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Monday, September 12, 2005

Democracy for New Orleans Evacuees

There is a lot of anger in the African American community in response to what happened in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and there is a need for concrete actions in order to direct this anger constructively.

African Americans for Democracy is developing steps to re-establish democratic mechanisms to empower New Orleans evacuees, particularly those in the poorest and predominantly black parts of the city which also bore a catastrophic level of destruction.

There are three steps, in order of priority and complexity:

1. Putting a more personal face on the evacuees (online posts, audio, video)

2. Helping the evacuees develop local "meetups" where they are now displaced

3. Reconnecting the evacuees with the local elected officials who represented them in New Orleans

This last step is the most ambitious, but offers a tangible vision that speaks to our ideals as Americans. It is providing a mechanism for "virtual democracy" for the people of New Orleans, given that events have scattered them throughout the country and effectively shut off their political voices.

The handling of Katrina's aftermath has reveal some plain truths about racism and classism. These truths provoke many of us to anger. Through this project, we can turn our anger and the tragedy of this hurricane into something lasting and positive for affected Gulf Coast residents

Please circulate, post comments, and/or suggest ways that you will contribute. Feedback and help are already coming in from many sources.

Emancipated by Quintus Jett @ 2:10 PM

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as a resident of Fort Worth, TX...allow me to assist with meetings/fellowships in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

email me if i can be any assistance

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous @ Tuesday, September 13, 2005 10:04:00 AM #
 
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