By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com
Devastation brought on by hurricanes, typically leading to intensive flooding, an enormous destruction of property and the lack of life, is nothing new for individuals who reside alongside the Gulf Coast.
For many who reside in New Orleans’ Decrease Ninth Ward, an traditionally Black part of town, two devastating hurricanes, Betsy (Class 3, Sept. 9, 1965) and Katrina (Class 3, August 29, 2005), pressured a disproportionate variety of Blacks to desert their properties with nowhere to go and little hope of returning.
Actually, two ministers, each of whom have lived and labored within the Decrease Ninth Ward for many years, mentioned after Hurricane Katrina, the wants of Blacks typically fell on deaf ears – a state of affairs which has seen little change even 20 years later. Leaving them to marvel who benefited from the billions of federal funds which New Orleans and different Gulf Coast states obtained for restoration and rebuilding initiatives, and why was the Decrease Ninth Ward omitted?
The Rev. Willie Calhoun Jr., pastor of Fairview Mission Baptist Church, was born within the Decrease Ninth Ward. Now reaching 70 years previous, he serves as chief of the Decrease ninth Ward Neighborhood Wellness Consortium, which he based in 2012.
Calhoun mentioned he’s not joyful in regards to the progress made since Katrina and says individuals don’t discuss in regards to the guarantees made to Black individuals, however by no means stored.
Credit score: Meta (Fb)/ Step Up Louisiana)
“They definitely don’t point out the corps of engineers who have been employed, however did not correctly restore the levees,” he mentioned. “I used to be not too long ago talking with Russel Honoré, who served because the commander of Joint Activity Pressure Katrina, and he famous that we’re experiencing floods in areas the place they have been by no means reported earlier than, so nobody feels secure within the Gulf States.”
“We must always have been prepared for Katrina, however we weren’t. If we needed to evacuate right this moment, many Blacks can be unable to go away, discover satisfactory shelter, a lot much less return,” mentioned Calhoun.
Trying again, there are various snapshots of injustice in his thoughts, however one actually sticks with him.
“Earlier than Katrina reached landfall, the ASPCA took animals from New Orleans to Houston and positioned them in shelters. That was earlier than individuals who lacked the funds have been evacuated. There’s one thing fallacious with that image,” he instructed the AFRO.
When Hurricane Katrina unleashed its fury 20 years in the past on Aug. 29, New Orleans and different Gulf Coast states ultimately obtained roughly $120 billion in federal assist, in accordance with FEMA and the Division of Housing and City Growth. The funds have been earmarked for restoration efforts like rebuilding public infrastructure, offering particular person help to residents and supporting instructional establishments.
Echoing the remarks of Calhoun, the Rev. Charles Duplessis, whose church within the Decrease Ninth Ward was destroyed throughout Hurricane Katrina, mentioned he and plenty of others have been left to their very own assets when phrase got here {that a} devastating hurricane was imminent.
“I made a decision it was time to go away when town’s mayor, Ray Nagin, went on the air and mentioned, ‘for those who’re going to remain, be sure to carry a hammer so you may get out within the attic,” mentioned Duplessis, senior pastor at Mount Nebo Bible Baptist Church.
“We met at my sister-in-law’s home – greater than 30 individuals together with round 18 kids – and shaped a caravan of seven vehicles, headed for Tuskegee, Ala. It was very popular, and the going was gradual. Some gasoline stations alongside the best way mentioned they may solely take bank cards or that they may solely serve common shoppers. How may they inform who their common shoppers have been? And on Freeway 90? Nobody appeared to care about us then, and so they nonetheless don’t – not for those who’re Black.”
Black faculties did not revenue from restoration help
In accordance with the Nationwide Climate Service, “in all, Hurricane Katrina was answerable for 1,833 fatalities and roughly $108 billion in injury (un-adjusted 2005 {dollars}).”
Calhoun mentioned within the aftermath of Katrina, there was an enormous cash seize that was a part of what he considers to be an intentional takeover of public faculties all through the state by non-profit organizations.
In 2025, New Orleans’ public training system, largely managed by non-profit organizations, is exhibiting some constructive traits with 79 % of scholars graduating on time and 65 % persevering with to varsity, in accordance with a Brookings report. Nevertheless, Louisiana is ranked among the many states with the worst college programs.
“The state legislature accepted restoration college districts and satisfied us that constitution college administration applications may do a greater job than the earlier college boards,” he mentioned. “So, we went together with it, particularly since most individuals have been centered on rebuilding their properties and returning to New Orleans.”
“Proper after the storm, we had one highschool and 5 elementary faculties nonetheless standing on this space. However just one college reopened – Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary – the place the principal properly created a highschool positioned on the identical campus. The rationale behind that call was to attempt to retain as many kids from the group as attainable – Black kids. However whereas the state obtained practically 2 billion {dollars} to rebuild faculties, King Elementary acquired nothing and now stands empty. So, we don’t have a highschool in our personal group anymore.”
Religion the scale of a mustard seed
Duplessis mentioned he has needed to battle at occasions to encourage and persuade his parishioners to stay devoted, significantly after dropping their church within the hurricane and, for some, nonetheless trying to safe the funds to rebuild their properties.
“Everybody in my household who lived in New Orleans both had injury to their properties or had properties that have been completely destroyed,” he mentioned. “However the Lord laid on my coronary heart to return, even when we have been the one ones each prepared to return and to encourage others to do the identical. New Orleans is our house and whereas it’s 20 years later, a weary few of us are nonetheless on the battlefield. And we’re not going away quietly.”
Calhoun mentioned religion means by no means giving up regardless of how issues could appear or seem.
“Over the previous 20 years, it appeared like anybody coming to New Orleans was solely right here to rob the realm,” he mentioned. “The Decrease Ninth Ward grew to become the poster little one for Katrina. So, monies poured into the area for rebuilding efforts. A number of that cash left simply as shortly.”
“Among the tasks that have been proposed and have been accepted included issues like creating inexperienced areas and golf programs. Black households have been omitted and left behind. Those that proposed such plans didn’t know our tradition,” mentioned Calhoun. “They didn’t perceive the best way Blacks have lived for generations in New Orleans. They didn’t care about how we lived, performed, labored and celebrated life within the ward.”
Duplessis mentioned he can a minimum of have fun the truth that his church has been rebuilt and is slowly rising in members, though lots of them weren’t in New Orleans throughout Hurricane Katrina.
“We nonetheless haven’t reached 100 members, however we imagine God goes to reply our prayers,” he mentioned. “Now we have had extra guests this 12 months than ever and we not too long ago have been in a position to end our baptismal pool and have our first baptism within the church for the reason that constructing was rebuilt.
“Some households have returned, others haven’t. However we perceive as a result of one should do what’s greatest for his or her household. Earlier than Katrina, we have been a vibrant group with gasoline stations, grocery shops, cleaners, eating places, night time golf equipment – you title it,” mentioned Duplessis. “Now the Decrease Ninth Ward is only a shell of its former self. Only a few large model shops will even take into account shifting right here. However we one way or the other discover a manner. And sure, we’ll survive – even when that takes one other 20 years.”
