New Orleans On The Brink: Why Progressive America Can And Should Contribute To A Sustainable Recovery
While statistical evidence has consistently identified the failed federal response to Katrina as the watershed event contributing to the decline of the Bush administration's approval ratings, progressives and the netroots have largely abandoned the cause of New Orleans as a political and moral issue. The Left has a responsibility to see to it that New Orleans survives and thrives, for the sustainable recovery of this city will be the primary measure used for determining whether the netroots indeed represent a substantive movement concerned with the betterment of American communities or just another vessel for cyclical change in partisan fortunes. As it stands, New Orleans is on the brink. Rates of crime, illiteracy, poverty, imprisonment and life expectancy too closely resemble those of developing nations. Political power remains ensconced in the hands of economic and tribal elites. Basic retention of the population that has been able to return is as pressing a challenge as bringing home the tens of thousands who remain displaced almost four years after the levees failed.
A Philadelphia native, Eli decided to stay in New Orleans after attending university there and has since become immersed in the swamp that is New Orleans politics. As an "amateur" blogger and reporter, Eli has extensively covered hurricane recovery issues and helped uncover instances of municipal corruption and waste. Lately, he founded SaveCharityHospital.com and is trying to locate the precise intersection where information meets action.
Cross teaches documentary and broadcast news at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. "The Old Man and the Storm" is the first of what she hopes will be a series of documentaries on New Orleans and the Gulf Coast rebuilding effort. It is her eighth film for PBS' Frontline. Cross has worked for PBS's Frontline, CBS News, and PBS's NewsHour. Her first book, a memoir titled "Secret Daughter" was published in May 2006. She enjoys yoga, lifting weights, or going for walks in New York City. She lives with her husband, jazz trumpet player Waldron Ricks.
James Perry is currently the Executive Director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center and a candidate for Mayor of New Orleans. Mr. Perry has worked tirelessly to ensure equal housing opportunities for all citizens of New Orleans. Recently, he won a lawsuit against St. Bernard Parish for trying to implement racist housing policies and has testified six times before Congress on behalf of the citizens of the Gulf Coast. He is a member of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the National Fair Housing Alliance, the Historic District Landmarks Commission, and the Louisiana Housing Alliance.
As the founder and director of Squandered Heritage I have been able to expose corruption and the misuse of federal funds. As well as promote policy change.
Jacques Morial is a native New Orleanian with over 30 years interdisciplinary professional experience in public policy, dispute resolution, community organizing, international finance, strategic communications, broadcasting and electoral politics.
As Co-Director of the Louisiana Justice Institute, a social justice legal advocacy organization, Jacques is responsible for initiatives in healthcare, environmental justice and civic engagement.
Jacques has worked as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill, capital finance specialist for a Wall Street-based investment banking firm, broadcast holding company executive and as principal of a strategic communications firm. He's served as an official election observer in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.
