HEADLINES

As I walked by the newsstand in downtown New Orleans, I was drawn to a dark photograph on the cover of the March 6, 2007 issue of the "Gambit Weekly". The photograph that grabbed my attention was one of an older white male with his head in his hands looking down to the ground in despair. I read the bold blue print below the photo and became increasingly frustrated as I followed along.

The headlines read...

“DISPLACEMENT ISSUES”

“DIFFICULT TO MANAGE”

“FEWER PSYCHIATRIC BEDS”

“TOO FEW PHYCHOLOGIST”

“MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN CRISIS”

“DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEPRESSION REQUIRES CARE AND NOT PRISON”

“COUNSELING”

“LACK OF EMERGENCY ROOMS”

“CRAMPED FEMA TRAILERS”

“NOWHERE TO TURN CHARITY HOSPITAL “

"After Katrina, New Orleans has more stressed out people, fewer psychiatrists and almost no hospital beds for the mentally ill... no substantial relief is in sight"

Reading these headlines alone was overwhelming.

I came across this dusty, crumpled up March 6, 2007 issue of the “Gambit Weekly” again today, and was reminded of the horrible struggle that the desperate New Orleans citizens are facing and will continue to face for several years to come. I began to wonder if being home for a couple of weeks and getting ready for graduation had overshadowed my memories of the people of New Orleans.

Is this what’s going on everywhere else in the Country?

Maybe many Americans have chosen to forget about Katrina victims in New Orleans because the guilt of not contributing has been unbearable for them and its just easier to forget about it all together.

I had totally forgotten about this crumpled up issue of the “Gambit Weekly” in the corner of my room and the confusing emotions I felt when I first read the troubling headlines?

How easy it is to forget...until it happens to you...