Tonight Craig, Mellen and I watched the 4th part to director Spike Lee's "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in 4 Acts" a raw documentary of the state of New Orleans and the Government's response to Hurricane Katrina. The first two acts were shown on Monday night, and the final two were tonight. The series will replay on August 29th the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The profound loss and devastation the City with stood and the scars although laughed away by the thick skinned New Orleaneans is a tribute to every American and chronicles the changes our country needs to make in order to rebuild New Orleans.
Lee tells a story from the decadent beginnings of a unique American experience based on a laissez-faire blending of French and African cultures, from the birth of jazz in Congo Park, now aptly named (Louis) Armstrong Park to the creole blend of skin color and celebration of both birth and death in the Big Easy. As Wynton Marsalis narrates the culture legacy of music and the blended colors found in the "Paris of the South", it becomes apparent that we must truly rebuild New Orleans as what Mayor Nagin referred to as the "chocolate city".
Last year, Mellen and I adopted two refugees which we adore and truly miss, but after watching "When the Levees Broke" I can't help but think we did a small part in allowing two "Fugees" a piece of normalcy. Lauren, we hope you have settled back home here in Charleston. Ms. Roche, we hope you've picked up the pieces the best you can as you finish your law degree at Tulane. Y'all's picture is still on our ice-box. (Top photo is compliments of Lindsay McDaniel from her post-Katrina trip to New Orleans.)
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