From: Norma Jean <nsawicki>
Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 20:01:14 -0500

Unlike Marilyn Palowitch, I would be embarrassed to turn up in a shelter with a book, expecting a story to give comfort to people who are in dire need of water, food, medical supplies, medical attention, a bath, clean clothes, dead bodies in view, and others in the process of dying. Or, to offer pen and pencils so they can tell their courageous stories. I do not know the demographics of the people whose lives were deeply affected and/ or destroyed by the mud slide in Venezuela but deep in my bones I believe if Katrina had hit a middle/upper middle class area, rescue efforts would have been faster and better. If I were in New Orleans, etc., and someone turned up with a book to read to me I would..............Like some novels for kids, people of a different class can be romantic about folk who live below/near the poverty line and are caught in horrific circumstances...a desperation and suffering that is translated to "courage " which then becomes easier to witness, and romanticize. Me? I think anyone interested in reading to kids in shelters should head right down to Louisiana with an armful of terrific books and be prepared for a major learning curve. Sorry to be" political" but so many missteps, and stupidity has occurred that absolutely nothing is more important than being clear headed about priorities which the mayor of New Orleans has articulated in a powerful and poignant way. Necessities now, story hour later. Norma Jean
Received on Fri 02 Sep 2005 08:01:14 PM CDT