Race playing a factor in the aftermath of Katrina?

[nik0tine]

The media is now reporting that race is somehow playing a part in the governments 'slow' response to the aftermath of hurricane kartina. This is absurd. Are people really stupid enough to believe that the government would have acted differently if those people were white? The government does NOT sit around and say "Well, lets respond to this crisis inefficiently so that we can kill off some more black people." The government is being inefficient, NOT racist. Anyone who is so moronic as to believe that has forgotten that this is no longer 1960. Racism does not play a part in the federal government, so god damnit, stop bitching about racism already!

[Medi]

Yeah, really. I heard the same thing on the radio earlier this morning. It was quite stupid.

[cookieface]

People say a lot of stupid things all the time. But of course you must be aware how racially-sensitive the country is. It's unavoidable.

[Rye]

I hate reverse racism just as much as actual racism. :/

[Shoeberto]

If anything, it's the media that's racist. The Daily Buzz (a morning show that's actually *not* about sensationalism and exploitation - gasp!) was talking about how black people stealing from stores was being referred to by most news outlets as "looting," whereas when white people did it it was just them "obtaining" food in order to survive.

[GooeyToast]

Blame it on the black man.

[Agent Proto]

Well, more than anything, the black people in New Orleans and the other places affected by Katrina are seen carrying things like televisions, shirts, and what not. The white people are just taking what's really necessary to stay alive for a few days before aid arrives. I'm not saying that this is stereotyping, but if you watch the news, you see the black people are doing most of the "looting," you hear that they take stuff like tvs, guns, and other non-food/drink items.

[GooeyToast]

I've heard they've shot at police officers :rolleyes2

[Primus Inter Pares]

Well, it proves that the US is just one big storm away from anarchy.

[Miriel]

George Bush doesn't care about black people - Kanye West.

Ok, I understand that this is a serious situation, but I could NOT stop laughing at the reaction on Mike Meyor's face after West made that little statement. I won't comment on the whole racist thing, because honestly do any of us know what's going on inside Bush's head? Maybe he would have responded faster if the majority of people dying were white. Maybe not. None of us can know for sure.

And everyone has got to stop thinking about this in terms of race, it's about human beings. That's it, period.

[Madame Adequate]

I also think it's BS that there is any racial issue here. Even if Bush is racist (I don't for a second believe he is.), I'm betting he's well aware that being deliberately lax will do far more harm to both his presidency and to the Republican party in general than any benefit he percieves from being able to get rid of a few thousand black folks.

[udsuna]

Nah, I don't think Bush is racist... not against blacks, anyways. The Arabs need to watch out, but that's all. Then again... it's originally a french city and region, and still strongly of that culture, so maybe he just hates the French. And really, is that so wrong? (naturally, that part's a joke).

[nik0tine]

Well, more than anything, the black people in New Orleans and the other places affected by Katrina are seen carrying things like televisions, shirts, and what not. The white people are just taking what's really necessary to stay alive for a few days before aid arrives. I'm not saying that this is stereotyping, but if you watch the news, you see the black people are doing most of the "looting," you hear that they take stuff like tvs, guns, and other non-food/drink items.

Thats because A) There are more black people there than white people and B)The media isn't showing any white people doing the looting.

Then again... it's originally a french city and region, and still strongly of that culture, so maybe he just hates the French.

Correction: Freedom city.

[theundeadhero]

I find it funny that the NCAPP (or whatever it is) go on tv and say that an evacuation notice wasn't given to New Orleans because the majority of the population is black when the evacuation notice was given 48 hours before the hurricane hit. They really screwed up with that one.

[Channing]

Well, more than anything, the black people in New Orleans and the other places affected by Katrina are seen carrying things like televisions, shirts, and what not. The white people are just taking what's really necessary to stay alive for a few days before aid arrives. I'm not saying that this is stereotyping, but if you watch the news, you see the black people are doing most of the "looting," you hear that they take stuff like tvs, guns, and other non-food/drink items.

This is very true. It's sad reality and touchy subject with most people about Louisiana. Black, being the prevelant race in the area it's sure reflecting harshly. The clip they keep playing here shows 2 black males carrying clothing out of a building and a officer with a pump shotgun yelling at them to put it down.

I don't believe the government would respond any differently but I can promise you that looting for unecessary items isn't exactly speeding up the process.

Replying to the post above me:
Actually it's been aware some time now. All the way back to the 60's that the potential for something like this could happen. 40 years to reinforce and well it's apparent it wasn't done. It's not a big surprise. It was bound to happen sooner or later.
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Then again we can't really rely on the media for this information. They are paid to sell a story. If the story is not interesting it will not sell therefore outrageous accusations are made. Who catches the blame when the rumor hits the crowds? The media, but instead of specifics it's generalized. 'Media.'