[Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Katrina refugees & What if?

[Marianna Bailey]

What if? One or two of the bases that the gov. wants to close could be the 
temporary (or long term) home for those without a place to go. A perfect 
place for a 5th City replication.
Marianna Bailey
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Janice & Abe Ulangca" <aulangca at stny.rr.com>
To: "Colleague Dialogue" <Dialogue at wedgeblade.net>; "Order Ecumenical 
Community" <OE at wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 5:24 PM
Subject: [Oe List ...] Katrina refugees & What if?


> Dear ICA colleagues and friends,
>
> ABOUT KATRINA REFUGEES
>
> We hear many times that these refugees have nothing.  Yes, many have lost 
> their homes, any jobs they had, clothes, things that are precious, things 
> that made life easier, a familiar community, even family or friends.  Huge 
> losses.
>
> But some of us understand what few in government or helping agencies may 
> recognize:  There is so much that all these refugees HAVE!  and that can 
> be called upon to help them build a new life that just might be even 
> better than what was lost.  What do they have? (A partial list.)
>    -- Memories of a lifetime.
>    -- Abilities of all kinds that they have used in the past and know that 
> they have.
>    -- Abilities of all kinds that have never, ever been called forth.
>    -- Priceless human dignity.
>    -- Spirit gifts:  humor, compassion, insight.
>    -- Wisdom from life experiences.
>
> WHAT IF ---
>
> For example, the 20,000 people now in the Houston Astrodome.  My local 
> newspaper this morning carried an Associated Press story that you may also 
> have seen.  Here is a quote that caught my attention:
>    "Dr. Stuart C. Udofsky, chairman of psychiatry at Baylor College of 
> Medicine in Houston, said about 30 psychiatrists from around Houston are 
> assisting with the mental-health needs of those staying inside the 
> Astrodome.  'The Astrodome was designed to have maybe 20,000 people for 
> six hours at the most for something upon which they are all focused,' 
> Udofsky said.  'To be there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for an 
> indeterminate period of time, that experiment has never been run -- and we 
> are trying to do that right now.'
>
> It seems to me that once basic physical needs are met, the need for 
> significant engagement is primary.
>
> So what if:  A process were designed to discover what the possibilities 
> would be for these 20,000 to begin to use what they have in constructive 
> ways.  How many trained facilitators would that take?
>
> What might be some of the important work that folks could do?
>    -- Help distribute food, water, etc.  Help keep things clean (a vital, 
> dignified task).
>    -- Representatives from the refugees who can report problems and needs 
> as they arise, and help, a la neighborhood watch, with security.
>    -- Who could help with childcare, children's education?  Who has 
> creative ideas for this?
>    -- Who could work on an oral history project -- recording important 
> memories of communities and lives that will be changed in the future?  Who 
> could make audio recordings?  videos?
>    -- Who could help teach all ages new skills -- literacy, woodworking, 
> music, visual arts, even, perhaps, gardening?
>    -- Who are the poets, the storytellers, the drama organizers?
>    -- Who could organize a chorus or a band?  In 20,000 people, many from 
> New Orleans, there've GOT to be some terrific musicians!  What are the 
> songs that need to be written now?
>    -- Who could organize sports teams?  Games?  A tournament? 
> Celebrations of "New Orleans Spirit"?
>
> Finally, within realistic parameters, how could input be received on 
> future housing and communities?
>
> This would take money - at least to house and feed facilitation team, then 
> modest amounts for supplies for the various kinds of work listed above. 
> It would require a change of mindset for those in charge - from seeing the 
> refugees as helpless clients (victims) to seeing them as resources.  This 
> is often very hard for the "lady bountiful" attitude that can sneak, or 
> thunder, in. But oh, the riches that could result if we could trust what 
> these folks have to give!
>
> Do you think that this is a moment in history when the need is so 
> overwhelming that we might be able to try?  If  those who know more than I 
> want to work on this, you can sign me up to go to Houston, or wherever --  
> or perhaps to help modestly financially to help someone else to go with 
> skills to help plan the processes that will let new life emerge from these 
> losses.  But not to just do things for people - to help free them to do 
> for themselves and for others.
>
> Janice Ulangca
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