Lighting The Road To FreedomLighting The Road To Freedom

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The Soul of New Orleans

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February 11, 2006 39th Year Volume 35

Inside Data

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One on One with Oliver Thomas

Death of a Neighborhood

Data Zone

Remembering Coretta Scott King

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ContributorsEdwin Buggage

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Phil WilsonNNPA Newswire

Art Direction & Production Paul Mainor for MainorMedia

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Bud DorseyZenitha Price

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Dignified, elegant, refined,courageous, strong. For morethan �0 years these words wereused to describe Coretta Scott

King—humanrightsandpeaceactivist,thewifeandpartnerofDr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.,andthe“FirstLadyoftheCivilRightsMovement.”Wearehearingthemonemoretimeaspeoplearound theworldmournherpassing.CorettaScott King was a good, strong woman andkeeper of the dream that was Dr. King’s andAmerica’sdream.Shestoodbyhissidethrough

thickandthinandfoughttirelesslytokeephislegacyalive.

Coretta King said that even as a child, shefelt she was going to lead an extraordinarylife.ManypeoplemightnothaveexpectedthatfromalittleBlackgirlwhogrewupinveryruralAlabamaduringtheDepression,pickingcottonandwalkingseveralmileseachwayeverydaytoattendasegregatedone-roomschool.Butfromthestart,shewasexceptional.Sheattendedasemi-privatehighschoolinMarion,Ala.,whereshe,agiftedyoungmusician,wasabletostudy

piano and voice and graduated valedictorianof her class. She got a chance to leave thesegregatedSouthwhenshewonascholarshiptojoinheroldersisterasoneofthefewBlackstudentsatAntiochCollegeinOhio.

Coretta King was already politically active.She joined the college’s NAACP chapter andRaceRelationsandCivilLibertiescommittees,andwasadelegatetothefoundingconventionoftheYoungProgressivesorganization.Shefirstmajoredinearlyeducationbutwasinspiredtochangeherplansaftershesangonaprogram

Remembering Coretta Scott King

By. Marian Wright Edelman

NewOrleansDataNewsWeekly February11,2006 Page�www.ladatanews.com

Continued from previous page.

withPaulRobesonatanNAACPevent.Heencouraged her to study voice full-timeandshedreamedofhavingacareer likehis that combined music performancewith social activism. After college shepursuedthatdreamwithascholarshiptotheNewEnglandConservatoryofMusicinBoston,whereafriendsetheruponadate with a theology doctoral student atBoston University named Martin LutherKing,Jr.

Coretta King wrote that at first shewasreluctanttogetmarriedbecausesheknewitwouldchangehercareerdreams.As it turned out, of course, becomingthat young minister’s wife gave herthe opportunity to serve on an entirelydifferent national and world stage. Lessthan three years into their marriage, Dr.Kingwasthrustintothenationalspotlightwith the Montgomery bus boycott. Herown activism and deep commitment tocivil rights made her an ideal partner ashe became the international symbol forthe Civil Rights Movement. She oftentookonabehind-the-scenesrole,stayingathomewiththeirfourchildrenwhileDr.Kingtraveledasapublicleader.ButinthemostimportantbattlesoftheCivilRightsMovement, she was always right by herhusband’sside.

After Dr. King’s death, instead ofretreating with her young children orintohergrief,CorettaScottKingsteppedout into the forefront to continue herhusband’slegacy.Shebeganthisthedaybefore his funeral, leading the sanitationworkers’marchhehadgonetoMemphisto support. She continued standing upfor social justice all the rest of her life.ShewasdevotedtopreservingDr.King’slegacyandfoughtsuccessfullytoestablishtheKingCenterandthenationalholidayrecognizing his birthday and became aninternationally recognized human rightsleaderinherownright.

A strong antiwar and anti-apartheidactivist, she spoke to audiences aroundthe world, calling for racial equality andeconomicandsocial justiceandreceivedmanyhonorsandawards forher tirelesswork.Mrs.Kingwasespeciallypassionateaboutwomen’srights,andurgedwomentotaketheirrightfulplaceat thetable tocreateabetternationandworld.Sheoncesaid,“IfAmericanwomenwouldincreasetheirvotingturnoutby10percent,Ithinkwewouldseeanendtoallofthebudgetcuts in programs benefiting womenand children.” How true this remains inthis era where a Congress of the UnitedStates, aided and abetted by a callousadministration,hasjustcut$�9billionfromthe budget from programs low-incomechildrenandfamiliesneedinordertogivetensofbillionsofnewtaxcutstopowerfulspecialintereststhatdon’tneedit.

Throughout her life, Mrs. King was alantern for freedom and justice. We willall miss Coretta Scott King’s presencebut carry her and Dr. King’s spirits aswe continue the struggle. May she restinpeaceandmayweworkforpeacewithjusticewithrenewedvigor.

Marian Wright Edelman is President and Founder of the Children’s Defense Fund and its Action Council.

I am convinced that if I had not had a wife with the fortitude, strength and calmness

of Coretta, I could not have stood up amid the ordeals and tensions surrounding the

Montgomery movement. I came to see the real meaning of that rather trite statement:

“A wife can either make or break a husband.” Coretta proved to be that type of wife

with qualities to make a husband when he could have been so easily broken. In the

darkest moments she always brought the light of hope.

– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Page� January28,2006 NewOrleansDataNewsWeekly www.ladatanews.com

By: Edwin Buggage

HeismorethanNewOrleansCityCouncilPresident;he is thetrue definition of a renaissanceman. In addition to being apoliticianheisapoet,stageactor,andanavidadvocateofbringingbackNewOrleanstoitspreviousstate pre-Katrina and making iteven better. Data News Weeklyhad a unique opportunity tocatch up with him after he gavea magnificent performancein Anthony Bean’s TheaterCompany production of AugustWilson’sJoeTurner’sComeandGonewherehetalkedaboutart,life, politics and his love affairwithNewOrleans.

EB: How did you get involved in theater?

OT:WellAnthonyBeancalledmeonedaybecauseheknewIdidspokenwordpoetryandsaidhewantedtostartatheatercompanythatwouldworkwithyoungpeople

and help develop talent in NewOrleansandaskedifIcouldhelphim.InseeinghowcommittedhewasIagreed,but toldhimIwas

notanactor.(Laughter)Thenhesaid you’re a politician it’s just aquestionofwhetheryouwindupbeingagoodactor.

It’s been a wonderfulexperience,it’sbeentherapeutic.I think more people need asomething like this it’s a greatculturaloutlet.

EB: How and what were you feeling when you saw the devastation that occurred in the city after Hurricane Katrina?

OT: Personally, I had eightfeet of water in my house, I hadholes in my roof, and lost mostof my stuff, it was devastating.But I thought what about thosewho weren’t as fortunate as me,whatabout thepeoplewhowerestrugglingeverydayjusttryingtogetby. I feltbad for them,and Ithinkeverythingwedoaboutthisdisastershouldbeinremembranceof people who lost their lives,and all their possessions. Also Ifelt abandoned, and thought wewere not given the respect asAmericansweweredue.

EB: How do you see the future of New Orleans and how important is maintaining the culture that makes the city unique?

OT:It’sgoingtobeastruggle,it’sgoingtobeabattle,andthat’swhy tonight was so important.The soul of a community is itsartistry, its creativity. We’veperformed from the slave shipsto Congo Square that’s how far

ourcreativitygoes.It’simportantthat theater is back, artistry isbackbecauseitisthesoulandthepulseofourcommunity.

EB: What is the city doing to bring back its residents and more specifically members of the artistic community?

OT: I don’t know how muchthe city is doing, but I do knowthat people like Anthony Beanare doing things and you all atData News are doing things.But I believe you cannot have acity without its artistry. It is thesoulofthecity.Thinkabouthowpowerfulourcultureisdespiteallour problems we produce someof the best talent in the world.We produce people who neverwenttomusicschool,butwhoaresome of the best Jazz Musiciansin the world. We produce actors

and actresses far away fromHollywood who tear it up. Butthat’s what’s in us, a knack forexcellence,andthatissomethingthat we all who are from NewOrleansareconnectedwith.Andit’ssomethingspecialanduniquethatyoucan’texplaintosomeonewho is not from here they don’tunderstand it. Its funny peoplefromalotofothercitiescanliveinotherplacesbutpeoplefromNewOrleans have to stay connectedbecause there’s no other placelikeitintheworld.

EB: If you could tell the people from New Orleans who are scattered all over the

country one thing, what would it be?

OT:IfsomeonesaidcanItakeyoursoulwouldyou let them?IftheysaidcanIcutoutyouheart,wouldyouletthem?IftheysaidifIcouldtakeeverygoodmemory,would you let them? I wouldsay stay connected because ifwe lose the city, if we don’t stayconnected, that’s what it wouldbeliketakingoursoul,ourheart,andourmemories.

EB: There are rumors buzzing you may be seeking higher office is there any truth to that?

OT:It’ssomethingtoconsider,right now I’m City CouncilPresident, and I can run for re-election. I can run for mayor,congress,orgovernor.(Laughing)I love this community so much

I might run for President of theUnitedStates.RightnowthoughI am considering all my options,that’showmuchIlovethistown.

EB: Do you any final thoughts?

OT: Yes I would like to thankDataNewsbecauseit’sgivenourcommunityavoice.LikeitsnameData that’s just what it is, it’sinformation, it’s our fact finder,it’s our beat to the street. So IwanttothanktheDataFamilyforalways giving us real news, andforeverybodyelsestay trueandstayNewOrleans.

NEWSMAKER

Data News Weekly Exclusive Interview with Councilman Oliver Thomas

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks boarded a busin Montgomery, Alabama near the intersection ofCommerce and Montgomery Streets afterworking for eighteen hours. Her courageous actin refusing to give up her seat on a bus she hadpaid to ride sparked the modern-day civil rightsmovement and led to the breakdown ofsegregation in the United States.

BellSouth salutes Rosa Parks and thanks her forsitting even in the face of danger.

She took a stand

by taking a seat

Rosa Louise Parks(1913-2005)

bellsouth.com©2006 BellSouth Corporation.

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STATE & LOCAL NEWS

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - TheRev. Jesse Jackson stepped in apatchofmudandsquattedtoviewcrusheddebrisbeneathahulkingrusty barge that had smashedthrough a levee breech and intothe lower Ninth Ward duringHurricaneKatrina.

“Wefearpeopleareunderthisbarge,dead,”JacksonsaidMonday.The now-landlocked barge,along with the still inaccessiblewreckagebeneathit,isasymbolof the government’s neglect ofmany of the storm’s hardest-hitvictims, Jacksonsaid. Now heandseveralstatel a w m a k e r s ,along with civilrights activists,are trying toorganize amassive marchon April 1 toprotest post-Katrina policiesthat they fearwill unfairlymarginalizeNewOrleans’ blackcommunity,bothpolitically andeconomically.

The announcement cameduringJackson’slatesttourofthelowerNinthWard,alower-income,mostly black neighborhood thatformonthshasshowcasedsomeof Katrina’s worst destruction.The neighborhood remains awasteland of upside-down carsresting on piles of bricks andsplintered wood that often arethe only remnants of so manyobliteratedhomes.Manyofthosewho lived in that neighborhoodremain scattered in temporaryhousingacrossthecountry,whileworkers from Eastern Europeand Latin America have takenrebuildingjobs,Jacksonsaid.

“Whymustpeopleherelookatpeoplecominginfromoutofthecountry to do the work? That ishumiliating,”Jacksonsaid.“Therearenojobsthatcannotbedonebythepeoplewhooncelivedhere.”

Jackson said the failure toquickly provide temporaryhousing closer to New Orleansnot only has prevented manydisplaced residents fromcominghome to get jobs, but also hasmade it more difficult for themto follow campaigns and vote inalready delayed elections nowrescheduledforlateApril.

And while it appears thatpredominantlyblackareasofthecity were the worst hit, Jackson

said he hoped all displacedresidents would join the cause.“Displacedcitizens -white,blackorbrown-shouldhavetherighttoreturnandtherighttoprotecttheirvote,”Jacksonsaid.

The group with Jacksonincluded two black statelawmakerswhohavevirtuallynoconstituents left in the districtsthey represent. They haveblasted recommendationsby theinternationally renowned UrbanLand Institute to study whetherthe worst damaged and flood-

prone parts ofthe city shouldbe rebuilt orturnedintoparksthat couldact asdrainage basinsduring futurestorms.

State Rep.C h a r m a i n eMarchand, wholivedinthelowerNinth Ward,said leveesshould be mademuch stronger,utilities restoredand financialaid offered to

residentsinherdistrictwhoneedhelptorebuild.Blamingthefederalgovernmentforthecurrentstateof her neighborhood, Marchandnoted that catastrophic damageoccurredaftertheleveealongthecity’s IndustrialCanalbroke,notfrom the initial storm surge thatsent water pouring over the topof the levee. “Prior to this leveebreakwehadapproximately twofeet of water in the community,people were walking around inankle deep water,” Marchandsaid.“Whentheleveebroke,that’swhenthedevastationoccurred.”

Rep. Cedric Richmond, who’swiped out district includeseastern New Orleans, saidallowing residents to come backto inspectdevastatedproperty isnotasufficientplantoprotectanAmericancitizen’srighttoreturntotheirproperty.“BeforeKatrinawepaidtaxes,andafterKatrinawewillpaytaxes,sothisgovernmentowes us a reinvestment into ourcommunity,”Richmondsaid.

Jackson said he plans to holdthe April 1 public march acrossthe Crescent City Connection, amajor Mississippi River bridgethatwasblockedAug.�1tokeeppeoplefleeingfromNewOrleansfrom entering the West Bank.Gretnaofficialssaidthat thecityhadnomoreroomforevacuees

Rev. Jessie Jackson initiative for housing and jobs

State Rep. Charmaine Marchand

BATONROUGE,LA–TheLouisianaDepartmentofEducation isseekinghighquality,non-profitproviderswithaproventrackrecordofimprovingeducationalachievementtorunschoolsinOrleansParishwhichhavebeenplacedintheRecoverySchoolDistrict.

Legislation passed in the November 200� Special Session of theLegislature expanded the definition of a “failed school” in LouisianatoincludeschoolsscoringbelowthestateaverageinschoolsystemsdeclaredtobeinAcademicCrisiswithatleastoneschoollabeledasfailingforfourormoreyears.Currently,onlyOrleansParishfallsintothatcategory.Atotalof107schoolshavebeenplacedintheRecoverySchool District in Orleans Parish; however, only �8 schools are

Louisiana Seeks High Quality Providers To Run Orleans Schools

Cecil Picardcontinued on Page 14.

Page6 January28,2006 NewOrleansDataNewsWeekly www.ladatanews.com

NATIONAL NEWS

PHILADELPHIA - A formermayor of New Orleans saidThursday he hopes governmentofficials put the same effort intorebuilding thehurricane-ravagedGulf Coast as has been put intohelpingNewYorkrebound fromtheSept.11attacks.

MarcMorial,nowpresidentofthe National Urban League, toldasymposiumattheUniversityofPennsylvania that the rebuilding

wouldalsobemuchlikechallengesposed by Chicago’s Great Fireof 1871 and the devastating SanFrancisco earthquakes in 190�and1906.

“InthecaseofNewYorkCity,noonesparedaresource....WillwereachtothestandardofNewYork City?” said Morial, whoservedtwotermsasmayorofNewOrleans from 199� to 2002. “Noonesaid,‘Thisistooexpensive.’”

The two-day symposium,“Rebuilding Urban PlacesAfter Disaster: Lessons fromHurricane Katrina,” is focusingon ways to help cities recoverfromnaturaldisastersandeventssuch as terrorist attacks. Theforumincludesdiscussionsabouthelping economies recover,accommodatingpeopleforcedoutoftheirhomesandmakingcitieslessvulnerable.

Morial criticized the responseof the Federal EmergencyManagement Agency and calledfor government officials to bemoreunifiedinKatrinarecoveryefforts.Theeffortwillbejudgedadecadefromnowandbeyond,hesaid, by whether the region hasrebounded like other disaster-strickencitieshave.

“FEMAneedstobecompletelyrebuiltsothatitisinkeepingwith

theneedsof21stcenturydisasterresponse,” Morial said. He alsosaid the military should have amore established “standby” rolewhen helping out in disasterresponses.

Earlier this month, Morialexpressed concerns aboutsuggestions that officials focusonrebuildingNewOrleans’leastdamagedneighborhoodsandthatsome devastated areas could beturned into marshland or openspace. He also has vowed tofightaproposal fora four-monthmoratorium on new buildingpermits in heavily flooded areasuntil thoseneighborhoodsprovetheirviability.

Inthefall,Morialcalledforthecreation of a compensation fundforKatrinavictimssimilar to thefund created for victims of theSept.11terroristattacks

National Park Service Attains Carter G. Woodson’s Home

By. Allison Stevens

Special to the NNPA from Womens-enews

WASHINGTON, D.C.(WOMENSE-NEWS)-As GOPlawmakers argued last week forbudget legislation that cuts $�9billion in spending for federalprograms during the next fiveyears, Democratic leaders andother critics said the legislationbelied the president’s avowals ofcompassion during his State oftheUnionaddress.

‘’Last night in the State of theUnion we heard a great deal ofrhetoric about investments thepresident was going to make,’’HouseDemocraticLeaderNancyPelosi of California said on theHouse floor during the budgetdebate. ‘’But this budget todaytellsadifferentstory…Thetruthis that this budget is an exactcontradiction of the rhetoric thepresidentpresentedlastnight.’’

Pelosi said the policies in thebudget would widen the U.S.deficit by $�00 billion and heap‘’mountains of debt’’ on thecountry’schildren.

The legislation squeakedthrough the House ofRepresentatives by a two-vote margin, with a number ofmoderateRepublicanssupporting

Democratic opposition, and nowgoestothepresidenttobesignedintolaw.

Republicanleadersbrushedoffcriticismandsaidthebillwillhelpmovemorepeopleoffthewelfarerollsand intowork.The lawwillaccomplish this even as it trims$99 billion during the next 10yearsfromtheballooningfederalbudget--a savings they said willreininfederalspendingandhelpreducethedeficit.

Thebill’sbackersalsopraisedthe new welfare rules, whichwould require states to increasework participation rates amongwelfare recipients and wouldchannel $1.� billion to marriagepromotionprograms.ThebudgetbillalsogivesstatestheoptiontoeliminatefamilyplanningservicesforbeneficiariesofMedicaid.

The $�9 billion in cuts are‘’a very modest savings’’ that is‘’a step toward smarter, morecompetent government,’’ saidRep.AdamPutnam,aRepublicanfromFlorida.

However, Rep. Hilda Solis,a California Democrat who co-chairstheCongressionalCaucusonWomen’sIssues,arguedonthefloor: ‘’Just last night PresidentBush spoke about workingtogether’’ to help Americans.‘’But this legislation pays for the

prosperity for the richest, thewealthiestinoursociety.’’

Wednesday’snarrowlegislativevictory, Republicans hope, willhelptheGOPreclaimthemantleoffiscalconservatismastheyenterthe 2006 mid-term election year.UnderPresidentBush,spendinghassoaredduetothewarinIraq,a new prescription drug benefitandemergencydisasterrelief.

Republicans also hope to passa proposed $70 billion packageto extend current tax cuts thatcriticssaidprimarilybenefitsthewealthy.

If that happens, not only willsingle-parentfamiliessufferfromstiffer welfare rules and scaled-backgovernmentservicesunderthe budget changes, but theywouldreaplittlefromataxreliefpackage skewed toward wealthyindividuals and corporations,criticsofthebillargued.

‘’Whatthisbilldoesisaskthemost vulnerable people in thesociety to tighten their belts sothat the most affluent can havea tax cut,’’ said Paula Roberts, aseniorstaffattorneyattheCenterfor Law and Social Policy, anadvocacy group for the poor inWashington,D.C.‘’That’smorallywrong.’’

Critics Say Budget Cuts Hurt Women, Children

L O U I S V I L L E(NNPA) – More than800mournersattendedthe funeral of SoulSingerWilsonPickett,Jr. at the CanaanChristian Churchhere.

As the church wasfilling up, Pickett’s hitsongs including “In

the Midnight Hour,”and “Don’t Let theGreen Grass FoolYou,”playedthroughthe church’s publicaddresssystem.Born

inAlabama,Pickett,whomovedtoDetroitasateen,died after suffering a heat attack in a Reston, VA.hospitalonJanuary19.Hewas6�.

CelebritiesinattendanceincludedLittleRichard

and members of the Falcons, Pickett’s first R&BGroup. Aretha Franklin and King Solomon Burkewerelistedontheprogram,butdidnotattend.

FalconmemberWillieScofieldsaidhehadreadon the internet that Pickett said he had knockedonmanydoors.“Well,heknockedonmydoorthatdayandthatwasthe lastonehehadtoknockon.Doors opened, I mean really opened for Wilson.”TheFalconshadahitwith“IFoundaLove”in1962withPickettasleadsinger.Hewentontorecordhitrecords, such as “Mustang Sally,” “6��-�789” and“FunkyBroadway.”

Wearing a black suit with a jeweled collar andsunglasses,LittleRichardspokeat the funeral.HesaidhehadrecentlyattendedfuneralsforcomedianRichardPryorandsingerLouRawls.

Talking about death, he said, “We all gotta dothis.”“Ain’tnobodyimmune.Youdon’tgettoorich.Youdon’tget too famous.Youdon’tget toopretty.And anybody that thinks they are, just tell ‘em toshutup.”

Mourners Remember Soul Singer Wilson Pickett

Caption: Singer Little Richard (center) gave a tribute to Pickett Credit: Bud Dorsey/Louisville Defender

Caption: Singer Wilson Pickett famous for such songs as Mustang Sally and Wait til the Midnight Hour, passed at the age of 64.

Page8 January28,2006 NewOrleansDataNewsWeekly www.ladatanews.com

Amanofdramaticproportions,August Wilson was a poeticillustratoroftheAfricanAmericanexperience. A chronicler of thehuman experience and a geniusin his own right he brought tothespotlightruraland innercityexperiencesplaguingblacksoulsthroughoutAmerica.Hisliteraryillustration of the inner cityblues and hardships is not onlyabout the affects on the African-Americansoulbutarereflectionsof American souls as a whole.His plays have been powerfultestaments conveying how weviewourselvesashumanbeings.

TheAnthonyBeanCommunityTheater paid homage to thisgreat playwright of our timesby showcasing August Wilson’sclassic Play, Joe Turner’s Comeand Gone. The opening night,January 27, 2006 was symbolicof a new beginning for ABCTand New Orleans consideringhurricaneKatrina’swrathon thecity. Opening night proved thattheartistic culture is verymuchaliveandthrivinginNewOrleans.Anthony Bean says, “Theimportance of the theater is toenrich,enlightenandevokeself-awareness; inducing theatricalcommunication betweenperformerandaudience.”Beandid an outstanding job directing,

JoeTurnerComeandGone, hehas the uncanny ability to bringthebestoutofhisstudentsalongwith the seasoned actors whoround out his cast constantlyproving he is a cunning, shrewddirector who knows how to getthemostoutofhiscast.

I observed as the audienceanxiouslyanticipated thestartoftheplay. Whenthehouse lightswent down they became silentand attentive. The set designwas superbly crafted. Bringingnostalgia and authenticity that

brought you backinto an era ofhard times andmisfortune.

The setting oftheplaytookplaceAugust 1911 in aboarding housein Pittsburgh, PA.The characterswere played byWilbert WilliamsJr. as Seth Holly,owner of the boarding house,Gwendolyn Foxworth (Berth

Holly)hiswife,HaroldX.Evansas(BynumWalker)theRootworker,Charles Bosworth (RutherfordSolig) A peddler, Donald Lewis,Jr. (Jeremy Furlow) a residentOliverThomas(HeraldLoomis),Chloe A. Tillis (Zovia Loomis)his daughter, Brittney M. James(Mattie Campbell) a resident,TonyFelix(ReubenScott)theboywho lived next door, Karen KaiaLivers (Molly Cunningham) aresidentandValenciaD.Williams( Martha Loomis) as HeraldLoomis’wife.

The premise of the playrevolved around Oliver Thomas’character, Herald Loomis whowasobsessedwiththesearchfor

his wife. His obsession driveshimtonearinsanity;summoningthe inner demons of his past;

that plagued his soul with self-doubt and inner rage. Finally,his frivolous journey leads to atriumphalclosurefreeinghimselffromhisinnerdemons.

The play projected the earlyessenceandspiritualityofAfricanAmericansat theturnof the20thcentury.Italsocapturedasenseofthegenuinenessandinnocencethat Americans once possessed.Oneoftheunexpectedhighlightsof the play was the stellarperformancesofthechildactors.Chloe A. Tillis and Tony Felixboth captivated the audiencewiththeirperformancesthatwastruly heart warming. They arenaturally gifted and profoundlytalentedkidswhoaredestinedforfuturesuccessinlife.

And as we have livedthrough the real life Drama ofKatrina, the theater continuesto be a great institution forshaping and building personalcharacterforbothactorsandtheviewing audience. The theaterlays the foundation for life andenlightenment of our souls.Furthermore, it influences thewaywethink,feel,andinteractashumanbeings;andaswemarchinto the future of New OrleansAnthony Bean’s CommunityTheaterisavitalassettoourcityandourculture.

DATA ZONE Entertainment

James Rivers Jazz Brunch Returns to New Orleans HiltonIn another sign of New

Orleansresurgence,JamesRivers will return to hisjazz brunch performancesat the New OrleansHilton beginning Sunday,February12,2006.

Inaprofessionnotoriousfor its instability, JAMESRIVERS wears very well,indeed.SixyearsatSylvia’sandelevenatTyler’sBeerGarden are a testimony to

his ability to draw an audiencethroughgoodtimesandbad.ThiswillmarkJames’s12thyearattheHiltonwhichwellmaybeaNewOrleansrecord for longevityatahotelvenue.

In his formative years, Mr.Rivers performed with suchmusicallegendsasGladysKnightand thePips,SamCooke,JackieWilson, Huey Smith and theClowns,BrookBentonandJimmyReed.

A high note in Mr. Riverscareer was his collaborationwith actor Clint Eastwood in theproduction of the sound trackfor themotionpictureTightropein 198� and, subsequently, thesoundtrackforthemotionpictureBird,Eastwood’stellingcinematictributetoCharlieParker.

His cameo appearance in themovie “The Bridges of MadisonCounty”, where he wrote andperformed his own original

composition,ledtoahighlightofhis career when he was invitedby Clint Eastwood to perform atCarnegie Hall in the EastwoodAfterHoursmidnightconcert.

Theband,appropriatelycalledThe James Rivers Movement,appears at the New OrleansHilton’sJazzBruncheachSundayfrom 10:�0 AM to 2:00 PM atKabby’sattheRiver.

A Post Katrina Theatrical AffairJoe Turner Come and Gone

By Glenn Summers

NewOrleansDataNewsWeekly February11,2006 Page9www.ladatanews.com

DATA ZONE New Orleans Out & About

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The Coca-Cola Company is a proud sponsor of African American Lives. Airing on PBS in February 2006.

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CL-06-N-2768 Secret Formula Coca-Cola Classic 1/4 Page Vertical 5.75”x10.5”LRA Board Member Donna Brazile comments during the recent session of the Louisiana Recovery Authority board meeting held in Baton Rouge.

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Data News Weekly columnist “The Love Doctor” Lloyd and Ann Dennis enjoy the festivities

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It’sthattimeoftheyearagain:thetimewemakepromises toourselves that2006will be the year we eat better, exercisemore, spend more time with our familiesandmaybeevenvolunteerwithourchurchorcommunitygroupwhilewe’reatit!

A survey by Kaiser Permanente foundthatnearly60percentofAmericansmakehealth-related New Year’s resolutions.But just 10 percent of us reportedkeeping resolutions faithfully. And thelargest group – 2� percent said theymake and keep health resolutions only“occasionally.”

Many people take their health forgranted.Wearefortunatetoliveinanagewhenprescriptionmedicines are readilyavailable to cure or treat everythingfrom hypertension and ulcers to cancerand Alzheimer’s. Every day, millions ofAmericansrelyonthesemedicinestolivelonger,healthier,moreproductivelives.

Butwecan’tbecomplacent. Tofightdiseases like diabetes and many formsof cancer, you have to get your healthchecked regularly. Importantly, if yourdoctorstartsyouonacourseofmedicinetake it regularlyanddonotskipadose.Studies show that up to �0 percent ofprescriptions are not taken properly,whichmeansmanypeoplearen’tgettingthefulltherapeuticbenefits.

Be sure to ask questions so that youunderstand how to take your medicinebefore leaving the doctor’s office orpharmacy. Ask your doctor if yourprescriptionneeds tobe refilled. If youare takingmedicine foryourhighbloodpressureortoloweryourcholesterol,youmayneedtotakeyourmedicineforalongtime.Thenumberonethingyoucandoto keep healthy is take steps to preventneedingmedicinesinthefirstplace.

First,youhavetoeatrightandexercise.We’veallhearditbeforeaholidayseasonfull of calorie-laden sweets and treatscan mean an extra (or two!) around thewaistline come January. A study bythe National Institutes of Health (NIH)confirmsthatpeopleatahealthyweightputonaboutapoundduringtheholidays.Butoverweightparticipants–and that’san estimated 6� percent of U.S. adults–gainanaverageoffivepoundsduringtheholidaysandkeepitonwellpastthesnowyseason.

Thisisadangeroustrend.AccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControl(CDC),being overweight or obese increasesthe risk of many diseases and healthconditions, including hypertension, type2 diabetes, heart disease, gallbladderdisease, osteoarthritis, respiratoryproblemsandsomecancers.

Obesityisn’tlimitedtoadults.Inthelast20years,thepercentageofchildrenwhoare overweight has more than doubled,andAfricanAmericangirlsandboyshave

higher rates of being overweight thanwhitechildreninthesameagegroups.

Thereareeasywaystohelpincorporatehealthy eating and exercise into yourfamily’sdailyroutine.Walkwithyourkidsto school, limit the time your kids spendinfrontoftheTVorvideogames,takethestairswheneverpossible,planyourmealsin advance and keep healthy snacks inreachsoyou’relesslikelytoindulgewhenyou’retiredorstressed.

Makingacommitment tobetterhealthin2006isn’tjustabouttakingcareofyourbody–youhavegot to takecareof yourmindtoo.

According to the CDC, AfricanAmericans are more likely to experiencemental conditions than others and lesslikelytoseektreatment.Mentalconditionscan be as disabling as cancer or heartdisease in terms of premature death andlostproductivity.Butthereishelpavailable:

80 to90percentofmental conditionsaretreatable using medication and othertherapies,accordingtoCDC.

In2006resolve to takeyourmedicinesas prescribed, visit your doctor regularly,exerciseandeatright�6�daysoftheyear–notjustonJanuary1.Yourbodyandyourmindwillthankyou.

Larry Lucas is the deputy vice president for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

DATA ZONE Health

Health Resolutions

Page12 January28,2006 NewOrleansDataNewsWeekly www.ladatanews.com

MayorRayNaginverbalsnafuduringhisMartinLutherKingDayspeech invokingGodandmakingreferencetoNewOrleansbeingaChocolateCitymadegreatfodderfor talk shows, and news organizationshungryforratingsastheyjumpedonthisstory.Itinfactgaveourcityanotherblackeye, and made it seem more of a bananarepublic than before. Some would blamethe mayor for making his off the cuffstatements as unbecoming of an electedofficial, and that is true,but to think thathis statementswouldhaveany long termaffecton thecity isnaïve.Andalso thosewho deem his statements to be patentlyracist are also shortsighted into whatracismis,andparticularlyhowitwillaffectthefutureeconomyofNewOrleans.

ThiscityaswellasthestateofLouisianahasbeenahotbedforracialanimosityandcontroversy for many years now, and thequestionishowithasaffectedtheeconomyofNewOrleansifatall.Theanswertothatisanunequivocalnoasprovenbyseveralincidentsoccurringduringthepastseveralyears.ForexamplewhenformerKuKluxKlan Leader David Duke was embracedby local whites in neighboring JeffersonParish he ascended to the level of staterepresentative then later received themajorityofthewhitevoteintheprimariesin his bid to become the governor of thestateofLouisiana.

Another example is when our formerGovernor Mike Foster surreptitiouslypurchasedDuke’smailing list for1�0,000thousand dollars and became a two termwinner.Histieswithanotedformerleaderof an infamous hate group did not affectour localeconomyonebit, sowhywouldwethinknowthewordsofRayNaginwhohasneverbeenpartofanyhategroup,andquitehonestlyhasbeennothingbutafriendtothewhitecommunitywoulddamageourcity’simageandeconomyinanyway.

While many in the mainstream mediaboth local and national attacked MayorNagin,Ifeelit’shypocriticalbecausewhenthe shoe is on the other foot and whiteracismbothinstitutionalandindividualaremany times overlooked, or ignored. ForexampleNewOrleanspolicemistreatmentofblacksisrampant,intheFrenchQuarterbars it was proven that they discriminateagainst blacks, and at any given time intheCBDfromninetofiveyouwouldthinkNew Orleans is majority white. So whenpeople talk about black racism and howit would affect the city bottom line, I askwith all things white that are perpetratedagainstblackswhytheoutrageinthewhitecommunityisn’tthesameandwhyhasn’tit

affectedwhitesfromcomingandenjoythecity?

Thetruthisthatmanyofthetouristorconventioneerswhocomeintothecitycouldcarelessaboutthelocalpoliticsaslongastheyareable toeat,drink,andbemerryinatownwheretheybelievethatanythinggoes. So the fact that many in the mediahavegiventhisstorylegs,inturngivingitsomesortofvalidityisasadcommentaryonthestateofourmainstreammedia,butthe sad truth is that it has no bearing inreality. If thepast isany indicatorofwhatwillhappeninthefuturethecitymostlikelywill not suffer any economic backlash,becauseofRayNagin’scomments.

Yes his ‘Chocolate City’ metaphor wasnovel and made a great sound bite, butunfortunatelyNagin is the latestvictimofa news media’s that’s fascinated with theodd, unusual, and sensational that passesasimportantnews.Butreallythesewordsweresimplytakenoutofcontext,andthissituation became front page news whenin fact it shouldn’t have been. Secondly,hemadestatementsaboutblackonblackviolence, but did that appear in mostnewspapersortelevisionshows?Absolutleynot, as we all know this story will soonfadefromtheheadlines,andthequestionwillstill remainwhatwillbecomeofNewOrleans?

WhenallthehooplaisoverwewillstillbefacedwithacitywithmuchofitsAfrican-Americanpopulationdisplacedandtryingtofigureouthowandiftheywillbeabletocomebacktothecity.Wewillstillbefacedwiththequestionwillthecityeverhaveablackmajority similar topre-Katrina.Andtheanswerifitweretodaywouldbeno.Asyoulookaroundthecitythemayorwasn’tcompletelyofhisrocker,maybehewasn’tverytactful,but thesadrealityofpresentday New Orleans and this is somethingthatevenStevieWondercouldsee is thattherearen’tmanyblackpeoplebackinthecrescentcity.

The city for better or worse seemsdestined to become, a whiter city andwith this demographic shift will probablychange the make up of our city’sgovernment,schools,andneighborhoods.ButIbelievethereisonethingforcertain,that regardless of the composition of thecity some things won’t change and to behonest, I can’t determine whether that’sgoodorbad.ButlookingaroundatthecityI love, Iknow inmyheart the futurewillagainbechocolate,vanillaandeverythingin between, and of course as always ineverything associated with New OrleansandLouisianaafewnuts.

The traditional civil rights era of the�0s and 60s officially ended on January�0withthepassingofCorettaScottKing,the mother of the modern Civil RightsMovement. Some might argue thattitle belongs to Rosa Parks, Fannie LouHammer or even Dorothy Height. But ifDr.MartinLutherKingJr.wasthefatherofthecivilrightsmovement,thenMrs.Kingwasclearlythemother.

Afterherhusband’sassassination,Mrs.King picked up the pieces, gathered herchildrentoherbosomandassuredusthatwewouldgetby.Andlikeagoodmother,she never played favorites. She wascommittedtoincludingallofus—thecivilrights one, the peace one, the labor one,thegayandlesbianone,andeventuallytheHIV/AIDS one. While there were someoldguardcivilrightsleaderswhothought“justice”meant“justus,”Mrs.Kingneverwavered.Whenthetraditional“civilrights”housedefinedbythenarrowparadigmofracialdiscriminationbecametoosmall,shemovedustoanew“humanrights”housebigenoughforallofus.

In 1990, when her son, Martin LutherKingIII,madedisparagingremarksaboutgayandlesbianpeople,Mrs.KinghostedaBlackgayandlesbiansummitattheKingcenter.ShewasalsooneofthefirstBlackleaderstospeakoutaboutHIV/AIDSandtheneedforBlackpeopletopayattention.

“AIDS is a human crisis, no matterwhereyoulive,”shesaidwhileaddressinga gathering of the Southern ChristianLeadership Conference. “Anyone whosincerely cares about the future of BlackAmericahadbetterbespeakingoutaboutAIDS, calling for preventive measuresand increased funding for research andtreatment.”

Speaking out is something Mrs. Kingdid often. She traveled throughout theUnitedStatesandworldasanadvocateofracial andeconomic justice,women’sandchildren’s rights, gay and lesbian dignity,religious freedom, the needs of the poorandhomeless,full-employment,healthcare,

educational opportunities, nucleardisarmament and ecological sanity. Shewas never afraid to address topics otherstip-toedaround, suchashomophobiaandAIDS.

Ihadthepleasureofsharingthedaiswithher a few times. At the 20th anniversaryof the Southern Christian LeadershipConference,foundedbyherlatehusband,she said: “I have a special responsibilityas a human rights activist to speak outagainsthomophobia,whichIamconvincedcontributesmightilytothespreadofAIDS.Homophobia encourages discrimination,which undermines the effort to improveresearch, prevention, and treatment. Itprevents people from getting properlyinformed and treated. Homophobia alsocontributestothefailureofelectedofficialstoadequatelyfundneededAIDSprograms.”Shehelpedusunderstand thatAIDSwasall of our problem by publicly disclosingthatevenamemberofherfamilywaslivingwithHIV.

Martin and Coretta are both gonenow. It’s been nearly �8 years since Dr.KingspokeofthatPromisedLandhesawfrom the mountain top on the eve of hisassassination. This year marks the 2�thanniversaryofthefirstdiagnosedcasesofwhatwehavecometoknowasAIDS.

Black people still face a world in needofchange.Wehavealwaysbornthebruntof theAIDSepidemic inAmerica. Oftheestimated1.�millionAmericanslivingwithAIDStoday,nearlyhalfareBlack.Fifty-sixof the new HIV infections among youngpeople in the U.S. are Black, and amongwomenwithAIDS,Blackwomenrepresentnearly70percentofthenewcases.

February7thwasNationalBlackHIV/AIDS awareness day. AIDS is not just ahealthissue.It isahumanrightsissue.Itisanurbanrenewalissue.Itisaneconomicjustice issue. As we grieve the loss of agreatherointhestruggle,wemustcommittonot just “keeping thedreamalive,”butto fulfill the vision by continuing to pushtoward the mountain top while alwaysreachingbacktoanyonewhomightbeleftbehind regardless of race, gender, sexualorientationorHIVstatus.

PhillWilsonisCEOandfounderoftheBlack AIDS Institute in Los Angeles. Hehasparticipatedinnumerousinternationalconferences on AIDS and was selectedbytheFordFoundationin2001asoneof“Twenty Leaders for a Changing World.”WilsonhasbeenlivingwithHIVformorethan2�yearsandwithAIDS for1�years.HecanbereachedatPhillw@BlackAIDS.org.

Coretta Scott King was Sensitive to Gays and Lesbians

New Orleans(A Chocolate City with Vanilla on Top and A Few Nuts)

By: Edwin Buggage

OPINION

PhillWilsonNNPAColumnist

Page1� January28,2006 NewOrleansDataNewsWeekly www.ladatanews.com

New Orleans (AP) - GovKathleenBlancoopenedaspeciallegislativesessionwithawarningtolawmakersthatWashingtonandthenationconsiderthehurricane-ravaged region “yesterday’sproblem.”

In a departure from tradition,Blanco delivered her speechMonday at the New Orleansconvention center – the sameplace where many of HurricaneKatrina’s victims waited so longforhelptoarrive.

Blanco said she would pressCongress for further help, butwasworriedbyPresidentBush’sscant reference to Katrina inhis State of the Union Speech,andsaidpublicopinionpolls areshowing the nation has largelyforgottenthestorms.

“The harsh reality is that formany people in Washington,Katrina is yesterday’s problemand Rita never happened,”Blanco told a joint session ofthe Legislature held at the NewOrleans convention center,

ratherthanthetraditionalHousechamberinBatonRouge.

The governor outlined howshewantstousethe$6.2billioninfederalhurricanerecoveryblockgrants and $1.� billion in federalaid to minimize future damagefrom flooding. Most of the aid,about $�.6 billion would go tohousingassistance.

ThespecialwhichmustendbyFeb. 17, was the second BlancohascalledtocopewiththedamageofKatrinaandRita,whichstruckLouisiana.

Republican Rep. Jim Tucker,chairman of the House GOPcaucus, said he was relieved tohear Blanco spell out her planfor spending the federal money.“Atleastshegaveusabasicplanforhowthemoneyisgoingtobespent,”Tuckersaid.

Despite a push for unity, thesessionstartedwithdiscordoverthe location of the governor’sspeech–thefirsttimein12�yearsthattheLegislaturehasconvenedoutside of Baton Rouge – and a

bus tourofhurricanedevastatedareas.

The speech and bus tourreceived harsh criticism fromsome lawmakers, who said thegovernor was wasting time ina short session and was usingsitesofdevastationandsufferingas a publicity stunt to repair herimage.

Whilefewerthanhalfofthe1��memberLegislaturetookthetour,mostlawmakersshowedupforthspeech.Only20Housemembersand 12 senators skipped thespeech, according to legislativeestimates. One House seat iscurrentlyvacant.

The governor touted herlegislative proposals as longoverdue reforms: to consolidatelevee boards to strengthenhurricaneprotectionandtomergeNewOrleans’citygovernment.

“Over the next 11 days, I amaskingyoutooverhaulproblemsthat have begged for reform forgenerations,”shesaid.

availabletoberunbyprovidersforthe2006-07schoolyear.Theotherschoolshavesubstantialdamageandwillnotbereadyintime.

“We are looking for the best of the best,” said StateSuperintendent of Education Cecil J. Picard. “We arelookingforprovidersthatcanshowresults,acommitmenttohighstandardsandadedicationtothechildrenattendingRecovery School District schools. This will be a veryrigorousprocess,”Picardemphasized.

“Weonlygetonechancetoruntheseschools,”saidStateBoardofElementaryandSecondaryEducationPresidentLinda Johnson. “It is imperative thatwe set thebarhighfor these providers because they will have a tremendousjobaheadof themandwewillnotsettle foranythingbutimprovedresults.”

Prospectiveprovidersareencouraged,butnotrequired,tosubmitanIntenttoApplyformnolaterthan�:�0p.m.onFriday,March�,2006.TheIntenttoApplyformwillallowstafftokeepprospectiveprovidersinformedaboutRecoverySchool District activities. Technical assistance will beofferedtopotentialproviderstheweekofFebruary6,2006inNewOrleans.Confirmeddates,timesandlocationswillbepostedonthedepartment’swebsiteassoonaspossible.The deadline for submitting an application is Monday,March20,2006.Approvalofprovidersistentatively

Applications,formsandgeneralinformationconcerningthe Recovery School District can be found on thedepartment’s website, www.louisianaschools.net, byclicking on the Recovery School District logo located onthe left-handsideof thehomepage.Providers interestedinsubmittinganapplicationshouldperiodicallycheckthewebsiteforupdatedinformationandtimelines.

Louisiana law prohibits the Recovery School Districtfromcontractingwithfor-profitprivateproviders,butitdoesactivelyseekparticipationfromcollegesoruniversities.

Department officials stress that enrollment willdetermine exactly how many schools are opened by theRecovery School District for the 2006-07 school year. Acomprehensiveplan for theRecoverySchoolDistrictwillbepresented to theBoardofElementaryandSecondaryEducation inJuneof2006.Thisplanwilldetail theshort-andlong-termplansforschoolsthatfallintotheRecoverySchoolDistrictinOrleansParish.

“We will be talking to the people of New Orleansconcerningwhattheywanttheirschoolsystemtolooklike,”Picard said. “Theseareultimately their schools,but IdothinkthisisagreatopportunitytorebuildschoolsinNewOrleansasthecenterpiecesofneighborhoods---nearparks,near libraries, near universities and near health clinics.We’renotconstrainedtoonlylookingataseriesofcharterschoolsforthiscity,”Picardstressed.“Wearecommittedtolookingformultiplewaystorunschoolssothatacademicsandperformancearethemissionandthefocus,butfindingqualityprovidersisthefirststepwe’retaking.”

Formoreinformation,visittheLouisianaDepartmentofEducation’s website, www.louisianaschools.net or call thedepartment’stoll-freehelplineat1-877-���-2721.

Schools, continued from Page 5.

The creator of Black HistoryMonth made history himself thisyear - albeit posthumously. Inceremonies held at Washington,D.C.’s Shiloh Baptist Church,on January 28, Woodson’s homebecameapartoftheNationalParkServices’ treasury of registeredhistoric sites. No small feat and,indeed, as it took some heavyfinancialandpoliticalliftingforthisgreatdaytooccur.

TheShawneighborhoodwhereDr.Woodsonlivedandworkedfor��yearshadfaceddecadesofneglectand decline after a heyday wherenotables such as Duke EllingtonandChitaRiveraoncecalledhome.Officesfor theAssociationfor theStudy of African American LifeandHistory,foundedbyWoodson,were located at 1��8 - 9th Street,NW, Washington, D.C. on thefirsttwofloorswhileDr.Woodsonmaintained living quarters on thethirdfloor.

Dr.Woodson,thesonofslaves,worked in thecoalminesofWestVirginia before being allowedto attend high school, which hefinishedintwoyears.Heobtaineda Ph.D. from Harvard in 1912,thesecondBlacktodoso;W.E.B.DuBoiswasthefirstin189�.

As the yearspassed, the brickhouse, built in the1890s, fell intodisrepair. So didthe surroundingn e i g h b o r h o o d ;they began callingthe local middleschool “ShamefulShaw.”InaJune2�,2001 article in theWashington Post, it was reportedthat Edward Smith, historyprofessor at American University,made sure that the decrepitpremises remained on his BlackHistory tours in the city. He wasquoted as saying, “They’ve seentheFrederickDouglasshouseandtheBethuneHouse,andthenIsaythenextdestinationistheWoodsonhouse,andtheyexpectWoodsontobeinthesameexcellentcondition.Theyarealwaysshocked.”

The historic significance ofthesitewasnotlostonagroupofpresentandformerShawresidents.Coalescing under the name“Friends of Carter G. Woodson,”thegroupbegantoholdnumerousfundraisers in 1987 to keep thefinancial wolves at bay. Squatters,wholitmatchesforindoorgrilling,

weremovedtosafequarters.Oncethe premises were protectivelysealed and the deed firmly in thehandsofitsowners,theAssociationfor theStudyofAfricanAmericanLifeandHistory(ASALH),effortsturnedtosecuringafutureofwhichDr.Woodsonwouldbeproud.By2001, the home would enter intothe National Trust for HistoricPreservation as endangeredhistoricproperties.

the work of Dr. Woodson. Itpublishes the Journal of AfricanAmerican History, the BlackHistoryBulletin,theBlackHistoryMonth Learning Package aswell as seminars and its annualconferences. Donations can be made to the Carter G. Woodson Housing Fund, 535 Bryant Street, N.W. Suite C 142, Washington, DC, 20059, telephone 202-863-0053. The Web site is: www.asalh.org.

NEWSState & Local News cont’d.

Natl’News cont’d.

National Park Service Attains Carter G. Woodson’s Home

Governor’s 2nd Special Session Opens with Speech in New Orleans

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Death of a NeighborhoodKATRINA SERIES - PART 1

NEWORLEANS(NNPA)—Theairwasthickwithanoppressivesilenceandthesmellofrot.Thestreetsthatonceteemedwiththeplayandlaughterofchildren,theindustryofmothersandfatherswereemptynow,reducedtomeredirttracks.Onthesidewalks,aloneboot,amud-encrustedcar,anoverturnedbasketballring,aredtricyclelaylikeominousandmockingremindersofalifenowlost.Battered,sometimesmangledhousesstoodabandoned, forlorn in thegatheringgloomlikeloomingsentinelsofaghosttown.

1229DeslondeSt.wasPamelaEverage’shome,yetonfirstsight,shecouldbarelyrecognizeit.

‘’This is my firsttime back. It’s justawful,’’ she said. ‘’Justdriving through thecity, it looks like aThirdWorldcountry.’’

Withahandonherhip,Everagesurveyedher neighborhoodfromtheremainsofherfrontlawn.Dressedinwhite T-shirt, bluejeans,awhitebandanaandapairofsneakersencrusted in black,pungentmud,Everagewas the lonesmidgenof life on an otherwisedeadstreet.

Thenwebegantowalk.Aslightlyrustedsignproclaimed‘’BeautifulBlocks,’’

anespeciallyunseemlysentimentagainstthebackdropof decay. A nearby ‘’Dead End’’ sign seemed muchmoreappropriate.

Everage’s face was a study of defeat and worry,wreathed in frownsanddominatedbyapairof tired-lookingeyes.Shehadnotgottenmuchnewsaboutherextended family.Shehadseenoneneighborandhersonatashelter,whotoldherthatthemorningafterthehurricane,peoplehadalreadybeguntowalktheirdogsandcleantheiryardsbeforethefloodwatersbegantorise.Shewonderedifshewouldeverseethemagain.

‘’That familydownthere,all threeof themwere inwheelchairs.I thinktheygotoutwhenmysonsleft,’’saidEverage,pointingoutthehousesasshespoke.

‘’That guy over there, he works off shore. He wasgone,too.Thosetwopeopleinthathouseoverthere,they’remiddleandhighschoolteachers.

“The lady here, an administrator at CharityHospital—everybodykneweachother.Peoplewenttohighschooltogether,theyknewyourfamily.’’

Havingnootherideaofherneighbors’fates,Everagereadthehieroglyphicmarkingsonthehouses,lefttherebyrescueworkerstodocumentthedatesoftheirvisitsandthefatesoftheinhabitants.A‘’0’’meantnobodieswerefound,andasEveragesurveyedthehouses,shebreathedasighofreliefatallthezerosshesaw.

Then she came to a house where a single womanlived with her five small children. She looked at the

abandoned car mired in the bog of the front yard,thenhesitantlyraisedhereyestothemarkingsonthewall.The‘’6’’confirmedwhatshealreadyknewinherheart.

‘’Theydidn’tmakeit,’’shewhisperedwithashakeofherhead.‘’Itaughthersonhowtoridehisbike.’’

Everagealsoworriedaboutherrelativesandfriends,wholivedontheothersideofNorthClaiborneAvenuebetweenFloridaandCaffinAvenues,aplacewhere,atthe time, soldiers were barring people from enteringand where, it was rumored, bodies were still beingfound.

‘’IknowpeopleontheothersideandtheyarepeopleIgrewupwithandthey’renotlettingyouoverthere,’’Everagesaid.‘’Iknowalotoftheoldpeopledidn’tleave.AndI’mafraidthatalotofpeople—myrelativesandotherpeople-didn’tmakeit.’’

Everage,�9,wasworkingonacruiseshipinHawaiiwhenHurricanesKatrinaandRitahitNewOrleansandlikemanyotherssheobservedthedevastationofherhomeontelevision.

‘’Everything was crushed and saturated weeksagoand then thesecondstormhit and I’mwatching[television]andsaying,‘That’smyneighborhood,’’’shesaid.AndthentheysaidthelowerNinthWardgothittheworst.And I’m thinking, ‘The levee thatbroke isrightwhereIlive.’’’

Everage lived in a largely African-Americancommunity best known for producing cultural iconslike Antonine “Fats” Domino Jr., the legendary rock-and-rollstarandKalamuyaSalaam,adramatist,fictionwriterandprolificpoet.

Like a small city within a city, the Lower NinthWard is bounded by the Southern Railway railroadandFloridaAvenueCanaltothenorth,theSt.BernardParishlinetotheeast,St.ClaudeAvenuetothesouthandtheIndustrialCanaltothewest,whicheffectivelyisolatestheenclavefromtherestofNewOrleans.

Wrested from the wilds of a cypress swamp bypoorAfrican-Americansand immigrant laborers fromIreland,ItalyandGermany, theWardwasamongthelastofthecity’sneighborhoodstobedeveloped.And

whileinrecenttimes,quaintearly20thCenturyhomeswere mingled with shrines of modern life such asbarber and beauty shops, small businesses, gasolinestations, eateries, ‘washetarias,’ a surfeit of churchesandtheubiquitouscornerstore,morethan�6percentofitsresidentsliveunderthepovertyline.

Manyattributetheward’ssloweconomicgrowthtothefloodthatranlongtimecommercialandindustrialbusinesses and residents out of the neighborhoodwhenHurricaneBetsydevastatedthecityin196�.

Now, again, many wonder about the future of theneighborhood that bore the worst of Hurricanes

Hurricane and Rita withmostofits�,601housingunits destroyed and itsnearly 1�,000 residentsscattered, homeless ordead.

Everage felt reliefthatatleastherchildrenwerenotcountedamongthelatter.

‘’Ispoketomysontwodays before the stormand I told him, I got afeeling this storm willreally hit so go aheadand take a backpack,go ahead and get out,’’Everagerecalled.

For days, her sontraveledfromtowntotowntryingtoevadethereachofthestormuntilhewasfinallyabletoboardaGreyhoundbus toVirginia,wherehissisterattendedcollege.Asshetookintheutterruinoftheneighborhood,Everagewasgladshehaddecidednottobringhimback.

In her home the situation was equally grim. Foot-high black sludge; waterlogged, capsized furnitureandtheputridscentofmouldhamperedhereffortstosalvagemementosofherfamily’slife.Andintheend,therewasnotalottosave.

‘’I had a lot of nice paintings on the wall, all mypaintingsaregone,’’ aswellasacomputerandotherhard-earneditems,shesaid.

Herchildren’sdiplomas,someoftheirtrophies,hergrandfather’sgramophoneandherdaughter’s rustedtrumpetwereallthatwasleftofyearsofliving.

‘’Idon’tthinkIknowwhattofeel,’’Everagesaid.‘’Ihaven’tprocessedyet.’’

ButasEveragecontinuedtothinkaboutherlossandthelossofherneighbors,manyofwhomdidnothaverenters’insurance,sheknewshecouldnotcomebackandshebecameangry.

‘’We can’t come back. The problem’s been theleveefor2�yearssince196�.Samestuffhappened:alotofpeoplelosttheirhousesandtheir lives.It’s likedéjà vu,’’ Everage said, then added, ‘’There’s got tobe charges against somebody—federal government,state—somebodyhasgottobeheldaccountable.’’

Caption 1: Pamela Everage begins the process of recovering valuable belongings inside her home which soaked under water for weeks.

Caption 2 : Pamela Everage is dismayed, but hopeful as she returns to her Katrina-battered home in New Orleans.

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Thisisthefirstofan8-partseriesofstoriesabouttheGulfCoastandtheroadtorecoveryafterHurricaneKatrina.

By. Zenitha Prince NNPA Special Correspondent

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