Wasn't New Orleans Bad Before Katrina?! (Washington, Atlanta: eviction, hotel, neighborhoods)

[j_cloud]

I lived in New Orleans I was in the city during the storm. I slowly made my way out of town after-NO SUPERDOME! I did not get FEMA assistance or anything else. Over the past 2 years (almost), I have went through a variety of jobs and living quarters. I am now enrolled in college. The people of rural MS have been wonderful. I just get so angry when i see the people i used to share the city with on TV whining about the following things- no jobs, difficult public assistance, FEMA, unsafe trailers, and reopening the projects.
I have no sympathy and only one thing to say. YOu are the only person that can hold yourself back, quit blaming someone else for your problems get off your behind and do for yourself. And before anyone questions my means i was on public assistance before the storm

[California Dreaming]

Originally Posted by Doogie

Enter the hispanics. They got the jobs because they FOUND a way to get here. They FOUND a way to afford it (doubling up as a previous poster mentioned). They weren't waiting for someone to give them a ride. And when they got here, they were willing to work. Many of the poor people in Houston that could have done the work simply weren't interested. Why work if you can get a check for just as much from the government? Again, a very vicious cycle.

I agree with you re the above. The hispanics were willing to do what ever it took to make a living.. they did not care what it was.. and as long as they had a roof over their heads, they worked.

I moved to Hammond Post katrina, and there were many people from NOLA living in the local hotels. Our MacDonalds and Wendys' were begging for people to work.. they offered sign on bonuses of $5000 over 6 months and $10 an hour. they could not get people to work. And these people would not have had to even use a vehicle to work. These places are across the street from the fast food joints.

[strapped205]

Originally Posted by dusesean1986

maybe I'm Wrong But Wasn't New Orleans Full Of Ghetto And Slums Before Katrina, I Understand Many Areas Were Fine, But I Believe Our Main Focus Should Be Focusing On African American Poverty In The United States Regardless Of A Natural Disaster Making Things Worst..and I'm A Caucasian Male!

Whats with capitalizing every word in your sentence?

[piediriche]

Interestingly, We have come into contact with an immigrant who arrived here from Honduras after the storm. He thought there would be work because of the storm. He took a train where women were raped and people stabbed for their belongings if they fell asleep (what life conditions can create this type animal??) He then walked across much of Mexico with a family including an elderly woman who died of dehydration along the way. He crossed illiegally into Texas and went straight to immigration to see how he could become a citizen... BTW when did immigrating to the US for want of a better life become illegal?? I know only one of my great grandparents was Native American. When did it become illegal to arrive here with no plan and register so that you could prove yourself and take a shot at "the American Dream"?? ANYWAY, he was told by immigration in Texas that he could work for 6 months rebuilding New Orleans he would be given citizenship. SO... TEXAS immigration gave him clothes and food and bussed him to NOLA. Anyone wondering where the huge immigrant population came from post Katrina? That's our government people. Personally, I am glad they came because I don't think I'd have a roof if the standard population of the area was responsible for doing the labor. We'd be a year behind where we are and that's not very far. Our acquaintance was pulled over in Jefferson Parish because they suspected he was driving a stolen car, his girlfriend's, and sent to prison with Edwin Edwards for a few weeks. All he really wanted to do was work. Now he has a temporary visa that expires in about 2 months. He swears he will not return to the US unless he can do so legally. I am sorry NOLA is losing a hard worker. He was a welder in Honduras. I aslo don't buy the BS that all was great in Texas before NOLA evacuees came into town. I have been there several times and their news is always the same. Apparently everyone participating in crime is from NOLA. Is that where Bush gets it? If you just repeat something often enough it becomes true?

[piediriche]

j-cloud... way to go!!

[Vampgrrl]

I don't find New Orleans particularly scary not anymore than Atlanta anyhow.
It all depends on where you live in the city but my quality of life is higher in New Orleans than it was in Atlanta, GA (and I'm not excusing the problems here) but this is an amazing place to live.
Remember, there are more than just welfare mommas here, there are alot of people who have shown more grit and determination than most Americans have in their little fingers.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by mdmagana

Just an observation -

I am not in favor of ILLEGAL immigration and I am not in favor of giving ANY group handouts so...

It seems to me that if all of these poor black folks need money or jobs, couldn't they be working down there instead of the illegals? From my experience with illegals in New Mexico and California, very few speak fluent English. By contast, I have never met a black person that did not speak English... I don't know about you, but I would hire and English speaking person everytime over someone with whom I can't even communicate with.

From the outside looking in, it just seems like there should be plenty of construction jobs rebuilding for anyone who wants them. (Not just blacks.) Why is it all I hear about is illegals working down there? Seriously?

I am not trying to be a smart-ass or anything... I am seriously asking. Is it because the illegals are getting paid less than minimum wage? Is it because blacks, poor whites, and other groups don't want jobs doing manual labor? Combination of both?

It seems to me that there are plenty of jobs for poor people who need them. At the same time, if those poor people had the jobs, the illegals who shouldnt even be here would go away since they couldnt get work. I am probably missing something here. Can someone give me their take on this?

As for illegal aliens getting paid less or Americans(regardless or race) not taking certain jobs, I say it's a combination of both. In the free market, businesses look for a way to make the most amount of profit for the least amount of cost. With an American citizen, there is knowledge of what he or she should get paid. If an illegal comes to the USA looking for work and he or she is used to getting much less, less that adequate pay for American standards sounds better than what the person got in the previous nation. In other words, some companies are cheap and would rather pay illegals less for the same work Americans could do(especially skilled Americans).
With that said, I do see a certain tendency to look down on jobs that many ofthe illegal aliens are doing. Old-fashion blue collar jobs such as welding. Many Americans look at these jobs as too much work and too much pain.

[Drouzin]

"Why is it all I hear about is illegals working down there? Seriously?"

[Steps on soapbox]

Is it just me or is anyone else here tired of hearing about how we are sitting on our duffs sipping lemonade on the gallery while we watch others do the work for us? Most people I know have worked on their own homes and in some cases, the businesses where they are employed. I'm a 4'9" middle aged woman who has reframed the corner of the house due to termite damage, built 2 arches for the bathroom and a wall for the fireplace, gutted my home with my own 2 hands, insulated my own home, primed and painted the walls, am currently laying tile in the bathrooms, and hopfully today will have a toilet installed (thank you God!). I know scads of people who are doing the same thing; I'm supposed to teach a friend how to tile so she can complete her hall bath next week. Where on Earth do outsiders get the idea that we aren't working down here? Sigh, I don't know, maybe I just happen to be aquainted with all of the 25 people who are working?

[Gets off of soapbox hoping she didn't offend]

PS. Toilet will have to wait 'till after the Saints game.

[Sam I Am]

And now back to our original topic...NO before Katrina...

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

And now back to our original topic...NO before Katrina...

New Orleans before Katrina was a corrupt cesspool. As storied as it is and as much as there is to do there for fun, that is it. New Orleans is corrupt and always has been that way since the old days. I think the hurricane just lifted the veil over. The only view most people from out of state(such as me, and I was born in New Orleans) get of New Orleans is the touristy stuff, Mardi Gras, French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Canal Street, and restaurants. They don't live around the violence, bad schools, poverty, racism. Most people don't see that side of New Orleans unless they live there. They would only see it if it was on the news. New Orleans is a violent city. Interestingly, it also has one of the worst police brutality problems in the USA. Basically. How do you think New Orleans got it's nickname "the city care forgot"?