Five Years After Katrina, the Gulf Is Showing the Way Forward

blogs.alternet.org — As August draws to a close, we face a somber, sobering anniversary. Five years ago, on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina tore through New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. The storm -- and the horrifying ineptitude of the relief efforts before, during, and after -- left the region devastated. Most of those who died or were abandoned to "sink or swim" were poor people, people of color, or both. Since that day, the Gulf Region has spent five years showing us where America is falling short. But in five years, the people of the Gulf region have also shown us something else. While their tragedy was teaching us where America is still falling short, their resilience was teaching us how America can begin to measure up to her own lofty dreams and ideals. The Gulf Coast is showing that a region that has been dominated by the oil industry can turn a new, green leaf.

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