Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 September 2005 — Page 3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2005

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A3

RACE AND CLASS A FEDERAL DELAY FOR HELP TO KATRINA VICTIMS

By ERICKA C. WHEELER Staff Writer

Last Friday, Randy Johnson, 22, and 11 other members of his family boarded a bus to Indianapolis - a city all new and unfamiliar to them. It took them nearly five days to find safety, treading the nearly 20 feet high water that has displaced the lives of many African Americans and low-to-moderate income families in New Orleans. Unlike many, Johnson and his family had the means to escape Hurricane Katrina when New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was instructing New Orleans residents to do on Sunday night - but they were sure that Katrina wouldn’t be as bad as the media portrayed. Once the waters in their eastern New Orleans home began to mount, all 12 of them left the home together. But as they floated through the streets of New Orleans they were unprepared to see many hands stretched out for help, as they watched fellow New Orleans residents drown from Katrina’s wrath. In the midst of the storm, Johnson and his family were never split up, but went days without the necessities of life - water, food and shelter. “We walked four miles to get to some help. We went two days without water and food. I watched somebody drown - he jumped off aboat and couldn’t swim,” Johnson said. “They had alot of airplanes and coast guards, but they were passing everyone up.” Like Johnson, many American’s question the level of importance the federal government placed on those suffering in New Orleans. It was four days before the federal government began to rescue Katrina victims leaving many Blacks and poor to suffer and die. Was it because a majority of the people in New Orleans were of low-to-moderate income levels and African American that they received less than adequate treatment? Or was it that the federal government didn’t think the destruction was as bad as shown? “The obvious answer is that these people were Black and

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not white, these people were not rich and not politically connected,” said Elder Lionel T. Rush, pastor of Greater Anointing Fellowship Church of God in Christ. “I am very angry, but not surprised. I am disappointed to the extent of inconsideration, insensitivity, racism and class (conflict) that the federal government expressed in the lack of action displayed,” he said. Rush’s comments were echoed throughout America, as many place the blame on the expected thousands left for dead with the federal government. The criticism is not only being heard from Black pastors, but also from celebrities and politicians alike. “Well, the president himself said it was unacceptable, and I absolutely agree with that. There will be time in the weeks ahead to take stock of what didn’t happen, what should have happened,” said former President Bill Clinton recently said. “We passed the emergency supplemental of $10.5 billion, but you know in New York we got a lot of help in making it easier to apply for Medicaid for health care; we had an accelerated process. We need to be looking to that.” Hip-hop artist Kanye West dropped his scripted lines

aired live on a benefit concert to assist with survivors and said, “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people!” It was four days before the federal government came to the rescue of New Orleans residents and began to relocate survivors, and provide thousands at the Louis Armstrong Airport with food and water.

The city of New Orleans was made up of 67-3 percent of Blacks in the metropolitan city with one-third of them living below the poverty level. Hurricane Katrina has left thousands of Black and lowincome families displaced, homeless, and helpless on future endeavors. As for the Johnson family, currently seeking shelter

at the Indiana State Fairgrounds among hundreds of other survivors, they plan to start a new life with Hoosiers, many who are eager to help. “Indianapolis is ready for additional people to come here. We want to be a hospitable city,” Mayor Bart Peterson said while touring the fairgrounds on Tuesday.

Jaqurita White, 14, is one of the many Katrina victims taking shelter at the fairgrounds. Many of the victims left the facility during the day in search of new homes, jobs and schools. (Photos/E. Wheeler)

Prices and items valid Through Wednesday, September 14,2005.

3^1 Half-Gallon Milk or Orange Juice Kroger, Assorted Varieties (Excludes Lactose Free Milk)

Aunt Millie's Buttermilk or ■bmmess?* Cracked wheat Bread 1§§I1!mi. 24 0Z Loaf

(fyoice 7cadet /itped 'Bee^ Strip Steaks

Boneless Any Size Package

lb

, . Whole Boneless J 1 ?! Pork Loin ■■■■I. | 7-9 lb Average, Sliced Free

7iSD/i dAoice Seeff Bottom Round Roast

Boneless

Tombstone, DiCiorno or Reggio's Pizza 3 Inch DIGIorno, 12 Inch Tombstone or 10-12 Inch Reggio's, Assorted Varieties

REGGIO'S

10 lb Bag Russet Potatoes Kroger, Premium

Edy’s ice Cream 56 oz, Assorted Varieties Nestle Novelties, 4-24 Ct, Select Varieties

PAT.F i± A - *

TVAM M A fi F M TA

Rl ATK