by Brandale Mills
Daily Lobo
Scott Pierson, who evacuated New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, said he is experiencing reverse racism from relief organizations.
"Because I'm not black, or a mother with kids, I can't seem to get any help," he said.
Pierson attended a discussion on Monday at UNM's School of Law. Four panelists spoke to about 20 people on the politics of race and class in America after Hurricane Katrina.
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Panelist and storm evacuee Jennifer Mahoney said she didn't think race or class affected the government's response to help victims. She said race and poverty have a direct correlation, and it was mainly the poor who were unable to get out.
"There are many black government officials in Louisiana so (race) had nothing to do with it," she said.
When it came time for audience feedback, Pierson told the crowd how he has been homeless since Friday when his money ran out after being robbed at the first shelter he stayed in.
He said there aren't many people who are willing to help, even if they say they are.
"I've tried to get help through Katrina housing organizations," he said after the discussion. "I was supposed to meet three different people at Starbucks. None of them showed up."
Andrea Gunderson, a UNM law student, said the discussion was interesting.
"I think it was necessary to get this thing out in the open," she said.
She said the panel was one-sided but the audience's comments provided a good balance.
Gunderson said she didn't have enough information to determine if race had anything to do with the victims of the Hurricane.
Law Professor Laura Gomez said Hurricane Katrina was a big moment in American History, and there are many issues concerning the hurricane that needed to be addressed, including the government's response, race and class issues.
"The purpose of this discussion is to get the law school community to think beyond ourselves," she said.
The panel included Jennifer Mahoney, a Tulane University Law student who transferred to UNM after the hurricane, Law Professor Elizabeth Rapaport and UNM sociocultural studies Professor Ricky Lee Allen. Southwestern University School of Law Professor Eileen Gauna was also a panel member.
Each panelist was given five minutes to introduce their ideas and views to the audience.
Rapaport said foreign media outlets, which were critical of the U.S. government's response to New Orleans before the American media was, opened people's eyes to the race issue.
She also said the majority of what Americans saw on TV was not the complete truth, and white poverty was not shown on the news as often as black poverty.
"Are we a nation where white rich won't help black poor?" she asked.
Allen, who teaches classes on racism, said he's interested in how outraged white Americans were concerning treatment of the lower class and African-Americans after the Hurricane.
He said that the lack of reaction to the hurricane was an example of "Colorblind Ideology."
He said politicians cannot be openly racist and remain a public figure - but their racism can be implied.
"You can't be overtly racist and remain a viable figure in the public eye, but if you systematically do it, it won't go as seen as much," he said.
Allen said many white people were mad because they thought the treatment of African-Americans during the aftermath of the Hurricane was wrong, but being outraged won't change anything.
"Will it create a moral and political awakening to white people recognizing racism?" he asked. "White America was trying to play the blame game on the black mayor."
Pierson, who plans to go back to New Orleans as soon as he gets money, said after the discussion he went for a walk. When he came back, someone had anonymously stuffed his bag with food and $68.
"I just really have to say thank you to whoever did that," he said. "They didn't have to."
Right now, Pierson is trying to find work and a place to stay, he said.
He's been staying at cheap hotels, but said he would be happier to stay somewhere else.
"I don't need an apartment or anything," he said. "A tent in someone's backyard would be fine."
