Hurricane Katrina: A Story of Race, Poverty, and Environmental Injustice

Abstract

Examines the racially disparate impact of Hurricane Katrina, grounded in historical neglect of the flood protection of black neighborhoods, as well as examining the role of large corporations in worsening the tragedy. To respond, the article calls of a “Millions of Voices” project by which the NAACP could organize e-conversations throughout the affected areas, using communications techniques being pioneered in India, as well as calling upon an early project of Thomas Jefferson’s that suggested organizing small, linked caucuses in Congressional districts to keep Members of Congress accountable.

Keywords: Hurricane Katrina, environmental justice, corporate environmental damage, Jeffersonian Assemblies, internet cafes, NAACP