First of all I'm not sure how objective that blog is. The writer obviously uses racial slurs and has some strange expectations of people. It might be possible that they would act entirely different to someone other than this volunteer. But if I was going to welcome a person into my home I would have the opportunity to have personal interaction about what was acceptable. If I fed someone who had been starving a sandwhich and they complained and wanted McD's I would laugh and tell them a sandwhich is what I have, but as soon as they are able they can buy whatevr food they have. I might add something about silly expectations but keep the mood light, and jovial.
Of course I am. I will stop as soon as I bring you a plate of King Crab Legs, Lobster Tails, and seasoned rib-eye steaks.
OMG I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THIS BLOGGER!!!! I MEAN, THEY'RE GETTIN REAL FOOD AND COMFY BEDS!!! WHO CARES THAT THEY JUST LOST EVERYTHING - THEY'RE GETTING REAL FOOD!!!! AND WAIT...THERE'S MORE, I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE SITTING DOWN - THERE'S A LIBRARY!!!!! This guy needs to get over himself if his motive for volunteering was to get a warm fuzzy feeling. I believe him that many of the evacuees were disrespectful, but then he repeatedly contradicts himself by using racial slurs. I'm sure if a trailor park in East Texas got flooded out, some of the rednecks would be belligerent too.
As I said earlier, New Orleans had a real bad slum problem, a whole lot of people living off the government and not trying to move forward. Hopefully these people will see there is a better way, than living off the people that work hard and actually contribute to society. I think the most intersting thing is what they do when New Orleans is rebuilt.....do they go back? How long until the city of Houston closes the centers? It will be very interesting to watch. DD
Speaking of ignorant... this guy seems to think that the racist slur we all know that begins with "N" has some linguistic connection to the word "ignorant." It's actually derived from "negro" -- the Spanish word for "black." I know he thinks he's being 100% honest (which smacks mightily of Limbaugh), but his racist slant on things creeps in throughout his posting.
interestingly whenever i wake up without getting enough sleep im fairly cranky. in my younger days i was really bad about this but i've gotten better. still if i get 3-4 hours of sleep i simply am not all that nice to be around until noon. now if i had to live in the superdome for a week. with water everywhere with dead bodies going hungry and thirsty. not knowing where my family is. not having anything on me but my wet clothes that smelled. no bathroom nearby. i damn sure would be cranky as hell. to expect these people to eat from the palms of your hands with amazing manners is ridiculous. im sure they appreciate the help. but you can't expect them to not be cranky. this kid needs to figure out why he helped out. and growing up would be a nice part of this process too.
I reported the exact same thing the first day the volunteers got to the Astrodome. http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=1976297&postcount=532 The sad part is a friend of mine worked at the Astrodome today. His observations: Very few people were grateful. Most were downright harrassing. He's there volunteering, and getting calls out such as "Hey Cracker! Where you going? Bring me some water!" Most were beligerant and irritated, and this was as soon as they got here. The others were sobbing. He said, while he understood people's behavior, it was downright depressing. He also noted that when just 6-7,000 people had arrived, the entire place seemed to start overcrowding. He has nooo idea how they're planning to get 25,000 in there. Hopefully, these tensions will go away. But, for now, this is anything but a sanctuary to them.
Over the past week here in Austin I have worked to help many evacuees from the disaster ~ 90% of which were black ~ 100% of which were kind, grateful, courteous, etc...
They should stay in Houston only as long as semi-permanent to permanent shelters can be set up somewhere around New Orleans, in my opinion. Houston should be a temporary refuge only.
It's from my understanding that there looking to close the shelters - at least "Reliant City" in like a week or so And I'd take anything that comes out of that place that has not been witnessed yourself or reported first-hand w/ a grain of salt. I've been hearing lots of rumours about violence and rapes that have happened at the Dome, crack addicts suffering from withdrawal taggin the dome walls (where'd they get the paint and how did they smuggle it in?), etc ... from accounts coming from the media and from houston officials, everything's been running pretty smoothly there w/ only a few minor scuffles to report. And it seems the majority of volunteers reporting from these places said most people were grateful and thankful for our efforts.
Instead of bashing the volunteer and criticizing his self righteousness, perhaps you should go and volunteer to witness this yourself (if you live in the vacinity of Houston). If any of this is half true, im sure your attitudes would change pretty quick if you were treated this way.
Sad read, but : F**k your warm fuzzy! HE also wrote: "But these people came from NOTHING to begin with. DO YOU GET THAT YET! They where already worthless bums, they’ll continue being worthless bums." Why would you go help people you consider "worthless" to begin with? Also I don't know ANYBODY who says "Cracker."
so you think people voluteer because they are curious as to what the evacuees are like? why? because it makes you feel better? I bet that's what that guy was thinking. I don't think he really came there to help. he knew the people there won't be rich anything. they're the less fortunate so why expect too much from them? people should help inspite of not because of here's what my friend said about his experience