CUNY Goodwill Tour -- New Orleans, LA -- Day 4
Learning About The Ninth Ward & Facing The Devastation Of Katrina
Today's aventure brought the CUNYers to the Lower Ninth Ward, a low-income area of New Orleans where much of the devastation from hurricane Katrina can still be seen. The Goodwill Team was met by Smitty, a historian who grew up in the neighborhood and still lives there. Smitty rode around with the gorup, giving a tour of the Lower Ninth, while stopping along the way to point out some of the scenery, while sharing some of his own stories of the hurricane.
Smitty, a gentleman of great experience, talked of hurricane Betsy (1965) and how some of the homes in the Lower Ninth Ward never totally recovered from that storm, and Katrina basically finished them off. While driving through the neighborhood the devastation was obvious, as bare lots where houses used to stand was the norm, abandoned houses facing inevitable devastation plentiful and less commonly, some rebuilt dwellings standing strong in the New Orleans heat.
"Compared to pictures & videos, being there was something else, unlike anything that could be seen on television," said Edwin Marrero of BMCC. "Seeing the level of actual devastation and to picture water 10 feet high was unimaginable, and something I will never forget."
Smitty went on to tell stories of how the looting began and of a confrontation with the NOPD in the midst of trying to get water, toilet paper and food during the aftermath of Katrina, where large groups of displaced residents were wandering around the city.
The Rebuilding Process
Smitty guided us to a local museum, the House of Dance and Feathers, run by Ninth Ward resident Ronald Lewis. The original museum was destroyed by Katrina, however through charitable donation and community work, Lewis was able to restore the museum, a make-shift trailer that features all sorts of local items, books and Black-Indian feathers. He also featured a letter from President Obama thanking him for the work he does in the Ninth Ward and the signed copy of his book relating to the House of Dance and Feathers.
The group got a chance to see what are known as the Brad Pitt Houses, a row of eco-friendly houses that were built in lots where Katrina had a devastating impact. The charity that rebuilt the neighborhood became well known when Brad Pitt signed on to be their spokesperson. The houses, which were built for the original property owners who could not afford to rebuild on their own, featured some very unique architectural designs. "At first, I was really shocked to think that Katrina hit 5 or 6 years ago," said Heather Ruger of CCNY. "Watching on television it does not have the same effect. I was shocked how many empty lots where houses used to be and all of the destruction that still existed. I hope that more people are able to reach out to New Orleans and help."
Play Time
The afternoon activity consisted of a sports clinic, run by the CUNYAC group, that was advertised to the children of the Ninth Ward by All Souls Church. Between 30 and 40 children of all ages arrived to enjoy the day on the levee, in an open field right off the Mississippi River, playing softball, football, volleyball, soccer, frisbee and basketball. The day was extremely hot, as most May New Orleans days are, but the kids and CUNYAC Team found great joy in spending some hours playing games, talking, joking and drinking some gatorade by the cooler. "One of the kids named Gerald came up to me & said you played with me the whole day today and thanked me," said Mickey Abbatiello. "I thought it was really cool that he was appreciative for what we were doing."
"We found out that they don't really have any place to go and hang out," said Edwin Marrero of BMCC. "They are on their own. To be able to go and be able to change up their daily routine--even if only for one day--we are making more of a difference than we can imagine."
The event ended around 4pm, with kids and adults exhausted but better off for having spent a few hours in the sun on a Saturday afternoon. The CUNY group gave out some balls and t-shirts, took a group picture with the kids who remained, and then headed back to the mission for dinner.