A Professor's Reflections -- One Week Later

Reflections:
· First impressions were very powerful. The desolation, the extreme pain that was experienced by so many, the loss of property, personal effects, and loved ones – no way to compartmentalize any of this. It was brutal, palpable, and pervasive.
· This, contrasted greatly by the resiliency, hopefulness, extraordinary resourcefulness, and the real love for their city. New Orleanians are fiercely loyal to their city. Those who left did so mainly because there was no hope for them if they returned – no home, no opportunity for restitution from either government or insurance providers, a loss of support and social network, or a chance for a new beginning elsewhere.
· The articulation by members of the community that they were still experiencing primary trauma, not PTSD spoke volumes about the pain and, even, fear they lived with on a daily basis. And, their pleas that we bring the message home not to forget them; they were still not whole.

There is so much to do to heal a broken world, but I felt uplifted at the end of our time there, grateful that we had had an opportunity to give back to this community in tangible ways. The work is not nearly done, just beginning, really, but we have been a part of that beginning and we can continue to do more, even from NY….We can use our collective will and creativity to continue the mission…..Share your thoughts and ideas!!!

- Professor Lyn Levy