2008 Woodie Awards
Katrina brings out the best and worst of America
Donald Woodard
Issue date: 10/9/05 Section: Opinions
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I love America. In my personal opinion,
(which I don't know means too much
seeing as though the closest I have ever
come to traveling to another country is the
hillsides of rural Yazoo, Miss.), I believe
the United States of America is the greatest
country on earth. This truly is the land of
opportunity. Where else can millions upon
millions of foreigners come to this country
with not much more than a few dollars in
their pockets and the clothes on their backs
(or if you are African American... you
know the story) and literally create a life
much better than anything that they could
imagine.
Last issue of the Flyer, I wrote my biweekly
column "What the hell is going
on?" about the most recent tragedy to rock
the United States, Hurricane Katrina.
Left out was any kind of political
statement on the recent event. I felt as if
then was not the time to point any fi ngers or
blame anyone for what happened because
ultimately it was God's will that made it
happened. I felt then and I still feel now
that the only thing that should really be
focused on involving the disaster was the
incredible destruction that laid waste to the
gulf. I hoped that maybe once again, like
during the tragedy of 9-11, we as a country
would take a step back and just re-evaluate
our lives, appreciate what we have, and
rally around those in need at the time.
I must say, just like during 9-11, I truly
felt proud to be an American after seeing
the mass support given to the victims of
Hurricane Katrina. From celebrities to the
average Joe, Americans united once again
for the common cause of helping out fellow
Americans. We, yet again, saw the best that
America had to offer.
My personal pride in America was dealt
a hard blow about a week ago.
I was sitting at home (like most nights)
looking at TV when I heard a report come
across a local news station. It seems as
(which I don't know means too much
seeing as though the closest I have ever
come to traveling to another country is the
hillsides of rural Yazoo, Miss.), I believe
the United States of America is the greatest
country on earth. This truly is the land of
opportunity. Where else can millions upon
millions of foreigners come to this country
with not much more than a few dollars in
their pockets and the clothes on their backs
(or if you are African American... you
know the story) and literally create a life
much better than anything that they could
imagine.
Last issue of the Flyer, I wrote my biweekly
column "What the hell is going
on?" about the most recent tragedy to rock
the United States, Hurricane Katrina.
Left out was any kind of political
statement on the recent event. I felt as if
then was not the time to point any fi ngers or
blame anyone for what happened because
ultimately it was God's will that made it
happened. I felt then and I still feel now
that the only thing that should really be
focused on involving the disaster was the
incredible destruction that laid waste to the
gulf. I hoped that maybe once again, like
during the tragedy of 9-11, we as a country
would take a step back and just re-evaluate
our lives, appreciate what we have, and
rally around those in need at the time.
I must say, just like during 9-11, I truly
felt proud to be an American after seeing
the mass support given to the victims of
Hurricane Katrina. From celebrities to the
average Joe, Americans united once again
for the common cause of helping out fellow
Americans. We, yet again, saw the best that
America had to offer.
My personal pride in America was dealt
a hard blow about a week ago.
I was sitting at home (like most nights)
looking at TV when I heard a report come
across a local news station. It seems as
