Columns

Hurricane Katrina Warning;
My CD Mix

By Dorsetta Hale

I saw a lot of my people in the news today. “Taking It To The Streets” – The Doobie Brothers. “Imagine” –John Lennon. You’re disabled, old, your health is failing and you can’t move around like you used to. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dyan. Or you’re a child, totally dependent on an adult. “Ball Of Confusion” – the Temptations. “What’s Going On?” – Marvin Gaye. You are the adult and your reality is that you have little money and no transportation. “Fast Car” - Tracy Chapman. People say to the poor, “Lift yourself up.” You could have educated yourself and improved your odds or joined the military. “For What It’s Worth” - Buffalo Springfield. You could have waited to start a family until you could afford one. You could have done a lot of things but whom among us, rich, poor or in the middle, wouldn’t go back? “If I Could Change The World” – Eric Clapton. Besides, there’s no time for regrets when you only have a few days to collect your belongs and save your life. “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” - U2. Imagine believing that your faith and government would take care of you. “What It’s Like” - Everlast.

I saw a lot of my people helping themselves to the stock on grocery shelves. “You Haven’t Done Nothin” – Stevie Wonder. Some even took television sets without any electricity in sight. Were they fools or entrepreneurs who knew that they could sell those TV’s for food or a ride because one day the lights would come back on for some? “Fortunate Son” – Wyclef Jean.

I saw a lot of my people turn into desperate animals. “Easy To Be Hard” - Three Dog Night. A few became monsters. “Who’s Sorry Now?” - Connie Francis. Mostly, I’ve seen my people work together with your people, those people and the folks from way over there. Together we will all survive this. “It’s A Family Affair” – Sly and the Family Stone.

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