Obama education secretary Arne Duncan told a cable news show (TV One's Washington Watch, 1/31/10), "I think the best thing that happened to the education system in New Orleans was Hurricane Katrina." In reporting on Duncan's remarks, the January 30 Washington Post apparently couldn't find anyone to challenge the notion that Katrina was a good thing.
Nowhere in the CNN segment or the Washington Post report was there anyone to challenge Duncan's remarks or to explain that the reason New Orleans test scores have increased is that post-Katrina rebuilding has largely driven out the poor and black populations who had been so poorly served by the city's schools pre-Katrina.
While I am happy that something positive is being reported about New Orleans post Katrina, I do not like that fact this "good" news is as a result of a terrible tragedy.
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It's so easy to make a comment in the mainstream media, word it like that, and catch a lot of scrutiny. It is up to public officials to think of better ways to phrase things so as to not come across as insensitive and callous. Of course it wasn't the hurricane itself wreaking havoc on the city that turned things around, and claiming as such makes one seem like they condone widespread destruction and chaos centered on one of America's favorite tourist stops and the home of many loyal cajuns. Obviously, no one in their right mind and sane enough to get elected would truly feel that way. But when they say things like this, it totally undermines their credibility, and of course EVERYONE is going to question such a dubious and seemingly cruel remark.
ReplyDeleteKatrina was an aweful tragedy and in no way was this a good thing.
ReplyDeleteThey could have fixed the school problems without the aweful tragic Katrina coming through.
New Orleans has so much to celebrate now with the superbowl win and all but calling Katrina a good thing is beyond ridiculous. If I was a citizen there I would be outraged.
I too would be outraged.
ReplyDeleteKatrina was in no way a blessing or a good thing. In no way should it be viewed as such. Especially because citizens are still cleaning and rebuilding.
I agree with all of you. I think the school system problem could have been fixed without the destruction of New Orleans. Katrina was a tremendous tragedy that in no way should be viewed as a positive effect on New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteI would look at it as a state that is being motivated by other to do the right thing. After experiencing such a terrible tradgedy, the city of New Orleans has recieved so much help and support. I think all the help and support and rebuilding has helped the sucess. I dont believe running poor people out is why there is success
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you that its a good thing that something positive came out of a negative but Ms. Duncan does have to be careful when making statements on behalf of New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteA better public education system was not worth all the lives that were lost. Yes, it's a good thing now but to say it in that context is a bit too loosely said for comfort.
I feel you on that. If they provided the details about how many of the students with lower test scores have vacated compared to that of the amount of students with higher test scores. But I doubt we will ever see that fact corelated with the fact of increaing test scores in Katrina affected areas.
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