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Our next movie will be Thursday, September 23.
Quotes
"The Lord is upset with New Orleans; I don't blame him." - Kimberly Rivers
"At this time, they're not rescuing. The police aren't coming out until the weather conditions get better." - 911 operator
"I never thought God could use a man like me." - Larry (Kimberly's brother)
"IRAQ 'FANTASTIC' COMPARED TO NEW ORLEANS" - headline from the New Orleans Times-Picayune
"Katrina's still trying to do damage, but she won't get through. Not through this heart." - Larry, upon his return to New Orleans
"If you don't have money and you don't have status, you don't have the government." - Kimberly's cousin
Questions
If you were a resident of New Orleans whose home had suffered the kind of damage that the Rivers home did, would you go back? Why or why not?
Respond to the scene outside the convention center.
Faith was a consistent theme throughout the documentary. How did Kim, her husband, and brother maintain faith in the face of such devastation?
Why did the producers choose to juxtapose footage of the news with camcorder footage? What was the effect?
25 comments:
Hello Mrs. this is Jessica G. and i want to comment on the last quote and the scene outside the stadium. I agree with the comment made by Kimberly's cousin that people with no status or such are invisible in this country. The documentary showed evidence of minorities overlooked by our government which showed me that the government doesn't really care about our situation. As long as they are receiving money from us then everything is good for them. And i find it ironic because this country is often overlooked as the nation where the American dream can be found. As i saw in the movie the poor and the minority, in this case African Americans, were left behind even though they were going through a catastrophic event. I felt the government didn't do much to aid these people the government only fixed what it felt convenient to them as shown in the scene where the tourism manager lady came out. As i mentioned before every person in need was left behind in my opinion and there was no aid as shown in the stadium scene. I felt the government felt no need in "wasting" money on New Orleans because they cant bother losing money. This documentary showed that this country does not have equality among our people. There is a sense of discrimination between the rich and the poor; the one who gets the best and the one who gets less.
Howdy Rae Rae(: I would like to comment on Larry’s comment “I never thought God could use a man like me,” In the documentary Larry didn’t really say what kind of person he was or what he had done in his life to make him think that God wouldn’t use him. But based on his actions of putting his own life on the line to save his family and others shows the opposite. Even though he may feel that god didn’t ask him to help Larry still did because it’s the right thing to do. The actions that Larry took to save family and friends was truly amazing whether God asked him to or not. Seeing the damage the Rivers homes had in New Orleans during the Hurricane and if I was a resident in New Orleans, I would definitely not revisit my home. The reason being that New Orleans would be where I grew up and lived with my family and seeing the destruction that Katrina left behind would be devastating and for me probably traumatizing because I would no longer have the great memories I once had with my family I would only remember the damage. In general the movie was definitely inspiring because of the people kept their faith even when times got hard and even tried to help others keep their faith up to. I like how some clips had the mayor saying everyone should leave New Orleans but then it had a caption saying that no transportation was provided, That had a really strong impact because it makes you wonder if a disaster happened in Houston would our government really be prepared and stay true to their word, and willing to help us or help only those with status. And those are the questions that make me say Hmmm Lol(:
-By Stefanie Ortiz(: [Cynthia is my mom]
Hello Mrs Rayburn. This is Jesse. I want to elaborate on the 911 operator quote. When this happened in the movie, it kind of shocked me, becuase you call and you can expect to get help, no matter what. It's as if you yell for help, but no one can hear you. And you won't get an answer. If I was a cop or emergency guy and had my family in a safe spot, I would then find the means to help the people that urgently require it. When people's lives are at stake, you don't back away, you do whatever it takes to help them. Now I want to answer the 1st question, I would still go back to my house becuase its your home and it gives you a feeling of comfortability that nowhere else in the world can give you. As for the damage, I would try my best to fix it and rebuild if neccessary or if I don't have money I would find some.(not any illegal way, though) Home isn't just a house or the memories that reside in it, but the energy and almost force field(very Jedi kind of feel, right) that no one can destroy since it is intangible and impossible to break.
Hi Mrs.Rayburn This is lizbethe canales. I want to elaborate on this quote --> "The Lord is upset with New Orleans; I don't blame him." - Kimberly Rivers New Orleans being the #1 city with the highest crime rate in the world just based on that we can see the bad things that occur there. Since I was little I was told that when there was thunder, lighting, or rain that it was God's way to express his anger towards us. Katrina was more than just that; it was a massive hurricane that took lives and destroyed the city. Even though people don't believe in that I do and I compared that quote to what my parents told me when I was little. I believe God was trying to tell New Orleans that they need to straighten up and learn a lesson because New Orelans can't keep being like that. The quote coming from Kimberly didn't shock me at all because she has exprienced and seen the horrible things there so she knew that, that is the way The Lord was feeling.
I want to answer the question about faith. I believe that Kimberly and her family had faith through the hurricane because them seem that they do believe in God. In many parts of the documentary Kimberly talked about God and her obstacles in her life but still was a strong person. Since I'm a strong believer in God I know that she was still calm and had faith because There is nothing that God can't handle.
Hey Hey Mrs. Rayburn, i wanted to write about the quote:"At this time, they're not rescuing. The police aren't coming out until the weather conditions get better." - 911 operator. When i hear this quote, it makes me feel hopeless and that there really isn't anyone out there to guide me in a situation. I can only imagine the rejection and desperation that these people are experiencing when the only people out there to help can't do a thing. Being stuck in the attic for days in a place where the city is drowned in water, must be, by far, the worst. Their patience must have ran out quickly as no actions were being taken. Our own president couldn't even get there fast enough. So obviously the operators were no help. All the minorities in the neighborhood can do at this is point is to stick with who's still alive and do whatever it takes to make it out alive.
Hey Mrs. Rayburn this is Sammie i would like to respond to the operator quote;"At this time, they're not rescuing. The police aren't coming out until the weather conditions get better." - 911 operator
Hearing this quote and seeing the devastation being caused by Katrina made me really think, of what kind of system are city and government runs. Like are city and government do not really care for their people at all, just the money and possible retirement funds. For one I felt very angered towards the operator, it’s like this is your job, what you have signed up for, knowing the risk and possibilities that could occur; you cannot just not do your job this is what your paid for. To make sure the people feel safe and are safe, and if not to guide them to safety as quickly as you can. The whole city and government did a lot of wrong in not caring for their people, especially the ones who could not afford to leave their homes. But instead they left them there to die as everyman for themselves.
In response to the first question, I would go back for one to see the damage that was done, no matter if I had anything left or valued. My second reason would be this place I called my home was my comfort zone a place that I can call my own and not worry about anything. It would help me learn for the next destruction in my life I would say, or even allow me to grow from it and take something back to my new home I would build. Quote
"At this time, they're not rescuing. The police aren't coming out until the weather conditions get better." - 911 operator
This Quote stuck with me, I actually had a nightmare that night. This quote shows the severity of the situation; our modern day superheroes couldn't save the constituents who "can't afford" to evacuate. The regret in the 911 Operator's Voice illustrates the sensitivity of Katrina.
If I was a resident of a home in New Orleans and had the same situation as the Rivers did, I would definitely go back. My home city is my Jerusalem; never abandon it for good or for bad. A community is nothing without people. If I was like the Rivers, nothing can penetrate my love of New Orleans “not through this heart.” I admire the Rivers for sticking to their morals and realizing that no matter what New Orleans is Home. Like the question suggest, ‘return home’, home can never be replaced and every time a disaster came the bond would grown stronger.
-David L. Castro Apolinar Moreno Galvan
"The Lord is upset with New Orleans. I don’t blame him." -Kimberly Rivers. When I heard Kimberly say this in the movie, I couldn’t help but think about karma. I am sure that she was referring to the violence that occurs in New Orleans, but at the same time, I feel like this city didn’t deserve such disaster. Nobody can decide where things like Katrina happen, only Mother Nature, but it does make me wonder: why New Orleans? Every city has their fair share of crime rates, violence, poverty, so on and so forth; but why New Orleans? I once heard that New Orleans was a place of dreams. I would think that this city was lavish part all the time, but turns out, there is so much more to the city than meets the eye. I can’t say if Kimberly is justified in saying that the city deserved to endure such a tragedy, but I am sure that no one should ever have to go through such a struggle. I think if I had suffered the wrath of Katrina, I would go back. I have only ever lived in Houston my whole life, and it is what I consider home. Home is where the heart is, and if New Orleans would have been my home, I would have to stay loyal to the city. It would be hard, but God doesn’t put things in our life that we cannot handle. I couldn’t call any other place my home, so I would try to put back the pieces to my life, and “mirar a delante”. (Victoria Gonzalez)
Hello Mrs.Rayburn. This is Leslie Palomares. I'd like to elaborate on the quote: "If you don't have money and you don't have status, you don't have the government"(Kimberly's cousin). In Kim's cousin's point of view, people that aren't rich aren't important to the government. Since many people that are considered low status and were affected by the hurricane didn't receive much help, they feel ignored and put aside. As if they weren't people of importance. But everyone is human and should be taken into consideration, no matter the status. For example, Brian Nobles, a man that was living in a church after addiction problems, had no proof of living in New Orleans and so received no financial help from FEMA. Brian had no money or status so he didn't receive any help from the government. The government favors the people with a higher status because they receive more money from them than they do from people in with a lower status.
Kimberly, her husband, and her brother all had faith throughout the documentary. Kim had strong beliefs towards God and at one point she said that Katrina helped her travel and visit other parts of the country. They knew how to see the positives and ignore the negatives. They helped people because it made them feel better. They saw the hurricane as a push to do good things. They had a positive mind set.
"At this time, they're not rescuing. The police aren't coming out until the weather conditions get better." - 911 operator
This words made me cry when I heard them I can't imagen what was going through the peoples head when they would hear this words. They knew that no one would come and help them, it made me think of all those kids that were up in the attic with their parents wondering if they would be able to wake up the next day alive. It made me mad to know that the police couldn't go and rescue them I know and understand that the wheather wasn't in their favor but atleast they should have tried something instead of just waiting for things to calm down on their own. This makes me wonder, What if Houston was to end up in a situation like this one? What are we to expect from our athorities and the government itself? "If you were a resident of New Orleans whose home had suffered the kind of damage that the Rivers home did, would you go back? Why or why not?" I would like to say that I would want to go back because that would have been the place where I grew up but I cant say that I'm sure about this because I have never been in that situation. Eventhough I saw it happen I cant be sure the kind of impact that this tragedy would have on me. I lived in Mexico for seven years and then I moved to Housotn, Texas I know that its hard but I know that I could probably make it through some where else as long as I have my family with me.
(Araceli Arguello)
Hello Mrs. Rayburn this Alec Duron I wanted to comment saying god isn't happy with New Orleans. This comment was made right before the storm hit by the main character, she goes on to list things that god would disapprove of. The main character seems to be religious, and believes that things happen for a reason. She says that god is trying to wipe out all the bad things in New Orleans. I believe the reason that she trust god's judgement is because of her childhood. As a child she didn't have parents to watch over her, so she was mostly on the streets by herself, rending for herself. She thanks his for getting her through that difficult time in her life. Now that there is a storm coming and she does not have the resources to get out of the city, she still has trust in god she even says that if god wants her to get through this storm he will. This shows a lot about her character, because she doesn't choose to blame anybody else, or to become angry at her situation, instead she remained hopeful and as positive as possible and that's how she made it through the storm. The question that I wanted to answer was the one asking the hypothetical "what if I were a resident of NO during that time whether or not I would go back". My answer is no because if I went back I would constantly be reminded of what happened. Ido not think I would be able to handle that. I would want live somewhere nice afterwards. The only reason I would go back would be to help try to rebuild the city, but even if it was repaired I still don't know if I would return permanently.
Hellooooo Mrs. Rayburn, it's Enrique B.The quote that really caught my attention and made me think during the movie was, "At this time, they're not rescuing. The police aren't coming out until the weather conditions get better." - 911 operator. This must have SUCKED (couldn't think of another word to use) for both the 911 operator and the person calling. I can't imagine how frightened and hopeless the people felt when there was nothing they could. I remember staying in Houston during Hurricane Ike and it was something I would definitely not like to experience again. The water did not come into my house though and we didn't have to move up into the attic. What is a person supposed to do? Sadly, for some New Orleans residents, they couldn't do anything and died. I don't blame the police because I wouldn't want to go out during a hurricane either but they at least should have kept talking to the people on the phone and giving them hope but all they did (from the movie) was stay quiet. I would like to answer the first question about going back or not if i had a home in New Orleans and the answer would be yes, but only to visit. Of course it would be hard not returning to where I spent most of my life but after an experience like Katrina I would make the decision of moving to a better constructed neighborhood. Disasters happen all the time but if you can avoid them, you should. Therefore I would not return to the same home. Not only because of the risks I would be facing but also because of the memory of the actual event. Knowing so many people passed away during the hurricane would be hard to live with.
“I never thought God could use a man like me.”- Larry (Kimberly’s brother) When I heard Larry say this I was in awe. Larry for one put himself in harms way by transporting people from one house to another. He could have just stayed in his house and left everyone in their confined spaces in their houses but he chose not to. Taking action, he used this time of desperation to do the work of God and help others. This time of need showed him that no matter where you come from or what you have done with your life God will always be there counting on you to do his work and show your love.
If I was a New Orleans resident and I suffered through Katrina I would go back. Although it isn’t the same as it once was starting over wont make anything better. I believe that there are some struggles in your life that need to be faced head on and that you cant be afraid to fight against them and win. The struggle is just the beginning. New Orleans would be my home and no matter what happens that will always be the case
Hey Ms. Rayburn it's me Elias. i wanted to talk about the quote "Katrina's still trying to do damage, but she won't get through. Not through this heart." - Larry, upon his return to New Orleans"
I feel that the reason Larry said this quote was that because when he returned he still some of the damage that Katrina left behind. He know that many people still did not have help from the government after the hurricane. That even though Katrina is gone that left things that are still damaging New Orleans as a community. For example like I said a lot of people were not reimbursed by FEMA and that hurts because FEMA said that they would give them money to help them rebuild a new life in NEW Orleans or wherever they want to live. Also the reason he said “but she won't get through. Not through this heart.” is because he knows that if stays strong and stays committed to rebuilding maybe Katrina will stop doing damage to him.
Why did the producers choose to juxtapose footage of the news with camcorder footage? What was the effect?
The reason that the directors did this was to allow the viewer to see what really happened. When we see the news we only get a few information about the event. What we are missing is what the people who are in the event or witnessing, we don't know what they are going through. So by putting the footage of Kim next to the news footage, it allowed us to see what Kim and her family was going through during the hurricane. Something we would have never gotten in the news. The effect was that it allowed us to see one of the many stories we would have learned about that the news doesn't cover. Another effect was that it really opened our eyes to what really happened during the hurricane. It allowed us to feel like we were there at that moment. That is why the director chose to juxtapose the news footage with the footage taken by Kim.
Hello Mrs. Rayburn, this is O'Shea and I wanted to express my opinion on the quote:"At this time, they're not rescuing. The police aren't coming out until the weather conditions get better." - 911 operator. A sudden shock hit me when I heard this operator and her heartless tone say these words. People in need of rescue, stranded, in the middle of a hurricane, with no hope, get told no! Why? This is what I asked myself when the operator said they are not rescuing at this time. Then what time will they rescue? Why is the world so cold? How is this the United States of America when the government isn't united with its people? How does the government send our soldiers to help people in Iraq and Afghanistan, when people in New Orleans need the most help? All these thoughts and questions rushed to my head just as the water rushed over the levy during Katrina. I live in a country that has a 911 operator that doesn't help its own people in the toughest times. Wow! We live in America, the land of the free, yet our own people get treated like foreigners. A cry for help was shut down, and as I take it, the operator was the voice for the government at that time, and the government would've left citizens to die!
Hello Mrs. Rayburn, it's O'Shea. If I was a resident of New Orleans, and my home suffered the kind of damage that the Rivers' home did, I would not go back to live there. If I had the money, I would start my life in a new city. My reason is because number one, I wouldn't want to experience another hurricane ever in my life. I would also want to move from the dangerous city of New Orleans and relocate to a safer area. Crime, death rate, and poverty are extremely high in New Orleans. This added with catastrophe equals more suffering. Why suffer any longer when I would have suffered enough already? Exactly. A new start would be good for me, and I would move up north where hurricanes don't really do as much damage. Even though I would be faced with new weather problems, this would be the risk I would have to take. I know they have snow storms up north and cold weather, but that would be a sporadic transformation necessary in my life. When your whole life has been wiped away from you, change has already occurred. I would want to move away from the bad memories and start something new. Bye Bye South, I'm gone!
When my only means of help cannot be their for me I would never have the faith Kimberly Rivers and her family had during such an ominous event.Even in their darkest moment, when they called for help and the operator explained, "At this time, they're not rescuing. The police aren't coming out until the weather conditions get better."their faith wa strong. It was the fact that they were so sure that God would get them through this. They knew the government had failed them and that together they could get through anything. Their unity as a family and their faith in god is what essentially push them through. Even though their belongings were demonished, they didn't mind the loss of materialistic things but valued the fact that their family was still alive.They set a great example of how a family should act through hard times and how being optimism is a great trait to have.
Hey Mrs. Rayburn. It's MaTThew C. The quote by Larry "Katrina's still trying to do damage, but she won't get through. Not through this heart" defines what he and millions of other residents of New Orleans strongly endorse. Despite the heavy wrecking ball crashing down on the lives of millions during Katrina, it can never destroy the heart and soul of New Orleans. Although people failed to show in times of need, such as the 911 operator and FEMA, residents took this to heart and began to make their own change in the community. This was a time to start new and rid the city of the dark hole and back to that new car smell it once had. So to answer the first question, yes I would go back to my home. The phrase "There's no place like home" plays a major role in deciding to come back. Home is the place where it all began. House full of memories and traditions. I wouldn't let my memories be taken away by Katrina. This is the damage Larry was talking about. Although it has been five years now, Katrina continues to cause pain to those who abandon their homes. To them, home will never have the same meaning. You never let a heart die out. You try to bring it to life, and the only way to do this is by putting back those broken pieces no matter how long or hard it will take.
My reaction to the quote from Larry when he said "I didnmt know God could use a man like me" interested me the most. To me it seems that God works in misterious ways in difficult times and needs. I think God chooses the strongest people to become leaders because he knows that they can do it. I guess Larry was surprised because he hasn't always been faithful to God and know that he is in desperate measures God chose him because he was strong and he knew that he could handle all of the stress. I really like this quote because it shows that he has a good head on his shoulders and knows where he's going.
If I lived in New Orleans and my house was destroyed i would not have gone back. I would of just started my life over somewhere else. I would not want to put myself through that misery of all my stuff being destroyed and to feel hopeless once agian. I think the best thing for my mental health would be to not go back because i would become depressed and think back to all the things that i had and no longer have anymore. I would probably end up going back eventually but not as soon, becuase i would not be able to handle all that stress. I would simply start my life off somewhere else and start over for a new begining. I would think of it as a new chapter in my life and more time for better opportunities.
Chace...
If i was a resident of New Orleans and my home had suffered i would have definatley went back to my home even with all the damage. The reason why i would have went back home is because i would not like leave the life that i had behind. I believe the strength and the courage that the family in the movie reflected how i believe me and my family would react in this situation. When you finally make it to that place you call home you should stand your ground even in the face of danger.
"If you don't have money and you don't have status, you don't have the government." - Kimberly's cousin
In Kimberly's cousin's quote, she expresses how she feels that the government only cares about the wealtier people. It goes back to the "American Dream" and how in some cases, it doesn't exist for everyone. According to her, The American Dream doesn't apply to her because she's not as well off as the other citizens who's property was damaged. she believes that the government favors those who are higher in the "social class" and that even though we as a society, should be equal and the U.S. should be a place of equality, people are not treated the same.
If you were a resident of New Orleans whose home had suffered the kind of damage that the Rivers home did, would you go back? Why or why not?
If I was a resident of New Orleans and my home went through as much damage as Kimberly's, I would go back home. I respected her decision to go back even though it reminded her of the devastations that occured. it was a tough decision, even if she didn't think of it as that. I would go back because it represents a piece of you. It might sound banal, but "Home is where the heart is." You can't replace certain memories, and I feel like a home is one of those irreplaceable memories.
-Daniela Estrella
Hi Mrs. This is Yaritza.
"If you don't have money and you don't have status, you don't have the government".
There is so much truth behind this quote. The government often only helps those that are unfortunately poor because they do not want people in general to believe that the government does not care about its people. I believe that if the government didn’t care about making people believe that their government is “for the people” and “by the people” it would not even bother to help the poor because they are only taking money from the government and not giving back to it. The fortunate wealthy people that give money to the government are helped by the government therefore they are not impacted as much as poor people when natural disasters occur. The government works like greedy people they give something but only if they get something. For those that do not have a status the government does not take into consideration the problems the needy people face when disasters like Katrina happen.
If you were a resident of New Orleans whose home had suffered the kind of damage that the Rivers home did, would you go back? Why or why not?
If I was a resident of New Orleans and my house suffered the kind of damage that the Rivers home did I wouldn’t go back because I wouldn’t like to experience another devastating situation like another hurricane. I wouldn’t like to continue living in a place where natural disasters are natural. I would go back just to get what I can from whatever is left. I would move to a place where nature is more peaceful and where I can have a new start. It would be hard because I would miss my hometown but I think it is the best thing to do.
“Why did the producers choose to juxtapose footage of the news with camcorder footage? What was the effect?
The producers decided to juxtapose the footage from the news with camcorder footage to portray that the news does not show the entire facts about the event. The effect was that people were able to see the perspective of the tragedy from another stand point and be aware of how things really happen. People could see the event occurring without the video being edited to seem less devastating. In the news we are not able to see how people go through the hurricane. Also we are not able to see how officers are actually helping or in other cases not helping the residents. People are able to see that not enough things were done to ensure that every person be helped.
“The lord is upset with New Orleans; I don’t blame him”
This is a powerful statement Kimberly made because of how she brings her religion and faith through the harsh times. Kimberly feels as though the hurricane happened because the people of New Orleans did something bad to make the Lord angry. Maybe it was that they didn’t pray enough or that they were being sinful, who knows. She thinks that the Lord had a reason for the hurricane occurring because she knows how the city had become. I disagree with this quote because I don’t feel as though God punishes people for not making him proud or happy. Katrina happened but that does not mean god was mad. This was only another obstacle or wall put by God so that people can change for the better. We are all different; therefore we might have different opinions. What people should take from this is that our lives can be changed at any given moment so we must stick together and do good things.
Hoy Hoy. This is Anthony Salazar. My Response is to the first quote, I believe she said this because she sees what New Orleans has become. She sees all the drug use and selling of drugs, all the violence and believes that because of this the Lord is punishing New Orleans.I just like her would she all the wrong in my cityh and then see what is happening and thnk that God is punishing us for what we have done and still do. Just like the story of Noah's ark, God is trying to wash all the bad from this town and start clean by opening the eyes of the people.
If I was a victim during Katrina or any hurricane where my house was damaged I do not think that I would ever want to come back. I would only see the destruction and the pain left behind by the water and will get angry at myself and the people that did nothing to help. Like many residents of New Orleans I would probably hold resentment towards the government and FEMA. In my head I would think that they are not doing anything because they do not care.
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