Don't blame racism or President Bush for what happened to
thousands of black people during and after Hurricane Katrina says black leader.
"The truth is black people died, not because of President Bush or racism, they died
because of their unhealthy dependence on the government and the incompetence of Mayor Ray
Nagin and Governor Kathleen Blanco," said the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, founder and
president of BOND (the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny).
Peterson singled out the Rev. Jesse Jackson, members of the Congressional Black Caucus,
and rapper Kanye West, all of whom blamed President Bush for not doing enough to help
black people, especially in New Orleans, where TV images showed scenes of desperation and
violence that continued for several days after the hurricane hit.
Jackson called President Bush's response "incompetent" and charged that racism
is partly to blame for the slow evacuation of survivors; and during a nationally televised
fundraising event on NBC, West said, "George Bush doesn't care about black
people."
Not fair, said the Rev. Peterson: "If black folks want to blame someone for this
tragedy they only need to look in the mirror." Mayor Nagin has blamed everyone else
except himself, when it was Nagin who failed in his duty to evacuate and protect city
residents, Peterson said.
"Our prayers go out to the families of the deceased," Peterson concluded.
"Hopefully this will help black people realize the folly of depending on the
government or leaders and serve as a notice to avert future tragedies in other
cities."
Peterson frequently criticizes the entrenched civil rights leadership, saying liberal
black leaders have failed and exploited African-Americans. |
