Merci Beaucoup

So, on Thursday, several students and I went out to Tent City to interview the homeless. We wanted to find out why people were there, how they became homeless, how they are surviving, as well as what they want from us, if we are to help them. I will tell some of their stories, later in this blog.... after I study a little bit...

While interviewing people, I was informed that Mayor Ray Nagin was holding a free dinner for the public on Canal Street and handing out free blankets to the homeless. Intrigued by this, I ran to my car (parked under I-10, near another homeless settlement) and drove towards St. Charles and Canal. While on Gravier Street, I noticed a group of about 15-20 homeless people marching in the street. I immediately parked my car and ran out to catch up with them. Camera in one hand and notepad in the other, I resembled a journalist more than a medical student, and actually had some people ask me what newspaper I was from. ha ha

Led by Dale and his dog, Elvis and bearing an old sheet emblazoned with "Homeless Pride, Love, Peace, Unity," the rag-tag army rapidly marched towards the event. Fists in the air, they chanted "Hey Ray, whaddaya say? We want housing today!" and "What do we want? HOUSING! When do we want it? NOW!!" Once we reached canal, the march continued on the trolley tracks, in order to gather the most attention.

So, what WAS this dinner about? Once we arrived, I shouted with the protesters for a few minutes, and then left in order to investigate. Interestingly, the dinner was not actually intended for the homeless, as we had all thought... and there were no blankets being passed out (there must have been some mis-information in the telephone-arabe that we call the "word on the street"). There was a free, catered meal, however (enough to feed 3,000 people). Once I conducted some research into this matter later on, I found out that this dinner was part of the "Merci Beaucoup Campaign," led by Mayor Nagin to thank the businesses and citizens of New Orleans for coming back and being a part of New Orleans' recovery. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that Rebirth Jazz Band was playing, as well... a New Orleans treat.

Upon finding Nagin milling with his constituents, I decided to take the opportunity to ask him a question. I ducked under the press cameras and called his name... and he turned around. Shaking his hand, I introduced myself as a medical student from Tulane University and informed him about my desire to help the homeless of New Orleans. I stated that, throughout our interviews, the homeless have kept re-iterating that they are more than willing to help fix up some of the old, abandoned buildings around the city in order to create housing, which they could inhabit, afterwards. Of course, Nagin did what I expected any politician to do, he brushed me away with the excuse, "We don't have the resources...," and pretty much made it clear that, for some reason, this would be impossible. I still find that hard to believe... but I am going to give our city government the benefit of the doubt. After all, I am not there, so how can I judge? However, a better explanation of the situation would have been appreciated.

After gorging ourselves on food, I walked back towards T-City with Scooter, Will, and Micheal (three of the tent people). Upon reaching my car, I thanked them for the escort, and they headed out to "the wall" a location where they knew they could find some handouts, including dog food... for Elvis.