed his true colors when he spoke of his desire of a "Chocolate city." If you think this is okay, I wonder what you would say if you heard a white mayor speak of a "Vanilla City"? Would the race card, once again come into play? The other notion that Bush allowed this to happen because he was racist, or that he allowed the deaths to occur because New Orleans was mostly black, is appalling. Last time I checked, almost all of the rescue workers were white. Am I imagining this?

I do not wear rose-colored glasses that have me live in a phony world. I deal in facts and issues. The root of the problems here were a lack of response from both the Mayor and the Governor: NOT the President.

I would welcome your response.

Thanks,
David

I am a 20 year old white male. I believe that the response and the way the government handled Katrina shows how much racism still exists in America.

I am a big fan of Tupac Shakur and I have read almost all of his books. I believe what he says about the young people of America not having way out of their lifestyle. I think that the poverty in this country is growing rapidly and there is nothing to do to stop it.

I also watched Dr. Dyson on Bill Maher's show and I thought he ran the show. I call on Dr. Dyson to run for president because he is so great at speaking the truth. He would have my vote.

I was in Katrina and experienced the flood, the Super Dome, the wait for the bus, and the Astro Dome with my 34 year old son who is in a wheelchair. He was left with my two nephews(9 and 11) who are from East New Orleans: "the bad side of town" as they say, or the 9th ward poor black people.

If it were not for the so called "thugs" that took over the city and Superdome to help and protect these poor people and look out for my son, we would be dead. I am alive because of him and his people. There is a time and place for everything, and Katrina was not the time or place for thugs. They knew that it was about survival.

In my opinion, the national response to Katrina was terrible. I heard that Amtrak volunteered some seats to evacuate some of the American citizens and our officials let those empty seats leave without being occupied. I'm very disappointed with the way my city and I were and still are being treated.

I strongly believe it's another example of how the black and poor people of this nation are treated. When you look at the facts and realize that a great deal of the population of New Orleans was poor, so poor that they didn't even own a car, how can a nation sit by and give an order to evacuate and NOT think about those who had no means to evacuate?

In essence, the federal government, state government, and, yes, the city government failed these people miserably. No one had to die.

I feel that the President acted very irresponsibly when this disaster took place. There were hundreds of buses waiting to transport people out of the eye of the storm, but FEMA refused to let them through.

Last time I checked, we are living in America. So many lives were needlessly lost because America refused to help.

I can only understate the degree of disrespect that this administration has demonstrated for the African American/poor people in the response to the Hurricane Katrina tragedy.

However, this will be heightened by the plans for the reconstruction of New Orleans. The faulty plans that will turn New Orleans into a resort will add insult to injury. The property is already being bought for phenomenal amounts.

It’s going to be like the Martha’s Vineyard of the South. Stay tuned.

Bet there won’t be an infrastructure problem then!

I live in the West Sonoma County Area, which, in a small way is subject to repeated flooding and is home to the poor, the drug addicted, the elderly, the mentally ill and gays--in short, marginalized people (who are primarily white) and are frequently victimized by all the forces that victimize the residents of New Orleans.

Our current administration doesn't care about anybody who needs help. I am older than you and less sanguine that anything can be done. The self help doctrine will never work once the society casts people out. Those who can help themselves have done so. The rest of us have are prey for the stronger among us.

May you succeed in your endeavor in saving some. The Republicans want us gone.

The mayor of New Orleans failed the citizens of N. O. He had 4 days warning that this disaster was likely to happen, and did nothing. Then he screamed, "Where was the government to help?" He was the government, and totally inept. A disgrace. Then he claimed racism. This happened to all citizens of N. O., black and white.

Moving the victims to the Sports Arena was also a disaster. TV coverage showed citizens stranded on the US 10 freeway with no help for days, while our federal government rushes to help foreign nations within hours. What in the hell is going wrong in America?

Looting for food during an event like this shows that people will do anything to survive in these situations. However, looting stores for items other than food only shows the lawlessness of African Americans in situation after situation that causes white citizens to want nothing to do with blacks. Blacks are their own worst enemy. This has to change in America if blacks are to be respected. If blacks don't respect each other how do they expect others to respect them? It's time for civil behavior if blacks want Civil Rights.

I felt so strongly about the victims of Hurricaine Katrina that I wrote a song about them.

It's called, "I Shoulda Left When I had the Chance".

Disaster preparedness is every citizens' responsibility at this time. Black people, as well as all people should stay informed, have cash and emergency supplies available, keep a working vehicle (at least 1) and should be prepared to move out at a moment's notice.

During World War II, British citizens, preparing for impending aerial bombardment from the Germans, dug bomb shelters, stored canned food and drinkable water, and purchased wireless radios and flashlights.

During the current climate of terroristic threats from abroad, storms, and constant threats of civil unrest and martial law, people in this country should make the same provisions for themselves.

Since your premise is that Government cannot be relied upon to make these provisions for us, perhaps we should educate ourselves about the kinds of provisions we should be making for the next big disaster.

This would be a more fruitful use of your time on the air than bellyaching about the government's failure to provide for underprivileged Blacks during the last disaster. Don't cha think?

I first would like to say about the hurricane Katrina victims that I am deeply ashamed and sorry that the type of government we live and work for thought nothing much of them and my deepest condolences go out to them and their families for their losses!

I also would like to say that life is good and everyday is a gift from God. I still am not seeing in my everyday paths and travels in this country that people respect that. Today in this country I only see a lot of hate and it needs to end.

To quote the very brave Tupac Amaru Shakur, "It ain't about black or white 'cause we're human, I hope we see the before it's ruined!"

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Peace & love.

I began to read "Come Hell or High Water" prior to a business trip to New Orleans this March. Once I knew that I would be going to New Orleans, I stopped reading the book, so that I could have a "white paper" visual of the impact of Katrina.

Once I saw the Lower 9th myself, the impact of Dr Dyson's description of Hurricane Katrina was dramatically impactful. He probably captured with complete accuracy not just the distruction, but pre and post far reaching structual racism issues that still circle the Lower 9th.

Interestingly enough, I found it unusual that many folks from Russia and other countries were working in the very Hotel I stayed at in New Orleans, and these folks ceratinly had a place to go home to after their shift.

Dr. Dyson

I have a couple opinions. I recently heard you lecture at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. I wanted to contact you with a few concerns and am glad to have this opportunity to share my feelings via email.

I am gravely dissappointed with our Nation's response. But I was not totally surprised, the regard for poor to average lower class people who happen to be black folks is certainly not a proiority.

The African American community also does a poor job of making our law makers accountable. I am ready for our commnuity to have a proactive agenda prepared for the lawmakers and insist resolutions. We need a body of serious leaders to breathe down their throats everystep of the way to ensure quality solutions and progress.

Dr. Dyson you are a dynamic speaker, without a doubt. You are mesmerizing in fact! I must say I respect your passion and your authority. You are our living 'Silver Tongue Bandit'! I commend you for taking a stance, because is a difficult task.

I believe in hindsight the Booker T. Washington and WEB Dubois conflict in their final analysis were not much different beliefs. I contend that they both wanted the same outcome.

I think you are making too much of Bill Crosby's opinion, frankly. I would like for us as a people to get to a point where we do not need to operate as divided cells because we do not have the same views.

Specifically I want to know what you are doing. I hear your eloquent words, and they are poetic. What is your action plan is it published or public? How do we move forward?

Is it good to capitalize on crisis?

Is any portion of your book's proceeds going back into the trenches of Louisiana or the "Katrina" disaster in any capacity?

I believe with thought and opinion should follow solutions or recommendations. We should more than just sit down and talk, but rather create inroads to attack our challenges with solutions. I wish we were building.

I am just getting tired of the dialogue. I am glad we are talking but I would prefer action.

I will anticipate your response.

Respectfully
Tracy

I haven’t read your book, but I saw you on Book TV on C-Span. Being a gay, white male, I appreciated the way you addressed gay America and the stated that we as gay Americans have a lot of the same struggles that black Americans have.

I am a converted Republican who thinks that this party is going in the wrong direction in terms of my beliefs and life in general. The Republicans are no longer a party of a smaller government that stays out of the bedroom.

Your talk encouraged, inspired, and confirmed my new found "light" and perspective, although I was a little disappointed that you did not reference “The Covenant with Black America” by Tavis Smiley. I take him seriously and appreciate his initiative for unity!

Thank you for your time, Dr. Dyson, and for loving me and mine from a distance...and for saying what you said!

The travesty that the government is perpetuating on the black citizens of Louisiana is by no means unexpected, but no less sad. As a born and raised Louisianan, I have been displaced in North Texas since the devastating hurricane. Being here in the cradle of George Bush has not been very reassuring either. I have been faced with pious contempt, both overt and covert racism from the denizens of Texas.

But what I think hurts more is the way that we are treated by black Texas residents. If I had a choice, I would not have come so far from home to be treated so badly. This cuts to the bone. I have had black Texas residents say to myself and friends that they wished we would just go home. Home to what? If I had just a shack, I would gladly go there. But I did not come looking for a handout when I came to Texas, as I have been a hardworking person all my life with a very strong work ethic instilled in me by my father.

I resent the fact that they assume that everyone from Louisiana was from New Orleans or that everyone is lazy, on welfare, or lives in government subsidized housing. Finding a job is a joke once it is determined that you are from Louisiana. I went on an interview for a front desk position at a hotel and was well qualified for the position. I had to suffer the humiliation of a second interview with the GM, who stated that he was looking for someone in the hotel field with hotel experience, and that with my qualifications, my old job in Louisiana should be trying to get back “such a valuable employee.”

The few Katrina victims that are seen on TV are accepting the largesse and being taken care of. This is the exception. The rule is that Katrina victims in the state of Texas are being treated very badly and are not so subtly being told to leave.

I just watched Mr. Dyson on Book TV.

I am amazed that those who came to the rescue of the people stranded by Katrina went straight to the poor whites and left the poor blacks to suffer. That is the impression I get listening to him. He is now defending looting. How can you defend criminal behavior of any kind?. He had the balls to say that if he was there he would have “got a little five finger discount also”. Stealing TV's, shopping carts full of clothes, meat coolers full of meat (with no way to freeze the meat without power) is not justifiable. It is not a life or death situation if your color TV gets ruined.

The response to the New Orleans would have been the same, black, white, brown pink or blue! We are talking about the Fed Gov't. They screw everything up. Everything bad that happens to blacks is not because of racism. I am sick and tired of being told how much I hate black people just because I am white. Mr. Dyson complained that many blacks didn't leave N.O. because they were natives; their family lived next door. That is a huge problem with all races that populate poor areas. No matter what color they are, they need to get off their butts and go where the work is! The work doesn't come to you. I'm tired of the whining. I have seen the same situation in the Pacific NW with white loggers, where it seems to be better to live and raise your children in poverty than move away from mommy & daddy.

My suggestion for Mr. Dyson would be to concentrate on being American instead of being black. He just said Louis Farrakahn is one of the most honorable blacks today. Farrakahn is one of the MOST racist people in America. Listening to Mr. Dyson, I learned in short order he is as much a racist as the whites (which appear to be all white people) he complains about. There are good people and bad people in this world and race has nothing to do with it. The sooner we start calling ourselves AMERICANS and start taking advantage of all it has to offer instead of blaming one another for everything that doesn't go our way, the better off we will be. Each of us has to take ownership of our lives and stop blaming someone else for our bad breaks. The only people that can improve our life situation or circumstance are ourselves.

With honest sincerity,
Don

I think it was more of an issue of poverty than race. Poor whites were left out to dry too. The common theme everyone had was they where all poor. There is a huge class issue in America, and this was just another example.

The government came off vacation early for Terry Schivo. They did not for the thousands of people left out to dry after Katrina. There was no political reason for them at the time. By the time they came out, it was too late.

It is a shame to see our leaders not care about my fellow countrymen. They only care about money and votes. The only way to fix this is for people to get out and vote these guys out of office, and to not forgive. This goes for the state and local level.

I think that president Bush should be impeached on his handling of the Katrina Fiasco. We (or I should say the public elite) elected him to run our country and protect our people. He alone carries that responsibility. To blame Michael Brown, Fema, or worse, the low income people who could not get out of the storm’s way is not only irresponsible, but down right criminal.

As a former member of the armed forces, I swore an oath to protect the U.S. from enemies both foreign and domestic as does our president. But how does one protect the country when the enemy is the same who has sworn to protect it?

I'm a firm believer that we all descended from Africa, as the first man came from Africa. Although my skin is white, I felt the same fear, anguish, heartache watching my African American "brothers and sisters" die because of an inept administration. I believe that the reason so many died was not because of the hurricane, but because the only way our government elite can retain power is to keep us everyday citizens from coming together as a people.

I feel that we need to start questioning the motives of those in power. It's time we took back that dream that was once America. An America for the people by the People. No longer should we allow the power elite control our destinies. As a final thought, I would like to thank Mr. Dyson for having the courage to say the things that even some of us "white brothers" have been wanting to say. How can you blame lower income families for being so angry? I say good they should march on Washington and demand they bring the entire government before the world court on crimes against humanity.

Dear Dr. Dyson,

Katrina reminds me of Nixon and the Watergate scandal in that it isn't what the President did, but what he did afterward that was appalling. It was awful of Bush and his administration to bungle the response but that could have happened to any incompetent administration. The truly shameful aspect of Katrina was that the Bush Administration hasn't asked Congress to impose some massive reconstruction of Katrina and to address the problems of Race in general but also, more importantly, the problems of Class and urban decay in our cities and what can be done about it.

Thanks,
John

PS: I have been reading Arthur Schlessenger's biography on RFK and it's as though George Bush is his perfect polar opposite . . . which is a depressing indication of what state our country is in.

Dear Sir,

I needed to write this to you because your appearance on Bill Meyers show was one sided.

Sir, I am sorry, but hurricanes are natural disasters and are very hard to deal with. It is not a race issue and if you think so please tell me how victims of Rita and Hugo where the strength of the hurricane was the same if not worse.

Your blame on this President is unfounded. If I remember correctly, our President for both hurricanes was president Clinton and I also remember services and basic humanity was lacking to say the least.

All I ask you sir, is to not use a national disaster to promote your political views. Because face it: Bush did not cause this disaster. It is hard to get relief to a disaster area. It is ultimatly our resposibilty to take care of us and family and not the governments.

Cameron

I just finished watching a rerun of Bill Maher on HBO.

Sir, I find your attitude repulsive. As it is quite obviously a determining factor to your judgement and opinion. Yes, my skin color is white. I have not read your book and after seeing you on the aforementioned program, I really don't care to do so.

Your hate filled racism cannot be disguised, or apparently contained. I am color blind and in fact, more of my friends are black than are white. But after witnessing your inner rage and hatred, even I could dawn a sheet!

You are a divider filled with hate. I pity your angry existance. A terrible waste of real talent.

If only New Orleans was in the Middle East. I'm not sure if you remember, but a little while after Hurricane Katrina, there was an earthquake in Palestine. There was aid and relief sent the next day. This is very ludacris.

Mr. Dyson, I really enjoyed your responses on Politically Incorrect. I enjoyed your strong spirit and the wonderful things you mentioned about your belief. From one "Jesus Freak" to another. God Bless You. Hope to meet you one day!

Dr. D,

Are you a 33rd degree freemason?

Jesse Jackson is a 33rd degree freemason.
George W. Bush is a 33rd degree freemason.

What's the difference?
I fail to see why you won't talk about them.

Secret Societies continue to dominate our future.

The national response to Katrina was a disgrace. It was a reflection of deep-seated institutionalized racism and class oppression.

The Bush administration appointed a former head of an Arabian horse trade association to head the Federal Emergency Management Administration. This political spoils approach to filling an important post is emblematic of the current administration's contempt for human rights and human dignity.

Along with the disgraces of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, the Bush administration;s inadequate and incompetent response to Katrina is further evidence that Bush should be impeached.

It should be publicly noted that the people who were left to suffer and die, and who are still suffering and dying in the wake of Katrina, are of the SAME DEMOGRAPHIC as the people who were systematically turned away from the voting booths in Florida in the stolen 2000 Presidential election.

They are not Bush's base, nor his brainwashed apologists. They can do him and his minions no good. So the Bush government's attitude toward them is, "let them die" and "turn them away."

The response to the victims of Katrina is in no way shocking to me. Being an Afrikan born in America, I have seen the overt and covert racism that is systemic of this capitalistic system. It is apparent that it is a case of the "haves" and the "have nots". Those with the economic and material means to leave did so, and those without could not.

Local and state government got caught up in the bureaucracy of red tape and poor people suffered. We have to understand that even when the people tried to pull themselves out of that desperate situation, they were met by "protectors of law” (more so, protectors of the property) with guns who turned them around from escape and placed them into a more desperate situation.

But now we have members of our family blaming the victims for trying to escape. Crime did not bring the hurricane; crime did not prevent them from leaving New Orleans; crime did not get FEMA to act quickly. Let’s not blame a cripple for having polio and not being able to wheel into a restaurant without a handicap ramp.

What Katrina did was a mass gentrification for the gulf coast and the federal and state governments are now signing off and the economically viable residents who have returned are now in a position to profit from the victims who are not able to return. As Don King would so eloquently say: "Only in America, only in America."

In the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina disaster along the Gulf States, we now see that we live in a business society, where if you do not have the means to contribute to commercial life, your life is something less than saving. How painful it is to have to wake up to the horrible news of babies and elderly dying on the streets because they are poor. News flash: this is happening everyday in the poor communities of America. These people were ignored because they didn’t have enough money to contribute to Corporate Americas pocketbooks; therefore they were not worth the amount of money it would cost to save them. There is a term for this, and it is opportunity cost; the amount of something you are willing to give up in order to get something else.

We often see this happening in third world countries. In many third world countries, corporations open manufacturing plants and pay their majority poor employees peanuts of what that company earns off of their labor. That is well known, but this is what is not widely focused upon. The companies pollute, corrupt, and destroy the lives and environments of the areas in which they operate. Over taxation, minimal pay, and over demanding labor keep the poor - poor, and the wealthy - wealthier. This happens in all poverty stricken areas of the world, not immune to and including in the United States.

In a way we have partially set ourselves up for this type of catastrophe and partially been duped into it as well. Many who are of the knee-jerk mentality would read that last line and throw their hands in the air in disgust, so I ask you to hear me out on this. We know that the people in New Orleans were set up for this to happen. The city and National Guard had made it known that there was need for concern about the levee system, yet they were ignored and the funding that was available for the levee system at one time, has been diverted to help fund an unjust war. That however is another subject in itself. So we see here that the citizens of New Orleans were duped. They were given a false sense of security, the levees were old and out of date, but they “would do” should a hurricane hit the city.

At the same point this disaster was in a sense, self-inflicted. We the people, the inhabitants of this nation, the backbone of our capitalist machine, the batteries which make this country work are entirely too dependent on the government and state systems. Those people in New Orleans should not be waiting for the government to save them; they should be able to save themselves. They should be able to escape eminent death from natural disasters when given proper warning, many who could afford to did. Those who couldn’t afford to simply didn’t. Not so much because they couldn’t in the physical sense, but in the mental. These people were not prepared for the possibility of self preservation in the face of an intense situation. They didn’t know where to find food, water, medicines, or even how to conduct themselves in an organized fashion. Crime erupted, available food and water were horded and not rationed, and the sense of humanity was almost non-existent in the people inside and especially outside of the city.

We people as a whole were not prepared for this magnitude of a situation, but consequently, we minorities in this country were ill-prepared for anything like this. We know that the system of government, law, and justice are not set up for the benefit of minorities in this nation. So why is it that we feel so compelled to expect the state and federal governments to take care of our economic and social needs in times of crisis? Some people would say that it is the job of the government to provide this to us as citizens, but the government really only owes us its inhabitants, the responsibility of safety from foreign attack and the protection of our rights as Americans (both which have become less reliable). Neither of these were in jeopardy under the circumstances of Hurricane Katrina.

That is why we the people are to blame for this situation; we expected the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and the federal government to rush to save the people affected by the storm when it was not their job. Although, they could have made a more conscientious effort to do so, simply because the people of New Orleans contribute greatly to the state and governments generation of revenue.

I believe this was planned. Everyone knew eventually the city would suffer from this type of crisis.

What better opportunity to allow such a massive extermination at once. New Orleans is an international attraction. The problem was, there were too many blacks in the way.

This should serve as a wake-up call for all blacks. We are hated! We must begin to accept the fact that if we don't begin to unite, we will disappear. The process has begun.

I live in Toledo, Ohio. Toledo is 21% black, Toledo Schools are 52% black, 9% of all teachers are black. Of the 9% black teachers, 98% are black women.

Black men are trying hard to teach here. But TPS won't hire them, period!

I operated the "Troopers for Christ" after-school (urban) Boot-Camp for Boy's in Detroit for 4 years prior to relocating to Toledo. Detroit school administrators welcomed my services with open arms.

Upon presenting this concept to Toledo Public Schools, I was denied access to the entire district within 2 days.

Since 1990, I have spoken at over 130 schools, in 4 states. Toledo Schools also banned my motivational services to the youth of the district.

We are crying out loud for national attention on Toledo, but the media here are in a strong click. THEY WON'T LISTEN. Blacks here are treated very wrong and are not given a chance at all, especially black men.

From Toledo to New Orleans, from Philadelphia to LA. We are hated.

Hurricane Katrina only highlighted the truith.

My question is: what we gonna do?

The national response to Katrina was horrible.

The United States government can move mountains when other countries need help. Why wasn't there more done for the victims of Katrina, who were mostly Black and/or poor?

The disaster Katrina will forever resolute in my mind the proof, ALL Americans needed, that we haven't come too far, have we? Where is Bill Cosby now? Haven't heard any of his comments on Katrina!!

This proves once and for all, we either get together to do for ourselves, as all other ethnic groups do in this country to have a voice, or we give up. Katrina brought back for me all of the tears, anger, and yes hatred of those who are in power and do nothing to help black people.

This also reminded me of the war depicted in "Hotel Rwanda". As long as they are black people, they can die. They always send in the best that the armed forces have to offer to extract the whites, and leave the rest to fend for themselves. I was also infuriated at hearing how many black people were forced to leave and not able to provide help.

Hurricane Katrina should be an eye opener for those who believe racism and "class-ism" do not exist.

You cannot tell me that if the victims were white and rich that there would have been the same lack of concern.
Granted this country has come a long way; however we still have a long way to go.

I believe God is testing us on how we treat the poor and downtrodden when catastrophe strikes. Guess what? We failed with a capital F!

As a survivor of Katrina/Rita/Wilma, I can only say that we here in Mississippi are learning to do for ourselves. We have established a Southwest MS Recovery Network (Faith-Based/Non-Profits) to work together and workout malfunctions, disparity, bureaucratic malfeasance, etc and help our residents. The old African proverb "It Takes A Village To Raise A Child," and expound that "It Takes a Whole Community" to resolve the issues that we are now facing.

Yes we need to look at Local, State, & National Governments to provide equitable leadership and develop the necessary program/funds to do their thing. But until then, we have to do the work ourselves.

Katrina was not the beginning, nor will it be the end. We live in a time that our nation is being controlled by oligarchies that want to control the resources of the entire planet. When we have only eight nations that make all the decisions for the world's economies, needless to say, Katrina victim's and survivors are the slings and arrows of misfortune.

Fern

I believe that the response to the Katrina disaster was shameful. Initially, when the flooding began, I was appalled to hear and read about the response (or lack thereof)...of the federal gov't.

To find out the President actually knew the levees were weak after saying, "no one anticipated the breach of the levees" was downright sickening.

We are not living in a nation with any respect for human rights on a governmental level. Witness the decades of the erosion of the right to survival, here and elsewhere on our beautiful planet. Look back to centuries of genocide and theft. See the most probable death of the biosphere if current human ignorance and destruction continue.

The levees were for many years known to need repair and redesign. We need to make communities and structures which allow us to meet our needs and to be loving neighbors for each other.

Our collective economic life is failing as the levees did. It wasn't the hurricane, but the greed of men (spending our money on war) that caused the river to flood. The people from New Orleans are facing the same horror that all homeless people have faced for decades, with much the same reaction and much the same causes. It is not local and specific; it is worldwide and general. It is so sad, and so unnecessary.

I am a former resident of Baton Rouge, LA. When the hurricane hit and evacuation was mentioned, the first place I thought of was Fort Polk as a safe haven. Troops and other equipment were already in place.

The response was an eye opener for all the world to see and we should never forget it. This was and is an example of the working poor. Wake up America.

I think the government definitely responded too slowly.

I also think that response was probably due to the fact that most of the people trapped in that situation were the black poor.

The Katrina tragedy continues way after the water has gone.

I think it's racial reaction as usual. If this would have been a bunch of white folks floating, the reaction would have been visibly different.

I was not at all surprised by the incompetence and callous inadequacy of the response to Katrina. I was lucky enough to be on vacation myself the week that Katrina struck and said to dinner companions on the Thursday before the hurricane hit New Orleans that I didn't see how it wouldn't be catastrophic.

I should note that I am not a scientist or a disaster expert, but I have worked for 30 years battling child abuse, homelessness, and other social ills in the City of Philadelphia, and am well aware of the governments indifference to the daily struggles of poor young African-American women and children to survive the chaotic, dangerous and crumbling neighborhoods they live in.

It was painful to me to watch the young black men and women left behind in New Orleans trying to access food and water and being called looters when I know first hand the kind of struggles they incur everyday in the course of their normal lives.

I watched with cynical amusement as Charles Gibson and other news personalities "discovered" poverty in New Orleans, at the same time as sadly knowing that this "discovery" would disappear in the wake of the next sensational sex scandal or traffic accident or fire that occurred the next day.

I commend Dr. Dyson for continuing to shine a light on America's passion for blaming the poor for being poor and for his relentless advocacy efforts.

I am from the disaster area. I escaped the levee waters, and I was in a position to leave. But the US Government and Fema were very nonchalant about the storm. 8 months later, they continue to mislead the mass of the evacuees about what's really going on.

Overall, I think the people all over the USA were great in aiding and assisting the people in other cities. But when it came to the people who were left behind for 1-2 weeks, the government definitely failed.

There are many stories to be told, and I hope someone is recording this for the history books. Everybody wasn’t in the superdome and the convention center, but everybody has a story and a plight. I am one of them.

Our government's response to the Katrina disaster was shocking. Not in a sense that our government failed us and left us with a sense of surprising irony, but shocking in a sense that the perceived incompetence was so blatantly displayed and truthfully revealed as total disregard for the immediate safety and well being of our Black and poor people.

Those people that argued about how racism is not as prevalent or not a factor were clamoring in the most desperate context to dismiss race as the ultimate culprit for the ridiculous response by our government. However, I am re-invigorated by the response of our community to the needs of the people affected by this National Disaster. My church pitched in, as did many other churches, community groups, social organizations, individuals, etc.

Now we are faced with the residual challenge of protecting the property and voting rights of the displaced people of New Orleans who, in most cases, do not have the financial means to immediately challenge the governing entity that desires to expedite the restructuring and reorganization of New Orleans.

Again, it is so obvious that the aristocratic controllers seek to create a New Orleans that excludes many of its original inhabitants. It proves again that the American aristocracy is frightened by the inevitable shift of power in this country. We must continue to support each other and evaluate our own individual direction with the intent of self improvement for the ultimate goal of collective progress.

You did not have the courage nor moral uprightness to post the truth. Wherever you promote Hell, God will be watching as you promote "untruths" uttered by some Creole sell-outs and a few real survivors of Katrina.

God has a way of exposing the truth and Hell is full of statements by persons who flew out of New Orleans way before Katrina-hit. When I see those lying sell-outs, they will get a piece of my mind. You need to expose to statements.

I am really considering contacting the publishers and having them ask you to retract those lies made by persons who were no where near home when we took that hit. Rev. Bierreyae's church was "locked down" for the seven days we roamed the streets uptown.

Where in the hell was he in New Orleans? I bet all the money you make pimping our suffering that most of those folks were not in New Orleans. It is shameful that you would stoop so low as to pimp our suffering.

I think contacting the publishers and networks would bear this whole hypocritical book’s soul to the world and the people stupid enough to purchase it. Remember, God hates hypocrites and High Water is rife with hypocrisy-rife with it. Shame on you!

I will pray for you as God is not playing with those whom pimped us. Only Oprah and Tyler Perry stepped up in the real for us. You need to donate those profits to the survivors. Bet that will never happen.

I just think it's odd how no one talks about the people held at gun point and were made to stay in the projects when they should have been evacuated.

They really tried to pull an extermination down there and they are getting away with it.

I saw you on CSPAN and was inspired by you and your report about the real facts behind the government/media response to Katrina. I look forward to reading COME HELL OR HIGH WATER. I am not a follower of the mainstream media and it was great to hear the truth as you see it and say it.

We need more "representatives" like you who bring a more balanced and brilliant insight to this complicated country in which we live. Thank you for your clarity and wisdom. You really are an inspiration. I am 55 year old and, man, you give me hope. So many "leaders" don't and it's incredibly refreshing.

Keep on keepin' on.

The horror I viewed when Katrina struck still burns in my psyche till this day. What I found even more disturbing was how it was quite simple for anchors to do broadcasts from the Superdome yet when you saw Pres. Bush he was watching from Air Force One or in Mississippi. Neither he nor his wife came anywhere near the 9th Ward.

Truth needs to be told to all the misinformed, as Dr. Dyson is doing. Just look how long it took for America to finally realize that the President too has lied to the American people from day one. The Gulf Coast is being ignored now that the cameras are off. Can someone explain why are bodies still not accounted for and being discovered in homes over 6months later? Is the media reporting that? Or are we waiting for yet another Oprah investigation...in Houston?

Democracy Where? Citizen who? Is this really the America, Martin King died for? We are all dreaming if we think America has really changed when it come to the treatment of Black folks.

This is how I feel about the lack of response to the people in New Orleans. Maybe we need to show our support by marking our tax return that says "Support Katrina Victims, Not War." Delete war and Iraq out of the line item budget and add support for Katrina survivals in the budget instead.

Excellent topic. I think Mr. Dyson should be commended on having the courage to address an issue that is staring us all in the face.

America suffers from what I call the "Toilet Assumption". In other words, what we don't want to face or take responsibility for, we flush down the toilet. It did not go unnoticed by me that when we bombed Iraq, the US military forces had planes loaded with supplies to air drop to civilians that they knew would suffer the impact of the bombings.

Yet, the poor stranded in the Convention Center went for 5 days without any assistance. There were thousand of people stranded without food or water, no means of extraction could be formulated, yet, administrative forces were able to formulate and activate a plan to have the "Zoo" animals evacuated. The most critical concern that I see is, what are we doing about the victims now? Rebuilding efforts seem almost at a stand still, people don't have homes, food, or jobs. So I say, yes, America's response to this disaster was a disgrace, but so is its so-called rebuilding efforts to date!

I am survivor of Hurricane Katrina and the response was horrible and disrespectful.

I left 2 days before the storm hit with my husband, our three children and some of my in-laws. I, like everyone else didn't expect for this to happen. The hurricane didn't cause this to happen. It was the government; from the president down through the pipe line. No one wants to take the blame.

Not everyone agrees with this. Some people say that it was our fault because we waited until too late to leave. Growing up in this city, I knew how hard the economic life-style was. You’d have to know this to believe that this was going on.

Those who were not financially fit were deprived of an equal way of living. It was like living below the Mason Dixon line.

A city less than ten feet below sea level should have been secured long ago. History has always been the clear method of explaining why things are the way they are. Since a break in the New Orleans levy would primarily affect black people, enhancements were neglected.

However, I believe that the levy strength was fine. The levy only flooded New Orleans because of explosives. I can hear Dr. S. Steele now: “You’re worshipping at the altar of racism. You’re afraid of freedom. Therefore, the black people of the ninth ward victimized themselves.”

What people like Dr. Steele and Bill Cosby fail to realize is that freedom is inert if one lacks the means to exercise freedom. They also don't realize that their rhetoric is on a par with the most destructive rhetoric of black hip-hop artists. Black hip-hop artist don't express them selves as victims. On the contrary, they come off as Gods. They take responsibility for their own plight in this life by any means necessary. If expressing destructive fantasies to down trodden black people gives them the means to exercise their freedom by realizing such fantasies, the ends justifies the means.

Just as Dr. Steele and Bill Cosby are willing to incorporate themselves with Eurocentric values that deny black people at every level gives them the means to exercise their freedom, the ends justifies the means. In both cases, there is intellectual masturbation occurring to justify the levels they are willing to stoop for economic success.

In regard to all of the stranded 9th Ward citizens, here is a quote from the Times-Picayune who interviewed 5th District captain John Bryson: “We saw a worrisome hurricane tradition playing out in the streets of the 9th Ward. People were out there barbecuing. They had ice chests everywhere. People were having a great old time.” Officers were sent through the area with bullhorns warning residents to get out.

This is from the Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005 paper. You need to know all of the facts and not just the ones you want to know. Your book presentation on CSPAN2 had several misrepresentations of what occurred in New Orleans before, during and after the storm.

The looters are another example. They were not stealing big screen TVs to negotiate a ride out of town. The thousands of homes that were looted had personal items stolen - not food. Those people were thieves. Plain and simple.

The national response to Katrina was not a response. How can we go into another country and tell people what to do when we can't and won't help our own just because it is all about the color of ones skin?

Bush is the worse leader that we have had. Men and women are dying. Loved ones have been displaced for months and years and he just keeps smiling. What is there to smile about, I ask?

America, we need to get back to caring about each other, not killing each other. Bring the Pride back in our life. To the people of Katrina, I pray that soon you will know peace in your life again.

Peace and Blessing to you and your Family.

G. M.

I would first like to thank Dr. Dyson for writing so eloquently about the causes and effects of the response to Hurricane Katrina. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and when I saw those poor people during the Katrina catastrophe, I had to pledge what ever I could.

It is our responsibility, (those of us who can), to continue to help rebuild New Orleans. The Katrina victims who relocated to the bay area are overwhelmed by the high cost of living here, and I don't blame them for wanting to go back to New Orleans. I think when New Orleans is rebuilt, a lot of people who once lived there won't be able to afford to go back.

It is up to us, "the black community", to help ourselves. As we saw with Katrina, we can not rely on the government, federal or local, to help us.

What's new? Whites and others in this country rarely live up to their obligation to Black Americans. Why would this be any different in this case?

The only thing Black America can expect is what Black Americans can do for us.

I just wanted to say, based only on Dr. Dyson's appearance on the Colbert Report, that I feel that he is a tremendous force for honest and intelligent debate and discussion in this country.

Even on a satirical show he was able to bring an extraordinary message home. I know very little about Dr. Dyson's biography, but a thinker and a speaker such as himself should most certainly run for office and set out to make a change in Washington.

Unfortunately, it doesn't surprise me that this administration has done very little to help out African Americans involved in the Katrina catastrophe. Bush has done very little, if any, to help the cause of the African American community.

It's still amazing that we have these types of issues. In Kansas City, we are fighting over stadium improvement. It shows how much the government is out of touch with reality.

We must take matters into our own hands and stop being our own worst enemy. We need to stop looking toward the government to help us in our time of need. Instead, we must make the government realize that they need us. Because of our economic resources, we provide income for many major companies in America and abroad.

I think that the response for Hurricane Katrina was dangerously slow. Had there been mostly white people in New Orleans, the response may have been faster.

I caught Dr. Dyson on C-Span and it was fantastic. I totally agree with him.

I think that the way the victims of Hurricane Katrina were treated, and are still being treated, is a absolute disgrace and does not reflect this country in a respectable and fair way.

How could George Bush and his "crew" allow for our own people to be left out in the dark? These people waited for days as the media was back and forth down there exploiting them, more focused on getting the "big story" rather than trying to save lives.

Seeing all those children and elderly people made me literally sick. Do I think it was a race thing? Hell yeah, I do. If they were a bunch of white people suffering down there, Bush would have gotten off his ass and done something sooner.

George Bush is a disgrace to this country. He is one of the most ignorant human beings on the face of this planet. I live for the day when we as a nation can all say together, "Free from Bush, Free from Bush. Thank God Almighty, we're free from Bush."

I saw your speech about Come Hell or High Water on BookspanTV. Boy, did I enjoy hearing you speak and minister the truth to the people. Your comments about gay or straight, black or white, were eye openers. Some people refuse to accept reality for what it is.

You were right when you said that the government could have done something sooner to rescue our fellow neighbors. They have aircrafts that can reach the other side of the continent within a few hours or so. So much has happened down there and so much has been overlooked, covered up, and ignored. And you were right that it could of happened in other cities as well.

You are the kind of minister that can reach out to people of all walks of life, due to some of your life experiences and also share a lot of your great knowledge. I do hope that there is other good brothers like you that I hope to meet one day. If you speak in Chicago soon, let me know!

My criticism and analysis of the national response to Hurricane Katrina asks the question: Had Hurricane Katrina hit San Francisco, would the national response and/or our perception of the victims been the same?

Although there is no way to know for sure whether the response would have been different, my perception is that incompetence and negative labels have a preference... toward people of color.

I mean can you imagine the media blaming the local government for not handling such a catastrophe with limited resources in San Francisco. Or would the media have been more inclined to treat the local officials like heroes for mobilizing the city in times of great tragedy, as with the mayor of New York during 9/11.

Can you imagine the national gov't receiving notice of an immanent category 5 hurricane crashing into the City of San Francisco, patiently waiting to actually see the storms results, and then responding slowly to the terrible aftermath. Or after receiving notice of such a disaster would the gov't have provided resources in anticipation of such a disaster or at the very least been on standby with resources to help those that couldn't help themselves.

Can you imagine the media characterizing displaced individual in a total state of chaos as criminal because some are using unclaimed material possessions that they feel are necessary on some level to help them survive those circumstances. (The inherent bias against people of color is so strong that there are those reading this right now that I think I am making an excuse for criminal behavior simply because they are imagining a black face committing these acts). Or would the acts of all San Francisco's citizenry during such a catastrophic event be seen as civil disobedience or self preservation and care for family?

There are no doubt other illustrations of how the national response to Katrina was inadequate and racist. But it is always surprising to me that Americans know that we have race issues but if ever one tries to articulate these problems... "you’re playing the race card".

God Bless America!

This was like the Rodney King incident on steroids. The response on the national level to was the same as a public lynching.

America was shocked and was forced to watch something that was ugly and had no reason for happening in a supposed modern industrial nation in our own living rooms.

Saw you on Book TV.

For context, let me tell you that I'm a white guy in media. I don't know how much cred. that gets me. I'm not a spokesman for anyone. But, with that intro, I want to say that I think you are, possibly, 100 percent correct. Maybe 99.

All these white folk in media keep saying, "How can this have happened in America?" I want to answer with a question to all the Anderson Coopers of the world. The censored version goes, "Where have you been? Those folks in New Orleans have been treated like throw-away people all their lives."

I'm not sure how you learned how white people think, but you got them nailed, man. Indifference and fear, not raw hate, are the big offenders. Keep speaking it, Doctor.

The new New Orleans will never resemble the old one.

The reassignments of Blacks to various regions of the country will legitimize the rationale for re-building and renewal (i.e. removal of poor Black and Whites).

The hurricane that exposed America's indifference to poor people does not leave me surprised or baffled.

I'm actually disappointed in all of us, the middle and upper class especially, because we did not come together to use the momentum of the government's screw up to capitalize on changing the common person’s plight.

Another example of just how much work still needs to be done. Racism continues to be an integral part of our economic and social structure.

We can hope to make progress towards ending racism not with dramatic dictates from our leaders but with honest work towards equity.
We need to elect better leaders. Honesty being one area of significant deficiency for Mr. Bush.

NO, this voter was not fooled by our current adminitration.

How do I feel about the Katrina response?

I think the hoods have come off in this administration!
In this “White House” people of African descent or any other non-whites need to hear the wake up call!

I don’t know what else it’ll take for America to see the danger we’re in! Are we going to wait for the crosses to burn in our yards again? Oh, that’s right. We’ve sold that little land that we used to own.

I’ve heard at times that “land in the south is so far away from everything.” I guess we can’t go very far from a mall. I’ve even said, “If you don’t want the land, just give it to ME!”

The forty acres and mull we won’t even fight for. The bad part is that this land was earned a second time by the blood, sweat, and tears of our parents!

I think it’s very sad to see how many of us aren’t even fighting for our Brothers and Sisters. Just think about what has happened to our CHILDREN in Katrina? The children got displaced from their parents at the MOST horrifying time, after the hurricane finally left.

The response by our Government has been so very sad. We as a people didn’t even get together to show our outrage! It’s almost like we are waiting to get permission from the MASTER before we will help ourselves.

The area I live in has had several trucks of donated items collected. That part makes me very proud - to see the children giving off what they had.

I have more to give. Where have the trucks gone? For some of us, our thoughts haven’t changed.

This White House and this Congress have allowed this disaster to just flourish like a cancer. Nothing is being done to change the root of the problem. Poverty! Our countries resources aren’t being accounted for!

Our communities aren’t being able to support themselves. And that’s not just in the black communities!

It’s like Dick Gregory said “When America gets a cold we get pneumonia”.

I believe that Katrina has just been a warning, America! If America let’s this happen with out making a change NOW then our future as a country is in jeopardy!

This Government, This White House’s response to Katrina shouldn’t have ever been about Politics. It should have been about decency, integrity, and morality. For those Americans that haven’t got it yet maybe they need a few more Enron’s or Halliburton’s to wake them.

I was down in New Orleans on spring break with Habitat for Humanity in conjunction with Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) from Bowling Green State University and I was exposed to the widening social, political and economic gap within society.

The second day there, my group and I toured the 9th Ward, which I was told was the last all-black community in the country, as well as the poorest neighborhood in the city. That was where I thought we were going to be working; instead, I was told by a student from MIT that FEMA and the Federal Government just overlooked the area and planned to demolish it, despite the arguments that there are still bodies unaccounted for.

Where I was working was the middle-class/upper-middle class area, which was predominantly all wealthy and white. I was arguing with our supervisors for a reason why we couldn’t go into the black neighborhood. They responded by saying that it was structurally unstable and they wouldn't know where to begin.

Unlike 9/11, whose man-made events united this country as one, this event caused by Mother Nature, split this country. The common question I heard down there was "where is our government?" I was mixed with anger, fear, sadness, confusion and paranoia. I wanted to help the black and Latino community so much, but the powers that were dictating our work kept us out of there. Personally, this event and its repercussions have taught me that no matter how advanced mankind can get, Mother Nature will still have that dominance over us.

I found the images from Katrina deeply disturbing. I began to pray for the people who were truly "left behind." I would never have imagined that incompetence would be a national standard. There is no administration in the Administration -- no plan, no goal, no follow through. Now as we prepare for yet another deadly hurricane season, what will become of those that are still waiting for help?

Makes me wanna holla', throw up both my hands!

I'm originally from New Orleans, but have lived in Atlanta since graduating from the University of New Orleans in 2003. I saw you on Cspan and was awed. I've never seen or heard anyone that I agree with completely.

I am extremely encouraged that we have prominent blacks out there willing to address homophobia and challenge the black church, where I now go only for entertainment and to study our culture.

I saw you before on Bill Maher and enjoyed you then, without really knowing who you were. I'll be ordering all of your books and reading them on my flight to and from Spain this summer. Thank you for being so right.

Hi Michael,

Saw you on C-Span 2, and thought you were engaging, humorous and eloquent. For the record, I am a 43 y/o, white male, Republican (but I don't agree w/ all things GOP and detest the slick-haired Christian right), and have a degree in Sociology. I also have many black friends.

You made a lot of valid points, but here's some I disagree with:

1. Tookie Williams deserved to die. Why is it the people who supported him never, ever mention the horrible murders he committed (of course, most will tell you he was innocent). He bragged about killing the young father and wouldn't help police I.D. other gang members. "Yeah, but he wrote children's books." Gee, isn't that sweet? It's like he didn't even commit the murders, people just brush that part off.

2. You made a few jokes about Ray Nagin (ie, P. Funk), but didn't really mention him as being part of the problem. FEMA was the 3rd responder. Its City (Nagin), then State (Kathleen Blanco), and then FEMA.

3. FEMA was slow b/c most of New Orleans is black? Did you mention that 4 out of the 5 parishes surrounding N.O. were predominantly white? Last time I checked, they were completely flooded (as was the entire Gulf Coast of Mississippi) and they received no help just the same.

4. If you think the levees were bombed, then they were (according to your conspiracy theory in which whether they were or weren't isn't what's really important, but if you can conceptualize it, it's true). What kind of horse hockey is that?

5. Most rap is poison for the black youth. I heard a 6 yr-old repeating what they heard on a song and calling another little, black boy an M-F-er. I personally like the part of rap that belittles, degrades and disrespects women (bitches and hos). Cosby was right on that one...where are the parents (yes, I know they're working...so was my single Mom)?

6. Rev. Farrakhan and Jesse Jackson are wealthy parasites who prey upon their own people and are perpetuators of racial tension.

7. 12% of the U.S. population is black, 50% of the jail pop is black (and no, they ALL weren't racially profiled). 70% of black kids are born out of wedlock, 50% of black kids raised in single parent families will go to prison. You do the math and figure out where the black community needs to start helping itself.

Sincerely,
Barry

I watched Michael Eric Dyson discuss his new book on CSPAN and heard many things that the major media outlets did not report.

I remember the reaction of my Manager at the time, who was a former Special Operations specialist during in the Afghan operation after September 11. He supports the invasion of Iraq and was a big supporter of George Bush.

His reaction to the Hurricane Katrina disaster that hit this country was one of indifference. Being his subordinate, I wanted to scream out the irony. He "cares" about Iraqi "freedom", but doesn't care about protecting Americans who have been hurt by this terrible disaster.

I wasn't a proud American at this moment, not only because of his words but my inability to speak up. Powerlessness is an excuse, but it is what I felt at the time.

I watched your program on Cspan and want to wish you good fortune in your quest for justice. Maybe something can come from it to help rebuild the lives that were shattered. It would have been a drop in the bucket of the defense budgets to have rebuilt all of this. I am very ashamed of my government for not doing it immediately.

I have been reading a lot about the events that happened on 9/11 and I must say that your causes might not just be taken up by the black voice.

If it is really true that the WTC were bombed and that the elections were rigged, we have a much more serious situation that faces all of us. I am not prone to conspiracy theories, but I do feel it really is time to vote them all out.

It was a travesty, in no small sense of the word. Just the mere fact that we have to have this discussion, once again, leaves us in the position to have to ask "massa" for permission to proceed with out lives. All of a sudden, FEMA was confused and disoriented and didn't know what to do or how to get started.

Funny, that didn't affect them when those rich white folks in Florida were hit a couple of years ago. As we now know, they were informed long before the hurricane hit the potential for disaster. Yet they sat back on their fat asses and said, “oh well”.

Those are my funds sitting in the United States Treasury Department as well as so many others, why must "we" always have to get "special permission" for any and everything that goes on when it pertains to us as a people? And, no matter what we try to do it is always suspect. When the white people were breaking into Wal-Mart and other stores they were trying to find sustenance. When the black people were doing the same thing they were "looting". I am so sick and tired of this bulls-it!

In many areas predominantly African American areas, nothing has been done to clear the way for rebuilding except for what the people with the wherewithal to do for themselves. There are still cars in trees and on top of homes. When does this madness end? ENOUGH ALREADY!

I am encouraged to find a copy of "Come Hell or High Water". I only hope it holds less ranting on the "white Southerner" mindset, about which Dr. Dyson makes such sweeping statements.

According to Dyson, Timothy McVeigh, America's #1 terrorist, comes from Oklahoma and is a product of this stratum of Dyson's world. I would just like to point out to those in other worlds that McVeigh was born in, grew up in, and flipped burgers in upstate New York (Lockport). It was in Dyson's home state of Michigan that McVeigh often visited fellow-loser Terry Nichols at the Nichols family farm. And we all know what evil was subsequently born on that Michigan farm. I look forward to reading more truths from the world of Dr. M.E. Dyson.

The response of the U.S. government to Katrina is yet another example of the incompetence of the Bush administration. It borders on malicious, but it is probably just stupidity and a fixation on cost benefits.

I think that Bush is a clear danger to our country, which is why I think the U.S. should pull out of Iraq. He can only make matters worse.

I listened to Mr Dyson's book presentation on C-Span. While I thought there was some wheat in the message, most of it was chaff. I am a christian-conservative-anglo who believes that it is not the federal government's job to offer charity to its constituents. That is the job of the church and local governing bodies. I am not a supporter of the Bush administration because it hasn't been true to conservative principles, such as staying out of foreign wars, lowering debt, not illegally wiretapping, and not stopping illegal immigration which takes away job opportunities from the rest of us (black and white).

Mr. Dyson calls himself a minister and criticizes those of us, including some of his own black audience who he labels as homophobic because they want to distance themselves from gay and lesbian issues. When is he going to realize that the gay rights issue is a millstone around the necks of blacks and their legitimate causes. As a minister, he is self deluded to think that the Bible doesn't condemn homosexuality, and as soon as he defends this issue, guys like me and Christian blacks will no longer be interested in listening to him. Mr. Dyson and others like him need to understand that the Bible doesn't teach racial discrimination, but it does condemn specific sexual sins including homosexuality.

In one response, Mr. Dyson admits that there isn't enough unanimity among rich blacks to collect and disperse funds for a Katrina charity. Why then would he want to take the country's tax dollars and spend them on something even blacks wouldn't agree on? He says that it is the poor black man's tax dollars as well, and I agree. But I also say that you can see what happens when the federal government gets involved: evacuees are not happy because they didn't benefit from all the money that was spent. Does he think that poor whites are happy to see their tax dollars wasted on trailers sitting in Iowa corn fields? Poor blacks and whites would have been better served if they had each kept their federal tax money. I would also ask why Mr. Dyson didn't criticize the state and city governments’ response, or are they above reproach?

At the end of the program, he gets around to answering the one question I was hoping he would answer: Did God cause Katrina? He evidently thinks not. I find it curious that as a minister he doesn't think God is capable of starting or stopping hurricanes. There is an incident in the gospels where it is recorded that Jesus calmed the winds of a storm when he and his disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Gallilee. Evidently, God lost his power to affect the weather sometime between then and now.

I believe that God caused Katrina as well as the tsunami in Indonesia, etc. I don't pretend to know completely why, but I am not going to question if it was just of Him to do so. In the mean time, I am not interested in blaming Bush or FEMA or anybody else and would rather they and Mr. Dyson not use these events as a justification to tax me more.

I felt the national response to Katrina in terms of the nation's people was and still is good and caring. The government's response, however, was an eye opener for the world and for anybody who had still been asleep politically before Katrina.

I could never have imagined the debacle I saw daily on my TV screen. I believe a big lion is now awake ready to pounce.

I want to commend Dr. Dyson on his latest book Come Hell or High Water. As a black person who has had to meander life and the American way, I can honestly state that a black person is not considered as worthy as a white person, period.

What makes it worse is the fact that all these other races of people who come to this country whose skin is white or very light can check "white" on their application, feel good about themselves and walk around and no one knows the difference. And that's regardless of what language they speak. Black people, on the other hand, can't do that because everybody knows what race they are once they see their black or brown skin. They can't hide it. We're categorized no matter what. Those so called middle and upper class blacks need to stop deluding themselves. They're black and that's that, period.

Thanks to Dr. Dyson for highlighting that point so salient in all areas of our black lives.

I cannot believe this is America. I am ashamed. In the 1970s, I actually believed that when my children grew up, race would no longer be such an issue. I looked forward to that time. This is such a disappointment for all of us.

I saw Dr. Dyson on C-Span and loved every minute of it. Keep talking, as more of us are listening than you think.

Horrified, frightened about the future of the US and of people like myself, and angry at the entire US populace that allows our government to get by with this. People should have poured out into the streets everywhere in protest, should camp out at their representatives' and senators' offices (by the way, I intentionally did not capitalize those two terms because doing so would convey a respect for those offices that is not justified), should camp out at the White House, should bring the nation to a halt in protest of our government actions.

But I was not surprised. I've heard Michael Chertoff defend the Homeland Security budget allocations many times with the statement that “it would be too costly to prepare for the defenses of the entire country so the government must pick and choose where they spend the money in such a way as to provide the best return on investment.” I am always horrified at that statement and that people let it just slide by. What he is saying is that the government will only protect those that the people of government deem worthy and useful to their purposes. Again, no surprise because everything in this Bush administration operates that way.

I just had the pleasure of watching Mr. Dyson on C-span.

Mr.Dyson helped to further raise my level of awareness regarding the state of Black people living in "white" America.

Mr.Dyson, I admire your openness and passion for addressing and exposing the truth. You represent Black-power, knowledge, wisdom, courage, leadership, intellect and truth.

I thank you for being a great voice.

I feel that there was a critical systematic failure brought on by incompetence, active malice and passive indifference by the Bush administration.

While individual citizens did whatever within their power to provide assistance, the governmental machine made no plausible effort in the early hours to prevent further needless suffering and death.

The classification of the people of New Orleans as refugees seemed to indicate that the government viewed them as third-world individuals in some foreign country rather than US citizens.

Within 24 hours after the tsunami in East Asia, the US government had men, equipment and supplies en route and a plan to rescue the needed; How could the same not have been accomplished right here in America - Could color and entrenched racism have been deciding or contributing factors, I believe so.

FEMA's incompetence was evident long before Katrina. In 1996 we had a flood in this tiny town and FEMA set up shop to take applications for assistance but didn't spend a dime here for flood recovery. I even advised a classmate who had been flooded out of his hobo dwelling at a poorly maintained beach to apply, and he said he called but didn't get a response.

FEMA is not at all able to do the things people seem to think they are. In my opinion, they exist just to give the appearance of the government doing something but it's really just Hollywood keystone cops, not race.

I watched your book signing on CSPAN-2 for the first time on Sunday, March 19, 2006 and I was very impressed with the profound information you provided to the black community and I want to thank you.

I wept the other night because I assumed the fighters among us had disappeared. You provided me with hope once again. After the passing of my father, Elder Osman Sharrieff and my oldest brother, Osman Ibn Sharrieff, I had lost contact with the concerns of our communities.

Thank you once again for being there. I hope to one day see you in the flesh. GOD be with you and the young Jameel Harrison that was also seeking the connection.

I have not read your book Come Hell or High Water yet but it is on the top of my reading assignments.

Katrina was a disaster that we should never forget or take lightly for the truth was revealed as to who we are and what needs to be done.

I am very sad about the national response to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

As an African-American, I felt shock, anger, disgust, and helplessness…the list goes on and on and on. It is hard for me to articulate my feelings about what I witnessed (second hand) through the eyes of the media. I just know that African-Americans are viewed as nothing in the eyes of White America.

I have always known for I feel it everyday when I walk through the Financial District of San Francisco.

We will never be able to change our skin color. I'm proud to be an African-American woman and will continue to succeed despite the obstacles thrown my way.

One day, a change is gonna come!

I "discovered" you watching BookTV this past weekend.

I will be reading your book in the next week or so. I too have been poor in Louisiana, which is a strange place to begin with. I lived in Lafayette more than twenty years ago. It was a rich town, oil rich, but the big money never seemed to trickle down.

I agree, the government that we pay for and own was totally incompetent in this instance, but this isn't new. As you point out, the only new thing is that the national indifference to the poor was exposed to the world. How is it that government can generate billions of dollars in aid to countries impacted by the tsunami, but it can't manage the long term care of the poorest victims of this disaster?

Well you made a brilliant observation when you said that justice is the extension of generosity into public policy - it removes the element of whimsy. It also requires long term planning, something our government isn't so good at anymore.

As I watched this lecture and looked at the crowd, I wondered why it is that the people in your audience and those who make up the audience of Dr. Wayne Dyer aren't talking to each other. Both audiences are people who care about the issues and both have the impulse to make changes; one is predominately Black and the other White. How can we bring these two audiences together to become a force for change?

The national response to Katrina in a nutshell: IT STINKS!

I will always believe Hurricane Katrina gave "some rich developers" the opportunity to wipe out the poor black neighborhoods for their own personal gain.

I think it will become a place for the rich to get richer. I also believe that they will come up with a reason not to build up the 9th Ward just as they came up with a reason not to rebuild the black homes and businesses that were destroyed by jealous whites in Tulsa, OK on Greenwood in 1921. And they will make it some kind of industrial area for importing and exporting only.

I strongly believe that the levees were blown up during the storm.

But I just wanted to add that I so happy and filled with joy that I am alive to hear and read the works of people like Dr. Dyson. I wish I could just shake his hand, he reminds me of Dr. John Hendrik Clarke, another man I admire.

God Bless you and I thank God for you.

I love the way you make me think before I speak or act.

Much Love!

I am not surprised at what happened as far as the response of the government.

But I was amazed at the sloppiness and ineptness of the organizations that were suppose to be prepared to respond to these types of emergencies.

I am on the volunteer Red Cross Teams and thought we were better prepared to assist our people. But I was so angry, I was beside myself. My wife and I cried at the suffering of our people.

And when they called them looters just for trying to survive, this country again revealed how they feel 'bout black folks.

I just watched Dr. Dyson talk about his new book on C-SPAN2's BookTV.

Despite not having read this or his other books, I felt like pumping my fist in the air and shouting "YES!" because his words were truth I have been waiting to hear from anyone, especially a respected insightful Black commentator. He not only was telling the naked truth but doing so in colorful language that varied in origin from the streets to the pulpit to pure academia.

I enjoyed his talk, particularly his exchanges with questioners, but sadly noted there is another whole category of forgotten victims of Katrina that even he failed to identify: people with disabilities. Every point Dr. Dyson made applies to PWDs, and I suggest using that fact would be a perfect way he could emphasize his message about all people deserving respect no matter any other characteristics they have.

Disability is color, gender, religion, class, education, etc. blind, the uniquely equal opportunity majority (largest) minority that eventually everyone joins, but is seldom even mentioned let alone considered.

Dr. Dyson, please incorporate this truth into your powerful, very welcome message that our nation so needs to hear.

Thanks.

The slow and inadequate response to hurricane Katrina taught me a lot of lessons.

One is that, in this country, Black people are still just considered a bunch of savages. They didn't understand the circumstances that took place in this country that lead up to the chain of events we saw during the hurricane. They still don't see in this country that Black people are still recovering from slavery. Instead of some sympathy, it was "Why didn't they evacuate?" Instead of sympathy, it was "Those niggas down there don't know how to act." They can't see for our blackness that "those" people couldn't afford to leave New Orleans and get a hotel room. That "those" people didn't have food, water, clean clothes and not even anywhere to use the restroom. They still don't get it when all kinds of media can get into New Orleans but buses can't because of the flooding.

Then they don't understand why other countries in all parts of the world including Europe hate us. We stick our noses in other people's business yet can't take care of our own people. Well, that's simple. We only stick our noses in business where we can get some type of benefit in this country. We can be in Southeast Asia for response to Tsunami in 24 hours but can't conquer those flood waters of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

I finally was reeducated in the fact that it's all in who you know and not what you know when the director of FEMA was not qualified to handle the job.

The events of Katrina is a wake up call to Black people to get themselves together and unify as a community and stop trying to chase that "White American Dream".

Dr. Dyson, I saw your lecture on C-SPAN from California. I was very impressed with what you said although, I may not have agreed with everything you said. I will buy your book this week. I want to respond to your heated discussion with the woman who brought up the gay situation. When she brought it up, I don't think she understood why you brought it up. I know you understood that gay people always try to compare their struggle with ours yet the two are no where closely related. But it wasn't until you told the other guy that you've heard arguments that Katrina happened because of gay people that I understood why it was a topic in your lecture. My point is that you should have told the first lady that as well.

Thank you

Saw Dr. Dyson on C-SPAN2 today (Sun 3/19) and went right out to Barnes and Noble to buy the book.

I was appalled that B&N is not displaying the book in the New Arrivals group at the front of the store and told them so. I had to ask for help to find it.

It was in the Afro-American (or words to that effect) section...a place where I, admittedly, do not frequently inhabit.

Guess it just proves the point he Dr. Dyson was making today (not that it wasn't appropriate for the book to be found where it was, but GEEZ!). The book was relegated to the back of the store, in a corner, instead of out where everyone would find it, as say they could a book by Bill O'Reilly.

I must admit that our (my?) white world doesn't much want to see beyond the end of its driveway.

Look the other way seems to be our motto.

God help us.

It is still appalling how lame the response was.

I can't help but wonder what the response would have been had a disaster of similar magnitude hit Chicago or some other city. I'm incensed by the arrogance of FEMA turning away help from other countries. How long will it take for us to recover from Bush diplomacy?

I was watching your book event on CSPAN, in which a woman was troubled by any attention being given the gays. I guess bigotry comes in all colors.

What's wrong with being sympathetic toward any group subjected to injustice?

There are two main culprits behind the delayed response of Hurricane Katrina: The Bush administration, and FEMA.

The Bush Administration is responsible for lying to the country and intentionally delaying the response, while FEMA is responsible for defiance within its own structure as well as negligence.

All of these components equal up to genocide, racism, and classism.

I was disheartened, yet not surprised, to witness the lack of response of the current administration and FEMA towards the helpless individuals trapped during the Katrina storm and its aftermath.

It was apparent to me, as well as to the rest of the world, that this great "super power" with its weapons of "mass destruction" were rendered powerless to respond to the aid of its citizens. It disturbs me that a government agency that was created to protect Americans from any kind of disaster, either natural or foreign, is more interested in spying on its citizens than protecting them.

May God help the African-Americans to wake up to the reality of their existence.

To say I was deeply moved by the tragedy would be an exaggeration.

I followed the national media coverage peripherally as a spectator. Being an unaffected party my opinion may hold no weight. So I will restrict myself to commenting on Dr. Dyson’s evaluation of the great deluge.

It seams evident that this situation should have been handled in a way that prevented greater human suffering. I don’t agree with Dr. Dyson on all that he asserts as to the causal and attitudinal circumstances of the governments mismanagement of the disaster. However, he has voiced powerful compelling questions about racial indifference and apathy. He echoes a primal cry by the people of New Orleans for redress and consideration by a presidential administration that was apparently distracted by foreign considerations. It’s a presidency allowing domestic concerns to be suborned by cronies and incompetent middle management.

I found Dr. Dyson’s arguments cogent and insightful. I may not have been brought to overwhelming emotion by the tragedy of hurricane Katrina itself; however, I find that the issues of race and social justice, that are oozing out of the shadows of the national conscience, are inescapably compelling.

Because of the fatally, major response problems exposed by the national media of FEMA’s reaction to Hurricane Katrina, poor people and minorities saw, suffered, and were reminded, once again, of their true value of importance to the Government.

Politicians, civic and community leaders raised a national sound of fury to its shock and horror to the unnecessary, dual, inhuman suffering inflicted by Katrina and by the slow FEMA response.

Improvements by FEMA will be made to better handle the next natural or human-caused disaster. But until we as a poor and minority class come together as a unified vocal and voting coalition to hold government accountable to the tenets in the U.S. Constitution, we will find ourselves, yet again, like we do over and over again, in the same predicament.

And all the sound and fury of our collective disgust will have again, signified nothing.

I feel that the government did not move fast enough to help the people of the Gulf Coast region.

I have always felt that if they had primarily been white, the government would have moved faster.

I also think that the cleanup is moving too slow. People are being told that they can not return to their homes or that their homes will be destroyed because of the damage.

It's just not right.

I think that the national response was devastating.

The government response was very slow and still is. The President's response was unbelievable. When the Tsunami hit the nation’s response was like a strike of lighting to aid those white victims.

When Katrina hit, the government called blacks refugees and made us out to be animals in our own country. President Bush didn't even come or send help to our rescue until the Mayor used truthful words to get his attention. Now you tell me if the world that we are living in isn't white America. It goes to show you that you have to be white to get immediate help in a life or death situation. But yet we pay our taxes and try to live our lives as decent as can be and still we don't get the respect that we deserve.

President Bush still hasn't given us a national apology that we so rightfully deserve. The nation is still prejudice against everyone except whites and they have the nerve to get mad when we as blacks try to get ahead in life.

Last but not least, I applaud everyone that went or tried to help our people in New Orleans. There was a mixture of all cultures pulling together to help one another in their time of need except the ones that really should have been the first to do so which was the government. If it was any of their families down there and if it was a predominately white town like when the Tsunami hit, we wouldn't be feeling the way that we are now because aid was there to rescue as soon as the first drop of water hit.

But this is good ole' America for ya.

Land of the free…home of the lame.

I have family that was down there.

I think that white America should have help and I am thankful for those who did.

But the President could have done more than he did. He can screw up all he wants to because he knows he won't be reelected. He went to Iraq but I thought we were supposed to be looking for Bin Laden? Obviously, that was a lie.

Why wouldn't you build a dike like the one in Holland that would save our people?

Our forefathers and mothers helped to build this country so why won't he HELP!!!!

It is true that racism played a role in the inept response and criminal apathy of our government towards the tragedy in New Orleans. I just believe that it was a very minor, coincidental role.

Katrina has demonstrated a social pandemic that is the result of the New World Order and of which the Bush administration is a key player. The true motivation behind the lack of proper response wasn't consciously or deliberately based on race, it was based on class and wealth. The power echelons do not consider themselves to be of the people. They see themselves as the new royalty...the ruling elite. They have no concern for those mindless peasants whose plight is but a terrible inconvenience to them. They are too busy advancing their schemes and mechanizations of Bush senior's "New World Order."

I believe that even if New Orleans was solely populated by poor whites, that the outcome would have been the same. It's all about class, not race. If New Orleans was populated by rich Blacks, rich Hispanics, rich Arabs, or rich anybody, you'd better believe Bush would have been on the ball. In this age of corporate totalitarianism and the New World Order, the black community needs to understand that they are not being singled out by race. No longer is it white against black. It is the rich versus the poor. The "haves" versus the "have-nots."

It just so happens that due to the racism that is present in our society, blacks represent a proportionately large chunk of the targeted classes: the "have-nots." Bear in mind that even though blacks constitute a disproportionately higher percentage of the poor there is still a larger number of whites that fall into that same category. Poor whites are suffering right alongside the poor blacks in New Orleans.

In this day and age, when the upper powers of our government can get away with such blatant disregard for the life and well being of the citizenry...everyone should be worried.

I caught you CSPANs BookTV.

I really want to thank you for giving a voice to us. I am a 24 year-old Katrina victim who lost my whole apartment and savings to attend music in the storm. First of all, my black people are so lost; we are just about “self.” We are about to have our first election since Katrina and for the first time in several years we will possibly have a white mayor.

Black people are going to help “whitey” takeover because there is no black unity. Most blacks who are Katrina victims such as me are blaming Ray Nagin for their downfall.

So this mentality will help white folk capitalize once again on our lack of unity. A white mayor will be a sad day for my city and most of all a sad day for my people.

Once a white is in office, a black face may never hold that spot again.

The U.S. Government response to Katrina and its victims was not based upon race.

The failure of the U.S. Government to respond to this disaster in a timely manner is simply: "NO SENSE OF URGENCY"

I don't know why black people are not protesting in cities all over the country.!?

I saw you on CSPAN.

You were fantastic and a real inspiration.

I recently saw Mr. Dyson on BookTV at the Eso Won Bookstore and he was addressing the needs for equal protection for Gay Americans as well as any other victims of the Katrina Hurricane and was challenged by someone in the audience.

I was impressed with his remarks that though it may not be her issue, meaning the person in the audience, but that it was still an issue.

His insistence that all peoples’ rights should be protected was right on.

Also significant was his noting that the problem was one fundamentally of poor people, not which group they could be divided into.

The government was not there for the people.

The citizens of Louisiana pay taxes like many other Americans and should get the same services.

I'm not shocked at all for this has been going on long before Katrina!

If you don't have sufficient resources to solve your own problems, you are down a creek with no paddle. If we cannot come together as a people and depend on one another we are doomed in America. This tragedy in New Orleans couldn’t be covered up so they just quit talking about it hoping that people would just forget about it.

Remember the old saying, "out of sight, out of mind."

Brothers and Sisters the time has come for us to stop hating and start loving one another so we can get rid of centuries of mistrust due to Willie Lynch syndrome that was used to divide and conquer us as a people.

The powerful ruling class in America has cleaned our treasury out. We're a debtor nation. Very soon there is only going to be rich and poor and no middle class.

Then you will get a taste of what the people of New Orleans are going through!

I just finished watching your 02/06 talk at Eso Won Bookstore on C-SPAN Book TV and wanted to thank you for speaking up for the poor and disenfranchised, and for including gay folks in the embrace.

It continues to amaze me how hot people get about keeping any notion of “gay” outside any forum. Thank you for having the strength of character to be strong and speak strong -- wanting the "routine" of justice -- for all!

I just saw part of a CSPAN2 Book TV presentation by Dr. Dyson on Come Hell or High Water.

I agree with everything the professor said, at least for the part I saw.

People of color, especially the poor and blue-collar majorities within Blacks, Latinos, and other groups, are demonized and considered of less value than whites. This ancient abuse is further augmented by the internalized oppression of upwardly mobile and wealthy people of color who collude with the power structure and blame the poor for their lot, though it was created and is kept in place by institutionalized racism and classism.

I was especially elated by Dr. Dyson's unflinching attacks on homophobia even as he kept very clear on the evils of racism and classism.

I will buy and read all his books.

Hearing you speak on CNN, I find you to be fair and discerning.

For years I went to New Orleans to find and enjoy a world of difference.

The $5 an hour workers had a good sense of self because they had neighborhood and family.

Both are gone now.

I hope you run for national political office soon, some of us old white women would vote for you in a flash.

I believe that the horrid response to Katrina was in fact the intended outcome.

The Bush "administration" can now have New Orleans divided up and developed for a tidy profit.

Black people should assume that when events such as Katrina occur, they would not be helped as readily or as well as others.

This is an assumption that we as a people should operate on. Otherwise we are ignoring the reality of the cultural and economic war, which is being waged to keep the white culture in power. This war would not compel the white culture to do the right thing.

By no means would I hate whites for wittingly or unwittingly waging this war.

What is important is for blacks to recognize this fact and act accordingly.

Dear Mike.

I first heard about you through the Tavis Smiley show last year here on one of our NPR stations. He has since been taken off. I miss that show on the radio, and I really miss the segments where you were on. I never could get enough of the wonderful rhythm and free flow of your mind. As a white man, I was raised around black and Mexican folk in the central San Joaquin valley in California and I am blessed for it.

I just now caught the CSPAN dialog at the Eso Won bookstore taped on 2-24-06. Suffice it to say, I was glued to every word you spoke. I just wanted you to know this, which may be futile, but we have seen how screwed up the (white men) have ruined the office of the President. And the terrible response to those in New Orleans and all of the Gulf Coast pretty much is living proof that nothing has changed.

I know you are a smart man, oh what I would give to have you as the President of the United States. That being said, I also know you are far too wise to run for that wicked office, which saddens me. Our nation needs a free flow of common sense, and lets face it, your idiom and syntax and timbre of speech is such, that if a nation could only hear you speak and not know that you are a black man; they would vote you into office in a heartbeat. I think that TV has ruined our ability to make good common-sense judgments.

Your skin is black, it is wrapped around a brain that isn’t concerned with color, and your heart is a hot fire that burns with truth and common sense. When I hear you speak, I am motivated to try to change things as best as I can. Just know that you are appreciated and I wish you well on your journey to tell the truth as you see it and feel it. Be well my brother, and "keep the faith."

I thought your points on CSPAN were well-founded when you discussed gay people in the Katrina disaster.

Oppressed is still oppressed whether you are black, or gay, or gay and black at the same time.

I went to elementary and middle school with one of the well-known black TV preachers. I am amazed how he can speak about liberation, salvation in Jesus, Etc., and then turn around and discount gays as being unworthy of salvation and freedom and liberation.

How glad I am there is a voice of true love and liberation like yours on the American scene!

I just watched Mr. Dyson read from his book and there is just one small thing that got skimmed over, but to me is highly important.

All white people are not rich and do not feel blacks "don't count." If you are a disadvantaged white person, you have no better chance at equality than a black person. Black people have representatives such as Mr. Dyson, the NAACP, Etc. Poor white folk do not have someone to speak out for them.

The politics of welfare, FEMA, Etc., are not more favorable to the poor white than they are the poor black.

The middle class has been erased. I wish there was someone who could stand up for the poor white folk.

I just finished viewing MED's speech at the Eso Won bookstore in California on CSPAN.

No Black man today has a better ability to eloquently organize intellectual thought and observations about modern issues than Dyson.

As for my personal views about the Katrina coverage, or lack thereof:

Everyone knew New Orleans has been a city where minorities are the actual Majority. A simple visit to the Cajun City at a time other than Mardi Gras or Bayou Classic would also point out that the city's poverty and violence are issues spiraling out of control and continually worsening. So to act surprised by the conflicts in the aftermath of Katrina only display an ignorance that ironically is spiraling out of control as well.

The national response to Katrina... is still responding. Government underestimated the impact of Katrina and as a result, failed to construct a logical to efficiently subdue the suffering caused by Katrina. The hurricane was more than just a storm, it served as a test or a preview of our nation's value of life and culture. The nation failed the test miserably when it comes to action. However, I have to admit, the nation passed with a gold star if the evaluation is based on rhetoric and press conferences. This could have been the opportune time to bring back our brother and sisters (race not being a factor) serving overseas. The world leaders and nations were already compassionate and somewhat empathetic about the crisis in our own backyard... it would seem like the logical time to "man up" and pull the troops out of a country that didn't ask for our assistance, and assist our own dire needs. Killing two birds with one stone (Katrina reconstruction & Iraqi withdrawal) sounds a lot better than just continuing the killing.

This topic can and will take countless tangents, but the point is that the nation's response was non-existent until the Nation's response was attacked by people needing and deserving a more motivated and organized national response. How do we rebound from this? How do we learn from this? How do we make sure this doesn't happen again? Questions that might not have a uniform answer, but the sooner we start thinking about such answers, the sooner we'll begin positive growth.

Dr. Dyson,

First, I just watched your 2/24/06 Book TV talk. Wonderful!

To say anymore would be to reduce it to mere definition when your perspective is so much more. Thanks for reaffirming most everything this old hippie ever thought was good.

The Katrina response was disgusting in that it was not necessary. Prior to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security we had the organization and resources to confront major disaster.

Keeping emergency respondents and Red Cross out of the city compounded the lack of immediate help to people there.

Not allowing people back in quickly with trailers, as far as possible, made worse the alienation of the displaced population from their homes. People need to get back in and start rebuilding and reinvest in their own lives.

It’s often hard to put into words how outraged I was and still am in regards to how the Katrina tragedy was handled by our government locally and nationally.

We are seen as a country that will go to the wall to help outside of our borders at a drop of a hat. But at a time when the help was greatly needed within our own borders it was nowhere to be found.

In my mind that was the moment when all doubt was removed on how the government really feels about people of color. I will never feel the same about this country again. Katrina served as a magnifying glass to show what is going on in this country between the have and have-nots.

The people that were adversely affected by Katrina have little or no money and the people in the areas that they went are starting to experience trouble dealing with them.

Black people need to stop crying about everything.

You all are narrow-minded and racist yourselves.

If you don’t like America then get out.

Go to Africa then, since you find it necessary to call yourselves African-American.

President Bush is the first of modern Presidents to hold slaves. Albeit foreign, non-Christian, and detained in the Caribbean until needed on the "massa’s plantations."

The Katrina survivors have been sent an important message. Your ancestors started off as foreign, non-Christian detainees in Caribbean way stations.

Katrina answered the house survivors’ doubts about whether it is good for them to spread massa's message that slavery is OK again.

Dr. Dyson,

Thank you for your emphasis on Hurricane Katrina. We Americans have short memories and we need to be reminded time and time again what happened after the levees failed.

I saw you on BookTV today, and I am a white woman who has served the black community for many years. Must you make the Katrina tragedy into an US vs. THEM mentality? I feel it incites an emotional response that then makes the listener angry instead of empowered.

And don't you think it is racist for you to take on a "white dialect" when you are stating what you feel the white community feels? If a speaker was lecturing about black people and affected a stereotypical "black dialect," wouldn't that be completely inappropriate? You are not doing comedy - you are speaking as a Doctor and an expert.

Lastly, please look to "your own" in Ray Nagin, who should have KNOWN the situation in those areas of his own city - that many people cannot afford cars even though they are the hard-working poor as you referred to, and that with so much family localized, they had no one to turn to and too many people to move without transportation. He neither properly prepared nor rose to the occasion afterward. An openly speaking person like you needs to call Nagin out, please.

I sincerely thank you for offering me an opportunity to freely voice my thoughts here. I can never know what it is like to be a black American, but I do know very well what it is to be a human being - and suffering, despair and desperation reduces us all to humanity.

I am of the belief that those in the federal government responsible for the non-response should be held criminally accountable.

I also believe that each day of non-response was an act of domestic terrorism.

I am watching Mr. Dyson on CSPANs BookTV and he is right on!

I'm a 38 year old Caucasian and could not agree with him more.

What happened with Katrina was a national disgrace.

It exposed the Bush administration to a whole new level of incompetence.

It scares me to think how bad it could get for this country in the next 2 years.

I am 54 years old and my opinion of Michael Eric Dyson is that he should be the voice for most Black People.

I can only say that he definitely and eloquently speaks to my concerns and sentiments with force and confidence.

I was and am horrified. What else can be said?

Why, after almost a year, does New Orleans and Mississippi look like the hurricane hit last week? Why is it that the people who were displaced are still not able to return home? Why is FEMA pulling out bit by bit?

AND WHY ISN’T THE MEDIA ASKING THESE QUESTIONS?

I think the government blew this one, because of poor management.

I was at work in Greensboro, NC watching the events unfold as the "officials" prepared to send the evacuees to the Superdome.

My hysteria drove me to attack any white face I turned to (which at my job is not many) because like most front line customer service jobs, our center is majority black. The thought that these people were being herded into this facility, knowing the US government is notorious for killing black folks (this to me was like shooting fish in a barrel). I became more and more viciously terrified.

For years I have felt, seen, and lived the oppression of the US government as a poor black person and as each of those black faces that looked like me flashed across that screen, I had seen my slow, dehydrated, starved future...be it real or hypothetical.

In 2004, I became immersed in my history and culture as a Freedom Rider. Our path went from NY to MS and LA, and as the oppressive heat and relentless mosquitoes in June 2004 were fresh in my mind, I watched the reports by Oprah, Geraldo, and Fox News reporters.

They were dying and many will never have a voice. 1200 people were lynched in America in August 2005 - again.

Michael Eric Dyson, Tavis Smiley, and Kanye West, please articulate and speak out with a voice that most of us simply don't have the opportunity to express.

Those slowly murdered in Louisiana deserve this.

We’re still invisible!

Until Katrina, Black folk were thinking that if we just be quiet, if we just don't take positions, if we scratch and nod, shuffle and bow, then the government (who is us by virtue of the people we elect to represent US!!) would come to our aid, even if just to save the "plantation."

Well, it didn't happen.

The media showed that Black and poor people are inter-changeable anywhere on the globe and we - Black elected people - act as if there is a difference. This is why we must pay attention to EVERY THING that happens anywhere in the country and anywhere in the world where American resources are spent.

Obviously we see resources that are needed here should NOT be spent ANYWHERE else!

"The least amount of respect that we accept is the most that we will ever get."

We said it!

Dear Michael,

I have been writing a zillion letters to editors, congresspersons, Etc., and no one is home.

I believe that the people knew in advance the levee would break and they considered the 9th Ward “expendable.” It's so obvious when you see on the history channel that they did it before! In a hurricane in the 1920's, they put all the Blacks on an island in New Orleans and wouldn't let them off. This time the island was the Highway Overpass and the Dome. I was crying so much watching those people scream for water and food, and the dead covered with sheets and left in their wheel chairs.

I could only send a little money to the Salvation Army and give to local churches, but there are people paid to do this, like FEMA, and people with enough of their own dollars who could have dropped bottles of water from helicopters - of course, the people should not have been there to receive bottles. Buses should have taken them out right away.

I've lived in Mexico, and when they have hurricanes, EVERYONE without a car is taken out by school buses in ADVANCE, not afterward. On this island, buses take the hospital patients and workers who have no cars.

I worked in a boys' prison in Philly as a social worker, as a health educator on an Indian Pueblo, as a teacher in Latin America and in migrant labor camps in Jersey. I've been there and done that.

Keep up the good work.

I hope that Katrina can be part of a national wake up call that the U.S. government has been overrun with corporate interest.

Look at how anxious Halliburton was to get those contracts and how much corporate rebuilding is going to monopolize the new growth.

It is shameless.

Unless you have made a few million dollars last year, you don't exist to the current administration.

Wisdom and compassion do not work without one another.

Dr. Michael Dyson,

When I listen to you talk about hurricane Katrina it is very plain that you bought your degrees.

You are just another black that wants to blame everyone else for their problems. Why don't you blame the New Orleans Mayor and the worthless Governor?

I am a poor white but you don't hear anyone trying to help me. I have to work full time for minimum wages because I don't qualify for any assistance. I don't sit on my ass and ask for hand outs or blame others.

You are just another elitist progressive that knows all the problems but I didn't hear one solution come from you. Thank God you age like me and will become an old person and all your money will not be able to buy back your youth.

Have you gone to New Orleans to help clean up? We have thousands of Katrina victims here and they get a handout and don't have to work and our crime rate has gone up 31 %.

I think you’re just trying to sell books.

It's a sad day in America.

I was a resident of New Orleans all of my life until the day before Hurricane Katrina struck, leaving death and destruction in its wake.

Thankfully, I was able to leave the day before, so I was not exposed to the chaos that Katrina caused; however, I did reside in an area that was hardest hit by the storm, which was the Lower 9th ward. When I came back in October to pick up my elderly father (who refused to leave), I could not begin to tell how heartbreaking it was to see my father's home in ruins -- the home that he and my mother had worked all their lives to build and beautify - the home that had been mine since I was eleven years of age.

People who did not experience Katrina and who did not reside in New Orleans cannot even begin to understand the heartbreak and the suffering. It is a hurting thing to know that your voice doesn't matter and no one cares about you, and they figure just because you may have lived in an area that was largely populated by African-Americans that you don't matter and they're not planning to rebuild that area.

It’s strange, but the people that decided to stay and the people that returned are not even receiving assistance. Where I am living presently, my family and I have been tremendously blessed by a variety of programs and charities, and just by the kindness of perfect strangers, which we never would have received in New Orleans.

Don't get me wrong; I miss New Orleans, the culture, the history, the food, but after Katrina, and the way that the people were treated, I will never, ever return there to live.

First, let me say that it was and is still a tragedy that this occurred.

Secondly, for the government to act in this manner is of a terrorist nature.

These are people who are citizens in this country and by the way, living in a state that was colored RED in the last election. I realize that most of the folk who voted were those of the white persuasion, but they suffered too.

I hope that the heavens will somehow make some things right for those living there and for those who have been displaced. However, I feel that when the city has been somewhat rebuilt, the economy will be too expensive for those who lived there before to return or remain. It is such a shame.

I hope they remember…God don't like ugly.

The national response to Katrina and its aftermath is completely unacceptable.

Millions of dollars were raised and donated to the Red Cross and other organizations, yet Katrina victims are not receiving adequate assistance in the area of housing, among others. How is it that Oprah Winfrey can take $10 million of her own money and build an entire community for families devastated by the hurricane, and our nation, the wealthiest in the world, can only place families in hotels and pay the rent for two months or so? The most effective response is to acquire land, build houses, and put our people, those most affected by Katrina, in them, as Oprah has shown us (God bless her, she had the courage and the compassion to step up).

Employment is and will always be an issue that blacks will have to address in this country, but don't you think it's much easier to be financially independent when you own a house and the land on which it sits? As blacks we are fooling ourselves if we believe that the U.S. government will do all it can to help Hurricane Katrina victims rebuild their lives without critical reflection and action from us.

Lastly, I think the more important question to ask is, "What can we do to continue helping our own people, given the inadequate response of the nation?" Sure, we've given of our time, money, and efforts, but from a financial standpoint we can do more, given the fact that we are the #1 consumer in the country.

Let's take it back to the old school and re-route our money, even boycott if we need to do so.

But above all, trust God, because He is the only one who has helped us thus far.

All this "paralysis in analysis" about Katrina, yet nothing is tangible, all is animated.

I was there on the inter-state and walked to the convention center.

Yes, a lot of books are to be written, there are round table discussions and plenty of sermons, but where is the love?

I hear talk of love, I see love on the media, but I can't feel the love.

I can feel the suffering, I can feel my empty pockets once full, I can feel my 4 year old son holding on to me as we trekked through chest high water and on to the interstate, and then to the convention center.

As a nurse I felt the fading pulses of the dying before my eyes. No water, no food, no buses, no police, no NAACP, no rap artist, no athletes, no churches, no authors, and no organizations.

There are no hands on, grass root collective or effective leadership since the days of the great organized marches of the sixties.

GET UP STAND UP!

Will someone awaken the sleeping lion?

I agree with (one thing) in your book: that we still need help because we are hated in all the places we have come to be.

But most of the fakes quoted in your book were not even in New Orleans when Katrina hit. I dare them to show up in Essence posing as us survivors for they will be exposed and shouted down.

Your pop book does nothing to tell our story and pimps our suffering just like the rest of those faking concern for us. I spent my own hard gained dollars on your worthless book!

Stop pimping our suffering and stop representing Hip-Hop.

You do not speak for the Hip Hop Nation - you pimp it and our suffering.

Tu Pac aint here to back me on this!

Nuff Said.

You know it gets old, depressing, and makes a good person full of raw rage.

You can see the race card played in doing everything to not get these people back to home ground.

You know when people want something that they think is a money maker; they will wear you down until they can get what they want.

There isn't any comforting for the people in these many months after Katrina.

It's as if we don't share the same love we understand in each others own bibles.

All I can really see is the "religious wrong."

I am appalled and disgusted by our country's response.

The federal government should be throwing money at minority developers and architects to build up the city of New Orleans, so not one citizen of that great city has to suffer from not having a place to stay.

I bet if the city of Nashville or Louisville had been affected like New Orleans, our so-called President would be the first one screaming "re-build".

I look forward to reading Professor Dyson's latest book.

I am sure it is a page turner. (smile)

Kanye was right.

Even though racial prejudice is not as blatant as it has been throughout history since the civil rights era, proof of such bias was evident through the response of the administration AND the media.

The majority of society bases its socio-perspectives on what they see and read in the news. The media had a field day with the "looting" by blacks after Katrina, perpetuating negative stereotypes.

The national response to Katrina only emphasizes OUR need to unify under a single, common agenda, putting aside petty differences and conflicts that pervade our culture.

The federal response was what should be expected from this "No child left with a behind…bring it on (cuz I'm not fightin')…terrorist not tourist” Administration.

The only ones not left behind, as in Iraq was the Halliburton crew whose check was in the mail before there was any thought of the people of New Orleans.

My initial reaction was that there was a complete breakdown at all three levels of government.

Both my mother and my mother-in-law lived in Louisiana for many years and indicated that the level of corruption is immense. The federal government goes without saying. In the end the President, his appointees, the Governor, the Mayor and their cronies were the wrong people at the wrong time.

Now things have become stagnant, with little happening in Wards traditionally occupied by the poor. Those of the middle and upper income ranges who bothered with flood insurance are getting rebuilt. The rest, including those who rent, have little to go back to, particularly jobs.

Since New Orleans was not a rich city to begin with, and Louisiana is one of the poorer states, the money must come from the federal government or it is not going to come at all. The problem is that the federal government is over extended, has pursued a destructive economic and trade policy, and involved itself in several full time military actions. Not to mention that New Orleans leans Democratic, which means there is little incentive for the Republicans in Congress to bankroll it. Hint: Other parts of Louisiana are more pseudo-conservative.

Both our major parties are bankrupt morally and politically. Their tired, worn out, failing programs are no match for our current problems and even cause many of them. We elect frail people and give them enormous power which in many cases warps them completely. Then we fail to hold them accountable.

The festering of New Orleans is the large sign indicating the decent of the Republic. Like most it will decay into a strong, corrupt central government and a powerful army, empty of much of the vitality necessary to thrive.

Should we say it? - "When they didn’t come for the poor black people I didn’t complain, because I am not poor or black. Then when I needed help, no one came for me, for there was no one left to care."

I just finished your book, Come Hell or High Water, so I must say thank you.

The national response was, and is, what it will always be a reminder of how we are really viewed by not only white America, but also wealthy America.

So what do we do? How do we combat a train of thought (hateful racism) that has infiltrated our own kind to feel that we (poor people of color) got what we deserve?

All I can do is educated my children. Explain to them why they must not feel that they, or their peers, are second class citizens and that they have a moral obligation to educate themselves and others.

I must remind myself and others that there is a reason behind our governments' need to have the working poor in this country, or shall I say the indentured servants of this country. I pray that if my son has to relocate his family due to an impending crisis, that he has the resources to get them out of harms way.

Keep them, and us, in check Mike!

The response to Katrina and the genocide in Rwanda reflect a common problem: the fundamentally racist nature of American society.

You don't have to be dressed in a sheet burning a cross with a shaved head to be a racist.

You don't even have to use the "N word".

You can be racist by choosing not to see and by pretending that injustice doesn't happen.

I love this book!

The bottom line is the government knew (local, state, DC) that at some point those levees were going to go.

And they waited for the “big one” to come and destroy it. They waited because they knew hundreds and thousands of people of color would be affected and would be forced to relocate in order for the corporate community to move in and rebuild for profit.

The Ninth ward will never be rebuilt and when it does rise again there will be casinos, condos, and sports arenas in its place.

Bottom line...

Katrina was an equalizer.

White, Black, Vietnamese, etc, rich or poor, middle, lower or upper class were all effected by this hurricane. I am originally from New Orleans and we in New Orleans have left countless times for hurricanes and some of us decided to ride the storm out. The Katrina and Rita storms came along to change a culture of laid back people. We had and will have our culture again.

It is interesting in all of the opinions that no one questions the Algiers Naval Support Activity and the Belle Chasse Air Base lack of support. When you look at the film, in the background is a red and white tank that is the Naval Base. It was the end of the month, there was enough water, sodas, juice and diapers to help. I would not guess the Mayor or the Federal government thought about them. The troops were moved out and FEMA people were given their barracks.

I live on the West Bank of the river. I was upset when Mayor Nagin told the people to go west. I was overjoyed when the Gretna police stopped the people from crossing the bridge. My reasoning is: 1.) There was looting on the East Bank; 2.) Obviously, the people that crossed had never been across the river before because they would have known the first exit was still New Orleans. 3.) The houses had been evacuated and were sitting targets for vandalism. 4.) There was no way out on the West Bank.

Finally, The West Bank will never again have the community structure that it once did. We now have all the East Bankers on our side.

I am tired of the finger pointing. I would like to see results now. If Oprah can build a block in six months with ten million dollars, surely New Orleans can turn on the lights, gas and water with 85 million.
If you really want to write about something, start with the utilities companies; especially, Energy. Energy is bankrupt and is forcing the returnees to subsidize the lack of income from people who have yet to return.

Hopefully, this answered your question. In the words of Malcolm: self is the most important thing. If everyone starts to help self, everyone else will fall in line.

The suicides going on may be a way out, but it is a permanent way out.

I will drive down to cast my ballot for the white man on April 22nd.

Transporting those American citizens to unknown cities without proper identification or ways to return to their homes, or refusing to clear away trash, or demanding mortgage payment on property they don’t have access to, and the refusal to make temporary housing available for residents to live, work, and help to rebuild their city, ALL reminds me of the SLAVE (BUZZARDS) MASTERS.

In the immediate aftermath of Katrina the response was more than just neglectful…it was intentional.

We all know that this government knew well in advance what could happen if a hurricane hit New Orleans directly. They completely ignored any kind response. They did not even attempt to act like they cared; they showed no fake compassion at all. Everything was so blatant. It was like, "okay, so what if we did not respond quickly enough."

I feel that Bush and the cabinet are not only guilty of war crimes for the atrocities in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also are guilty for violating their fiduciary responsibility. We ought to pass a law in Philadelphia that is in accordance with international law stating that if Bush or any cabinet member steps foot in Philadelphia, they will be arrested and detained for human rights violations.

Due to the fact that we now know the President was warned about the devastation which followed Katrina, the response and ineptness of his administration is even more inexcusable.

It is a sad day in America when people are forced to face the hard truth that the poor and disadvantaged will never be able to count on our leaders to help save our lives.

I felt helpless, hopeless, and angry to see faces that look like mine, terrified and panic stricken.

When the realization that help was not coming hit home for us, I cried and I understood all too well what my parents had told me about growing up in the early 1900's.

I think that the response to this tragedy was more than sad.

It forced me to take my blinders off and recognize that we have not arrived. To be quite honest, we are no further than a foot out of the gate leading off the plantation called America.

I believe that the entire government should be ashamed of themselves and should refund me my tax money!

Living here in Houston with so many of the victims, it is sad to see their struggle and not have the capacity to do much about it.

If Blacks don't "wake up" we will soon find ourselves taking that one step back in the gate of the plantation.

How should I feel? It's evident that things haven't change for African-Americans in this country.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see beyond the media distortion. The political leaders of this country are focused on issues in other nations and ensuring that "Reaganomics" continues to exist.

I don't have to explain the way that politics are handled in this country. Ronald Reagan shifted the power over to his boys and forgot about the rest of society. The Enron scandal explains it all. I can't say that all Republicans are evil but the image that has shown throughout time has tarnished their image.

I think that the Katrina disaster will continue to be in a state of chaos while Cheney and friends continue collecting dividends. It will be swept under the rug over time while the people affected by this tragedy will be forgotten.

No less an authority than Lt. General Russell Honore, the "John Wayne dude" of Katrina rescue fame, proclaimed at the recent Henry County NAACP Freedom Fund banquet in Georgia, that the poor and the elderly were the prime victims of the devastation.

The black poor and elderly continue to be victimized by a paltry "system" that continues to fail to recognize the reality of their existence.

The "system" seems poised to sanitize their existence from the body politic as reputable electoral voices in reaction to their plight of marginalization and disenfranchisement.

In my opinion Katrina was a disaster of epidemic proportions.

It was a call for help from America's Black poor that went shamefully unheeded. The Bush Administration was pitifully impotent in its apathetic half hearted response to Katrina. Equally negligent were Mayor Nagan, Michael Brown, Homeland Security Guru Michael Chertoff as well as the Governor of Louisiana. I am particularly ticked at the arrogant nonchalant attitude of Michael Chertoff who should have been fired long ago.

These good ole boys slapped one another on the back while the world looked on in disbelief as over 1500 people died and floated in putrid waters.

Bushes answer to the inquiry into the horror that took place during Katrina produced little reaction. What we see is more of the same as Halliburton gets rich off of yet another contract to provide detention for the anticipated influx of immigrants into this country.

Surely impeachment is in order for this renegade President who masquerades as a Christian.

God be my witness…George W. Bush will answer for his crimes against humanity.

What's shocking is not the apathy displayed during Katrina, but the lack of outrage for the victims suffering.

This should have been the epiphany that forced America to realize something is wrong (think of a woman getting water hosed in Selma circa 1964)

African Americans overwhelmingly influenced the culture of New Orleans.

Baltimore tries to hide us in their tourism promotions. If a tsunami rolled up the Inner Harbor, our black elected officials would probably chain us down.

Hurricane Katrina exposed the Silent Depression that reigns in our land.

It exists in most major cities and many towns across the USA.

It is a reflection of the most massive dislocation of jobs in U.S. history including the Great Depression.

A person making only a $100 a month is considered employed today.

This would have been laughable in the 1970s.

If you are not part of any network, you do not exist.

I heard my Pastor say that if God has blessed you with being successful financially and you can say that you are a VP, CEO, Manager, Etc., then you should serve the community.

That made me think about what happened during the Katrina disaster. I heard so many people from work, church, and in the streets all talk about why entertainers were not coming to the forefront to donate money. I replied that they are not the people with the real money or power to do anything. Instead of focusing on entertainers I focused on why CEO's of major hotel chains and clothing companies and baby product manufactures or travel were not coming to the forefront to donate there goods and services.

These are companies that could have made a major difference before and after. Where was Greyhound and American-Airlines when New Orleans didn't have enough people to transport residents to safety? Where were Hilton and Radisson to give people shelter? Where was Pampers, Johnson & Johnson, and Enfamil while mothers were struggling with caring for there infants?

The answer is they were there, but for a price; a price they were not willing to donate from the kindness of their heart. Instead of American people thinking of the bigwigs who own the multi-million and billion dollar industries, they only thought about the famous faces they see everyday. Even though the famous donated to the residents, especially blacks who were affected, they still haven't received what they need in order to rebuild.

Was it because they were of the poor class and most people think that if they were given everything for free they wouldn't know how to take care of it or want more? Or was it just because they were black?

Whether it is your color or class it is a problem that affects everyone at some level. We as blacks need to better prepare ourselves instead of depending on rich entertainers or the pencil pushing CEO of a major company.

If there’s one thing I have learned in life: Nothing comes for free, so stop waiting on it.

The national response truly demonstrated how our President feels about the poor and politically disenfranchised citizens he is supposed to lead.

The problem that I currently see that I do not hear anything about is the job market for citizens affected by the storms. You see, I was affected by Hurricane Rita and it took until just before Christmas for the insurance company to come and look at my house. I had a little roof damage and a lot of floor joist damage but thank God my home is still livable. I still have not heard from them to see if they will cover my expenses and I can't afford to pay for it because they are still working hard around New Orleans.

Before the storms, the job market was looking good, but now in this good ‘ol boy state New Orleans evacuees have the preference. A few people I know who are job-hunting are running into dead ends because they are being bypassed for New Orleans evacuees. We are all sympathetic to the plight of those who lost everything in the Gulf Area but there has been NO talk about geographically restructuring business and industry so that the swelling growth of those who live in the smaller communities around Louisiana can have jobs to offer all the people.

What I have been seeing is that black people who live in the country are becoming less tolerant and patient with those who have moved here from New Orleans. and it should be state/national government leading the charge in the demographic changes that have occurred. Many of these small communities with low populations are refusing to allow FEMA trailers to move in so that evacuees can move out of the hotels because there are jobs to offer these people.

It seems that the government is sitting back allowing us to "crawfish" [fight] each other when they have the capability and power to change things. For example, the government can try to give incentives for companies to come into these areas on the stipulation that these small towns allow FEMA housing.

This would help everyone.

I think hurricane Katrina is a good example of how we respond to our fellow man during hard times and also how that same response gets divided or reduced based on race and economics.

I live in the SF Bay Area. I was here for the '89 earthquake. The emergency response was swift when the bulk of the destruction was in a fairly affluent community. When the central coast was affected our response was not as swift when the majority living there was primarily Latino.

There seems to be a hierarchy when it comes to our level of concern. And sadly at the top of the list are animals. The efforts to rescue stranded pets got more press in the Bay area newspapers then the displaced families.

In some ways natural disasters can be good for communities. It often brings people together and you actually talk to your neighbor. As long as the actually losses can be recovered, strong communities can come out of it even stronger.

Finally, I thought the department of homeland security had a plan in place to deal with a terrorist threat in every major city. It seems obvious for New Orleans that plan would include the levees. So, if such a plan exists why wasn't that plan immediately put in place when the threat from Katrina was obvious?

Unless that was the plan.

March 3, 2006: The cold callous attitude of President Bush’s administration toward African Americans and the poor of New Orleans and all over this country has been verified.

In a breaking news story from the above date, transcripts of a meeting by weather experts held with President Bush a day before hurricane Katrina were release to the public.

After repeated warnings from these weather experts that the levees in New Orleans would break and flood, President Bush acknowledged the coming disaster and promised that help would be there immediately should Katrina hit.

What happened? Does anybody care?

What will be America’s public response to the continuing dishonesty of the Bush Administration be if any?

Undoubtedly, those who have profited so much from this hell bent administration’s conduct will rise to defend their self proclaim tyrant of the new world order.

While other who suffer under his rule and still continue to suffer under his rule must speak out!

Dr. Dyson is doing just that.

It may be the last chance that we all get to bring some reform to this corrupt system in which we live!

If you are an African-American or a person of color and part of the poor working class also known as the struggling ass class, then this means YOU!

Support the Covenant of Black America!!

It is a very sad commentary that our government has shown the entire world how it really feels about us (black people).

Quite frankly, I expected this apathetic response from the current administration and how the government responds to the lower classes in general.

These attitudes are not new.

America loves to put up this front to other nations by being benevolent to foreign people in need, but malevolent to those needy on their own soil. It’s like 2Pac said in Keep Ya Head Up: "They got money for wars, but can't feed the poor".

When crimes are committed in poor neighborhoods, police show up way after the crime is committed, but if that same crime is committed in the SUBURBS, police would be there as soon as the victim picks up the phone.

I thought a long time ago that this nation would improve on race, but apparently I was living in the 'MATRIX'.

Let me put it like this: Being black and poor in America to white folk is like AIDS, non-existent until it hits home!

God Bless AmeriKKKa!

The national response to Katrina was a national and international disgrace!

It showed that America has a long way to go towards racial equality, especially when it comes to jobs for the poor blacks and whites of America!

For a portion of America that took in so much money; very little was put back into the economy of New Orleans! The inner portions of America really need to be reinforced; our cities, our ports, and our people!

Vote out the politicians that continue to ignore 'us', the people of the US of A!

I think that it is sad America is the way it is today.

After all, this country has been through much not to mention all of the struggles that exist in everyday life. I was very disappointed in the response to Katrina, but we were just reminded of the kind of world we live in.

The amazing thing is that people made statements like, “why did they stay” or something else negative that made me very upset as an American. Do you realize that people are so caught up in what they have that they have forgotten poverty still exists? The thing about poverty is that it is color blind and no matter what you have it can be gone in seconds.

I am not a rich person, not even a superstar, but I am blessed to have what I do and don't complain about the things I don't. We just have to do what we can for each other the way friends, neighbors and family should. Don't get so caught up in what you are called because we live in a country of free speech and you cannot control things that people say.

I am sure you would agree that it would be a blessing if everyone thought before something ignorant came out of their mouth. Unfortunately, that is not the type of world we live in so we have to pray and then pray some more for strength to overcome and be humbled by the things we know we cannot change.

So now our attention should be on the people that are here and how can we help them. So, give what we can and ask God for help and to multiply what we give over and over until everyone is helped. My prayers will always be with the families of Katrina and for this country to one day become a place where money does not determine if you live or die.

Non-responsive and representative of what's really been going on?

It is no surprise to those of us who aren't blinded by the picture that’s painted so broadly with the stroke of the pen and lip service by those who are currently in charge and supposedly running the United States. After 9-11 we were told that we were prepared. The Homeland Security Department was created and new policies were put in place to deal with the next unforeseen tragedy. And even though Katrina wasn't necessarily a terrorist attack…It was foreseen and we were still unable to do any better than what we did.

There is much needed accountability. But, what good is it to complain to those we are complaining about?

Until true, independent investigations are done, and those who have failed miserably at their sworn oaths of office are removed, we will continue in disgrace.

Katrina survivors should have been taken care of BEFORE any foreign aid!!

I can never understand how America can help foreigners before they help their own people.

"Charity" begins at home!!!

I do whatever I can to help people and I was so angry at what I saw on the television and what poverty still exists after Katrina.

There are so many furnished apartments for rent and if unfurnished, you can rent furniture and appliances, so why did FEMA (aka FEEBLE) put these people in hotels?

I made many suggestions that were taken from my internet postings, but many were just ignored and now we have people being put out of hotels. Hotels are the most expensive way to live and are not for long-term. Put the people in furnished homes all over America and put them to work.

No matter how old you are, you can do something to support yourself. Help should be for only the terminally ill! I see too many blind and deaf people going to work. I see people in wheel chairs going to work. Go to school, if you cannot get a job, and open your own business doing something you like. Notice that Mexicans and Hondurans were rushed into Louisiana before the flood waters went down! I am told the former residents did not want to clean up their state!?!? Were they asked or did you go for the Spanish speakers because you can work them for less and under horrible conditions?

God is going to make all of us pay for the evil in this world. Keep it up, for all hell is going to break loose.

As someone who has followed the news and has personally interviewed numerous Katrina survivors in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Houston, I am left with only one perspective: Thank God my mother raised me to wake up in the morning with a plan B!

Our country's egregious neglect of the poor is something I've been aware long before Katrina. The fact that the response was so dismal despite knowing what the world would see stands as testimony to the contempt the U.S. truly feel for some of their citizens - the poor ones.

I've told my family and friends who are black like me to come up with our own disaster relief plan, because the United States just aint coming for us.

The level of incompetence exhibited by all levels of government lets me know how truly important it is to help get out the vote.

It’s truly sickening seeing people in position that have no business being there.

People died due to incompetence, and/or political appointments.

The top is heavy with stupidity and ignorance.

I feel the response to Katrina was shameful.

There are so many people of all races and backgrounds who suffered. On the flip side, there were and still are people from all backgrounds who gave time and money to meet the needs of the people in need.

The government and the agencies we pay taxes to, namely the Red Cross, are taking our hard earned money and abusing it, thereby abusing the victims of Katrina over and over again.

The fact is the poor Black people who had nothing now have even less.

I am very concerned about the children and the elderly in New Orleans. My heart goes out to anyone who depends on Man.

We can not rely on the politician. The rights of people are ignored because of their income standards.

Homelessness is a beast and being homeless in poor health is even worse. The government needs to take a good look at just how they provide for the poor in these United States of America. The government gives the idea that poorness is an illness. Misfortune happens in people’s lives and that should not make them bad human beings. The reason why politicians are in office is to help the people not destroy their spirit and let them rot away.

We are supposed to rebuild and provide and lift up the weak with the strength that is needed to build the country’s poor into strong successful human beings.

The response to Katrina is a national disaster, but the good thing about it is that it gave us blacks the opportunity to revisit the plight of being black in America, by peeling all the layers off the onion and exposing our nakedness to the nation and the world.

We need to realize that the fight and struggle for civil-rights and human-rights in this country is far from over, especially when you are BLACK.

There needs to be a very serious intellectual attack on OUR SITUATION from health-care, education, and housing, otherwise the beat goes on.

The inhumanity and injustice that was perpetrated on us during the Katrina disaster shook me to the core, and the unadulterated pain left me numb, dumb-founded, emotionally drained, disturbed, and crying like a baby.

But, when you put all of your survival needs in the hands of groups of individuals, who the country knows and you know don’t have your best interest at heart, sh*t happens.

What is really continuing to drive-me-crazy, and hopefully other BLACK-FOLK, is we have allowed this DISASTER and New Orleans to be deliberately removed from the headlines.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH US, DAMN IT!?

I thought it was a disgrace the way they treated our people.

The simple fact of the matter is the more we protest the less they do and the more they get away with it.

We call them to the table and all they can say is "it was my fault and I'm not going to do a thing about it, so what do you think about that?"

Right in our face!

The Katrina collapse is a prime example of how inept the Bush administration has been performing from the beginning.

From 9/11 all the way up to the Cheney shooting, this administration has been down right terrible and embarrassing.

We have now learned that the administration was fully aware of the potential catastrophe headed for New Orleans.

It was simply inexcusable what happened after the fact on the federal level.

Everyone in America with a TELEVISION could see what was happening!

So, to say I didn't know is a lie.

Bush doesn't care about the poor, the middle class, or black folk.

He's only concerned about his constituents and his rich supporters.

The recent videotape of Bush being briefed on Katrina DAYS before the hurricane hit saddened me.

Not because I trusted him, but because so many people do.

How many times do his blatant lies have to be uncovered before people realize how dangerous he is?

If he was the leader of a different country, we would be all over him.

I think that Katrina and its resulting devastation are a true testament to the real feelings about race in this country.

The issue of race is viewed with empathy by many African-Americans and for white Americans it is a tool to use in accomplishing their goals.

Look at how Bush appealed to African-Americans in the last election on the issue of homosexual marriages. How many of us voted against our own best interests because of this tug on religious heartstrings?

This Republican administration knew that New Orleans was perched on the brim of disaster and they banked on it.

New Orleans will be rebuilt, but in a Republican image - or rather a rich, white image.

How sad is this country and how sad are we as African-Americans that we allow these families to be driven from pillar to post.

Dr. Dyson,

I feel so fortunate to have listened to you on Air America.

You are eloquent and forthright. You state the truth and bring understanding.

I am purchasing your book today and will lend it to as many people as I can.

Thank you for making a difference!

I heard Dr. Dyson on Air America Radio with Sam Seder in March and thought his observations on the Katrina response were totally correct.

Furthermore, I must say I haven't heard anyone ELSE speak on Katrina with Dr. Dyson's eloquence and sense of urgency.

He understands the broad scope of the problem in the correct proportion to the realities of the catastrophe.

It proved to me that George Bush does not give a damn about black people.

And yet he is quick to always have his picture taken with someone's black children.

He has no kind of feeling for anyone.

He is an indifferent individual that only cares about his own!

Watching it day in and day out, the whole "front people" should be all ashamed of themselves!

I cannot begin to express how sorry I feel about what happened in the events of hurricane Katrina.

The government has truly let the victims down and the black community at large.

When are we going to wake up?

The message is clear: When you are black, low income and have very little means to survive...you are almost considered invisible.

With all these black folks praying and giving money to the churches where were our leaders and where was God when it happened?

I mean black folks have been praying for thousands of years, even during slavery.

The LAWD gone help us!

Save your damn money and be prepared when stuff like this happens and stop blaming the damn Gov’Ment because half your sorry asses don’t vote anyway.

Oh, I forgot…The Gov’Ment blew up the levees…my bad.

It is national disgrace and what is even a worse disgrace is how the majority of African-Americans haven’t protested their U.S. Senators and Congressman or written the President about the bad treatment of people in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast areas of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana even to this today.

Where is the love we Black folk used to have for each other, even when we didn’t know one another?

We have bigger churches now, bigger homes, bigger cars but we don’t have bigger hearts and bigger faith in Jesus. If we did we would have reacted differently as a people and as a nation.

We should be ashamed.

When Katrina hit I was in Albany, GA visiting my sister and nephew.

We got a lot of rain and I thought we were going to get hit too.

Afterwards we went through our things and gave as much as possible of anything we had. But after all we gave I still felt bad because I couldn't do more. I wanted to help save them but I'm only 16. I was 15 at the time and there is only so much I could do.

It hurt me to see how those people were being treated and hardly getting any help.

Now, I would like to go down there and help rebuild New Orleans.

Bush and his regime are supported by corporations that feed off disaster.

Bush has never stepped inside the West Side of Chicago, South Central LA or the Lower 9th Ward.

The philosophy of this evil entity is those who sink under the jack-boot of white oppression are to be siphoned off, weeded out, de-selected; ironically recalling the teachings of Darwin whom is despised by the fascist Christian revisionists of everything human.

There is a reason for all this.

The people sitting on rooftops were poor white or poor black people.

The people in charge didn't care.

Bush and the people that work for him were his friends that he put in charge to handle this.

He took a chance that nothing would ever happen and that they wouldn’t have to do a thing.

The response by American citizens was great.

Every day people realized that could have been them or their loved ones. I do not know any black folks that were not affected by Hurricane Katrina directly or indirectly.

The response of government, local, state and federal, was ridiculous. There is no way that all levels of government should not be held accountable for the lives lost. I heard the weather forecasters discussing the potential strength and damage from this hurricane 7-10 days before it came to shore.

The local government knew, or should have known, that there were people that could not afford and did not have the means to leave, and should have taken action to evacuate them. The state knew that those levels were weak and it knew there were citizens that could not leave there homes.

Regarding the federal government...well, where should I start? This is the same administration that keeps reminding the American people that they are better equipped to protect America from an unpredictable terrorist attack but, could not protect the residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama from a hurricane that the weather folks predicted a week in advance.

Unfortunately, the victims are fading from public memory. If this were an election year, the pressure would still be on for aid for the victims and the government officials to be held accountable.

I think the Katrina event once again demonstrates that this country does not value the lives of black people.

As much as I love Nawlins, God has brought me to Dallas and taken everything away from me for a reason. I am blessed with family and friends that love me. Dallas has shown me so much love and promise, and it is my time to move on and find my purpose out here.

I’m sorry that things went down the way they did in N.O. The city says one thing, the news say another, FEMA says something else .... then you have the rumors and conspiracies. Its a lot to think about. I miss New Orleans. I am proud to call it home. BUT let’s be real:

-The prices of houses and apartments are being raised.

-There is traffic everywhere and restaurants and businesses close early.

-Places and things are still contaminated.

-A bad rain or flood will mess your day and your property up.

-Everyone is living in one big-assed trailer park!

-By the time everyone repairs their houses, its going to be hurricane season again. Are y’all going to stay THIS time?

WHY? Why is the city messing up? Why does the city CONTINUE to mess up?

I DO know that:

-The levees are still not category 5 strength.

-They`re still not saying anything about insurance policies, raising the levels of homes, and rebuilding neighborhoods.

The city thinks small- TOURISM, Mardi Gras, etc. Our jails aren`t even functioning right! We have a shortage of sheriffs! Our people are still in hotels with no place to live or promise of hope! And Nagin has the nerve to say, "Come back." To what? For what?! Mardi Gras? I`m going to go back to a city and spend $300.00 a night on a hotel and put money in pockets of other people and I`m not going to benefit from it? The city needs revenue? The city benefits from city taxes? Revenue for the city? Please!!!! Not in the 9th ward or the East! That money will go where it always goes- the quarters and parts of St. Charles along the river. And I`m supposed to go back to work where? A hotel? A tourist spot? A restaurant? Nah, that is ok. I`m fine where I`m at.

I`m not abandoning my city. I`ll visit. We still own our property. Time will tell. For right now, PLEASE play this one smart. Sometimes you`re taken out of a city, a job or situation and placed somewhere for a reason. People are put in your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. The same applies to many of us in different cities. If you`re outside your normal element, make the best of it. Stop worrying about N.O. The city will always be there w/ the same old shit- empty promises and B/S. You have your life, health, family (in some cases), and the gift of N.O. "hustle." You know how to make a dollar. Apply the knowledge you learned in N.O. to where you live now. You will be a step ahead of people around you and people that can help or hurt you. Hold on to your property in N.O. Hold on as long as possible. Sit on it! And save your FEMA and insurance money. Why buy all kinds of crap when you may go back? What are you going to do with it when its time to move? Save your money to buy your property in the city you are in. That way, IF you go back, you have an investment in the city you are in. Continue to make your money in the city you are in. Then you go back to N.O. with a fresh mind, money, and better job experience. You settle back down in N.O. in a better position. You know how the games are played, I don't need to tell you this. Send the message across that you have options and your not going to settle for anything less. Its not the end of the world if you`re not living in N.O. Change is good- take advantage!

My problem is that so many people are compelled to go back but they have no plan. Either they are in denial or afraid of change. I really don't know what it is. But why go back to live in a FEMA trailer or deal with high apartment rates and traffic, and aggravation, and the city has yet to provide any definite answers or decisions? I can't see myself making permanent commitments based on the city's "maybes."

Schools are packed and even though some are open, the question becomes "Did they do a half-assed job cleaning up? Did they do a quick clean up and not treat the mold and everything thoroughly? Are our kids being exposed to mold in classrooms that went untreated due to budget constraints? Are ALL classes in college going to be available for students paying for full-time tuition? do I need to question the condition of houses an rental property that I am returning to?" The schools may be short-handed or on a budget, but students still have to graduate. Students, get in and get out. Graduate and leeeeaaave!

I'm in Dallas which is spread out. So even though there is normal traffic, there is no problem finding jobs, food, education, entertainment, etc. I have been in New Orleans for 27 years. I spent my first birthday in Dallas and I don't have the worries or doubts that I had in New Orleans- before the storm. There are good paying jobs out here and opportunities I never would have had in New Orleans on its best day. Its refreshing to turn on the news and open a paper and not learn about a shooting or a murder. For me, there would have to be a really good reason to go back. Other than retrieving or salvaging my things, I have no reason. I lived in the East.

I have inside information from a family that owned an Allstate office. They are now in Houston and will not write new policies this year. I also heard from a friend that works in the court house that FEMA told the city to stop issuing building permits because FEMA will not help if this happens again this year. Yet the city keeps saying, "Come back." And that whole "chocolate city" thing is a load of crap. I've been back. Uptown is nice along the river and St. Charles. The french quarter has people on Bourbon like nothing happened. The really nice houses along the lakefront are back to normal. Chocolate? Yeah ok. Not even white chocolate or praline. Never mind the chocolate, the city is just nuts!

I think that the response to Hurricane Katrina was a "wake up call" for African-Americans in America.

Many Blacks have become comfortable in America and most have forgotten how "racist" this nation is today.

Thanks for writing your new book, “Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster”. Our great and great-great grandchildren need to know the history of African-Americans in the Unites States.

Whites are not going to write our history accurately and I want to thank you for recording these historical events.

I consider you, Michael Eric Dyson, an African-American’s historian.

The real disgrace was the local response to the economic and mental poverty of blacks in New Orleans before Katrina.

Before Katrina, people were living month to month on the taxpayer, unemployment was high, too many households were led by unwed black females, and many lived in the worst parts of the city.

No outcry was heard. Not a peep. Nothing was done by the leadership of New Orleans or the state of Louisiana -- both Democrat controlled. Unfortunately, the national response to Katrina is an easy target for too many of our people. It takes the focus off of what is really wrong. We need to shake out of the Democrat Party's game of smoke and mirrors. It is mind blowing how the Democrat Party and the national media have pulled the wool over black people's eyes for this long. It reminds me of the movie The Matrix. It’s a shame, a crying shame.

Mr. Dyson, you would do well to use your intellect to ignite impoverished minds and lift our people out of their condition rather than be a salve that comforts them in their misery.

I think the national response to the tragedy that was/is hurricane Katrina has exposed the dearth of leadership that currently exists at the national and local levels of government in this country.

In the aftermath of the storm it was disheartening to learn that hundreds of people may have died due to a tug of war between state and national officials over who would control the resources needed to help the victims of Katrina's devastation.

This further delay on top of the seeming incompetence of the Bush Administration’s Department of Homeland Security proved to be lethal for many residents of the affected areas and may very well prove to be such for a city and a another region in the future.

I think the national response to Katrina was shameful!

This is 2006 and to take the amount of time it took to bring aid and rescue our own American citizens was just shameful.

Here we are six months since and still many folks have not had their basic needs met.

I am reminded of the phrase "take care of home first". I am astounded also by the Mardi Gras celebrations, for it is very evident who is NOT in these celebrations.

We have got to do better as a nation.

The response to Katrina was the same response Black Americans have endured since being brought (unwillingly) to America, when they are predominately the individuals being impacted.

For some, Black Americans are STILL seen as something "less" than human, thus whatever happens to them is viewed as acceptable.

First, the nation reacts as if everything will be taken care of immediately because "this is America." Then when it is learned that the major impact of what has happened is affecting Blacks more than Whites and complaints are made about the lack of response to the disaster, the nation then reacts as if “that's just an isolated incident or they are overreacting. Or ultimately they somehow brought whatever is occurring upon themselves.

It is a mentality that says, bad things happen to bad people and good things happen to good people. Well, guess whose "bad" and who’s "good."

While the weight of the burden of helping the people in the 9th ward weighs heavily upon my and my entire family’s heart, I have serious reservations about rushing in to rebuild.

Not because we’re talking black or poor, but because it only invites another disaster. The reason the properties in question were affordable to the poor to begin with was the flood risks, so to rush in and restore a badly planned out city would be frivolous.

This isn't just a matter of race this is a matter of planning. Yeah, the 9th ward was poor, but to run in and rebuild it poorly would do nothing for the people but set them up for greater loss. If you have ever built a house, you would know it's not as simple as it looks. This has to be a new city.

We must educate the locals to build fortified structures and everyone should want better for the poor.

This by the way is no respecter of persons, black or white.

I feel that this is another example of what the American government and the elite think of the poor black people of our nation: expendable and disposable.

I am a white middle-school social studies teacher who grew up in Wyoming, where African-Americans were about as scarce as a democrat in Alaska.

I've done my best to present to my students the contribution that African-Americans have made to the American landscape. I have always applauded and done my best to champion the cause of civil rights, having personally witnessed the god-awful treatment of my brethren as a child growing up in south Texas in the early 1960's.

I have never, however, become so truly outraged at the way blacks have been treated by the government as during this tragedy called Katrina. To my eye and soul, I cannot come to any other conclusion other than the neglect perpetrated upon the residents of New Orleans, particularly in the 9th ward, has been a calculated plan to eradicate its poor black residents, open New Orleans up to rich speculators, in the tradition of the Reconstructionist "carpetbaggers" in an attempt to turn New Orleans into a Disney-like "New Orleans Land", bereft of its culture, its soul, and most important, the very people who have infused the very being of that city with centuries of its blood, sweat, tears, and indomitable spirit. To put it bluntly, I've never been more ashamed of my government as I have been during the shameful way in which New Orleans and its people have been treated.

I cannot personally atone for this tragedy other than by adding my voice to what I hope is a groundswell of resentment toward the regime now in power.

Thank you for giving me this forum.

Cm'on man, how could anybody defend that?

And now Chertoff says they have analyzed the sale of our ports?

Hoo boy...

The national response to Katrina is a tale of duality: The government was exposed as being horribly inefficient, and the America people were proven to be a giving people.

From every level of government - local, state, and federal - examples of inadequate response and coordination can be found. Though the possibility of a devastating event like Katrina was long predicted, the city did not have sufficient evacuation plans and the feds didn't have a recovery system. Wal-Mart trucks of supplies were able to make into the area before the government. News reporters were on the ground and better informed than the president. Private industry had better logistics than the forces of the world's "sole superpower."

On the other hand, on a pedestrian level, average Americans opened their homes, their wallets, their churches, and their hearts to those displaced by the hurricane. Before FEMA started the process of providing assistance, average people had already started an outpouring of support. Craig list was abundant with offers of help, housing, and supplies from private families across the nation. The Lord was working in the hearts and minds of real people, even if the supposedly Christian government was not equally touched by the Holy Spirit.

At the end of the day this devastating tragedy revealed the best of us, and the worst of our government. It showed that we are safe when it comes to one-on-one relationships between the races, but it also showed that we are not safer than we were before the Bush administration.

Can you imagine the response if the same amount of devastation was caused by a terrorist attack? If a major America city was thrown into chaos, helplessness, and social anarchy by foreign attackers, do you think the response would have been the same?

It goes to show that politics is about perception. It would be dangerous for this administration to allow America to feel unsafe in the face of terrorism, which would be great inspiration to act swiftly if a terror attack were to occur. However, acts of nature require no such inspiration, especially when the desperate faces at the Superdome are dark. In that case it can be easy to blame the victims for their own circumstances.

It's natural after all.

I just heard a quote from Dr. Dyson where he compares the different perspectives that exist in this country to a Biblical instance where some Israelites heard the voice of God and others heard a sound like thunder.

He contended that the reason the people heard two different things was because it depended on where they stood.

The problem in this Biblical story was not one of location but of spiritual standing with God.

I personally think that this could be said of today's society as well.

For Dr. Dyson to attribute current differences merely to societal standing is intellectually lacking.

First I would like to say that I have watched Dr. Dyson on CSPAN and on O'Reilly a couple of times and I’m impressed not only with the content of his words, but the articulation used.

The response to Katrina had a racial component. It’s hard to think otherwise while watching the suffering of the people in the days after. But from this old white guys point of view the racism of years of "benign" neglect before Katrina is even more potent. How is it that a city that has such a large and prosperous port and huge tourist activity not be able to better provide for its citizens? Where did all that money go? It seems to me that New Orleans should have had some of the best schools and opportunities available in the nation. Katrina washed away the levies holding back the shame belonging to the people responsible for providing for all the citizens of New Orleans.

The aftermath of the storm has left me also more than a little disconcerted. A lot of the blacks who were initially trapped in the city are now trapped outside the city. It seems to me there is an effort to deny these same people the ability to come back and engaged in the rebuilding of their city and homes. I have seen gentrification in San Francisco and other places, but nothing that seems as blatant as the whitening of New Orleans.

One last comment: The other tragedy is that it was older people who died more than any race or sex. It did not pay to be old in New Orleans more than anything else when it came to the dying.

During Mr. Dyson's visit to Howard University, he asked and tremendously important question, "How do middle class blacks feel about the black poor?" Understanding this dynamic is key to our progress in this country and throughout the African diaspora.

First, let me say that black people around the world, rich, poor and in-between (like me), were absolutely horrified, outraged, insulted and emotionally traumatized by what we witnessed happening to our brothers and sisters in New Orleans. In contrast to Mr. Dyson's assertions, the vast majority of us (African-Americans) DO NOT in any way believe these people some how deserve what they experienced, and to even suggest that is an insult to us. When we saw those faces, we saw OUR faces!

Going back to the question posed, there is an interesting dynamic between middle and lower-class blacks. Many of us in the middle class may have directly pulled ourselves out of poverty through hard work and education. Not only is poverty part of our experience and history, it may remain a reality for parents, siblings, friends and other loved ones.

Secondly, those of us who didn't "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps" are probably just a generation or two away from poverty, and again, have family members that keep us connected to the challenges that our less fortunate brethren must face.

More importantly, no matter where black people are along the socioeconomic spectrum, we have a sense of connectedness with our people. This is why when we experience our brothers and sisters acting inappropriately (whether they are poor or rich), we feel embarrassed, even though we are totally removed from the situation. Similarly, when the Rodney King beatings were broadcast, black America saw all of us getting beaten.
Educated and middle class blacks feel they have an obligation to make sure that policies and legislation are in place to insure that our less fortunate brethren have certain protections, certain rights and the necessary mechanisms to allow them to progress and move forward.

On the other hand, many middle class blacks clearly understand the attitudes and values that keep some of us in poverty. Some of us experienced teasing and taunting by our peers for pursuing our academic pursuits and other goals. We had to battle a culture that opposed the very elements that were needed for success. We see relatives and friends who can pay hundreds of dollars for athletic shoes, handbags, jeans, electronics, and other "useless" items, but swear they cannot afford the down-payment on a house. Our efforts to change the way they think are futile, even as they can witness our successes.

Middle class blacks are more keenly aware than anyone else that in spite of education, income and net worth, we are still seen as black. Yet we have learned what it takes to move forward and unfortunately, many blacks who are not doing as well are extremely resistant to our suggestions and efforts to help them empower themselves. That's just the way it is. We are not always accepted by those who we seek to help. We are perceived a bourgeois or "stuck up" because we have attained some level of intellectual and financial success.
Can we do more? Yes. We have to. I think we have to highlight the successful programs where we can make an impact on our communities' health, education, economic growth and sense of well being. We must expand and replicate these models in more communities and on a grander scale.

We must take on this responsibility in light of the continual challenges and struggles we face trying to remain middle class. It's a lot, but, to those whom much is given, much is expected. We are blessed; let's be a blessing for someone else.

I think this nation truly has shown its personality and that the old school thoughts and feelings toward racism continue to exist in a modernized form. Sure, we are allowed to drink from the same fountains, ride the buses, and join any congregation we would like, yet we continue to hear the silence. Yet this message was spoken loudly and in front of all to hear. Taunting! What are you people going to do about it? What can you people do? You people can do more than we allow you people to do, is what I heard lingering in the airwaves.

President Bush spoke loudly and very clearly to the nation and those he sits in circles with on a daily basis. We the American people saw this action on the TV screen. "What was done about his attitude and smirk he exemplified in front of America's people?"

So where do we go from here? Do we continue to fit in, inside the positions his people have created, do we continue to believe this attitude will change, or do we continue to be silent forever. Is that a fear we have for this people who sees "God himself everyday and everyway?"

Do we take up our bow and shield and march forward into oblivion, or into the church under the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT. We understand many interpretations have been labeled unto the word of God and we know this one label has lasted well over 400 years, in our lifetimes, our parents lifetime, our grandparents lifetime, our great grand parents lifetime, so where does the change occur?

Will we continue to allow the preacher to lead us into a midst of darkness? Or do we begin to allow the HOLY SPIRIT to lead us into all understanding? Do we fear what they will do to us as they have done to MARTIN LUTHER KING JR?

Where do we stop? When will it hit our front doorsteps, or has it already and been ignored?

I think the handling of the whole Katrina disaster was race motivated and showed a lack of respect for Black Americans.

An Administration that has on its mind a war with no cause other than to get oil showed that lower class, poor people are not important to the agenda at hand.

The response has been very slow and very poor.

Even those who were promised housing and vouchers have been lied to. The government knows that their response has been poor, however they figure if they wait us out, it will eventually die down.

People will consequently forget about the whole thing. We know that America, unfortunately, does see situations and people through the eyes of racism. It seems at times that they almost can't help it. It has been passed down from generation to generation.

Unless something is done to bring light to this ongoing ailment, it will continue.

The U.S. did not have the intelligence to respond competently.

We are more vulnerable than we can imagine. Now the House committee has said the administration just messed up. The administration had warning in advance and did not have the ability to be prepared. Afterwards we saw the right hand did not know what the left hand was or was not doing.

Look at everything going on with the choices made by this administration. It's wrong too much of the time. We can't even correctly find the blame. Add some racism to the equation and it gets worse.

The march on New Orleans on 4/01/2006, organized by Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev Al Sharpton, Harry Bellefonte, and others is a must.

Be there.

We have been repeatedly warned by Marcus Garvey, and The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, that black people must separate from the whites in this nation, do for ourselves and take care of our own.

Hurricane Katrina is another event that occurred to us and our people which only validates the instructions they gave us! If we do not heed the advice we will only continue to perish and suffer from other disasters that will be coming in the future.

By the way, something similar to New Orleans occurred in 1927 when the Mississippi River flooded the Delta region. Then like today, our people were left without food and shelter alone to die.

I pray that we wake up and wake up now!

The victims and survivors of Katrina lost everything and anything that defined who they were. That alone hurts me. No one knows who they are and seeing them on the television when this happened, it appeared as if no one cared.

We all just watched in amusement and anger for our own people but the majority of us did nothing but talk about it. Bush is a man who I agree cares nothing about people who are not doing anything to uplift America. More over, he doesn't care if African-Americans exist or not. He took his sweet time because to him this was a dream come true…thousands of blacks dying because of a hurricane and for once we really needed him.

We needed this white man and he loved to see us on the television screaming, HELP US. It just hurts to know that he purposely tortured us in that way. I can see him smiling as he slowly made an effort to organize a half ass rescue plan.

We need to step up. Why are we waiting or counting on some white man to do anything for us? There are thousands of successful African-Americans with millions and billions of dollars.

STEP IT UP!

HELP YOUR PEOPLE! STOP WAITING FOR SOME WHITE PERSON TO GIVE US OUR 40 ACRES AND A MULE AND GO OUT AND GET IT YOURSELF!

CHANGE STARTS WITH US FIRST!

REMEMBER BLACK IS POWERFUL SO BE POWERFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO!

The Federal response to the hurricanes that devastated the gulf coast region of the United States was one of the most horrific sites that I have ever witnessed. It was pathetic and embarrassing. It was indicative of what it means to have a system in place that is created to neither lift the poor man through social programs nor empower him to lift himself up. Our system is merely meant to keep the poor where they are and to make the rich richer. The response definitely proved that.

I do believe that the American people gave liberally in the weeks closely following the disaster. Did the aid get to all? No. I was appalled that there were areas being shown on TV that were receiving plenty of aid while people were dying right in front of the convention center in New Orleans and languishing in the confines of the Superdome.

I believe George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are in the back pockets of developers who probably asked that FEMA do virtually nothing in New Orleans and Mississippi for several months.

That way, all the poor people (most of whom just happen to be black) who were evacuated to Huston and other cities will give up and, out of financial necessity, settle into these cities, which will make them less likely to move back to New Orleans and Mississippi.

Then the developers, who have been trying to get their hands on Lousianna and Mississippi property that has been hitherto 'not for sale', will finally have the opportunity to buy up that property and sell it to rich and upper class folks, thereby raising the standard and cost of living there. If that happens, I will never again visit New Orleans, nor will I ever again purchase anything made there.

It appears that FEMA and state and local emergency planners have learned very little from other recent hurricane disasters, including hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, among others.

As always, it's politically difficult to sell "what if..."

Everyone is getting so excited over Katrina, but it was just one of many shortcomings this administration was expected to display where the needs of Black people were involved.

Everyone, Blacks and Whites included, should have realized that when this administration was allowed to invade the White House. All hell was going to break loose, and now it has come to pass. There are criminals running the Government.

Today you are talking about tutoring programs of the No Child Left Behind Program not being utilized. But many Blacks have decided long ago that this entire program is primarily designed to resegregate the school system.

Vouchers and all related items are intended to allow everyone to create their own private little school system where they can select whatever Students they desire.

As we all know, the White Community has been trying for years to get away from attending schools with large numbers of Black Students, and this No Child Left Behind is just the Tool.

Most of the Black Students don't have the added resourses necessary to use a Voucher since any schools that would be an improvement from the school they currently attend is outside their District, and in most cases the Voucher amount don't cover the Basic Tution Cost, and there is transportation and other cost to deal with.

That same principle would also apply to the Tutoring Program since it's unlikely that Tutoring could be had at their current school.

It is just amazing to me how shortly after Donald Trump expresses an interest in an area, the somewhat avoidable becomes inevitable. Just like Harlem, New York. Drugs, prostitution, violence which of course leads to condement- which for some reason only the Jews and Asians seem to prosper from. And look at Harlem now. Where oh where are the beautiful people who made the name Harlem famous.

Look at Atlanta. Somehow names of streets are changing faster than you can count to 2 and houses are burning down (suppossedly by crack heads) monthly- while stedfast "rebuilding" just glorifies our surroundings.

Wait and watch as the community (New Orleans) rebuilds minus what gave it it's name in the first place. There was aid there from the beginning. Somehow, it was strategically placed for the ones that they wanted to stay in the outer regions of the city. The ones who they felt would be a great start for the rebuilding of the city.

I'm glad that the question solicits the opinion of the "national response," and not just the local, state, or federal government's response. It's important that we keep a holistic perspective when making our assessment.

Personally, being from New Orleans (born and bred), I knew exactly what my city looked like. I am the face of New Orleans. But it took national outrage for me to clearly understand that "it"- the immense disparity among blacks in New Orleans - should have never been that way in the first place. It was something that I and many others simply became numb to. This oblivious state of mind (which stretched from New Orleans, to New York, to L.A., and right to the nation's capitol) contributed to the despicable response to the disaster.

Of course, the media's role in scrutinizing and skewing acts of survival into acts of heinous looting, ignorance, and hate played an extremely critical role in the nation's terrible response.

I was offended even more deeply because prior to the storm, I was in the process of developing a television show that focused on promoting "balance" among highly opinionated issues.

For more reasons than I care to list, I’m very saddened by the nation's preparation and response to this disaster. And I include myself, the media, the churches, and my local, state, and federal government.

However, I'm very encouraged by MED's passion to bring these issues to light, in a manner that forces all parties involved to make a serious self-examination.

Peace!

I have been a Florida resident my entire life. During my lifetime, we've experienced several major hurricanes, beginning with Betsy in 1960. I won't go through all the named storms before 1990, but Andrew (1992), Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne (2004), Katrina (August 2005 - people forgot that it hit here first) and Wilma (October 2005) were devastating to poor people in Florida, too. I left out Hugo, Floyd, Irene and the other storms, which have left poor American people poorer in other states.
I refuse to believe that the national response to Katrina was purely the result of racism more than it was the combined result of the continued discrimination against poor people and Southerners that has occurred unabated since the South lost the Civil War.

The national response to Katrina was the same response every one of those other hurricanes received. What was different and truly overlooked was complete and utter lack of preparation from coastal residents in the Miss. Delta region. It is almost like they paid no mind to Dennis, Earl, Ivan, Bonnie, or the other named storms which preceded Katrina in this century. But that is precisely why Katrina was so devastating for those residents. Their lackadaisical attitude towards major wind and rain storms compounded the problems already present in their culture of complacency. This sweeping indictment of this area of our country is by no means limited to Black people--it includes every single person who lives in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, and portions of East Texas, South Georgia and West Florida. It includes the white rednecks who live in a trailer, the mostly white beach residents near Pascagoula, and the genteel white families that own acres of plantations now staffed by Central Americans. Every American who lived in the path of those storms that just shrugged their shoulders when warned of impending danger is at fault.

You certainly don't hear us Floridians bitching and crying when there was no "federal response" to replace the roofs that weren't tied down properly or the broken windows that weren't shuttered or the trailers that were crushed like beer cans. Even after Andrew, when the "federal response" was to set up a police state, nobody from CNN used a weeping second generation Cuban as an example of how America hates Blacks and poor people. Why? BECAUSE WE KNOW WE LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE HURRICANES ARE LIKELY TO HIT AND WE UNDERSTAND THE RISK TO YOUR LIFE AND POSSESSIONS THAT WAITING OUT A HURRICANE INVOLVES!! We know we won't have an earthquake, but nobody forgets that there's a really good chance that if you live in Florida, a big bad wolf of a hurricane can huff and puff and bbbbbbblllllllllooooooow you away. Are we special? No. We just try to have a little common sense about 140 miles per hour winds and storm surges of up to 25 feet.

Yet the outcry of emotion for people in the one place in the U.S. that has the longest recorded history with major wind and rain storms (the French kept records of storms from the 16th Century) yet failed to properly prepare continues. These are the same folks who have a drink named after the storm and were blown away partying during Camille in 1968. There is a word for people who do the wrong thing, but don't know any better - they're ignorant. The people who do the wrong thing after centuries of experience – they are as stupid as the flooding was high. Bad things usually happen to stupid people and the reason is so they don't have a chance to influence other people to be stupid or pass the stupid side of themselves on to their children. By the way, before you get on any high horse about saving someone, lets remember that America is supposed to be about the opportunity for improvement - i.e., giving ignorant people a chance to be smarter - when they accomplish that goal, they are no longer ignorant nor are they stupid - it is only when the learned lesson is ignored that stupidity occurs and stupid people rarely pay as hard for their stupidity as the rest of us do.

If we are going to have a real dialogue and a real resolution to the issue of race and poverty, then every side in the issue of race and politics must acknowledge their own participation in the fray and analyze whether they have done everything properly. Being poor and Black does not give you license to be willfully ignorant or stupid just like being compassionate and white gives you no free pass for prejudice and discrimination against "looters".

The fact that most of the Black people in New Orleans did not own their homes and could not get a loan from a bank after living for generations in that town was more racist than any hurricane response. The bank officers who deny loans to families living in the same 10 square mile area for 200 years are the real racist Americans.

As long as we all are in this place together, we better find a way to work it out that shows true compassion--foregoing blame and solving the problem, no matter who started it first.

Dr. Dyson,

I saw your dissertation last night at the University of Florida, and I must say that I agree wholeheartedly with your opinions on the national response to Katrina and your use of Kanye West’s “Bush” quote as a figurative metaphor as the face of the government as a whole.

I also appreciated your comparison of Natalie Holloway to Shaniqua Jenkins. I respect very much your call for the color blind-eye toward the affairs of this nation. As a hopeful future senator, I find race relations in today’s world and our future very interesting, especially as a white male.

Thank you

I feel that it was a tragedy that turned into a travesty.

The “haves” got out and the “have-nots” were left out. The majority of the “have-nots” were African Americans. I truly believe that this is the main reason the response was so poorly lacking.

How can this country continue to justify rushing to the aid of the world, when it cannot take care of its own?

You see, my fellow brethren in New Orleans did not have oil or some strategic port that the government needed.

This country should be ashamed!!

It's great to see that there are people bringing attention to the latent racism that plagues our country.

It is astounding to hear people brush off the issue of race so easily as if non-whites no longer need fear that any action towards them is tainted with racism. Considering the amount of white people in power, non-whites are screwed due to the sheer probability of there being racially biased shot-callers and the virtual impossibility of proving their bias to deaf ears.

The only way I see there being any amount of fairness is if the positions of power in our government would reflect this country's diverse population. My fantasy is to see those positions filled by more non-whites than whites at times, without anybody blaming any problems that arise on race or saying things like, "I told you they'd mess up."

It's unfortunate that it takes a disaster like Katrina to bring attention to this issue and it's even more unfortunate that too many aren’t listening and too many easily and quickly deny the involvement of race in the matter.

I thank you for giving this issue a stronger voice.

Dear Dr. Dyson,

I just had the pleasure of listening in on your conversation with Mr. Tavis Smiley.

This was my second exposure to the precision of your intellect and the vigor of your spirit…the first was Mr. Smiley's “State of the Black Union” last summer.

Yours is one of the few voices of informed, authentic, compassionate leadership in this country today and I for one am very, very appreciative. I’m honored to be able to witness it, in fact.

There are people out here listening and a 44 year-old, white North Carolina native in my case.

On the specific subject of Katrina: how much more surreally absurd can all of this get? I'm baffled how anyone, anywhere could say anything positive in any way about our nation's response.

The human disaster as well as the cultural disaster is beyond my comprehension.

Thank you for what you're doing for your fellow man.

Someone just asked me yesterday, what has the Civil Rights movement has done for African-Americans?

At first I looked at the person with sarcasm as if they were retarded, wondering why such a question from a person of our own ethnicity.

But I soon began to ponder the question only to find myself spending a lot of time evaluating events for an answer. I say all this just to point out that I realize we’re nowhere closer to the promise land than we were forty-something years ago.

The movement only obliterated the SEEN racism, but now we are experiencing the form of COLORBLIND racism, that works behind closed doors, which became evident publicly during the Katrina situation.

This is a clear result of the work of our colorblind governmental system that operated during the movement right up to the present. We cannot continue to expect the persons who caused our problems to solve the problems.

I feel that the national response to the victims of Hurricane Katrina was a tragedy, not only on the Federal level, but the state and local levels of government as well.

Foremost, was the mishandling of this emergency by the Governor and the Mayor!

While the Federal Government and FEMA may have had more authority to push through aid, regardless of what the Governor and Mayor did or did not do, the evacuation of the city of New Orleans was mishandled to the point of being corrupt.

I feel for those people and would not blame them if they did not want to come back. The problem also is that many residents do want to come back and it doesn’t appear that the government officials, as well as the Red Cross, are making it viable for those who will always consider New Orleans to be their home.

I think that it is a multi-faceted problem: A little bit of race, a whole lot of class, maybe a stupid idea to build a city below sea level, and a very big storm.

I think it shouldn't be understated that the US government does not look ahead very well in general. They wait for the disaster to happen, hoping that it doesn't. These people who suffered most didn't have resources to leave. The government was very incompetent.

By the way, Mike, I studied Philosophy with you at Carson-Newman with Dr. Olive.

The hurricane Katrina response is like a bad racist dream.

Those who say, "we depend entirely too much on the government for assistance" have never needed such help. When people do not have the basics, such as a social security card, driver’s license, or money, then who can they count on?

No matter how much each of us pays in taxes, each tax dollar is the same. So many Americans benefited from a fine weekend, vacation or conference visit to New Orleans, Pre-Katrina. These same people need to help, support and fund the recreation of New Orleans.

Also, if our cities can't count on the federal government when their citizens are desperately in need, these cities and the people are entitled to divorce themselves from any kind of federal contributions.

The government's slow response to this disaster proved that we live in the states, rather than the "united" states.

Just one question:

Will Mr. Dyson give any of the funds raised from the sale of this new book regarding the aftermath of Katrina to the victims so they can be victorious in the future?

From Basic Civitas:

Hello Sam,

Thank you for your question.

The answer is YES!

A large portion of the proceeds from the sale of Dr. Dyson's book Come Hell or High Water is going to a fund for Katrina victims.

Best,
Basic Civitas

As a lifelong resident of the late, great city of New Orleans, I feel that Dr. Dyson has done an excellent job in his book of researching and explaining the government response (or lack thereof) to the catastrophe that destroyed my beloved city.

Being a middle-aged black woman from the Deep South, I have lived through segregation, white flight, and the always “simmering just below the surface” racial tensions. Of course, all of this was laid bare by Katrina. The media, talking heads, and religious zealots from across the country who all lent their "expert" analyses to the situation glossed over the fact that while those left behind were mostly poor and overwhelmingly African-American, all the citizens of the city were affected. Because America has always marginalized and discounted the lives of African-Americans, the constant images of the poor and dispossessed made it easier for white America to stereotype and dismiss them as somehow unworthy and undeserving of being saved as though the situation was of their own making.

However, I also feel that there is another part of the story yet to be told which has not been addressed in depth by anyone. There were thousand of working class people, black and white, who heeded the call to evacuate. We left our homes thinking that we would be back in a few days as we had for all the previous evacuations, but as always hoping this was not "the big one" we have been warned about for years. No one who has not lived through this can ever begin to understand the depth of our collective pain. In most of the close-knit families of the city, there are very few members whose homes have not been destroyed. The fortunate few with their homes left standing (mostly in suburban areas) are housing those whose homes have been flooded. Most people are living with anywhere from ten to thirty family members in what was previously a single family dwelling.

We spend most of our time in a suspended state of shock and disbelief while we try to navigate through the nightmare which has now become our new reality. Insurance companies are stalling or refusing to pay claims, mortgage companies are threatening foreclosures; utility companies are sending us bills for service which was interrupted during the storm and in many cases still not turned back on. FEMA is, quite frankly, to paraphrase Public Enemy a joke in our town.

Through all of this we grieve the loss of all we held dear to us, our homes, churches, schools, favorite restaurants, music clubs, po-boy shops, corner grocery stores, our whole damn city. The sense of loss is so overwhelming; we all sometimes go through the feeling of drowning in it much as some of our sisters and brothers drowned in the floodwaters.

Therefore, I ask all of you who read and respond to these posts, to stop for just one minute and put yourselves in our shoes before you pass judgment, and pray that your government does not let you down the way it has done to us.

Dr. Dyson,

FYI - I received the brief essay below recently concerning the New Orleans Police Department post Katrina. Is there any merit to this?

Regards,
John

-----------------------------------------------------------

It's hard to know whether to laugh or cry! You're gonna LOVE this!!!! New Orleans's Phantom Police.

Ray Nagin, mayor of New Orleans, lashed back at critics after the FBI discovered that up to 700 so-called members of the city police force simply did not exist. Funding for many of these officers was provided by the federal government.

"During the storm and aftermath we'd heard reports that hundreds of New Orleans police officers had deserted their post," said an FBI spokesman." Further investigation indicates that these posts had never been manned and the funds supposedly paid in wages have disappeared."

"Sure, we overstated the number of officers on the force," said Nagin. "We did this to deter crime."
As Nagin explained it, the "phantom officers" were used as a decoy to "frighten" would-be offenders. "Just as George Washington lit fake campfires to lull the British troops before his surprise attack at Princeton, we in New Orleans have employed a similar strategy."

The effectiveness of Nagin's alleged strategy is in doubt, though. New Orleans has one of the highest crime rates per capita in the nation.

As for what happened to the funds that were supposed to have paid police salaries, Nagin asserted that they were used to hire consultants and purchase computer software needed to sustain New Orleans' "Virtual Police Force." "The software had to be custom made," said Nagin. "It's not something you can buy at CompUSA. Software designers don't come cheap. Neither does the public relations experts who developed our media campaign."

The media campaign featured TV spots of various street people implying that they could be undercover cops. In one ad, an apparently toothless derelict looks into the camera and says, "I be watchin' you. So don't you go misbehavin'."

Unimpressed by Nagin's explanation, the FBI asserted it will continue its investigation.
And they want us to give them $40 Billion, no strings attached and no oversight, to rebuild New Orleans!

Give Me A Break!

I am a sixteen year old political junkie. I do not consider myself a hack, rather an opinionated, interested, vigilant, and concerned citizen of these United States. It is for that reason that I cannot overlook the facts for fear of what really is behind the facade of “compassionate” rhetoric and political spin.

The federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina was indicative of the incompetence and indolence of the Bush administration, all the way up to the top with President Bush himself. “I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees,” Mr. Bush said. One of President Bush’s most useful political talents over the past six years has been his blissfulness; the willful ignorance of the most powerful man in the world. Now some people have always been willing to give Mr. Bush the benefit of the doubt because they do believe that while he’s a dolt (or at best, a mundane man), he’s also a well-intentioned, God-fearing man, who within his own dimensions is doing everything to “protect the American people.” Katrina ripped the face off of that. Mr. Bush’s assertion that no one anticipated the break in the levees sounds a lot like assertions from his administration in regards to their failure to expect an Iraqi insurgency. The facts have shown that in both cases, the government was indeed warned (Interesting enough, 53% of the American people believed Bush lied about Iraq WMD).

Incompetence and indolence. Conservatives’ (black, white, Christian, what have you) defense of everything Bush does doesn’t just indicate a suspension of disbelief; it also speaks to a shameful and gross diminution of the standards of presidential leadership (when a Republican’s in office that is). When one thinks of times of crisis, images of past great presidents (FDR, Truman, Kennedy, and Reagan, for many) spring to mind. Bush has twice failed the test. The president of the United States was blissfully unaware of the humanitarian crisis in New Orleans literally days after it happened. President Bush, while distraught citizens of New Orleans toiled, died, and starved, gave a speech on the quagmire in Vietnam—Iraq I mean, attended Sen. John McCain’s birthday celebration, and had a little guitar playin’ session with a country music star. Even Bill Clinton, for all his faults, would not have slept until the crisis was handled. What was the main reason for Bush’s failure to respond? (Reminiscent of Nero’s indulgence as Rome burned). His staff was too afraid to tell him! The insidiousness of it all is staggering! The president’s staff was too afraid to tell him the bad news—that we’d lost a major American city (you’d think by now they’re used to bad news and failure).

Perhaps I’d be willing to overlook Dubya’s (‘the master of low expectations’) failure to act. If only the rebuilding of a sparkling, trademark American city were a top priority of the Bush administration after the disaster. But what in the world was I thinking? After all, these people can’t be bothered to do their jobs; to govern. The time President Bush spent on discussing “THE” story of 2005 in his State of the Union address was disheartening. We already know the attention span of the American people is criminally short. I suppose H.L. Mencken had it right when he opined: “As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” Bull’s eye.

The reason the government failed wasn’t just because of bad fortune and luck. (And surely there is enough blame to go around). The reason is because we have a president in office whose own ignorance and indolence has fused with the morally bankrupt and corrupt ideology that he worships at the altar of (an ideology that doesn’t place a high premium on governmental competence because of their adverse stance towards all government, instead of just bad government). Poor blacks, who unwittingly didn’t to get in their SUVs and head to their summer homes in the face of a catastrophic storm - be damned.

I happened to see you on WGN this morning, and I am thoroughly disgusted with your comments.

First of all, as far as Kanye West is concerned, how dare he or you compare black people to Jesus Christ? Do you realize what Jesus sacrificed? Black people have sacrificed, but no one has sacrificed their life in order to benefit others. There are plenty of people who have made sacrifices, but no one was willing to die on a cross and suffer for other people. Jesus Christ also didn't walk around complaining to people all the time about how he was treated.

As far as Jessie Jackson is concerned, if you don't see that he is only seeking his own recognition and success at your expense, then you are all fools. He's just an opportunist.

As far as Hurricane Katrina is concerned, the people of New Orleans need to step up to the plate and do for themselves instead of expecting the government to do for them. You are right in the fact that if New Orleans were filled with white people, things would be different. We would do for ourselves and not sit back and wait for others. Everyone in that city should have been out of there, and people were waiting for someone to come and get them. It's not the government's job or anyone else's job for that matter to be at your aid all the time.

I have relatives who came across the ocean from Europe that suffered prejudice and being mistreated, and that was many years ago, but we all have gotten over it.

We need to get over the past and move on for the future. It was awful what has happened in the past, but let's all work to make things better instead of complaining.

If you think about it, black people have far more opportunity for success, especially in terms of assistance with education, etc., but so many people choose not to take advantage of things.

I know you are probably thinking I am a racist, but I'm not. My husband is black and makes over $250,000 a year. He chose to be successful, and is always accused of being too white. He just enjoys the finer things in life, and if that's being white, then you all are missing the boat.

I'm sure you also have money in your pocket, and I didn't appreciate your comment about white people. I will never watch WGN again, since they expected the news commentators to sit back and take your slams and digs about white people.

How disrespectful can you be?

More than anything, the continuing tragedy of Hurricane Katrina demonstrates the ongoing existence of institutional racism in this country.

This is not a racism that lives on in conscious opinions and emotions, in racial slurs and obvious discrimination. It is a racism (and classicism, for that matter) that lives on the very fabric of the political institutions in our society.

Although the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA had known for years that the levees of New Orleans could never withstand a significant hurricane, and political leaders had been informed of this reality, no action was taken to allocate the necessary resources to correct the situation.

Amidst the flow of influence and power, the vulnerability of hundreds of thousands of people never became a priority. They had no lobbyists in Washington, or in Baton Rouge. They were left to fend for themselves. The decision-makers in this country were all too busy looking the other way, catering to the interests of the wealthy, the powerful, those who can fund their next campaign.

And, although millions of decent Americans were deeply touched by the tragedy and immediately generous in their support for its victims, the poor and black of New Orleans have again been left to fend for themselves, like refugees in their own land.

Now that the corporate media is no longer focused on the immediate mayhem of a "good story", most Americans will simply forget about the situation in the scurry of their daily lives. As before, their attention will be drawn elsewhere. And in Washington, the institution of government will continue to move ahead, fueled by wealth and power. Unless, of course, that vast majority of Americans - both black and white -who are not part of the wealthy elite that controls this government, take back their power.

I think that Mr. Dyson is one of the few public intellectuals that deals with the current issues of Black culture "face out" (in the public).

I agree and disagree with some of his comments but I appreciate him and others who dare to challenge the majority's thinking.

I largely disagree with Dr. Dyson's theories on Katrina, but not to the right nor necessarily to the left.

First, for the obvious (with dissenters on this page ignore): The crisis of Katrina was a federal responsibility, and the Bush Administration and FEMA messed it up royally.

However, they messed it up not because of race, but competence. From Iraq to health care to taxes to fiscal responsibility to ethics to spending to entitlements and onward and onward, this Administration has shown an awful incompetence, and there should be anger.

And, yes, the anger should come from African Americans on Katrina, as well as all Americans.

But I still see something terribly wrong with making this into a race issue. It is an issue of competence, as well as economics. Those who left New Orleans did so because of their economic state. Those who stayed largely did so because of their economic state. It was a matter of dollars, not skin color.

Also, a demagogic action by the likes of Minister Farrakhan to insist that the U.S. Government “breached the levies” is simply repulsive. In fact, this entire victim mindset – “victimology” - is irrelevant in Katrina.

That being said, and I believe I have respectfully disagreed where there is a disagreement, I like Dr. Dyson's writings in that they are thought provoking and stirring (even when I disagree). His I May Not Get There With You was one of my favorites on Reverend King and his biography on Tupac (despite his worship of that, rest in peace, lost cause) was interesting. His Why I Love Black Women was excellent.

He deserves to be read by all who are thoughtful, but to be challenged as well when he is wrong or misguided.

I feel that this could be the remains in every American city where there was a large black population.

There is a need for change in our communities. All of our great leaders are gone, and we need to stand up and be counted.

Our churches can't let this happen to our black people. Our churches used to be the strongest insitution of our people we have leaned on the chruch for 365 years. We have to save our childern so that our world won't look like Katrina in the future.

He is totally correct.

I absolutely agree with Dr. Dyson.

Americans can come to the immediate aid of others yet, when a disaster happened in our own back yard, we failed our people greatly.

I believe Dr. M. E. Dyson is right on the money!

His poignant and powerful discussions regarding sensitive topics within the Black community and topics that impact the Black community takes a tremendous amount of courage. Not everyone wants to hear the truth about what's happening today. Today people appear to have a loyalty and integrity to themselves rather than integrity to truth.

Dr. Dyson has the fortitude to voice his views as he experiences our corrupt and jaded world we live in.

He earns my admiration for being a trumpet sounding out the much needed alerts and warnings to not just the Black communities, but to all communities of people.

I'm very pro Dr. Dyson's work.

Many black people put the response and help efforts on the back of President Bush because of a cultural hate for the man. Most hate him and don't even know why. He legally does not have the power to launch the relief efforts without the approval of Congress. Bush is a president, not a king.

People forget that Katrina hit a day or two after Congress had their last session before their vacation period. The local and state governments are suppose to react first, but in this case for some reason. they didn’t put their full efforts and resources into the relief efforts until the federal government became involved. Since it was the congressional vacation period, and many members of the congress and senate were scattered around the world at this point, on vacation, it took 3 days for them to get back and vote to give President Bush approval to fund and begin relief efforts. President Bush had to keep badgering them for more money as time progressed, because congress and the senate were only "nickel and diming" money at the beginning.

The people had a chance to have a levy built to accommodate a category 5 hurricane, but they voted for a category 3, because it would have been more of a tax increase to have a category 5 levy built (which was only a two cent increase).

We as black people look for the federal government to take from those that are hard working tax payers and redistribute wealth among those that do not want to achieve. We have generations of people living off of the public trust. Wealth redistribution is not the answer by a long shot. America is a Republic, not a Democracy. We operate from a capitalist economic scheme, so everything can't be economically equal. That would be communism and, after looking at China and old Russia, that wouldn’t be a good thing.

We as black people have to understand that we can succeed, and that forcing the federal government to be Robin Hood will never come to pass. The black community has become matriarchal. All of the poverty help programs are only offered to the women of our race. Laws have been changed to punish men for being men, white people have flipped affirmative action as a tool to empower black women and belittle black men.

I'm 28 and I've worked in corporate America since I was 21, and all of my co-workers were either white, black women, or gay black men. I was always the only black man or straight black man within a whole company, not only a department. Whites feel more comfortable with homosexual black men and black women. The sisters are doing so well and succeeding at such a high rate now, that they're not seeing it or don't care that the men of their race are falling behind due to this elimination tactic.

It’s not an issue of color anymore. It’s an issue of money. Until black people stop looking for security in working for other people and being afraid to succeed, we will always have problems. We need to become business owners, not business managers. We need to subculture, like the Jews, Asians, Latinos, and Whites. Stop letting outsiders come into our communities and open businesses that channel the benefits to the business owners communities and not ours. We keep going to school for the same things, all the sisters are in school for nursing, and most of the brothers graphic arts and I.T., hoping its the cure for our financial woes. It’s not. How can we find a job when mostly everyone has a degree in the same damn thing? It’s crazy.

As far as Bush not liking black people, I pretty much think he could care less about us or any other race, just the majority.

I'm a black conservative and I've been one for a while. I'm still in search of a solution to help my people as you are, and I'm no less of a black man than someone that is a liberal or democratic supporter.

Loved the books and keep doing what you're doing. I hope to meet you one day and have a one on one conversation with you. I'm thinking of going into politics when I turn 35 or 40.

I believe that the response to Katrina was disgraceful.

Many Black people believe that the response to Katrina was racist, but I believe that race had a little to do with it. I think the bigger factor was class and emergency preparedness. Hurricane Katrina and the September 11th terrorist attacks show that America is still vulnerable.

There is no doubt that helping those poor folks was not a top priority. And we have to really watch that region because there are those who don't want the black people to come back. That is a very important region in America.

Today was the first time that I became aware of or even heard Dr. Dyson speak on one of our local radio stations.

I must admit I was quite impressed with his view points and feel that he is right on the money when it comes to speaking out for black folk. So often the voices of some of those less fortunate goes unheard for one reason or another and to have someone speak on their behalf is great. Not only is it great, having someone that is not afraid to speak out is what's needed.

I will be purchasing a few of his books over the weekend.

Keep up the good works Dr. Dyson, for those to who much has been given, much is required.

God Bless you.

I am very saddened about Katrina. I am very upset at the government aide and about the historical corruption of New Orleans by its leader. I do not think Ray Nagin is very practical.

I hope that either they will:

1) Rebuild and eliminate the corruption, making it a posh, upscale city and make it a really nice posh upscale city

2) Preserve it as a natural habitat

Dr Dyson,

You are right again! I am so happy that you have charted in your new book how race plays into how folks responded to the Katrina disaster.

You hit it on the head with Bill Cosby and you are hitting this issue on the head as well. Young black folk such as myself count on you to speak the truth because you have the mouthpiece and people will listen.

Blessings to you and I pray you continue to have the courage to stand for the truth.

As a frequent visitor to New Orleans., I kind of have to agree with Dyson about the plight of the minorities in New Orleans, but I don't think it is so much a racial issue as much as a demographic issue based on dollars.

Had this happened in Miami or Atlantic City or any other major gulf/port town with a higher financial demographic, the response would have been quicker and they would have been given everything they need to fix the place up.

I guess the government figures these folks in one of the poorest states in the union (not to mention the Deep South) are accustomed to living in poverty and would not mind being put on the slow boat to recovery and that for them, it's kind of status-quo.

It is funny how some of the poor were left behind, and some of the poor where shipped out all over the country, but the folks who could help New Orleans with $$$ were not displaced.

It is hard to believe that FEMA would have been this inept in responding if the area had been mainstream WASP communities.

It didn't help that FEMA director, Michael Brown, was not prepared to handle this type of responsibility. FEMA had been effective in the past when it held a different location in the federal government. Placing it under Homeland Security seems to be mixing the different missions of the agencies under a generic umbrella.

As Michael Dyson says, race and class is irrevocably interwoven to the point that they almost can't be separated. But it is a given that minorities don't get the same notice by governmental agencies as the majority. The same is also true for the poor of our country regardless of their race. The logical conclusion is that if you are a minority and poor then you will, in all likelihood, be ignored by the government. It's not as if you will have the ease to vote and be able to make a difference in the government and not be represented.

I do believe it is imperative that all of us make the effort to persevere and get ahead in our lives. However, the added qualifier is that our governmental agencies and representative are equally mandated to empower all of our citizens. This should be the case regardless of our ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, or educational levels. It is one thing to give someone something during times of need, but how much better is it to teach that person how to help themselves and their families.

It goes back to the old Biblical saying, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but teach him how to fish and you feed him for life."

How better can we as a free democratic nation treat all of our citizens, then to teach and empower them!!

It is my opinion that the government as a whole is a great disappointment.

They ALL (Bush, Blanco, and Nagin) dragged their feet during Katrina and afterward all they could do was point fingers. Shame on them ALL!

I saw Nagin explain why all those buses flooded; he said it was because there was no one to drive them. Crap! Someone could have went to the Superdome and got some people to drive the buses. Anyone over sixteen could have driven one of those buses.

I watched the news coverage of the people abandoned in New Orleans everyday and I cried for people and places that I didn’t know anything about. If Katrina has taught us anything it should be that we have to stop relying on the government because they don’t care. They will give you a measly handout, (welfare, social security), and expect that you be grateful for it. But they will only handout for so long and while they are handing out they want you to explain how you spent their money.

Whoever was born and raised in New Orleans must miss it daily, even more so now.

I hail from Newark, NJ but currently live in the Arabian Gulf.

I just wanted to give you some insights of what they were saying over here as they saw the Katrina refugees. I know that word has drama, but they were saying over here that those Black folks looked like Africans and that they could not believe there were poor people in the United States and how violent and terrorized the people of New Orleans were. They felt even more so that Bush had so much work to do in his own country how could he even afford to send troops and money out to Iraq and other places.

And now in the wake of it all, now that we are back on track with the war on terrorism, New Orleans is another small problem. Despite the fact that so many people lost the homes they owned, not rented, and that families are now scattered. Plus the Creole history, language, and culture are also devastated in the aftermath of Katrina.

The real tragedy is that over here, like everywhere else, if you are Black there is no way that you can be American. You had to come from somewhere else. But if you are white, then of course, you are indigenous to the land called America. So outside of the U.S., those "refugees" might as well be from Africa, because they will get three or four lines in the news and a less than honorable mention here or there.

I think that African-Americans must make their history in America known. The myriad of traditions, languages, cultures, and their contribution to the cultural capital that is seen as uniquely “American” as Greg Tate explains in his work Everything But the Burden.

It is not so much to ask for money, but let it be known by every means possible who the witnesses of Katrina are and why it is imperative that you not just get money, but get your land, homes, and dignity back as well.

I agree.

I am going to New Orleans to help with the re-building of people's lives and I am taking my 13 and 16 year olds to help. I am 38, of Mexican/German descent and a first year student majoring in International Studies.

The New Orleans injustice has opened my eyes to the reality of 2 Americas and I want to learn more about Intra-American studies. I am outraged by our history as far back as it goes. But what can we do now? I will learn as much from Dr. Dyson time permitting.

We are working with Common Ground collective in Algiers. I feel this will take time and I want to be able to become a spokesperson for peace and justice. I'm not that great at public speaking, but I will be one day. I relate to the saying "speak poorly about what I see clearly."

Thank you for being there to give me and many others hope. We need a united front of all colors speaking about the same issues you are.

Good Morning. I ran across your article in the news paper this morning and did not know about you until now.

I have not yet read your book, Come Hell or High Water, but I will soon. I hope to meet you at the book signing in Texas. I'm here after the storm came and set me free from death.

We were trapped in an apartment building on Orleans Ave for 5 days. On the second day when we walked up to the roof we saw death and destruction. I read the Word and listened to the Holy Spirit for He tells me what will come next. When the storm came ashore and wiped out over 250,000 people in 250,000 seconds, I knew we were next.

As a “Child of God” I was put down like Jesus and his apostles. While he was changing my flesh into his spirit toward the tenth year of my employment with the city of New Orleans, he told me to be still and know that I am God, and I did. He spared me alone with my family and friends. My ex-Sister-in-Law lost her mother in the Ninth Ward. We don't know where she is today.

The word PAIN has a new meaning. When we arrived at the Airport in New Orleans, guns were pointed at us for more then 12 hours. We were at war and did not know who the enemy was at that moment in time. We are citizens of the world. Most people of color from the Big Easy have found a new way of life; what now?

Dr. Dyson, I can go on but there is not enough time. I have a bed ridden 32 year-old daughter to take care of alone with her 11 year-old daughter, my granddaughter. That sir is another story.

Hope to hear from you soon.

The response immediately after the hurricane and even now, was disgraceful. As I type, I overhear on my television the debate whether or not to give $400 million to the Palestinians who were called "terrorists". Yet, our OWN people suffer and continue to suffer.

I worked with a ministry called "This Is Your Season" in Rockwall, Texas which helped over 800 evacuees to find food, shelter, clothing, housing, and jobs. We could not find ANY assistance in our efforts. Yet, evacuees flooded the Dallas area. I kept thinking, "If you helped them now, you would not HAVE to help them in the future."

If the issues of suicide, job opportunities, possible family violence, etc. are addressed, it could help what the crime rate COULD climb to.

We had the opportunity to turn many of their lives around. We missed our "kyros" time. I am so frustrated.

I agree with some of what Minister Dyson has said regarding the events surrounding Katrina and the aftermath. However, I do not agree with his spiritual take on it.

I do believe that God was "in the storm". I believe that Our God has had a covering of protection on America and that He "allowed" us to experience Katrina. I think there are many factors to be considered when asking why. Most of all, I believe that He is unhappy with us. I think there is an arrogance that we possess as a nation. I think we have let ourselves believe we are untouchable, and as a result we have failed to recognize that the peace we have experienced here is due to the favor of God. We don’t give Him the glory or praise that we should for such a blessing.

I also think that the area where Katrina hit is one that is wrought with sin and evil. Witchcraft, hoodoo, and the occult dwell there with little or no rebuke. How long did we expect God to sit by and let us go on in this manner with no consequence?

Mr. Dyson mentioned that his God does not kill innocent children…to live is Christ and to die is gain. So what if innocent children died? What is death? Why is it such a bad thing to return to He that created you? Because we will have to deal with grief and loss? Perhaps that's what we need to have our eyes opened enough to see what is important in life.

I believe that God was speaking loudly and clearly with Katrina and it is my prayer that all who were meant to hear Him, did.

I absolutely agree with Dr. Dyson.

I believe he has been speaking the truth on issues for years.

It was not until about a year or two ago that I became familiar with him or his work and ideas, but I have done my research and find him to be very admirable.

I am currently an undergraduate student who wants be very active in my community, helping to uplift and inspire.

I have found Dr. Dyson to be an excellent person to model after and have hopes of one day meeting him.

I agree with Dr. Dyson on the issues surrounding the lack of response for the Katrina victims.

Once again Dr. Dyson hit the nail on the head with his analysis.

I agree with Dr. Dyson.

This country has failed the citizens of New Orleans, especially the poor.

As a nation we have a lot of work to do in the area of race relations.

Many Americans are in denial of this fact.

In his role as a Baptist Minister, Rev. Dyson graced the pulpit at The Abyssinian Baptist church for the 11:00AM service on January 22 and I was blessed and proud to be in that audience.

I have not read this new book or any of the Reverend's previous works. Still, I clearly got his message that was cleverly woven with the thread of the historical and projected plight of the poor and black economically, culturally, socially, and judicially.

He was brilliant, inspirational, rootsy, empathetic, (to the whites and bourgeoisie in the audience) and most of all gracious to his host, the almost inimitable Calvin Butts.

I told everyone I could about the experience and implored them to buy the book and witness his handling of Matt Lauer the next day on the Today Show.

My sister and I wondered how he would fare on a match up on Scarborough Country, (not that we thought they would have him), but we were pleased when our prediction about an O’Reilly Factor visit confirmed that the host would certainly have had to defer to Rev. Dyson, as O’Reilly did.

All this to say I am so pleased with Dr. Dyson and wish him all the best.

Last night on the O' Reilly Factor was the first time I heard Dr. Michael Dyson speak.

I was very impressed with his arguments and the way he stood up to Bill.

I think the U.S. government could have done more in the Katrina case. O' Reilly was talking nonsense when he said “'I don't think they have the ability to do it (help) in a crisis situation like Katrina.”

Surely the government of the most economically developed country in the world should be able to step in and help. Any argument to the contrary is an attempt to reinforce the notion that in order to succeed people need to do it on their own. It's an attempt to excuse the appalling nature of the social welfare system in the U.S. and the neglect shown to the poor and underprivileged.

If poverty could be solved by dropping bombs somewhere the U.S. would be some kind of modern utopia. Over 400 billion dollars was spent on defense in 2003. Surely some of the defense budget would be better spent helping not just the victims of Katrina, but the poor all over the U.S.

I have just started reading Mr. Dyson's Come Hell Or High Water, and so far I agree 100%.

I am a Katrina survivor.

Every American should read this book; as soon as I'm finished I plan on passing it along.

I have already posted to AOL's Black Voices in the New Orleans section about this book.

I saw Mr. Dyson on the Today Show the first day the book came out and purchased it that same day.

I went to visit the burial site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. last summer.

I was with my grandchildren and I tried to teach them who he was and who he died for.

I wondered to myself why the dream stalled out.

Dr. Michael E. Dyson has a voice for all people that can reboot the dream; but, as history always proves, being black and being for blacks is a hazard.

My opinion is that you are just another black Liberal racist!!

Just like the rest.

I just saw you on O'Reilly and you are totally wrong.

The people of New Orleans should have been better prepared. They were warned. Why didn't Nagen use those buses that were in four feet of water to get the people out of town? Why were cars in water up to their roofs? Why didn't the owners of those cars fill the seats and get out of town?

Nagen belongs in jail so he has time to think about how he screwed up. I am sick and tired with blacks that blame whites for all their problems. I have many black friends and not one of them blame the government for their shortcomings. I've had my problems in the past and the further our government stays away from me the better I like it.

When was the last time our government took something over and made it better???

And yes, Bill Cosby is right!

I disagree that response to Katrina is the job of the Federal Government.

It is a local issue and primarily the responsibility to New Orleans first and Louisiana second. If the Federal government gets involved, that's OK on a limited basis, but it is not their job and they cannot be criticized for not doing something.

The Federal government’s job is to protect the whole country from foreign invasion such as is happening on the Southern border. Government should not be involved in education, health care, or anything else that can be provided by private business. There is nothing wrong in creating a tax code that encourages private donations to charities to handle all humanitarian needs. The government should prevent criminal and military violence against its citizens so that they can do everything else.

Stop trying to take the money I earn for my family and give it to someone else.

And in case you are interested, I have given about $150,000 to charities over the past 31 years, so I am not saying "let them eat cake", I just want the government out of my pocket.

I just watched your interview on Bill O'Reilly and I am very impressed.

I'll be buying Come Hell or High Water this weekend.

I was in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and the horror of the poor elderly people dying, children missing, and the hardship of those trying to rescue the survivors was devastating.

I cry every time I see anything about Katrina on television. It affects me till this day and I am now living somewhere I had no choice in making. I am trying to go back home, but there is nowhere to stay, so how can I go back.

Things are being promised, but not given. This storm happened in August of last year and some people are still waiting for trailers and housing. If this was any other country or state where people pulled together and politics were not so corrupted, then maybe more people would be able to return home.

No one could ever understand what we are going through unless they have been through it themselves. It is very hard, depressing, and lonely, not knowing if you will have a roof over your head, food in your stomach or money to get the essentials. I am not saying that we should not do for ourselves, but what has been given is just not enough. How can anyone put a price on someone’s life possessions? (home, personal property, car etc.) And they throw you a few dollars just to shut you up and then forget about you. Where is all the money that has been donated and collected? Whose pocket is it in? Surely not those who really need it.

I could go on forever, but if no-one hears our cries or even care what we are feeling or how we are doing, then what sense does it make?

Mr. Dyson,

Mother Nature was cruel and how the Government handled Katrina was even crueler!

Yet things happen for a reason. The whole episode shook America. But what I didn't like was how the wealthy Black/African-Americans poured out financial help afterwards.

Hell, where were they before? They talked about “Saving Our Selves” (SOS).

Those folks in New Orleans and Louisiana have been needing help before that!

Now let's be honest.

Until then...

I have a number of beefs with Michael Dyson's perspective:

1. He does not live in New Orleans and does not know what he is talking about when he refers to our neighborhoods, who was affected, and how different populations of people are dispersed throughout the city. When our population is 68% African American - we are dispersed throughout all parts of the city. Some of the hardest hit areas i.e. Chalmette and St. Bernard Parish are equally white demographically.

2. It is naive and dangerous to assume that just because our country is "vanilla" that reverse racism is valid. We must all act with integrity in order to teach and learn. We will never erase racism for our children by telling them that its o.k. for us act ignorantly because we are the minority. You do not have to be a P.H.D. to teach solid intelligent and authentic moral living.

3. We all know that while the State and Federal governments dragged their feet - which it was our mayor who failed to put his evacuation plan into effect in order to assist moving those without transportation out of the city. This was his responsibility and he never acted on it. He stranded our citizens first with out care or conscience. He is our African-American leader. Explain that.

4. Dyson stated that George W. Bush had 11% of the African American vote. That is awfully close to the 2002 census stat of 12.7% African American U.S. population. That stat tells us that African American support was large for George W. It is no secret that many Pastors of Black churches in our region supported the Republican agenda because they do not support gay marriage. If he lived amongst us you would understand this.

5. Lastly, if Dyson lived here he would understand the extent to which Black and white cultures get along in New Orleans. True, there is racial tension and plenty of racism on both sides, and what makes New Orleans a great city is the ability of its communities to come together. I suggest Dyson move here, and become part of the community and contribute to the spirit of New Orleans, instead of playing the old race card and being childishly divisive.

On second thought, please stay home.

CB

First off, I would like to know what the heck is an Afristocrat and where do these names come from?

Katrina was a natural disaster, followed by another disaster of nature, called racism.

I think Black Americans need to look deeper into their roots; we are the melting pot of this nation, like it or not. We are the sum of many tribes, white, black, native, etc. Those of us born on U.S. soil need to drop the Afro thing and step up to the plate and be what we really are, the New Native American.

Our heritage is so very rich because we are the sum of all these tribes.

Instead of wallowing in pity, whether it is self-inflicted or by liberal do-gooders, the American Black needs to stand up on those broad feet and let the nation know we have an innate right for our government to assist us and that assistance is expected now.

Yes, the government as a whole let this one fall off the wagon, but instead of blaming others, let's just do it and get off the pity pot and clean up the mess and get help where-ever it can be found. Those who want to grandstand let them but take whatever is offered and make it work; it's called survival of the fittest.

As for this new term for the Black elite, that's another crock of crap. Stop with the labeling, that's a great part of our problem as a race of people, labeling...Don't fall into that trap; work with what you've got, use the gifts and talents that God has given you/us.

Make all nations that run through our veins proud. Be the New Native American you are and fight back with whatever is in your hand to fight with.

I just read some of the pages from your book and I thought that your comments are very passionate and truthful.

I agree that we are not safe until all of us are.

What makes me sad is that while it's obvious the state of New Orleans is the underbelly of any African-American living anywhere in America, there aren't enough of us that really want to embrace something better.

There is a majority of us that want to be better than what we are, but still more of us that relish in the sublime. Most of all, this is the saddest memory that I will walk away with. Where are the real heroes? I did what I could do and then some just because it was in my heart to do so.

There's a future generation of children that will come out of this and maybe they'll be the ones who make the changes that you, I, and others want to see.

As a white girl living in a very conservative town, it has been hard to express my opinions to many people.

Most of the people here watched the events unfold on cable news and thought "Why didn't they just leave BEFORE the hurricane hit?" My heart goes out to everyone who lost their homes and their livelihood and their relatives.

I think it was ethnic cleansing by the "Bush crime family" and I think that they should be punished for it.

We invade other countries for their leaders doing this to their citizens, so why is George Bush allowed to do this to our citizens?

I think that Bush is a a**hole. He knows good and well that he definitely could have moved faster.

Sometimes it is hard to tell if he really does like black people or not. Why would you wait nearly a week to go and save people who were in trouble? On top of him waiting, his decision-making sucks!

I really wish that Bush wouldn't have gone into office if he wasn't going to take on his responsibilities. He's a dead beat president.

I have not yet read Dyson's book.

If his point is that race and class continue to divide America, then that is not new news.

Having served on the Urban Land Institute team that helped the Bring New Orleans Back Commission devise a vision and plan for to rebuild that devastated city, I have spent considerable time there. It was a moving and needed experience.

First: the city needs to be rebuilt in a way that respects the city's history and culture.

Second: the issues of race and class conflicts that have plagued the city in the past need to be addressed.

Somehow the views of a humanities scholar such as Dyson need to be melded into a physical rebuilding plan for this city.

I own a home in GA and currently rent to a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

I rented this home to this family under the Atlanta Housing Authority Hurricane Katrina Fund. The family moved in around Nov 15th, as of today I have not received any rent payments from the Housing Authority.

I have called the Manager at the Housing Authority Finance Dept (404-730-5841) at least 10 times in the last two months with no response. I am at the point that I have to consider evicting this family due to non-payment. It is weighing heavy on my heart because I know they have been through a lot and I don’t want to add to there ordeal. However, as an investor and family man I have to take care of my family.

It is becoming to strain to carry the mortgage on this property, especially when I have tenants and they are not at fault for not paying the rent. I explained the situation to my tenants and we are all trying to get in contact with someone to get this resolved.

If they are having problems the least the Housing Authority can do is let people know what’s going on, instead no one wants to take responsibility and families that are trying to get there lives back together after Katrina are faced with being put out on the streets.

You miss the main point.

I'm wondering if you have been paid by the Republicans or the Bush administration, as so many others apparently have been.

Color isn't the point, class is.

It's the rich taking advantage of the poor. The color of the poor doesn't matter to the people siphoning the money and grabbing the land.

From what I have heard about your book, you may have hit that point but don't take it far enough. Poor of all colors will continue to be exploited till they join together and stop it. That won't happen if the small percentage of the rich can keep them politically split up.

Your book will help this division.

The Republicans thank you...

As I drove through my battered neighborhood one month ago in New Orleans’ lower ninth ward, I was finally able to get angry.

As a native New Orleanian, I have known that “Katrina” was coming for the past thirty years of my life. My parents warned me. The local government warned me. The national government warned me. EVERYBODY knew that August 29, 2005 was inevitable. The ghosts of Betsy and Camille still haunt those who lived through them, and neither was as devastating as Katrina. The government’s memory seems to be very forgiving. They knew and should have been better prepared.

My heart bleeds for my city and our citizens. I lived and worked among the poor of New Orleans. I am the poor of New Orleans. I agree with Dr. Dyson; we have no voice! As for questions, I have one, “Whom does the barge on Jordan Ave. belong to?” Perhaps if this barge, which at first glance looks like a fallen skyscraper had not rammed into the Industrial Canal’s levy, much of the poor would be safe and secure in their homes. Unfortunately, many residents cannot find their home; it has floated away, and we still do not know who owns the barge. Five months have passed.

My husband and I are blessed. Although we did not have flood insurance, our home is still standing, strong and gutted, after sustaining six feet of water for several weeks. So we now sit and wait. As a firefighter in New Orleans, he has taken an apartment, and we continue to pay our mortgage in hope that the city will give us a building permit and electricity by the summer. FEMA has been helpful, but we are not counting our chickens before they hatch. Our income does not qualify us for a SBA loan; we are hoping for a grant; many people are hoping for grants.

My daughter and I wait in State College, PA (I am a grad student here). She and I look forward to Daddy’s visits and plan family reunions for fun. We have many location options, Denver, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana.

We are hoping for the latter and praying for a voice.

Katrina is an abomination - but not a surprising outcome of the horrors of racism we see and live with every day. Not at all. What a sorry way for racsim to come to the surface in a society which continually denies its existence and power over us.

One can only hope that through Dr. Dyson's perseverance and fortitude he can and will continually enable others to come to grips with the on-going violence and trauma racial discrimination exacts from us all, in "all" ways.

I have read Dr. Dyson's books and I am in agreement with him.

Last year after reading his "Reader" I wrote him about it. Fortunately he is a taskmaster for those who refuse to think through the issues of race and class. Sadly, some who have interviewed him have not even read his books!

Katrina is an abomination, but not a surprising outcome of the horrors of racism we see and live with every day. What a sorry way for racism to come to the surface in a society which continually denies its existence and power over us.

One can only hope through Dr. Dyson's perseverance and fortitude he can and will continually enable others to come to grips with the on-going violence and trauma racial discrimination exacts from us all, in "all" ways.

Hey Michael,

Saw you this morning on the Today Show, and I agree.

But one thing our black people need to understand is that all angels are not WHITE. We sit and wait around for someone to hand out, when our ancestors did everything on their own. If we could just get our mindset right we as a people can conquer anything and anybody.

So many of our own people are against one another, that our self-esteem has just gone away. Have you noticed the faith that we put into our churches when it’s not the church we should be worshipping but GOD.

So naturally all faith is gone out of the community. If the Shepard is a lair, cheat and a thief, what happens to the FLOCK?

Clean out your own house and then help a neighbor.

Holl'r Back Pla'r

I just saw Dr. Dyson on the Today show, and let me just say that I find his views TRUE, FAIR AND ACCURATE!

The Bush's of this world have NO IDEA what the poor and mostly black people in this country have had to put up with!

I'm a white girl with a college education and work in the inner city as a Property Manger for HUD/Sec. 8 housing. I get to come home every night to my nice country home and think of ways I can make a difference in these people’s lives.

I can't help but think how things would have been different for me and my kids if I had been born black.

I'm sick of people saying that black people have every chance whites do! It not true and the George Bush's of this world will never understand that, because they get richer for keeping people below them.

We have to change our government to change their chances; not the other way around!

If a civilization is judged by how it treats its aged and infirmed, we have failed miserably.

From a president who was absent physically and mentally, rebuilding plans which sweep away a person’s home with five days notice, guest workers who replace resident New Orleanians to this country’s willingness to cope with natural disasters and the disaster of racism is truly troubling.

After the President’s "walk through", why was no-one asking questions that held the government and the individuals accountable for the promises made but never kept.

This government’s treatment of New Orleans and the way it decimated Native Americans is strikingly similar.

My greatest hope is that Dr. Dyson and Ms. Brazil will be able to craft a cohesive plan to rebuild New Orleans without anyone becoming disjointed over the notice of a "chocolate city."

Chocolate is good for everyone!

On Tuesday, January 17, Dr. Dyson come to Claflin University and gave a very powerful speech that inspired many of the students present.

I didn’t want to attend, but because I am a freshman, my presence was required. But once Dr. Dyson came to the podium, he had my attention. He kept us laughing the whole time and he got a lot of key points out there.

So, I would just like to thank him for taking the time to visit this little town and gracing Claflin University with his presence.

Keep up the good work.

I stand poised on the verge of chapter six in Dr. Dyson's latest book, and at the risk of appearing to fawn; I wish to commend the book already.

Dr. Dyson's book, even by page 87, has managed to prove its point by the simple fact that it's author, a public citizen, has compiled facts and resources of overwhelming volume and legitimacy in a mere 4 months in order to shed light on a social and institutional neglect that was looming before the faces of political leaders for years. Even if I myself had not witnessed in horror and heart-devastating dismay the avoidable undoing of so many lives in the wake of Katrina, which confirmed yet again the witness of my childhood in Tennessee and Texas, Dr. Dyson's book would spur me to ask questions and to seek possible solutions for what continues to be a complicated war on America's poor.

The most heartbreaking thing to me as a citizen who hopes to discover what life in an actual democracy would be like someday, and who hopes to celebrate the full integration of the inspired reality of a society of individual worth, is the continued ignorance of the power, resources, and tools this President and his government have before them to lift the veil of nihilism this country currently lives in.

I am, on the flipside of the above, continually heartened to see and feel a certain awakening of dissenting voices crying out with more purpose and less useless vitriol in the face of our issues, and to this purpose, I celebrate people such as Dr. Dyson and continue to be inspired by the work that hope, connection, and intellectual vigor accomplish.

I will charge people I meet to read this book and then explore their own thoughts and experiences to help further this search for community where we all may flourish with the right to live our lives in confidence, even during the most unpopular moments.

I want to believe the problem is one of economics, because if it's on race, then we have a more serious problem.

The problem now our government feels comfortable to blatantly ignore a portion of us while we watch and dare us to speak out. I know two things about Louisiana, New Orleans:

1.) It is heavily populated with the working poor.
2.) The people are not of the color of choice for Republicans.
3.) Democrats are taking us for granted. (I know that’s 3 and has nothing to do with this topic, but just wanted to throw it in there.)

I believe Katrina has shown the dirt under the rug, the part of America that has been dormant and we should face it with out being labeled as this or that.

We as a group need to learn how to come together and how to work as individuals.

The next Martin, Malcolm, or Jesse, won't appear from thin air. I for one am raising my son to be an independent thinker and one who should demand clear answers to his clear questions.

Though I have yet to read Dr. Dyson's book, I, like many African Americans, feel that the response to the catastrophe in the Gulf Coast region was and is abhorrent!

I cried as I watched my brothers and sisters in the ninth ward of New Orleans wade through chest deep water to get to a bridge only to find no help there. I was pained to watch the elderly languish as they waited to be transported from the ravaged city, many of whom never made it out.

The response witnessed by the masses is truly indicative of our government's view of the poor, impoverished, and especially the Black American. The United States has historically been slow to respond to anything that has affected people of color globally so it was less than surprising when the government responded slowly to the events in New Orleans.

I applaud Dr. Dyson for being brutally honest about subjects that make others uncomfortable.

Please continue to speak on behalf of those who have no voice.

I heard Dr. Dyson's interview this morning and my response continued to be AMEN!

I am going to get a copy of the book TODAY and will also strongly encourage my family and friends to do the same.

I think that it is pretty simple.

The Bush administration is run based on racism and class discrimination regardless of what G.W. says.

It is a damn shame that people remain standing by that terrorist G.W. when he clearly shows that he only cares about rich white Americans that agree with his every decision on domestic and foreign issues.

I think that we should be radicals and take back this country ourselves and stop waiting for those lying bastards in the White House to give us a vision for the future.

Only we know what’s best for us!

BLACK POWER!

I believe it is important to keep abreast of the news, current events as it were. My father has always instilled in me the idea that there is always more than one side to any situation. I believe that to be true.

As an honorably discharged Marine, I know there are those that would do our country great harm. However, which country is that? The sign says United States of America but I am not quite sure what that means now. Who are the people for which it stands? Certainly not the people of the Gulf Coast often referred to as refugees. Incredible, the media has to be corrected as to what the term refugee means and that the people in the gulf, the Americans in the gulf are evacuees. It appears that the people for which it stands are the supporters of the present administration. Corporate supporters, you know deep pocketed supporters. I guess none of them live in the Gulf Coast.

Now I am not the sharpest knife in the draw, but I seem to remember some PBS info about the Gulf Coast being predisposed to hurricanes and severe weather changes. I think a group of scientific types recommended some upgrades to the present infrastructure that would protect the people of the Gulf Coast when a Katrina like “thang” occurs. I am pretty sure the administration has access to PBS. I think it is also safe to say that the scientific types were not operating with a particular political agenda in mind but only suggesting that maybe some of the global democratic imposition money be directed toward the welfare of the people for which it stands.

So it is hard for me to believe the unitary executive did not know that a Katrina type event was just a matter of time. Of course, if the people for which it stands are not a priority then it stands to reason that the unitary executive will get around to it when time permits.

I cannot agree more fervently with Dr. Dyson. I only wish he would be harsher, more scathing in his rebuke. Having read some of his work, I realize his gentlemanliness and spirituality prevent that. What has happened to the Republic when the people for whom it stands are second to renditions, the global imposition of a forgotten democratic principle and spied upon at the whim of the unitary executive.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness belongs to the privileged. For the majority of us struggling to make the ideals of this Republic work the unitary executive has to be reminded about the civil rights of the less fortunate.

Dr. Dyson, thank you and please continue to remind the powers that be that the federal government along with the unitary executive are supposed to represent all of us.

Keep on with the keeping on!

Yours in the struggle.

I am totally fascinated and repelled by KATRINA.

It represents a coming together of natural, political, economic, cultural, and spiritual forces in a cosmic manner that is rarely seen -- at least in the United States.

It is a supreme test of Americans, of mankind, and throws a spotlight on the complexity of the human condition -- its ugliness and its beauty, its greed and its capacity for love.

I have not yet read Dyson's book , but am extremely excited about doing so.

Of all the public intellectuals in the U.S., he speaks my thoughts and dreams my dreams.

I praise him.

The national response to Hurricane Katrina was shameful and eye-opening.

The immediate reaction by the federal government was revealing yet no surprise to the majority of African-Americans who have watched generation after generation of our brothers and sisters marginalized and ignored by the so-called “safety net” we as tax-paying citizens pay into.

What Katrina exposed is the hypocrisy that the GOP run federal government operates under in its quest for absolute power. All the talk about “American” ethics and morality was on display for the entire world to see. What they saw was that it is a myth, and one that is most likely responsible for thousands of corpses floating in the waters around the Gulf Coast.

The response by the white New Orleanites in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane is no surprise. Though the lives of African-Americans were hanging in the balance, white Southerners stuck to their guns (albeit literally) and turned them around and made them march back to the misery they were trying to escape from.

Would this have happened in a New England coastal town or Malibu, California? That is a question that some would answer either yes or no. My answer would be that it depends on how much money would be made by offering assistance or withholding it. What Katrina ultimately showed is that greed has outdistanced concern for the fellow man. That myth has run its course and it would behoove all citizens to pay attention because it's no longer a question of if they will find themselves in a similar circumstance expecting the “cavalry” to come to the rescue and none comes, but when...

A truly sad, shameful, yet revealing incident that unfortunately shows how far we should have come, but haven't. African-Americans have been the hated for so long, is it any surprise that they were abandoned in their greatest time of need?

I love Dyson, and I'm glad that he's taking on this issue.

My mother is from New Orleans. She was in tears over the way in which Hurricane Katrina was handled.

This was racism and classism at its worst. This was deeply saddening and infuriating. My grandmother's house was flooded. We need to rebuild NOLA. Bring back all of the residents and let them rebuild the city themselves.

Bush deserves to be impeached for his war on Iraq and for the treatment of the New Orleans residents.

From the FEMA response to calling the people refugees, it was extremely racist. We’ve got to see what sort of nation we live in really.

Great work, Dr. Mike, and keep on keeping on.

Dear Dr. Dyson,

As always, by way of your intellectual abilities, you are able to cut through to a person's psyche in a way that even those who would be considered the less "educated" of people are able to understand your view point.

"Come Hell or High Water" exposes in great detail the horrors of modern day racism and classism even as it applies to times of natural disasters.

Your book sends a firm message to those who are suffering from the illusion of inclusion that racism, like a snake, may shed its skin, but afterwoods it is still the same deadly animal.

And as always, your writing and speaking touches my very intellectual soul. You are truly the epitome of Black Intellectualism. For my generation, you are our W.E.B Dubois. Keep up the good work, dear brother. May the God of Our Weary Years continue to bless and guide you.

Your Pupil
Doshon

Mr. Dyson

I met you at Radford University in fall 2001.

The government's response to Katrina was horrible.

Hopefully in the future they can treat Blacks equal to the whites financially.

Have a good day!

I believe the lack of a quick and adequate response by the government is directly related to those most devastated by the hurricane: the poor and the black.

The images I saw on TV will haunt me for the rest of my life. I actually cried for days because I knew those people were dying simply because of the color of their skin. People across the world couldn't believe how Americans were treating their own citizens. I truly do believe some people wanted "that class" of people to die off. Think about it, if they had let half of those people die that would put a lot of money back into the economy. The government wouldn't have to shell out as much for social security, state funded daycare, Medicare, public housing, and anything else the government might have to pay for to aid the poor and the homeless.

I now see how important it really is to get an education and put myself in a position to help and teach others to grow and prosper.

Knowledge is power!

I think that the response to the hurricane was very slow.

Many did help, but it really bothered me to see that the President gave his little speech, and that’s it.

Many people like those in my church (Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, MI) gave to the many churches, and communities down there.

I felt if our church could do that, the President could do more.

Dr. Dyson,

I had the honor of hearing you speak at the BOTA Deconstruct to Reconstruct Conference in Kansas City, Missouri and I was also in the audience at the Harlem Book Fair this past summer as an undergraduate scholar at the Schomburg Institute.

I want to thank you for your ever valuable insight on relevant issues that face Black America. This past August I was directly affected by Hurricane Katrina and not only did I get a chance to see the devastation up close, but I also had the chance to help those people from the Gulf Coast who fled to Jackson.

When I attempted to donate clothes at the Mississippi Coliseum, I was told that the Red Cross was not accepting clothe donations for people who left southern Mississippi and Louisiana with only 3 days worth of clothes because, as we all know, the storm was suppose to "blow over" and everyone was to be able to return to their homes. This dealt with a much deeper issue in my mind as I watched helplessly as the government failed to respond to poor Black people on the coast and forgotten poor white people as well.

The conclusion I came to is that when we take into account America's historical treatment of black people we should not have been surprised that Blacks were intentionally were left to die as well as poor Whites.

As a college student I took the angle in intellectual discussion about the situation that we as Black people have become too dependent on a government and essentially a white power structure that at its very inception held us as slaves and considered us 3/5ths a human being in the very constitution that is still being upheld today. Should we have expected to be portrayed as anything other than looters by a media that leads off every newscast with a local murder or crime for the sole purpose of painting a criminal image of Blacks?

The fact that “refugee” was the term constantly associated with the people of New Orleans points to the true feelings of the white power structure that controls the media as Blacks being second class citizens. A refugee is a person who flees a country to escape persecution and or oppression. The simple usage of the term confirms that we have never and may never be considered true Americans. I personally have no ambitions to be considered an American nor do I consider myself an American or feel Black people should want to either.

The lack of government response to Hurricane Katrina should be a call to action to all Black people to stop complaining and begin doing for ourselves in terms of nation building and developing the avenues that will keep us from being helpless on-lookers as our people suffer.

I believe that the Hurricane itself was not a planned event and its effects were unforeseen.

I also believe that those in the New Orleans area, especially those in elected positions, did not take the possibility of a disaster of this magnitude seriously.

What this event did expose was the wide disparity of resources available to both black and white, rich and poor. As a firefighter, I do believe that the response of the different levels of government was slow due to a mindset that Black people do not warrant an "emergency response." This is itself is innate racism that operates in the mind of responders. Had the Black people who needed transportation out of New Orleans been elderly white women or young white children, the floodgates of resources and response would have flung open along with the hearts of all Americans who were watching the event unfold on TV.

It is the primary responsibility of the Mayor of New Orleans to have an emergency action plan in place and ready to implement in the case of such disasters. The resulting images of Black people in dire straits at the Superdome and convention center caused Americans to blame the victim for staying when they had adequate warning. Warning or not, most did not have the means available to escape. This should have been planned for.

As to the reports of "looting," robberies and rapes, some of which were doubtful, this is a further example of the results of economic disparity of a desperate people who have been living so long on the margins of society. This is what occurs when all Americans are not permitted to become participants in our free enterprise economy. Finger pointing and blame, especially at the victims in this horrific incident are examples of the racist and idiotic reasoning that this country has perfected.

I am not a fan of President Bush, but I doubt that response would have been any more urgent under any other administration. The fault lies with the attitudes of those responders who should have regarded all of this Americans (black, brown or white) as "true" Americans!