September 3, 2005

• SATURDAY PHOTO

  I must say I’m no rap afficionado or fan, but I do know who Kanye West is due to a 14-year-old grandson, and apparently I have KW to thank for a little outburst during what was supposed to be a scripted telethon raising money for Katrina’s victims. Specifically, he said: “I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it says, “They’re looting.” You see a white family, it says, “They’re looking for food.” And, you know, it’s been five days [waiting for federal help] because most of the people are black. And even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I’ve tried to turn away from the TV because it’s too hard to watch. I’ve even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I’m calling my business manager right now to see what is the biggest amount I can give, and just to imagine if I was down there, and those are my people down there. So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help — with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way — and they’ve given them permission to go down and shoot us! George Bush doesn’t care about black people!” before they cut him off. Well, somebody had to say it and I guess Condaleeza Rice wasn’t going to. The photo is from the Taipei Times and I guess it’s looking that way to them, too. But to be more educational, three years ago the New Orleans Times-Picayune ran a series of articles about the expected disaster called “Washing Away,” and it’s really worth reading to understand better the gravity of what ignoring the obvious has cost. Heck, three New Orleans schoolboys wrote this article about the coastal erosion themselves. It wasn’t rocket science. They say you go through various stages of grieving when you experience loss. One of the first is stunned and in denial, and right after that comes anger. I think most of us are getting there who weren’t even on the Gulf Coast. Imagine what may be coming from the victims themselves and then be more forgiving of Kanye West.
  

  ---

  Deep Thought: “It’s probably not a good idea to be chewing on a toothpick if you’re talking to the president, because what if he tells a funny joke and you laugh so hard you spit the toothpick out and it hits him in the face or something.”
  Today I am grateful for: Toilet paper
  Guess the Movie: “Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder.” Answer: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, 1980. Winner: tearsign.
  Amid Images of Black Victims, Many Ask: Was Race a Factor?
  by Martha Mendoza
  New Orleans neighborhoods, once lined with old live oaks, charming cottages and imposing mansions, had been proof of the ease with which black and white could live side by side. With the exception, perhaps, of the toniest areas of St. Charles Avenue, and the poorest blocks of housing projects, black and white homeowners chatted to each other from their front porches and greeted each other as they walked their dogs down the streets. (Rest of article here.)
  End of Day: 9:17 pm
  + = Perfect weather day.
  - = Two trips to the vet in one day.

  • 1:41 pm
  • 15 Comments