-
Seeking Environmental Justice in the Gulf
In President Obama’s address to the nation Tuesday, he pledged to create a “Gulf Coast restoration plan” for families and workers whose lives have been negatively affected by the BP oil spill. “The plan,” said the president, “will be designed by states, local communities, tribes, fishermen, businesses, conservationists and other Gulf residents.” For that to…
-
Black Gulf Fishers Face a Murky Future
“I am not tragically colored. There is no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. I do not weep at the world – I am too busy sharpening my oysterknife.” – Zora Neal Hurston As Rodvid Wilson boards close the sides of his uncle’s boat he hums Erykah Badu’s “Window…
-
Obama's Gulf Choices
Understand that the BP oil spill currently tarring the Gulf of Mexico doesn’t just affect Louisiana but the entire country. A third of domestic seafood in the United States comes from Louisiana waters: oysters, crabs, shrimp, redfish, trout, crawfish and catfish are all caught and farmed there. It’s the largest fishing industry in the lower…
-
The Root Interview: Spike Lee, Part Two
The Root caught up with Spike Lee at his temporary offices in New Orleans, where he is filming his latest documentary, If God Is Willing and The Creek Don’t Rise. Read Part 1 of this interview here. The Root: Black politicians in New York and New Orleans—Gov. David Paterson, Rep. Charlie Rangel, Rep. William Jefferson,…
-
The Root Interview: Spike Lee
If you were around New Orleans for its spectacular February, in which it ceremoniously elected a new mayor, its NFL team won the Super Bowl and a record-dense Mardi Gras, you were sure to spot a certain award-winning filmmaker about town, taking it all in, camera crew in tow. Ever since Spike Lee’s critically acclaimed…
-
BREAKING NEWS: Landrieu Elected Mayor of New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS—Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu appears to have routed five major challengers in today’s mayoral primary, riding extraordinary biracial support to claim a rare first-round victory. With 90 of the city’s 366 precincts counted, Landrieu had 64 percent of the vote, according to WWL-TV. His closest challenger, businessman Troy Henry, had 15 percent, according to the…
-
6 Steps to Save New Orleans
President Obama’s visit to New Orleans Thursday was 47 days late and a few hundred million dollars short. His presence was expected on Aug. 29, 2009, the fourth anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravishing the Gulf Coast with wind and floods. The post-Katrina recovery has had a number of false starts, hiccups and clog-ups.…
-
The Upside of Van Jones' Downfall
Conceding nothing to Glenn Beck, the resignation of Van Jones as White House special adviser on green jobs, enterprise and innovation may actually turn out to be the best and greenest decision of all. Never mind that Beck and other right-wing blowhards such as Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh will continue to go head-hunting for…
-
Waiting for Charity in New Orleans
When Hurricane Katrina forced Charity Hospital to close four years ago, it was a dream come true for many officials in Louisiana’s state government who had long wanted to see it shuttered. Charity was the troubled medical facility that poor and uninsured residents of New Orleans turned to as their last resort for medical care.…
-
Keeping St. Bernard Parish White
St. Bernard Parish, southeast of New Orleans, has the distinction in Louisiana of taking the most direct hit from Hurricane Katrina four years ago this week. In the slow, painful rebuilding that followed, the parish has gone out of its way to keep low-income, working black families from living there. A federal court ruled twice…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
