If you have not cried over Katrina, you are clueless

This isn't about New Orleans.
This is not about The South.
This is not about "Black people"or African-Americans.
This is not about Americans.
This is about human suffering.

I never thought that my studies of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees on the continent of Africa would hit so close to home. Never did I think that mainland America would have to worry about hepatitis A, Cholera, a million refugees left without the basic means for existence. I thank and congratulate the private citizens of the United States and the foreign governments who have responded to this crisis with open hearts and wallets. American people are a people grounded in faith and hope. I am not a patriotic person, but it is with that same faith and hope that the US was founded, held together and has pulled through crises time and again. Though portrayed as monsters and gun happy loons throughout the world, the people are also the most kind and generous you will find anywhere. I congratulate the private American citizens for showing their solidarity though prayer vigils, monetary donations, donations of food and clothing, physical volunteer labor and tears of pain for the survivors and the missing.

We have no one to blame. I have articles detailing the blame that can be placed on the local, state and federal government for not preparing or responding properly, for fighting a war in Iraq that has left domestic tragedy on the back burner: but I refuse to post them. This is not a time to blame one another or hurt one another (as some of the victims of this disaster sadly chose to do). This is a time to weep with one another, understand one anothers' short comings, to forgive and to give hope.

I wish all of you affected by this tragedy great strength and I pray to God that your hearts will be comforted. If there is any assistance that I can personally give, please never hesitate to contact me. I have cried deeply for you.