Poker News

Donald Woods Jr.

It has become exceedingly difficult to concentrate on poker related issues when so many life-altering incidences invade my mental psyche. The unfortunate catastrophe in the gulf region is the ultimate reminder how fragile we human beings are. No matter how we as a country-or we as a people-prepare for these “Mother Nature” occurrences, we clearly are no match for so formidable an opponent. The network cable channel CNN did as well a job, as could be expected, providing a comprehensive first hand look into the calamity that followed in the gulf region, surrounding areas and specifically the city of New Orleans, La. We non-affected viewers were captive witnesses from-via the media’s feed-the aftermath of Katrina’s hurricane wind and torrential rainfall devastation to pure unadulterated upheaval and despair.

So disturbing were some of the images that I had to question my friend as to the address of this calamity, yes one United States of America! The real source of the frustration was the lack of …well LACK! As reporter after reporter echoed the severity and the magnitude of the situation, many so-called leaders were inexplicably absent on the scene. Make no mistake about it, the devastation caused by Katrina’s initial storm paled in comparison to the inept magnitude of response, causing many in my circles to question whether race had anything to do with it. Well, wait a minute; race seemingly, has always played a part in the development of this country’s glorious, and muddled past to the present day calamity.

The fact that race invades even to a small degree in this scenario takes away from the colossal magnitude of the situation. When the television images of thousands upon thousands of American citizens sitting on top of rooftops, no clothing, writhing in anguish, having lost everything, not even the necessities of food and water, crying into the cameras,” We need help!” Wow! To add insult to injury the in-fighting between the different factions of city, government officials on who’s in authority, who’s fault it was, how to fix it, fell well short of competency.

Many people wondered if the calamity had happened in another part of the country, say, the Mid-West states would the response have been more rapid and earnest. Change the demographics from a majority black urban city; to a suburban upscale minority black city would there be a significant difference. The rationale is legitimate to ask since there is a faction of people in this country who would try to divide the races.

Fortunately, for us, we as a nation have a body of people who only see the unfortunate situation for what it is, race not withstanding. These good people are under estimated when it comes to our conscious resolve. Donations of time, money, resources, living quarters, poured in from all over the country. Even though there may have been incidences of “black eyes”, the good American people were able to separate the rift for the big picture, namely, that many lives were at stake requiring immediate attention. Some people would try to illuminate isolated incidences to portray Black people in a negative light, so that the spotlight on the real problems of race in this country, are masked. Why would we still be asking, is it racism after a colossal calamity of this magnitude, in regards to the response in the year 2005?

The real unadulterated truth is: the people who responded without regard to race, creed, or economic status, know that to have a strong nation where-not only the people in this country but all over the world know-contributions in our society come from all factions even the lowliest one. When the people who do not believe that all races in this country should meld into one die out, we will be a better society because of it. There is only ONE RACE…THE HUMAN RACE.

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