I too find this soooooo disturbing, that the "NATURAL DISASTER" called Katrina,is now a race issue. I don't recall being asked if I wanted that levee reinforced, or even being told that it needed it. But being white, and in the "Middle Class" I didn't have to live there (or any other slum like neighborhood - I have my own home in the burbs). But the Guilt by association is there. I am guilty because of my Color?
I have been listening (aduio book) to Howard Zinn's The People's History of America, and I don't know how much of his admitted bias account is factual, but I know that if 50% of it is, then it is time for the "OLD GUARD" to revolt.
It appears that 80% of all the wealth in this country is heald by 3% of the population, Not a bad thing in itself, but it is what they have chosen to do with that wealth - aquire more wealth. With the rest of us, the middle class, and lower class, clawing at each other to get our "share" of what is left, we have been turned aginst one other, and have through our ignorance, greed, and complancy, have supported this system, that very few have even heard of, let alone made an attempt to understand.
I don't have a solution, but I beleive it is time for the revolt. I am still reading (listening) to the book, so I don't have the instructions, or know my part in this revolt, but I am convinced that only when the 87% of us, including the "disinfranchised" of us, Blacks, Yellows, Reds, Green (peace), Blues (true), and Whites come to realize that (Color is not the issue, that is what the "Haves" have created for us the have-nots to see) we will not support, or continue in this, system of control, then changes can come about for a more fair distribution of the wealth.
I recommend that if this interests you that you get a copy of the book or like me an audio tape, and see for your self, that this could be something that may stem the tide of conflict that we face in this country.