Editorial by Nicole C. Lee, Executive Director of TransAfrica Forum
There have been a few films that have captured the horrors, injustice and racism linked with Hurricane Katrina. They invoke the anger and outrage many of us felt watching the news coverage day after day. Despite the fact that you may feel inundated with the images or feel that you know all you need to know, I urge you to see "Trouble the Water," a new film executively produced by Louverture Films.
Now, in the interest of full disclosure, Louverture Films is the brain child of two of my favorite people - Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover. They created Louverture to ensure that the most politically charged and relevant films can actually be made. There is no doubt that this work is crucial and that these films must be made.
Trouble the Water is a documentary film directed by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal. The film features first hand footage of the flooding of the 9th Ward in New Orleans, and poignantly shows how the families and communities survived.
The footage was shot by Kimberly Roberts with her husband Scott by her side. The movie follows their journey post-Katrina to assess all that had been lost, the renewal they seek, and the redemption they build.
Kimberly and Scott are not the type of heroes Hollywood wants you to see, but you will see your own greatness in their story. You will see the triumph of dignity and respect of black people when confronted with indignation, indifference and greed.
No matter how much you know or have seen, their story will touch your heart and intellect. Beware: your anger towards the system and failed Bush policies will be reinvigorated and you will want to act. Please, follow that reaction.
Trouble the Water lets you know in no uncertain terms that Katrina is still happening. The policies that led to the worst natural disaster in U.S. history were man-made. Those policies have not changed and serve as testimony that racism and classism are alive and well, and affecting our cities, our country and our world. Despite the lack of media presence, Katrina's tragedy is still ongoing. People live daily in the aftermath of the failed policies of the government elected to serve at the will of the people (that some helped elect).
Even as we look ahead to the election, anxiously anticipating the arrival of change, there are far too many of our sisters and brothers being left farther and farther behind. We must not forget them, or their ongoing struggle, and Trouble the Water serves as an immediate call to action. It requires you to question what you have been told, to seek real truths, and to engage others to fight social indifference and neglect.
I cannot urge you strongly enough to go see the movie for the first hand story of what happened in those days, and what has happened in the years since. It will transform you even if you know the whole story.
Go see it because a star has been born in Kim Roberts, who represents to me the hope for our generation. See it because today in places like Haiti, Black men and women will sleep tonight, broken under the weight of man-made natural disasters, but they will rise tomorrow and try to rebuild. See it because it matters.
Nicole C. Lee is the Executive Director of TransAfrica Forum.
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