The End- Post Katrina Film

The Film

The last class really compiled all of the information we have learned throughout into one final lesson in environmental sociology. The film encompassed many of the aspects of the course and provided the class with a good real life depiction of environmental issues. First, the film encompassed aspects of disaster vulnerability and showed how some minority groups are more likely to face certain hazards then others. Environmental inequalities were seen throughout New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, whereby the poor and visible minorities were denied access to certain human rights, and stereotyped in a negative light throughout the media. The film also showed many of the changes occurring to the climate due to global warming, and the possibility of increased storms and weather hazards. The communities in New Orleans have become progressively combined and are moving towards equal actions and the proper rebuilding of the ninth ward. These collective actions have been taken at the local, state and national levels with the hope of getting equal treatments. Finally the film showed a variety of perspective on the post ninth ward in New Orleans. Some believed that it should become a luxury location in the south; others believe that no new houses should be built at all, and others have developed post hurricane houses that are built to withstand weather conditions. New Orleans is an example of some of the debates around environmental sustainability, and what can be changed to withstand present environmental changes. Many of the suggestions are positive, but some exclude a large portion of the community, and bring unwanted onlookers to residential neighbourhood.

Question: Tourism- New Orleans

New Orleans has always been known for its high quality tourist industry, but post- Katrina many sectors took a blow. Do you think it is positive for the local community and tourist to visit the ninth ward to see the Pitt Homes? Or do you think this is having negative affects? What do you think the tourists are taking away from this experience? And do you think Volun-tourism in New Orleans or any where is positive or negative? Is it better than ecotourism?