Force them out of their homes, or put them to work?
posted by
Wally
11:33 AM
Watching and reading about the forcible removal of people from New Orleans, I can't help but be torn about how I feel.
I'm definitely of two minds on this issue. On the one hand, there is the disease and hazard situation, putting themselves and others at risk. Risking their own lives is thier own business, but if they have to be rescued, they also put the rescuers at risk, and the police who have to protect them (although they could come to an agreement that they're on their own as far as that goes - I would be surprised if they are not well armed). Also, if they contract a serious illness and have to be hauled out to a hospital, they risk contaminating all those with whom they come in contact. That is a legitimate concern.
On the other hand, we're dealing with adults. They know the risks - or they can be easily educated about them. They are New Orleansians. They don't mind living with risk - they're comfortable with it - that's why they live there. Life is a little edgier there than most other American cities. If they wanted to live someplace "safe and secure" (pronounced "boring") they'd move to a suburb of Des Moines and drive tan Subaru station wagons from their 3 bedroom split level cookie cutter house in their nice little Mayberry subdivision to their cubicle jobs and then to the kids' soccer games.
I've seen and heard interviews with people down there who are vehement about staying. People who LOVE New Orleans, who live and die with it and by it, who simply will not leave. They are going to have to be dragged out of the city in cuffs, by cops who also love the city and understand what they're doing to these people, which won't make anyone happy. These people do not want to leave their homes, and by "home" I mean the house in which they live, and the city that they love. That is also a legitimate concern.
So, I have a proposal. Instead of dragging them out kicking and screaming. Instead of arresting them, HIRE them. There is no shortage of work to be done down there. There is no shortage of unemployment either. How about a nice solution to both. Let them stay. Train them and give them jobs. You don't even have to pay them well. Feed them, house them, give them some money to hit the bar after work (yes, there are still bars in the French Quarter that are open. What, you thought a little hurricane and flood was going to stop New Orleans from partying? Have you been drinking?!). They can help with cleanup. They can help with rebuilding. They can help with whatever they can help with, including cooking for the mass influx of workers who are going to have to come to New Orleans to clean and rebuild the city. Who better to work to restore their home than the people who call it home? Think of the pride they will have walking down the street in a year, or two years, or 5, whatever it takes, knowing that THEY brought the city back to life, that they were there breathing life back into it when it was knocked flat. For the love of all that New Orleans represents, let these people help! They want to stay. They are GOING to stay. You can fight it, or you can take advantage of it. You can piss off everybody, or you can make things work out to the benefit of everyone.
Is it really that hard of a decision?
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