From: Miguel López <lopezm>
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 08:36:31 -0700

Greetings all, I think it is important we all find ways to share our perceptions about how we can each care and respond to the crisis of Katrina. I appreciate Norma Jean's focus on "politics." For me, I would recast it not as politics but as reality. For the reality is that the folks of Louisiana have been warning about the potential for broken levees and the need for more money to build infrastructure to protect the people of New Orleans and other parts. Yet, those in "politics" responded with cuts in federal monies. Similarly, it is clear to some authorities that the federal response has been slow. Poverty, at least for me, as with Norma Jean, is most certainly part of the equation that we as educators, readers, fellow humans, must consider as part of any response (or preventive action!). Having said this, I would add that we can and should add Marilyn Palowitch's perspective as well. That is, let's have a solid response to the "necessities" of the physical realm AND to the "necessities" of the spiritual
/emotional/psychological realm of those whose lives have been shattered by Katrina. Rather that an either/or, lets consider the role for both responses. So, our response could include diapers, clothes, food and books. It could include helping with relief work around flooding and relief work around reading to and with children and their families. Within this response, Norma Jean's words about book selection are certainly worthy. Its not just that we should send books and show up to read, but we must do so with a careful eye to book selection. But I trust that as educators and readers we would be mindful of that in any situation. So, yes, let's not romanticize the current crisis, but approach it with caution, humility, and a mindfulness to the loves of those affected. Let us make certain that our need to respond to a crisis is shaped by the wishes and desires of those affected.

Thanks, miguel


On Sep 2, 2005, at 6:01 PM, Norma Jean wrote:

> 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
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Miguel L?pez Assistant Professor University of San Francisco 415-422-5498
Received on Sat 03 Sep 2005 10:36:31 AM CDT