With Helene, History Repeats Itself for the Vulnerable
News Talk
By Parisa Fitz-Henley | Word In Black(WIB) – “Katrina.” A word I’ve hesitated to say aloud because of its weight, it’s gravity. A word that’s been quietly repeating in my mind. Not a name anymore. A symbol. People standing on rooftops, frantically waving at helicopters, begging for power for medical devices, for water, for food. Begging to be seen. It’s become synonymous with neglect of the most vulnerable people, neglect of places with poor infrastructure and few resources. Now, after Hurricane Helene, I’m seeing that kind of neglect play out in real time.Right now I’m in rural upstate South Carolina, a half hour from western North Carolina. Our power is out, water is scarce. Fridges are quickly emptying of salvageable food. We keep checking on loved ones and strangers, sharing information, and managing fear and frustration as oxygen tanks dwindle and gas tanks empty. We are anxious for news of our North Carolina neighbors and social media is the only lifeline — when cell service or Wi-Fi permit. Texts ping urgently: “My parents are sick,” “My mom just had surgery,” “A woman is in labor,” “My son and his family are missing.”& There are people we think are worth headlines...
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