A Hurricane Named Katrina: What an Eye Opener

A Hurricane Named Katrina:
What An Eye Opener
Submitted by Shanta Hendry


FATHER I STRETCH MY HANDS TO THEE.....After Watching several documentaries on one of the biggest natural disasters in my time; Hurricane Katrina; it is one year later and my heart is still heavy and my eyes still weep at the lack of responsibility taken by the government. We are supposed to be one of the richest countries in the world, yet our government is like a mother on crack that has abandoned her children. Our government is so busy trying to impress the whole world by getting into everybody else’s business (you know that’s how you always get your feelings hurt) but not realizing that these other countries are probably laughing behind your backs for your stupidity. “You Take Care Of Home First”.

As I sat and watched these programs; between wiping away tears; I really didn’t see a lot of compassion on the face of the President. To me it was like “hold on, we are going to do something for you people, just hold your horses there are more pressing issues. “What The F**K!!!”see when you never had real rain, or a storm to fall into your life then you have no concept of what is happening. This is where the President’s best work should have came in and things should have been handled in a timely and orderly fashion.

NO OTHER HELP I KNOW.....For all of those who didn’t know, know now that if you are not one of the “Good Ole Boys” or in a certain class of folks; don’t depend on your government, insurance companies or any other bastards that collect tax dollars and monthly premiums. As you have seen the people’s money that has been collected doesn’t mean a thing when trouble comes. Everybody is shifting the blame; is it the President’s fault, FEMA’s fault, the Mayor’s fault; “Shut The Hell Up And Fix The Mess!!!”. You know I am writing this and I am really angry because this could have very well been you or I. As Americans, we need to step up so that this will not happen again.


IF THY WITHDRAW THYSELF FROM ME.....Many felt that this was a racial issue; that help was not immediate because the majority of the people were poor and Black. These are the same people that the President and other elected officials go to for votes. Wow...good enough to vote, but not good enough to save a life. I don’t care if you have one eye, one arm and a broken pencil; when the time comes cast your VOTE. What was up with the military and police with their guns drawn? The slow, disorganized response should be a worry to all Americans; after 911; we should be prepared for any type of disaster that may occur. So this episode is evident that there is too much golf playing, fly fishing, shoe buying and bullshiting going on with the people that are suppose to be controlling things; especially when you are given warnings before the disaster strikes.


TELL ME WHERE, TELL WHERE WILL I GO.....It has been a whole year and there doesn’t even seem to be a dent in the devastation. The people of New Orleans are still in waiting; waiting for help to rebuild homes, get on their feet to basically start their lives over, and to rebuild their city. Why are insurance companies debating about hurricane insurance or flood insurance. The hurricane caused the flood, period end. If it doesn’t say the right insurance coverage on the paper, change it; I won't tell if you won't. Everybody that was caught up in this disaster is not on public assistance or just lazy not doing anything; you have people who are hardworking taxpayers that have worked all of their lives to get a little piece of the pie; so what is the problem?


Spike Lee’s documentary “When The Levees Broke” really gave me a full inside look at the heartache, despair, misery and horrifying ordeals that News Orleans has gone through and are still going through. When Katrina hit last year, the world watched in awe; helpful, angry and in disbelief at what we were seeing. It was like this city was in a foreign country. But it is when the dust settles that you get the real gripping inside look at the whole picture. The news reports gave us flashes of people on rooftops and people dying; everything was so hectic and they were trying to cover every end of this nightmare. It is not until you really sit down and watch this disaster unfold; seeing the houses and cars destroyed, people on rooftops and in attics with babies and children. But the most horrifying to me was to see the dead bodies floating down the street; in the middle of the main street and seeing people talk about how their family and loved ones died right before their eyes. I would have never is a million years thought that this could be; not in America where billions are spent to help other countries; fight wars; and to look for someone who is apparently much smarter than our President because he has not been found yet and it is almost 2007.

True this is a human issue, but the majority of the people affected were Black Americans. Our people have endured through many years of heartaches and pains since our existence. Our ancestors were slaves and endured pain and suffering throughout their lifetime; but somehow they overcame and continued to move forward. So I am sure that in 2006, we should have the capabilities to take control of our own destiny. As Black Americans, we need to stop all of the violence amongst ourselves; because we are going to need each other to run this race of life. This turn of events surely makes it clear that there is no real concern about Black America. The government will look into it, but sure as hell are not going to concern themselves with our problems.


The roots of the Black people are so deep in New Orleans that they are knocking on Mother Earth’s door. So we can not just mark this day, August 29th; and just remember it; this is a continuous process. If we don’t continue to push forward on this matter; then it to will be swept under the rug.

So after I have gotten this off my chest and asked the Lord to forgive me for the bad words that I have used, this is my personal prayer:

Father I stretch my hand to Thee

No other help I know

If Thy withdrawn thyself from me

Oh tell me where will I go



Father I thank you for the lives that you have spared.

I ask that you give a resting place for those that did not make it through this storm.

I ask that you touch the hearts and lives of all of us who had to helplessly witness
or live through this devastation.

Give us a mind to come together to help repair the broken hearts with laughter and kindness.

Touch their lives with hope and prayer; and help to rebuild with loving hands.

I ask for these blessings through your son Jesus Christ.

AMEN