Abstract This paper examines the troubles confronting New Orleans tourist industry as it digs its way out of the rubble left behind by HurricaneKatrina. The paper briefly outlines the significance of the tourist industry to the community and also looks at the pros and cons of reconstituting the old New Orleans. Finally the paper briefly delineates a few things that the city can do to not only revive its tourist industry in the wake of a terrible tragedy but to also secure the return and or retention of middle class professionals.
From the Paper "Hurricane Katrina had a profound impact upon the city of New Orleans. Leaving aside momentarily the terrible loss of life and property, the natural disaster also greatly affected New Orleans' tourist industry, changing perhaps forever how many outsiders see the Louisiana metropolis. The following paper will examine New Orleans tourism before the tragedy and examine also the pros and cons of returning the city to its original state - at least from a tourist perspective. Finally, the paper will conclude with some recommendations for what New Orleans can do and should do if it wishes tourists to still frequent the city in the years to come."
Abstract This paper discusses the people displaced by HurricaneKatrina It reviews government response at federal and local levels. The author contends that officials, notably FEMA, the Bush Administration and the New Orleans mayor did not sufficiently respond to the enormity of the disaster.
From the Paper "People displaced by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina especially the poor are America's forgotten citizens. In a CNN report of November, Louisiana Governor, Kathleen Blanco, said: "We feel like we are citizens of the United States ..."
Abstract This looks at seven different news sources from the months since HurricaneKatrina struck New Orleans. The paper describes these articles and explains the situations or explores how the media reacts to such events. The paper contends that the choice of the specific topic the news source chooses to convey reflects how the media relates to American society.
From the Paper "Different news agencies covering the same events allow readers to try to filter through the news media spectacle. Reading accounts of the same event over a period of time can let the reader compare and contrast the news media. One detail which the reader may notice is that there are differences between the focuses of each news account. One major event which occurred recently in the United States was the Hurricane Katrina, which lasted from August 23^rd to the 31^st. This major Category 5 hurricane affected the United States, especially New Orleans, in a variety of ways, and was covered closely by the news media. These news articles provide an account of Hurricane Katrina, how it affected the United States, and show news media differences. The earliest news articles printed about the hurricane striking New Orleans were highly dramatic, or showed many elements of the media ..."
Abstract In this essay, the writer notes that the HurricaneKatrina disaster will be discussed and debated for years, perhaps for a hundred years and more; and it can safely be assumed that an important part of the discussion will embrace the concepts of race and class. The writer maintains that one can easily imagine a sociology professor in the year 2025 pointing out that had a storm of such colossal intensity been approaching a city of mostly white, middle class and wealthy citizens, a different set of preparations and a wholly different outcome could be expected. This paper reviews and analyzes the social realities of New Orleans before and after Katrina's wrath, from several perspectives, including the theories of Karl Marx.
Outline:
Karl Marx
Katrina
From the Paper "When considering the fact that the Army Corps of Engineers reported years ago that the levees around New Orleans - much of which is below sea level - were not structurally safe, one has to also consider the class issues within the political structure of the United States; in other words, is New Orleans a place that would have a high priority in the ruling class of Washington D.C.? The answer is no. And so, the Army Corps of Engineers would be (and was) more committed to working on the Florida Everglades' multi-billion dollar project (the president's brother being the governor of Florida) than retrofitting the levees in a city that traditionally votes Democratic, and is largely African American. These points are raised because Marx doesn't specifically talk a lot about "race" per se, but he does make it clear that class struggles have to do with issues that in the case of New Orleans, are largely ethnic."
Abstract This paper discusses the phenomenon of white privilege in the United States. It describes how it was never more apparent than in the calamity of HurricaneKatrina. The paper discusses the effects of this privilege and racism and describes the ways that it became evident following the national disaster of HurricaneKatrina. The paper questions whether any changes will occur to rectify the problems.
From the Paper "The effect of White Privilege is the creation of system justifications (Napier 61), and it was never more apparent than in the calamity of Katrina. The effect of this was the construction of victim blaming justifications by the authorities in charge when combating the disparity in response to the needs of those of color. The system appeared to come out smelling like roses; it was only certain individuals that could be blamed for any prejudicial treatment. And the victims were blamed for not being able to help themselves. Ludicrous in concept yet if repeated often enough it become reality to those involved. Katrina has certainly taught us that the systems of government, business and education need to recognize this invisible white privilege within and deal with the racial prejudiced involved with it. Will there be changes? Unfortunately we still seem to be waiting for that promised, "bold action." (Bush 1406)"
Abstract This paper gives a critical review of Dyson's thesis on HurricaneKatrina. The author, whilst supporting the thesis, claims that Dyson points only to problems exposed by Katrina, offering little in the way of constructive action to work on America's prevailing racial and social inequities. The paper suggests that one could attempt to see this tragedy as an opportunity to increase racial awareness and highlight the various injustices that continue to surround society.
From the Paper "While I agree almost entirely with Michael Eric Dyson's overall theory on the racial politics of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath as outlined in his book Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster, along with my general agreement I find significant weaknesses within his arguments with which I would challenge Dyson. I have no objection to the claim that this tragic disaster served to expose the racial and socioeconomic inequities that continue to prevail today both in our society and the application of our government. Dyson certainly provides evidence to demonstrate that the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina were some of the poorest in the nation, encompassing a highly disproportionate number of African-Americans."
Abstract This paper is an essay on the ways that the effects of HurricaneKatrina highlighted the deeper problem of economic disparity in America. The author points out the responsibility of all to at least acknowledge that more blacks than whites are poor. The paper state that blacks were affected more deeply by the hurricane.
From the Paper "Hurricane Katrina was astonishing not simply for the incredible destruction it brought to life and property in its part of the world. It also showed how money can safeguard a way of life and how the lack of money can shatter a fragile economic balance. Wealth ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the traumatic emotional effects that HurricaneKatrina had on children, both those caught in the hurricane and those evacuated earlier. According to a review in this paper of an article by Dr. Bruce Perry, the leading US authority on dealing with childhood trauma, the urgency of caring for the emotional well being of these children is imperative.
From the Paper "According to Dr. Bruce Perry, a senior fellow at the Child Trauma Academy in Houston, TX and America's foremost authority on childhood trauma and neglect, "more than 35% of the children exposed to a single traumatic event will develop serious mental health problems" (Renowned Child Trauma Expert, 2005). Perry continues to state that the real crisis of Hurricane Katrina is the millions of traumatized children. This article appeared in newspapers across the country. It was written and carried across the US Newswire service. Dr. Perry's Child Trauma Academy (Renowned Child Trauma Expert, 2005) was reported to be offering various publications to help other professionals support what he calls "The Children of Katrina."
Abstract The paper argues that HurricaneKatrina's victims were not only victims of a horrendous storm, but of horrendous inequality because of their race. The paper discusses how the Bush administration disappointed the country in the process of dealing with HurricaneKatrina and contends that his neglect can be linked to his obsession with fighting a war in Iraq. The paper shows how the story of HurricaneKatrina and its aftermath paints a picture of a racist government and a nation that has yet to rid itself entirely of its historical prejudice against black people.
From the Paper "Three years after Hurricane Katrina, we are still reeling in the aftermath: questions of racism and class and how Katrina exposed racism and class disparity in America, and how the government of our country let us down on so many fronts - locally, statewide, and federally. Many blacks in New Orleans affected by the hurricane spoke out saying that they felt like victims of genocide - comparing what happened to them and how they were treated akin to the Holocaust. Many people, especially politicians, have spoken out saying that the likening to the Holocaust is completely inappropriate because no gas chambers were utilized, leaving many to wonder if racism doesn't exist without outright violence. Communities in New Orleans have said that people died because of abject neglect - neglect that happened because the people were black and the government didn't care about them."
Abstract This paper discusses how the 2005 hurricane season proved to be particularly intense and damaging. HurricaneKatrina caused a breech of levees and massive flooding and losses in New Orleans. Hurricane Rita was also almost as intense as Katrina but luckily did not cause as much damage. In particular, the paper looks at how it is important to recognize that hurricane preparedness is essential to minimizing the damage caused by hurricanes and how, given the margin of error in hurricane forecasting, the damage may not always materialize but failure to act on a hurricane warning could prove to be much more costly in life and property losses. This paper assesses the impact of Katrina and Rita in order to study Hurricane emergency response and what needs to be done to produce a response that would minimize loss of life and property.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Forecasting Hurricanes HurricaneKatrina Hurricane Rita
Damage by Katrina Rita Follows Katrina Emergency Planning for Future Hurricanes Discussion and Conclusions
From the Paper "The orbiting and geostationary satellites take visual and infrared photographs. The infrared photographs measure the temperature of the surface below it; the sea, the earth, the clouds etc. The temperatures are color coded for identification. The visible photographs provide information about cloud cover. As indicated by the solar radiation reflected by the clouds. These pictures determine the temperature of the ocean water, circulation patterns and the height of the cloud. The ground radars and buoys transmit weather data every hour to the weather data collecting stations. These factors help in forecasting the cyclones (hurricanes). "
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of the U.S. economy. Specifically, it discusses what effect HurricaneKatrina has had on the U.S. economy so far, and what may be some of the implications for the future. HurricaneKatrina's full effect on the United States' economy may take years to fully develop and understand. Katrina's effect may even be felt worldwide by the time all the affects are analyzed and tallied up. The immediate costs are quite simple to see - skyrocketing fuel costs instantaneously after the hurricane hit, lost jobs and billions of dollars in aid. However, there are other long-term costs in human life, inflation and rising interest rates that can only play out over time. The writer claims that the U.S. economy is going to suffer from the affects of hurricaneKatrina and that it just remains to be seen just how much it will suffer.
From the Paper "The Katrina crisis may also affect the nationwide auto industry. With fuel costs so high, many people are looking for alternatives to low gas mileage vehicles. There has been a lot more public interest in more fuel-efficient vehicles, such as hybrids, which use a combination of gas and electric-powered engines to run more efficiently and save fuel. Already, many auto manufacturers are beginning to advertise their more fuel-efficient models to bring consumers back into auto showrooms. For years, most Americans have been more concerned with large, high-power, low-mileage vehicles with little regard to fuel economy. This energy crisis may finally create the need for more low-cost, high-efficiency vehicles, and force Detroit automakers to find new technologies to help conserve fuel."
Abstract In this article, the writer introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of HurricaneKatrina's impact on America. Specifically, the writer discusses the hurricane's impact on the environment. The writer notes that HurricaneKatrina's impact on New Orleans, the Gulf Coast and the nation is still being assessed. The writer points out that this was one of the nation's worst natural disasters and many survivors of Katrina have left the New Orleans area forever. The writer maintains that the long-term effects of the chemicals, oil spills, massive landfills and other environmental aspects of Katrina should be studied in order to learn how to protect our environment from disasters in the future. The writer concludes that the environmental impact of the storm will be felt for decades throughout the Gulf Coast.
From the Paper "One aspect of this chemical nightmare really did not get that much attention, but the oil spills from Katrina rivaled the oil spills of the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, but they were not contained or cleaned up nearly as easily. Studies show there were at least 44 oil spills around the area, with two major spills, totally several million gallons each. After the Exxon Valdez disaster, it seems just about everyone knows the incredible damage an oil spill can do. Pictures of birds, fish, and other animals killed by spills are vivid reminders of how pervasive an oil spill can be. In this case, spills took place in neighborhoods, too, and that includes oil and other chemicals leaking from all the submerged cars. There was a sheen of oil all over the floodwaters of New Orleans, and most of it ended up in Lake Pontchartrain or the Gulf Coast. There were many wetlands devastated by the oil spills, and no one was allowed back into their communities until it had all been cleaned up, a process that sometimes took months or even years."
Abstract HurricaneKatrina was the worst natural disaster in American History. Although the storm itself was a destructive force, the social and political issues that arose in its wake are likely to go down in history as even more destructive. One of the most discussed social issues has to do with the increased crime rates that have occurred in cities that absorbed large numbers of HurricaneKatrina evacuees. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of citizen displacement on cities such as Houston and San Antonio, Texas. In particular it focuses on the rising crime rate in Houston and the theory that may explain why there has been such a significant increase in the amount of crime in the area.
Outline:
Introduction
Crime Increases in Houston, Texas Following HurricaneKatrina Social Disorganization Theory
Conclusion
From the Paper "There may be several reasons why the increase in crime has been so prevalent in Houston. For the purposes of this discussion, we will focus on Social disorganization theory particularly as it relates to residential instability. According to National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) social disorganization theory can be described as
"an inability of community members to achieve shared values or to solve jointly experienced problems (Bursik, 1988; Social Disorganization and Rural Communities)." The article explains further that the problem of social disorganization is usually prevalent in urban areas that are the only places the newly arriving poor (evacuees) can afford to live. "
Abstract This paper presents both sides of the hurricaneKatrina debate. It then provides a plethora of evidence to suggest that the federal government (rather than state and local government) is responsible for the delays in rescue and relief following hurricaneKatrina. It cites the mistakes of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, FEMA and FEMA director Michael Brown and the President of the United States.
From the Paper "There is evidence to suggest that the federal government understood the serious threat hurricane Katrina posed on the low-lying Gulf region, and that they did make some effort to convey this danger and urge people out of harm's way. On Saturday August, 27th, President Bush declared a state of emergency in Louisiana and encouraged people to evacuate the New Orleans area before the storm made landfall. Prior to the storm, flood and storm surge predictions were made by the National Hurricane Center in Miami. At least 200 buses were sent to aid in evacuations before the event. The federal government did express concerns over the levee system's ability to weather the storm and operate under such difficult conditions."
Abstract This paper discusses the leadership of New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin during and after HurricaneKatrina. The paper examines Nagin's mayoral career and his personality. The paper studies Nagin within the context of a tranformational leader, asking whether the mayor exhibit those characters. The paper concludes with a discussion of the reasons for his leadership failure in managing the disaster of HurricaneKatrina.
From the Paper "Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans swept into office some three years ago, intent on eliminating corruption in the city, reforming a dramatically underperforming school system, creating new jobs and economic opportunities, and..."
