L1 - Day 5

Day 5 – Our final workday was actually half a day. Inside, we did another once over looking for any overlooked nails in the sub-floor and yet another sweeping out. Outside, the rest of the “landscape” was tamed into submission. Our resident artist, Paul Merrell, was put to work turning a piece of plywood into a plaque for our family. We used a verse from Song of Solomon: “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.”

After a final group photo op and a final lunch at Burger King, we headed off to see some of the other affected areas of New Orleans. We made our way to the Ninth Ward – a low income, predominantly African-American neighborhood. It lies just east of the Industrial Canal-which was where one of the levee breaches occurred.

Even after a week of work in an area where 8 feet of water sat for 3 weeks, none of us were prepared as we turned off St. Claude. Complete devastation everywhere you looked. Homes moved off their slabs. Front steps leading to nowhere. A garage upside down on top of a car. Cleared lots with house numbers painted on the street as a sad reminder of what had been someone’s home. Underfoot, a slushy, gooey, slippery mud. You had to wonder if there is any option other than completely bulldozing the entire area. But then, what of all those for whom this was home? And from where would the will, let alone the finances to rebuild come?

Just about the time that we were feeling utterly and completely overwhelmed, we happened upon the Common Ground Distribution Center – a grassroots, community organization committed to the people of the Ninth Ward. A hand painted sign captured Common Ground’s heart: “Solidarity, Not Charity.” They help people navigate the maze of applications and red tape. They distribute tools and other equipment. Another hand painted sign said that they accepted donations. Someone from the group mentioned the tools and supplies that we had purchased during the week. In a flash, the van doors were opened and rakes and brooms, pruning tools, a first aid kit, lanterns and respirator masks were carried into the collection area. Someone else asked if they took boots as he began to untie the ones he was wearing. Several more pairs joined his in a line on the floor. (They’ll just have to buy new ones when they come back down). Eleven pairs of work gloves came next. It felt good to in some small way stand in solidarity with those folk. It transformed our visit to the Ninth Ward.

After a circuitous journey to find a store to buy flip-flops for some of our boot donors, we visited the Museum of Art to see an exhibit of photographs entitled, “Katrina Exposed.” The exhibit walls were covered almost from floor to ceiling with an amazing array of photographic images related to peoples’ experience of the hurricane. It was a powerful visual experience as we were taken back one year in time. A serendipitous way to bring our week to a conclusion.