Aftermath...

You've seen the pictures. Everytime I see one I'm reminded of the exceptional destructive force that we unleashed 60 years ago on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The photographs are eerily similar and serve as a departure point for the thoughts that follow.

Perhaps the most painful thing for me to watch in the aftermath of such a destructive event is the extreme pain of the folks down south and my suspicion that we can certainly do better. This isn't intended to be an indictment against either political party. I feel that both are exceptionally negligent.

I'm also exceptionally struck by this fact, nearly all the faces we see on television are not those of white middle-class America. Like the Japanese faces in the aftermath of Hiroshima, these faces, so similar to ours yet different haunt my thoughts. It is my sincere hope that we, the priveledged/mostly white can help these folks to regain their footing and perhaps even leave them better off than before. I don't have much to offer, but I want to do what I can.

The Marshall Plan wasn't perfect but it certainly accomplished its goal of quickly rebuilding Japanese infrastructre and their economy. Katrina is much larger, but even more worth of our time. Last time I checked we weren't at war with those folks in NOLA and Biloxi clutching to every possesion as though it were all they had.

Another thing that I'm also struck by is the apparent lack of understanding of what is help and what is a waste of resources. Case in point: One large KC congregation was featured on the news yesterday. This congregation sought out a pastor of a large, white, suburban NOLA parish and purchased him a new KJV Bible, a palm pilot (to allow him to download his stored contact information for a variety of other fundamentalist leaders in the US), and a new wardrobe of suits. They spent nearly 10 thousand dollars.

I can't help but that Christ would've accepted the gift or asked for a shove, a pair of hip waders, and a ride to downtown NOLA. I certainly think that this would fall under the list of "my father's business." Undoubtedly, this money could have housed many of the true unfortunates made homeless by the storm. It could have provided housing, vocational skills, and clothing for those who lost everything.

I must say that as an Episcopal, I'm very proud of my denomination's attempts to get aid where it is truly needed. One local parish I know of attempted to send vestments and communion silver to a parish in NOLA until they realized that plastic silverware, paper plates, and underpants would be a much more cherished gift. I daresay that although the NOLA parish won't likely be celebrating Eucharist just yet, that these gifts have become a representation of Christ to those who receive them along the same lines of the communion elements. I'm truly happy that they did so, and trust the decision that they made.

I'm not perfect. I will probably not have the time, energy, or $$$ to make any significant contribution to the recovery effort. But I DO feel as though we can do better in this country than sitting on our hands for a few days and providing the wealthy and affluent with the tools of their trade when those who had the most to lose sit homeless, ill, and penniless.

Fr. Ben had a wonderful posting on his blog talking about Mardi Gras and Lent (and their relationship to NOLA) I'd really encourage you to read it. It speaks volumes.