Back From the N.O.

I got my chance to see New Orleans post Katrina up close and personal. I was blessed enough to have attended the National Black Law Student Association Academic Retreat over the weekend. I sat in on valuable seminars and participated in a community service project. There was even a little time to kick and have a mini-London reunion, in between all the work.

Memphis BLSA chapter had a strong presence at the retreat.

Some of my classmates from the study abroad program were also in attendance representing Southern University Law. Big ups to Cari for holding it down up in Harrah's. It was kool seeing the gang again.

The community service project required us to rise early Saturday morning to get to our work sites. Our project was to totally gut out a home heavily damaged by floodwater. The owner of the home was an elderly woman. Most of her personal items like clothes had been previously removed. We had to take out things like appliances, damaged furniture, cabinets, knocking out walls........everything. There was a great deal of mold in the house, so we worked in shifts, making sure to come out for a little air before going back in. Our crew consisted of students from Los Angeles and Florida State. Me and manual labor aint too kool, but I enjoyed participating, or having the opportunity to assist.

Driving through the city, I got a chance to see the devastation. I did not make it to the more heavily damaged areas but the things I did see were enough. People there are trying to get their lives back, but clearly it is a struggle. In some areas homes were already repaired, others were in the process of being repaired, so they were living in their trailers. Downtown, was not totally back up, alot of buildings were closed for repairs. For the most part though, the City is up and running. The worst thing I saw on two consecutive nights was a homeless mother with a child about 5-6 years old. I saw them at different bus stops at night sleeping. So even though, the Saints are back in the Superdome playing ball, some people are still without a roof over their heads.