The City of New Orleans is a national treasure. Or should we say that Orleans Parish and the more antique areas of the city contained therein are national treasures. The underlying question "Should we rebuild New Orleans?" is deeply coded with a qualification of ". . . as it was for the greater part of the population of color that resided there?" There is of course a less polite way of framing the question that is at the heart of it. I will not express it here but most people know what it is.
From a practical stance, the rebuilding of New Orleans could take place with or without a great deal of outside support or interference. The transport and industrial structure will come back on line quickly. The “safe” tourist venues will quickly become repopulated. New Orleans is not dead but it is on life support.
The most widely covered population presented to the nation as representative of New Orleans was that of the mass of people of color who sought refuge at the New Orleans Superdome. For the media it was the story because it was easy to cover and made for visuals filled with pathos. It held the attention of the consumer base who were there for "ain't it awful" buzz that they got. Misery made money for the media giants.
We now find that the population that was moved from one dome to another has become a grudgingly accepted guest in another bastion of the old south. To be a resident in the dome in Houston is to be a de facto prisoner. Those folks for the most part will never again find that they are welcomed back in Orleans Parrish. Over time they will may settle elsewhere as a matter of choice or they will be forced to settle elsewhere as a matter of limited circumstance. This will be true for the former residents of color no matter where they have been able to find refuge.
Home is home no matter the outward appearance of the place. Some folks will return home and many will not. The trip to Houston or other place of refuge for the greater number of the people of Orleans Parrish is one way for those now away. Old New Orleans will be less vibrant as a result.
The property values of Orleans Parrish have now become ever so much more valuable for those who were either resident freeholders or absentee landlords no matter their racial characteristics. Money will follow money and value in this tragedy. The losers will be those who were not people of means before the event.
The immediate response by the Federal Government to the circumstances of the initial tragedy was a clear demonstration of "benign neglect". That condition of neglect would have continued had there not been a national outcry by people of conscience. In turn many of the fellow travelers of the "benign neglect" crowd saw the folly of just letting things work out. They may have abandoned that position out of fear or indignation but the non action by the neglectors was soon overcome by a resounding outcry. At first those who were on the scene and able were doing all that they could but those who were responsible at the highest levels were just not doing such a "great job".
The question must now become, “How will the affected parts of NO Metro be rebuilt and by and for whom?” Baton rouge may for now become the largest city in Louisiana, but New Orleans, especially Orleans Parrish, will always be its beating, living heart and a nation's treasure.
