Photos ©Unknown • Photostream ©Petra Maricela Thompson Violetarojo
Katrina was a natural disaster that escalated into a category V of frivolity and governmental malpractice. As a result of this negligence Katrina transcended into a human tragedy beyond comprehension or belief. To error is human, this is true and its what we like to say when we make blatant stupid, hurtful and harmful mistakes. Perhaps we allow ourselves to manipulate the true sentiment and meaning of these words. But in turn we only serve to bastardize the context of the origin of the sentiment intended. A way of allowing ones self to escape from the task of taking full responsibility for ones actions that prove intent. I am so saddened to this day over what happened to the people of Louisiana & Mississippi. I do feel strongly and believe without a doubt that a greater percentage of the devastation and loss resulted from blatant acts of inaction.
I visited Louisiana in 2009, the devastation could still be seen everywhere I went. To know that hundreds of families and individuals are displaced and homeless to this day is heartbreaking and outside my scope of understanding how. It is obvious that manuals and protocol do not work on the field no matter how rehearsed a person is. There are several issues that we must realistically address, addiction and emotional disorders that do not seem to be inclusive in disaster training programs. It is well past time to bring things as current as we possibly can in regards to the policies that are in place for handling catastrophic disaster relieve.
Earth has been pushed to the breaking point, her foundation is collapsing around us worldwide and it is going to take more then just some gauze and a superhero band aid to help her heal. The time will come when a new hybrid society will be excavating dirt and ash for human remains and asking, where did they come from. It makes me wonder what their interpretation of our world will be. Oh how I do wish that being kind, loving and good to your neighbor would become the next uniformed trend or one size fits all retro fashion.
By Violetarojo
On an ordinary day
The sky began to cry
And I knew then and there
We were closer to the end
Than we’d ever been
Before the poison rains
Before green went away
Before when children played
Those were the days those were
The days I long for you to know
With every end
There comes a new beginning
When one door closes
A new one opens for you
A new door opened to you
Music & Lyrics ©Petra Maricela Thompson Violetarojo