I played an old spiritual song when I auditioned for the jazz program at Loyola New Orleans in 1995. The opening lyrics to that song are “I am weak but though art strong”. The song is a mainstay of traditional New Orleans jazz bands; it is titled ‘Just a Closer Walk with Thee’.
I am reminded of that song and it’s ties to New Orleans tonight as more and more people lash out at the victims of hurricane Katrina and the aftermath. I don’t want to condone the uncivilized behavior of some of the victims. Some people down there are doing horrible things (theft, rape, and more that is not yet in the headlines), but they know not what they do. They are dying of dehydration in a civilized nation. When the saints come marching in they just want to be on the bus.
There are many people in New Orleans who are taking a closer walk with ‘Thee’ these days; a closer walk than we will ever be able to comprehend. It may make it easier for us to watch this travesty unfold if we blame the victims (for being there, for fighting for survival, for being weak), but instead we need to focus on how we can save these people’s lives. There is a lot we can learn from them if they are around to teach us.
Note: this is primarily a reaction to the director of FEMA blaming the victims for being there. FEMA wasn’t exactly there with busses getting people out of harms way.
