Bree's Houston Update

-- bumped up from comments. I'd like to add that the racism, classism, and blame-the-victim mentality I've heard from some on TV lately especially has sickened me. Thanks for the update and links Bree! And especially for helping to dispel those ugly and untrue rumors. -- Abram

Abram, I second all of your posts on Katrina. I spent part of my weekend directing people to this: http://www.click2houston.com/news/4930621/detail.html - a page on a local news channel's website that dispels the disgusting rumors that started circulating throughout Houston hours after the New Orleanians arrived. These rumors are steeped in racism and classism and I'm ashamed to admit that people I once considered friends are circulating them.

For the most part Houston has responded well. Authorities are turning people away who show up to volunteer b/c so many are already helping, just like in Austin. And the arena shelters are asking that folks not drop off donations b/c they've run out of places to store them. But I guess I'm on the contact list of some scummy people who see our newest residents as potential criminals and welfare cases. Reason #900 why I hate law school (and my classmates).

I'm headed to Reliant Arena tomorrow after class for a 4 hour shift. I hope there will be room for me - like you, I have tried unsuccessfully to get in to volunteer for three days.

If anyone will be in Houston anytime soon (or, let's be honest, in the next few months) this website is sort of the official Houston volunteer info site: http://www.volunteercenter.us/rsvp6.htm
Volunteers are needed around the clock and Ty has agreed to accompany me this coming weekend for an overnight shift - when I think people are probably most needed. I just hope I keep my loud mouth quiet enough to let those people get some sleep.

This blog gives a view from inside the Astrodome - I think the writer is in the employ of the Houston Chronicle (which is not, I soon learned after moving here, like the Austin Chronicle. That would be the Houston Press, but I digress): http://blogs.chron.com/domeblog/

"The way they're treating my people in the South, the government can go to hell"
-Louis Armstrong, New Orleanian, 1957

posted Tuesday, September 06, 2005 2:38:34 AM