The demographics of New Orleans have drawn a lot of attention in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. I guess living in a city with remarkably similar demographics (particularly concerning race and poverty level) has made the press less-than-shocking for me.
I expected to find similar statistics in the other major Louisiana cities (Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles and Alexandria) so I was surprized to find that only our own dear Monroe shared the numbers.
But is it really that shocking? I wouldn't think Louisiana holds the title in poverty and racial turmoil. Did no one know? Was it Louisiana's own dirty little secret? Isn't it like this in other urban areas?
I hope the media coverage and the outrage by some will lead to some sort of dialogue that can honestly evaluate the situation and make progress in the race relations in this state and in the nation as a whole. As much as we (I include myself in that "we") like to ignore the issue or pretend there isn't an issue to deal with, we hinder any progress towards peace, just as much as those who want to make every issue an issue of race.
And, can I just ask: why aren't we allowed to talk about race and poverty? Just saying "black and poor" seems to have some sort of taboo to it. It's a fact: a lot of poor black people live in Louisiana. It's not a mean thing to say. It's true. It's a problem that needs to be addressed. Political correctness isn't helping. Ignoring it won't make it just go away. But why does it feel so inappropriate to mention it? Or is it just me?
I don't know the answer to this, although I'm sure there are many that would spout that they have the solution. I believe it's going to take a change of thought process, both with those in the government and those on the welfare rolls. You've started me thinking on this...now, I'll be doing this all day.
Posted by: SonofThunder at September 7, 2005 10:48 AMOur pastor mentioned on Sunday that he was at one of the Red Cross Shelters the other day talking to a pastor of an all black church in town who said "Stan, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to bridge the race gap for us. If white families would take in black families, and black families would take in white families, can you imagine what it would do for Christ's Church?"
So, Stan offerred the challenge to us to do just that.
Good post, and I think Stan's story and challenge is right on the mark. In our circles, it's not uncommon to say that the church leads the world. But what does that mean in race relations? How do we as the church speak honestly, sensitively, and prophetically about these matters? Personally, I believe that as long as our churches remain segregated, our society will be fraught with racial tension and racial poverty. I recently linked a few good articles on multiracial churches; now if only I could quit reading about them and start working toward them.
Posted by: jon at September 8, 2005 12:09 PMEasier said than done, eh?
Posted by: Christin at September 8, 2005 01:10 PMFirst of all, it's interesting to see my home town make the list of Louisiana's major cities. When we moved to Houma from Lafayette when I was 14, it was still pretty small...it's exploded over the last 10 years. Lafayette, though, is so different than when I lived there as well. It's grown even more than Houma has!
Matt Harper has done an awful lot of research and thought in this area, since your question is basically the topic of his doctoral dissertation...though focused in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. (I know I'll do a horrible job condensing and paraphrasing several of our conversations) In a nutshell, though of course it is very complex, the root is as it is in all problems - sin. The United States, melting pot though it may be, does not experience quite the same racial tensions among all races as it does between Whites and Blacks. I don't like hearing Jesse Jackson rant and rave seemingly illogically any more than anyone else, but there has not really been effective, open, and concerted repentance on the part of the United States and the heirs of the 18th and 19th century socio-economic structure of the U.S., for the way blacks were treated, and still are. I’m not saying repentance isn’t required on the part of African Americans, but I think the ball is in the court of the Southern White Protestants to first humble themselves. When the nonviolent sit-ins weren’t effective, the Black Panthers, Malcolm X, and the Nation of Islam saw the option would be to have a forceful counter culture. Jon, I think you hit it about the Church. We are still segregated and afraid, and have no idea what it is like to live in their world. NO IDEA! That was highlighted for me personally and our church as we’ve focused our Katrina aid efforts on one large black family. After seeking help from outside parties, trying to connect them with jobs and housing in Ruston, I’ve seen why we have affirmative action, and why we need it. Several of these people were very well studied and have worked hard in school and at jobs, but they all still lived on "the other side of the tracks" from our relatives in New Orleans. The haves are still more likely white, and the have-nots are more likely to be black. When the two have no understanding of each other, both stay where they are.
A lot easier said than done...thanks, Christin!