# data[].attributes.body
How did Hurricane Katrina bring to light the issues of racism and poverty in the United States?

# data[].attributes.headline
“People don't live in New Orleans because it is easy. They live here because they are incapable of living anywhere else in the just same way.” 

# data[].attributes.subject
“People don't live in New Orleans because it is easy. They live here because they are incapable of living anywhere else in the just same way.” 

# data[].attributes.body
― Ian McNulty, A Season of Night: New Orleans Life After Katrina

# data[].attributes.body
This true story follows a man named Abdulrahman Zeitoun as he stays behind in the city during Hurricane Katrina. His wife and three children evacuate to Baton Rogue and eventually Arizona. While in the city after the storm, Zeitoun is able to save various others that were left behind in the city. However, due to a miscommunication, Zeitoun gets arrested and is unable to communicate with his family for a long amount of time. This novel illustrates two disasters: racism against Islamic people in the US and Hurricane Katrina.

# data[].attributes.body
This video gives a detailed timeline of the days before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hurricane Katrina Day by Day | National Geographic

# data[].attributes.headline
Interview with Vicki Collins Holmes, my aunt, New Orleans resident

# data[].attributes.subject
Interview with Vicki Collins Holmes, my aunt, New Orleans resident

# data[].attributes.body
How long have you lived in New Orleans?

“I was born here and then we moved away for a few years and then we came back. So when we came back I was 8, so that would be 45 years.

Where did you stay during Hurricane Katrina?

“We stayed at Uncle Greg’s mom’s house -- Grandma Elaine’s house, in Bush, Louisiana. It’s across Lake Pontchartrain.”

Around how many days/weeks later did you return to your home?

“It was about 6 weeks before we could get back in. It was a long time.”

If you had to describe Hurricane Katrina in one word, what would it be?

“Scary.”

How did your professional life change?

“Uncle Greg and I were both very strongly impacted. We had both been working for a company that, not long before Hurricane Katrina hit, they were closing our local office. Then came Hurricane Katrina, and they kept us on basically through that, but closed us down afterwards. So we both had to find new jobs. Uncle Greg was able to stay within the computer programming industry but I changed gears completely and ended up doing some really interesting GIS work with mapping and that kind of stuff. And then I shifted gears from that even and got into Elevation Grants and raising houses. It was a big change for me, careerwise, after Katrina. A totally different industry than what I was used to.”

Has it been a positive change?

“Yes, very much so. I miss the old work, but what I do now is very interesting and I really enjoy it. I feel like I’m making a difference, helping people not flood anymore.

What was the general mood in the city during the year following the hurricane?

“Just from my perspective, the general mood was depression. People were depressed. There was so much devastation. But somehow, at the same time, it was hopeful. Everybody just knew we were gonna come back. The city was going to bounce back. It was a weird mix of depression and hopefulness.”

What is the current general mood of the city?

“I would say it’s still hopeful. Most things have come back but there are still some areas that are still depressed, that have not fully recovered even 13 years later. Some areas are still struggling. But I think generally, it’s very positive. The city has rebounded very well.”

Where have you seen hope and resiliency present in New Orleans?

“Pretty much everywhere, even the places that have not come back. There’s hope that they will come back. There’s hope in the city. People have rebuilt their homes, their businesses. We’ve got new businesses all the time. So in all aspects, primarily New Orleans as a tourist city, so I’d say our resilience has manifested in the tourism industry. We are still attracting huge conferences, business conferences, concerts and festivals, and just general people coming for vacation. I think our economy has been very resilient in that aspect.”

# data[].attributes.body
How did Hurricane Katrina illustrate both destruction and resiliency?

# data[].attributes.headline
“Hurricane Katrina brought a city, a state and the Bush 43rd Administration to its knees because all levels of government were unprepared for the sheer magnitude of the event.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“Hurricane Katrina brought a city, a state and the Bush 43rd Administration to its knees because all levels of government were unprepared for the sheer magnitude of the event.”

# data[].attributes.body
― J.C. Phillips, If History Is Our Guide: Commentary of Events that shaped 2011-2015

# data[].attributes.headline
"Zane and the Hurricane" by Rodman Philbrick

# data[].attributes.subject
"Zane and the Hurricane" by Rodman Philbrick

# data[].attributes.body
This YA story follows a boy named Zane as he visits his family in New Orleans. While he is visiting, Hurricane Katrina hits and Zane becomes separated from his family. Zane is rescued by an older musician and a younger girl as they take shelter in an attic while the city conditions worsen. This book illustrates the lack of government support and other issues that occurred during this terrible storm.

# data[].attributes.body
My mom grew up in New Orleans, my parents went to college there, and a lot of my family still resides in this wonderful city. Hurricane Katrina is a topic very near and dear to my heart. My aunt took these pictures of damage in front of her house, on her lawn, and even in her house with the carpet stripped.

# data[].attributes.headline
"Do Not Open: The Discarded Refrigerators of Post-Katrina New Orleans" by Katheryn Krotzer Laborde

# data[].attributes.subject
"Do Not Open: The Discarded Refrigerators of Post-Katrina New Orleans" by Katheryn Krotzer Laborde

# data[].attributes.body
For months after the storm, hundreds of thousands of ruined refrigerators were still being discarded on the streets of New Orleans. Many of these fridges were painted with messages ranging from sentimental to humorous to angry and every message in between. This book includes many pictures of these forgotten fridges.

# data[].attributes.body
This YA novel is about a girl who lives in Ninth Ward, a poor area of New Orleans. The people in this high-spirited community have very little but still care so much for one another. The story follows Yanesha and her Mama Ya-Ya as they survive the storm.

# data[].attributes.headline
"I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005" by Lauren Tarshis 

# data[].attributes.subject
"I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005" by Lauren Tarshis 

# data[].attributes.body
This YA book tells a fictional story of a boy named Barry and his family who live in New Orleans. They attempt to evacuate the city. However, before they make it out, Barry's little sister becomes sick and their family stays in New Orleans. The book describes how Barry and his family endure the storm.

# data[].attributes.headline
"Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans by Don Brown"

# data[].attributes.subject
"Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans by Don Brown"

# data[].attributes.body
This YA graphic novel illustrates the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and all of the damage left behind. It also describes the criminal activity and unfair treatment to the people of New Orleans who were left behind in the city. Many stayed in the Superdome and when they tried to evacuate, they were forced to stay.