Touristas Go Home

I saw a woman witha shirt on that said, "Tourstas Go Home." She might have meant the people that are in New Orleans merely to take advantage of Bourbon street and the music. She may have been directing the shirt towards people who drive through the Ninth Ward to take pictures of the destruction. She may have meant the people that are volunteering from other states to help rebuild the city.

Whatever her sentiment, I of course liked the shirt. Today while fertilizing the sunflowers (have I mentioned we're growing unflowers to take out the lead in the soil?) there were plenty of cars rolling on by-some local, some from out of state-taking pictures of our organization's signs and our work, and then rolling up their window to take off. Maybe a fraction talked with the person down the road who had literature about the work that we're doing. Maybe some made a donation.

Witnesses to the destruction and the state of things down here in New Orleans are important. They can take what they have seen back to their homes and tell people what they've seen. If their intention is to have a few pictures for themselves, and not tell people what they've seen, then that is not helping people rebuild, that is selfish. But maybe these people need to be informed of their importance. The role that they can play. Instead of leering at these touristas then, I could step forward and inform them of their crucial role as witness.

Oh, and if you haven't, consider stopping by New Orleans for some food, music and solidarity work! :)