8th anniversary of Katrina

Along the Gulf Coast, each year we mark August 29th as another year of progress since the storm, and we remember those who lost their lives, either directly or indirectly, because of the disaster.  Scholarly and popular publications from a variety of sources continue to be published and collected, particularly about the consequences of the disastrous flooding of New Orleans.  August 29, 2013, will be the eighth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Hundreds of books on Katrina are held in the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, many of which have copies in multiple locations (search the catalog from the library’s home page).  Another way to start finding information on Katrina is to see the research guide to freely accessible online Katrina resources.   Some of the more recent books which are held only in the Louisiana Research Collection include:



Mere NOLA / Chris Sullivan.    PS 3620 .U44 M47 2011 LACOLL

Saint Louis Armstrong Beach / Brenda Woods.     PZ 7 .W86335 Sai 2011 LACOLL

The anthology compiled by Dr. Miriam Miranda Chitiga, of Fayetteville State University (NC), is the result of her interdisciplinary work devoted to social justice.   In her introduction, she writes, “Overall, the poems in this collection offer an interesting diversity of commemorative expressions.  They reflect pain, sorrow, outcry, anger, devastation, disappointment, ambivalence, empathy, hope, expectations, resilience and commentary.”   Many of the poems were written by individuals who would not consider themselves to be poets or literary writers; they are pointed and clear, sometimes bitter in tone, sarcastic about the failures of the federal government to respond to the immediate needs of the people who were harmed in the disaster.  Taken as a group, the poems express a powerful sense of frustration and injustice.   The following brief, poignant poem was written by Shakenna Gray, of Georgia.

Is it Over?

In the aftermath
Is it over?
All worrying is gone
Hardtacks are now mended

But Confusion stays

Lost for words
Pressuring thoughts remain
Their hearts all breaking
It’s not over







 Posted by Susanna Powers


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