The Living section of the TP today has a story of hope, strength and renewal. It profiles six young people who have made a committment to live and build their futures in Nola. Please take a minute to read this inspiring story.
What we have in Nola right now, at this point in history, is an opportunity for all --- young, old, middle-aged (yeah,that's me!), white, black, Asian, Hispanic, men, women and children --- to stand together and work really hard to make this city whole again. A model for the rest of the country to see what can be done by people who love their city. I cannot think of any time in my memory that a city of this size has sustained this amount of destruction that has a population of such determined, committed residents. I could link and link and link to show everyone outside what I mean but, instead, I will link here to the New Orleans Wikki and to here the Rising Tide Conference.
The N.O. Wikki is the baby of Alan Gutierrez who is another young person committed to Nola. A more civic minded person you'll never find! On the N.O. Wikki you can see what each neighborhood within the city is doing to rebuild. And I'm talking about a grassroots effort by the residents of these neighborhoods, not an "outside" planning commision. Also you will find articles about life in Nola, info on civic organizations, local media , education issues and other reconstruction efforts.
The Rising Tide Conference information is within the Wikki. It, too, is a grassroots effort by several of the Nola bloggers. Here is an overview of the mission of the conference:
"August 25-27, 2006, there will be a convention for all people who care about New
Orleans.
The Rising Tide Conference will be a gathering for all who wish to
learn more and do more to assist New Orleans' recovery from the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina (and Rita). We will come together to dispel myths, promote
facts, share personal testimonies, highlight progress and regress, discuss
recovery ideas, and promote sound policies at all levels. We aim to be a "real
life" demonstration of internet activism as the nation prepares to mark the one
year anniversary of a massive natural disaster followed by governmental failures
on a similar scale."
Absoutely anyone who is interested in New Orleans is invited to attend. This event is all-inclusive and we strongly encourage your support and attendance. You'll find it not only educational but fun as well!
I especially want to extend an invitation to readers, past and present, of the Nola blogs in light of the issues that arose in the comment sections of my July 19 post "A Bloggers Question" and the July 18 post "Being Anonymous Sucks" on da po' blog.
I believe I can speak for all when I say the intent of most of the bloggers here in Nola is to spotlight the issues we continue to face. To try and effect change. To let those outside know we ARE helping ourselves. To let those in power know we WILL hold them accountable. And to ask for your support - those of you who read and those of you who blog. There is no GOB club. Come to the conference and meet us. We WANT to change your minds!
On another subject, check out this story of the wonderful success of the pet tagging effort this week-end. NOLA loves her four-legged friends!
Tags: Katrina We Are Not OK NOLA New Orleans Hurricane Katrina Think New Orleans Louisiana
volunteers
2 comments:
That was a fabulous story. I think that we need to make more of an effort to get the word our about people returning home, and the vast opportunity there is here: economic and for personal and social transformation. One reason I turned the LA Times reporter onto (ahem) Professor Morris (aks Ashley) and Ray is that it's important these stories not be about me, but about New Orleans. I think that the Rising Tide conference can and also should be about the future as much as it is about the levees and the Corps, etc.
I agree! Be sure and let us know when/where the interview is.
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