It seems that it always takes a tragedy for people to begin putting their differences aside and attempt to work together to achieve a common goal.
That was the case with the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and it’s the case with Hurricane Katrina.
However, we, as Americans, can’t stay in that loving spirit for long. Take New Orleans for example. Just a day after Mayor Ray Nagin said the city was probably one of the safest urban environments someone had to prove him wrong.
During a parade to encourage unity and celebrate the rebirth of the city, three people in two separate incidents were shot. Police haven’t found the shooters, nor do they have a motive for the crimes.
Unfortunately, the spirit that many hoped would not return to the city has. More senseless violence is returning to the streets. It is unfortunate that we as a people still haven’t gotten past the pettiness.
We continue to inflict violence and pain among our brothers and sisters, and we will never be able to elevate ourselves until we can find something better to do with our time.
Obviously, there are hundreds of other cities that are facing these same issues, but it’s especially troublesome that this had to happen now. In a time where people in that city need each other more than ever, someone is attempting to destroy, in part, what Hurricane Katrina built.
Because of the government’s slow response to the disaster, the spirit of unity from fellow citizens that has helped people get through this hard time must prevail if the citizens of New Orleans are ever going to rebuild the city they obviously love so much.
Sidney Wright IV for the Editorial Board