Friday, July 21, 2006 | How refreshing to read a historically rich and culturally enlightened essay praising the New Orleans that was, and will probably never be again. I have so often been disheartened to hear the disparaging remarks of people in regards to the 9th Ward and other poorer areas of that great city. Some sound as if they are glad it happened, and that this tragedy was actually a windfall, and an opportunity to “clean the place up.”
My biggest fear is that the “new” New Orleans will be a Disney version, and that great amounts of money will be made by carpetbaggers and corrupt speculators while none of the rebuilding jobs or profits will go to the people who have spent their lives there. We have a unique opportunity to do the right thing and revitalize New Orleans using its own citizens, and in turn provide them an opportunity to recoup their losses and stay in the city they love. Unfortunately, I am far too cynical to believe this would ever happen.