Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2005-12-14

Duration: 00:56:42

Subjects: DISASTER RELIEF | POVERTY | Hurricane Katrina, 2005 | Hurricane Rita, 2005 | Superdome (New Orleans, La.) | Filmed panel discussions | Educational change | Media literacy

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Freeman, Craig Host
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Jones, Edith Interviewee
• Lockett, Raymond Interviewee
• Madden, Roberta Interviewee
• King, Donatus Interviewee
• Ewing, Randy Interviewee
• Pinsonat, Charles Speaker
• Dentro, Anthony Speaker
• Murray, Joni Speaker
• Spears, Henrietta Speaker
• Losavio, Scott Speaker
• Swanson, David Speaker
• Jones, Toni Speaker
• Williams, Elaine Speaker
• Ross, Linda Speaker
• Clause, Denise Speaker
• Bradbury, Steven Panelist
• Jackson, Lydia Panelist
• Richardson, James Panelist
• Williamson, Ann Silverburg Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from December 14, 2005, features Beth Courtney and Craig Freeman leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the effects of race and poverty in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Professor Raymond Lockett of the Southern University History Department, Edith Jones of the Urban League of New Orleans, Robert Madden of the YWCA of Baton Rouge, Danatus King from the New Orleans NAACP, and former State Senator Randy Ewing. The audience members then discuss their views on the recovery efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. They share a wide array of opinions on media portrayal of the disaster, as well as how poverty and racial issues have affected recovery efforts. Finally, panelists discuss if education impacts urban citizen’s ability to recover from and prevent future natural disasters. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: Steven Bradbury, Lead Organizer of ACORN, Senator Lydia P. Jackson (D), Dr. James A. Richardson, Director of Louisiana State University’s Public Administration Institute, and Ann Silverburg Williamson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Social Services. They discuss: the state government’s plans to help South Louisiana recover from Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, how the state plans on bringing people back to Louisiana after evacuating, and spurring economic development in recovery areas. This program was preserved through a 2022-2023 Public Broadcasting Preservation Fellowship.