As the rants, screams, anger, and rage pour in and out regarding the natural disaster and human failings experienced in the last 10 days, so is heroism and our very tribal nature witnessed. Katrina was a hurricane and acted like one. The human-ness that has shown itself is to be celebrated and grieved. So called looters were heroes as they distributed food and water in the New Orleans convention center and Superdome. Outreach extended across state lines and boundaries. At the same time, the leadership void made room for anarchy and chaos. It will be in the longterm healing of the soul of what being American is that all of this may make some sense. However, for today, we can only reflect on how the events mirrored our national values for life, liberty, and the persuit of all that is rich in life.

I was born in Detroit and went to high school in the 60’s. I was witness to the birth of Motown, the discovery of Stevie Wonder, and went to the same high school as the Supremes. In fact, many famous jazz musicians went ot Cass Technical High School.

The riots of 1967 became the turning point of all that I held dear. It ripped apart the very fabric of the rich cultural weave of diversity that was my Detroit. Now, 40 years later, it is spoken of as the turning point that separated the rich from the poor, the black from the white. Detroit is still recovering…and it IS recovering.

It will take longer for the soul of New Orleans to heal from its woundedness caused by actions of a few, inexplicable inaction of national leaders, and the shame of neglect of the poor and frail, than it will take to rebuild it. Yes, states have opened their arms. But, of the many who died, we will not know it is was at the hands of God through the winds of Katrina, or through the waters that followed, or through the hours that passed without water, food, or medication.

At this point, the only thing that is clear to me is that history will show this to be a major turning point. And, life is a one way street; no going back, no u-turns, only a rear view mirror thats often shows what we never saw.