Do Black People rely too heavily upon the government?

[ZorCrow]

Do We as People rely to heavily upon the government?

I was listening to Mildred Gaddis and she was talking about how The Government, in Lousianna and New Orleans should have evacuated all the citizens who were too poor or didn't have transportation to leave. I do agree (hindsight is 20/20) that they should have not turned the Superdome and the Convention Center into "sardine cans of death and chaos." However, being a southener and being through hurricanes before, you think it's going to be no different just "either some minor wind and storm damage, or major wind and storm damage" I believe the massive flooding caught everyone, everyone off guard.

That's no excuse however for the failures of the Mayor and the Governor in this situation, and also for the piss poor response by the Mayor and the Governor.

Someone made the comment on MsnBC last night that, "Today was the first of the month, which is a payday for a lot of these folks."

It got me to thinking do we as black people, put too much trust in a government(s) that have shown their inability to act in crisis situations? Should those of us who fled, took someone with us who had no way of leaving? Should the people (no matter what race) who had it easy took with them the people who had it hard as human beings are supposed to do?

Just thoughts . . . .

[Jill Monroe]

Do We as Black People rely to heavily upon the government?

I was listening to Mildred Gaddis and she was talking about how The Government, in Lousianna and New Orleans should have evacuated all the citizens who were too poor or didn't have transportation to leave. I do agree (hindsight is 20/20) that they should have not turned the Superdome and the Convention Center into "sardine cans of death and chaos." However, being a southener and being through hurricanes before, you think it's going to be no different just "either some minor wind and storm damage, or major wind and storm damage" I believe the massive flooding caught everyone, everyone off guard.

That's no excuse however for the failures of the Mayor and the Governor in this situation, and also for the piss poor response by the Mayor and the Governor.

Someone made the comment on MsnBC last night that, "Today was the first of the month, which is a payday for a lot of these folks."

It got me to thinking do we as black people, put too much trust in a government(s) that have shown their inability to act in crisis situations? Should those of us who fled, took someone with us who had no way of leaving? Should the people (no matter what race) who had it easy took with them the people who had it hard as human beings are supposed to do?

Just thoughts . . . .

Titania and I had this very discussion (the part i bolded) on MSN last night...and so, im wondering why you choose to link that to a feeling of "black people relying upon the government"? in FLORIDA military enforced evacuations have taken place..to make SURE everyone was gotten out. What happened in New Orleans was half assed and disgracefull and in my mind...it has nothing to do with a mentality of "depending on the government"....they have an OBLIGATION to help/protect the citizens of this nation in the face of things like this.

and again....it wasnt JUST blacks who were living on social security and government aid down there (or anywhere else) and were unable to flee because they simply didnt have the means. (there were some who CHOSE not to go but im not talking about those folks)
but thats ALL ill say on this...as I'm not black..and there may be something im missing from the equation.

[DonDaddyD]

I think it is because his perseption would be from a 'black point of view' as it appiles their actions apply to him specifically. I know in my Mothers case that although she knows and totally understands that world events affect everyone, my Mum would immediately think about how black people reacted in such a situation. As it's what immediately applies to her... Though I often clash with my Mother because of this outlook (I view it as narrow).

I think that yes people should have helped those less fortunate and without a means to evacuate New Orleans. But people in general rely heavily on the government to protect them. So and I can only speculate that when people began to think that they should evacuate they were probably waiting for those incharge to tell them to do so. As they (the Government have sworn to protect its people from all threats).

I don't understand why people would refuse to leave such a deverstated area...

Although.. I think about helping others but I have a really big family in London... in fact the majority of my immediate family live within the south part of London. If we had to evacuate London (touch wood that never happens) I think my family would help it's members before helping the extended circle. So unless there was space in a car and there really shouldn't be I couldn't see any of us helping anyone outside the family simply because we wouldn't be able to.

[ZorCrow]

White people can respond as well, I will change the title . .Seriously though good thoughts.

[DonDaddyD]

Looking back on this again and seeing how unfortunate (financially) some of those people in New Orleans are what did you expect them to do Zorcrow?

I mean I see nothing wrong in relying on a government who has sworn to protect and support its people, esspecially in situations like this. But generally I would say yes Black people do rely too heavily on a government that has failed them on numerous occasions. Though in the current situation in New Orleans those people could do little but rely on a Government ever so ready to let them down once again.

Yet Looking at the News reports and listening to what the BBC are saying it does seem that mainly Black people have suffered the worse in this event. But this is what I have seen and heard from British news reports I don't know how accurate this is. Nor do I know how acurate the links people (Journalist) are making to the fact that it is mainly Black people suffering and the American Governments subsequent lack of providing aid.

What I really want to know is where are all the gestures of support. I remember 9/11, when stars rolled out, donated money and there was even a show on Sky one where all the top musical stars performed songs in honor of those that died. People were making instaneous steps to help New York City in whatever way they could. All I really see with the New Orleans situation is people pointing fingers and passing the blame. Why?

[Osiris]

I believe black people do rely too heavily upon the government. Personally, first and foremost I feel that black people are like an abused woman who wont leave her husband. We live in a system that is set up against the poor who are mainly black and or minority. Instead of doing for self and helping one another, we continually look to a system that is against us, and always have been. To me this is one of the direct effects of slavery that still have an effect on black consciousness and thought to this very day. The Master/slave relationship is still quite evident. I pissed alot of people off that I know, because they were busy complaining about the government and Bush and how blacks are being treated, and instead of chiming in, I simply asked them why are they surprised? I wasnt remotely bothered, I was almost cold in my statements to some, because IMHO, if we woke the hell up, things like this wouldnt bother us as much. Its like when we hear about a woman who is abused and she says she still wants to be with him, and the masses are shocked and wonder why would you want to stay with someone who doesnt have your best interest at hand?

Maybe its just me...

[ZorCrow]

The day is getting wilder, I totally Agree with Osiris . . . frame this post.

[Foxfire]

It got me to thinking do we as black people, put too much trust in a government(s) that have shown their inability to act in crisis situations? Should those of us who fled, took someone with us who had no way of leaving? Should the people (no matter what race) who had it easy took with them the people who had it hard as human beings are supposed to do?

Just thoughts . . . .

I don't believe its just black people who put too much trust in the government, its everyone. Basically the government and the president make all the decisions, so we as Americans look to them for support. Clearly though, the events in the South proved that no matter what state your in, when a natural disaster strikes no one is prepared.

Even if the poor were evacuated in time, there would still be more death based on how large the state was (maybe not the largest) but it was filled with a large population. The preparation was late minute and I don't believe the Mayor was at fault. He did his best trying to brace his city for this hurricane. At least they did have a superdome, something....so in my opinion he did try and you can tell he does sincerely care.

Whenever something like this happens, we're all so quick to play the blame game. Its not necessarily anyone's fault. The hurricane hit hard and fast, it would be highly difficult to get everyone out in those few hours. And some chose to stay home.

I myself am not black, but I was interested in your post Zor. This was a good thread.

I'm sure people could have probably done more but it was impossible with time limits, filling with gas, and shopping for food. Everyone was worried about their own survival, its human nature. You all did the best you could.

[DonDaddyD]

I believe black people do rely too heavily upon the government. Personally, first and foremost I feel that black people are like an abused woman who wont leave her husband. We live in a system that is set up against the poor who are mainly black and or minority. Instead of doing for self and helping one another, we continually look to a system that is against us, and always have been. To me this is one of the direct effects of slavery that still have an effect on black consciousness and thought to this very day. The Master/slave relationship is still quite evident. I pissed alot of people off that I know, because they were busy complaining about the government and Bush and how blacks are being treated, and instead of chiming in, I simply asked them why are they surprised? I wasnt remotely bothered, I was almost cold in my statements to some, because IMHO, if we woke the hell up, things like this wouldnt bother us as much. Its like when we hear about a woman who is abused and she says she still wants to be with him, and the masses are shocked and wonder why would you want to stay with someone who doesnt have your best interest at hand?

Maybe its just me...

I do and I don't agree with this. If we are talking about social issues, equal rights then yes Black people shouldn't rely on the American Government for anything as the test of time has proven.

However we are talking about surviving a hurricane and recieveing and providing relief aid. Something like that and with the devastation so wide spread I think there is little that a collective group of Black people could do to help each other survive this. It's going to take the wealth of a country to help New Orleans I feel that Black people have little choice but to rely on the Government for this.

And they have a right to get annoyed one news report said rats were eating bodies in the street. No Human being deserves that and any Government willing to treat it's people that way knowing that it has the means to offer better is at fault.

I have to ask what do you expect those people to do given the situation?