Gearing Up

Well it's been a hectic semester so far, but, as always, I'm terribly impressed by the motivation and organization of this group. We are well on our way to expanding our ranks, raising even more money than last year, and raising awareness in the Hastings community. We certainly learned a lot from our "pilot" year last year and I think we've got some valuable experience which is going to lend itself well to a productive and impactful 2008 trip.

Some new issues facing New Orleans (which aren't, in fact, new, they're just on CNN now) include the Jena 6 case and battles with the insurance industry over distribution of funds to impacted residents. These two issues highlight the catastrophe that lingers at the intersection of racial discrimination and bad business practice (both in the legal and insurance communities), and hopefully will remain in the public spotlight so that people will start to take notice and speak out. If you are interested to learn more, the Times-Picayune (www.nola.com) offers a wealth of information about what is going on in the Gulf Coast, and from a local perspective. We are also hoping to have events on campus to highlight these issues and keep our community informed and aware.

Please also keep a lookout for announcements about on-campus events such as panel discussions, documentaries, and fundraising events. We always hope for a good turnout and your support is much needed and appreciated!!

Thank you to everyone who supported us last year, and please join us again this year in our efforts to support the people of the Gulf Coast.