(no subject)
I would think that being in New York while New Orleans sank further and further into catastrophe would be a place full of understanding and empathy. In fact, it's been very isolating. I tried going out on Friday night because I needed to give myself a break from the news and gain back a sense of normalcy again. This was a bad idea. After being asked multiple times where I'm from at a downtown party, I found myself alone crying in a corner of a strangers bedroom. I'm so use to seeing people's eyes light up when I tell them with pride "New Orleans" but now I have to endure a moment of awkwardness as the person battles with trying to appear sympathetic but realizes that they're really not. I did not go out looking to discuss Katrina with others, quite the opposite, I wanted to just for a few hours forget about it like everyone else - but you try having someone ask you where you grew up, telling them a place that's not there anymore and realize that your loss has not had one ounce of effect on them. Needless to say I left early, leaving behind a wake of confussion due to my behavior.
What is it about New Orleans? If Los Angelos, Boston, Miami, New York in their entirety been lost - the response would have been immediate and the effects widely felt. I guess Ali's post answers that question. I have a lot of thoughts of where the blame should be placed and my answer is: EVERYONE. From the Mayor Nagen of New Orleans to GW Bush. We have a bunch of fuckheads running the country. Democrats and Republicans alike. Fuckheads.
Helping others is the best therapy... and so is making others help others. I donated funds to the Red Cross but I still felt restless. So in a fit of obsession, I emailed a local club promoter instructing him that he should make arrangements for one of the clubs he promotes for to donate some of it's proceeds to charity. Well, sometimes being audacious and bossy pays off. On friday night, Gypsy Tea will be donating 50% of what it earns at the door to the Red Cross. It's this club's opening night so it should be a successful fund-raiser.
I went to Coldplay at Madison Square Gardens on Tuesday night and I was in heaven. There's nothing like music to heal the soul and there's something about Coldplay's thunderous sound and fury giving way to a pure and uplifting voice that makes it easy for one to hope again. My favorite part came when they played Politik and Chris's voice sang out:
"Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens
Send your love down to New Orleans
Tell me your own politik
And open up you eyes."
The whole stadium cheered and clapped as he said this. And then there it was, what i've been yearning for: An entire crowd united in feeling... so very very powerful, if only it could last.
What is it about New Orleans? If Los Angelos, Boston, Miami, New York in their entirety been lost - the response would have been immediate and the effects widely felt. I guess Ali's post answers that question. I have a lot of thoughts of where the blame should be placed and my answer is: EVERYONE. From the Mayor Nagen of New Orleans to GW Bush. We have a bunch of fuckheads running the country. Democrats and Republicans alike. Fuckheads.
Helping others is the best therapy... and so is making others help others. I donated funds to the Red Cross but I still felt restless. So in a fit of obsession, I emailed a local club promoter instructing him that he should make arrangements for one of the clubs he promotes for to donate some of it's proceeds to charity. Well, sometimes being audacious and bossy pays off. On friday night, Gypsy Tea will be donating 50% of what it earns at the door to the Red Cross. It's this club's opening night so it should be a successful fund-raiser.
I went to Coldplay at Madison Square Gardens on Tuesday night and I was in heaven. There's nothing like music to heal the soul and there's something about Coldplay's thunderous sound and fury giving way to a pure and uplifting voice that makes it easy for one to hope again. My favorite part came when they played Politik and Chris's voice sang out:
"Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens
Send your love down to New Orleans
Tell me your own politik
And open up you eyes."
The whole stadium cheered and clapped as he said this. And then there it was, what i've been yearning for: An entire crowd united in feeling... so very very powerful, if only it could last.