KEY POINTS:
It seems the main point that the author of the article is trying to get across to the
reader is that American society is falling apart and that what happened in New Orleans
with the violence that occurred after Hurricane Katrina is evidence of this. He also seems
to think that the societal bonds that used to hold Americans together, have changed from
caring about each other, to only caring about themselves.
IMPLICATIONS:
I feel this article shows people that anything can happen to anyone. Americans
seem to have this mentality that they are the best, most powerful country and because of
that nothing could ever happen to them. Even when people were warned of Hurricane
Katrina it seems people assumed it would not be that bad and that they could make it
though it. Well, as we have seen, they were quite wrong. And although America is the
most powerful country in the world they were still unable to send the help that their own
citizens needed when they needed it the most. It took four days to send help, even though
numerous countries, including Canada, were offering their services. Hopefully, if any
good can come out of this disaster, it will be that American’s will realize that they are not
as untouchable as they thought.
I feel disturbed by the fact that our society has come to the point where violence
overshadows good deeds and people pulling together in times of crisis. It seems to be that
the focus of this article is on those that turned to a state of chaos and lawless, and turned
to violent measures. However, is this really an accurate representation of how the general
population, of New Orleans and surrounding areas hit by Hurricane Katrina, responded
and reacted to the disaster? I have also heard numerous other accounts of people
(civilians) commandeering boats in order to go through the wreckage trying to find
survivors and bring them to safety. There are numerous Americans all across the country
pulling together to aid in disaster relief, from search and rescue to sending supplies. It
seems to me that there are a lot of American citizens thinking about “mutual support” and
not just “individual fortune”. It is easy to claim that Americans are individualistic people
who only care about themselves, and it is equally as easy for the rest of the world to
accept this view, but whether it is true seems to be another question.
QUESTIONS:
1. In the article the author writes of the ice storm in Montreal, comparing it to Hurricane
Katrina and the immense difference in reaction to these disasters. How can two countries
so close in geographical region be so far apart in practice? How can Americans turn to
violence when Canadians were nothing but supportive and helpful towards each other?
2. Is the individualistic attitude of Americans really what accounts for the success of
individuals in America and for the success of the country as a whole in the world? And
will this be what ultimately destroys them?