Self Reliance Falls Short

The faces of those stranded by Hurricane Katrina sadden and haunt us, and we are scrambling for someone to blame for their plight. We ask why the abandoned are poor and black. One conclusion is unavoidable. America exalts individual freedom at the expense of community. With the marketplace in charge, we a’re supreme within our own spheres. In the current political climate, even basic government services and regulations are challenged as coercive interference with our private pursuits. The claim is that anyone can succeed, so we a’re impatient with those who do no’t, dismissing the hurdles they face. When disasters threaten, we warn individuals to evacuate, but neighbors and communities are not prepared to effectively act together.

It i’s telling that the United Nations has called Cuba a model in hurricane risk management, while America must rescue thousands from chaos. Cuba has a carefully educated and prepared network of volunteers, disaster responders, and public officials who all work together. It i’s a system based on people helping people. We may scoff that Cubans are forced into these networks, but we would do well to learn something about community from them. When disaster strikes, we should be prepared to help poor people evacuate, not leave them behind.