by Keeshler Pittman

Created on: April 22, 2009   Last Updated: April 23, 2009

I resided in the lower ninth ward before Hurricane Katrina. It truly devastated me to see the aftermath. The media tends to show visuals of a clean, nearly repaired city. National news often shows this visual. Sadly, even local news shows this image. Many areas in New Orleans are repaired. The area where I once resided is still in disarray. I resided on St. Maurice Avenue. The house where I resided was completely submerged. I lost everything. I evacuated one day prior to Katrina's landfall.

Last week, I was in the area in New Orleans known as the eighth ward. This area is predominately African American. There are many houses in the area still tagged with spray paint from Katrina. Some houses look like they could cave in at any time. I could see that drugs are back in that area. I once lived in that area, and I remember the appearance of drug addicts. I remember the appearance of the drug dealers. I remember very clearly. New Orleans was once drug and crime infested. It was probably the most corrupt city in America. Even the police department was corrupt.

New Orleans is as corrupt as ever. I currently reside about an hour from New Orleans. No one could pay me enough to return to New Orleans. The city is full of corruption. The areas that were focused on during the rebuilding are the tourist attractions. I understand that tourism is an important source of income for New Orleans. What about the citizens? What about people who spent their entire lives living and working in New Orleans? What about those who were unfortunate victims of circumstance? There are people who want to return, and cannot afford to. Rent for apartments and homes in New Orleans is double pre-Katrina cost.

My impression of New Orleans post-Katrina is summed up in one word- pitiful. Tourism is back in business. Finances are streaming in. What about the financial and emotional recovery of citizens who were born and bred in New Orleans? Indeed, there are people who are better off away from New Orleans. There were many violent drug dealers who were forced to move away after Katrina. They are slowly being replaced.

Until the city has compassion on those deserving of return, problems will continue. Redevelopment must occur in the lower ninth ward and the eighth ward. These areas are still in disarray. The area I viewed the other day was near St. Roch Avenue. There is an abandoned school. There are abandoned houses. It is a horrible sight.

I pray the New Orleans looks beyond the bottom line. The love of money is the root of all evil. Compassion is important.

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