NPR: The Voices of Those Who Couldn't Save New Orleans

The Voices of Those Who Couldn't Save New Orleans

Before Katrina, New Orleans was my favorite American city to visit. And when the storm hit two years ago today, I remember thinking that things would be fine, based on the reactions of the cable news outlets. (I distinctly recall one national TV reporter sounding almost disappointed that nothing catastrophic seemed to be happening.)

Then the levees broke.

In the past week or so, there have been lots of stories highlighting the efforts to rebuild New Orleans. But the voices that have remained with me are those of the people who tried and failed. Residents who really wanted to stay and rebuild or people born there who returned to put New Orleans back together again — and just couldn't do it.

On Tuesday, Morning Edition featured a commentary by Matt Roberts, who had moved to the city to teach high school English because he wanted to make a difference. But he has decided to quit — it was just too much for him. His description of feeling like a quitter is bracing.

And All Things Considered aired a commentary by freelance reporter Eve Troeh, who says she was the poster girl for New Orleans last year. But she felt her blinders start to come off after a friend was murdered in her home and other friends were mugged. Then she was attacked one night this summer. Now, she's left.

The stories of the great progress some people have made in just two years are amazing. But when you listen to Roberts and Troeh, you realize that two years, after all, is really not all that much time — and that things don't seem all that much better.

3:29 PM ET | 08-29-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

it's that word "but"

The stories of great progress are amazing AND two years is really not all that much time AND things seem better AND things seem to be stalled and...

In many ways, the most exhausting aspect of my life on the Gulf Coast (I came down as a volunteer in November 2005 and remain here...) is the struggle--mine, the media, and everybody else's--to live with and in the paradox that is New Orleans, Waveland, Gulfport, Pass Christian, ...

Sent by Alex Mercedes | 5:09 PM ET | 08-29-2007

i found that America is not a paradise as i thought!

Sent by david | 3:17 AM ET | 08-30-2007

Lots of people move to New Orleans for a few years to party and or gather material to advance their music, art, or writing careers. They love to call themselves a "local" until things get difficult. None of them were ever planning to stay for more than a few years anyway. So it has been, so it will always be. For over a hundred years! The difficulties of the post-Katrina "the party's over" lifestyle has just accelerated this. NPR needs to work harder to find real content with substance.

Sent by Nola Listener | 5:18 PM ET | 08-30-2007

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