After the Storm: Black Intellectuals Explore the Meaning of Hurricane Katrina

by David Dante Troutt (Editor)

Available for the first time in paperback after selling out its hardcover print run and being frequently named among the best of the Katrina books, After the Storm offers "angry, learned, focused, readable, [and] essential" writing, according to Library Journal , in which contributors face what Ebony magazine calls "questions about poverty, housing, governmental decision-making, crime, community development and political participation, which were raised in the aftermath of the storm." Featuring the work of leading African American intellectuals, including Derrick Bell, Charles Ogletree, Michael Eric Dyson, Cheryl Harris, Devon Carbado, Adolph Reed, Sheryll Cashin, and Clement Alexander Price, After the Storm suggests "precisely what we must do if we are to both save the planet and create the great towns and cities that we can proudly bequeath to future generations" ( Socialist Review ).

164 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting look at Hurricane Katrina from the important, and under-appreciated perspective of black intellectuals. A compilation of short articles, After the Storm addresses issues and, most importantly, raises questions with regards to Hurricane Katrina as a political, racial, social and ultimately American catastrophe.

While some articles speak to Katrina directly, for example brining litigation against those responsible for crimes that have yet to be names, others use the framework of Katrina to address more broadly issues of how race and class are perceived in America.

This is one of my first reads into what one might call critical race theory and I fully appreciate the perspectives presented. I wish I knew more then I do to better understand some of the questions raised and issues put forth, but, all I can do is continue to read and continue the dialogues that are important to this field of study.

Long live New Orleans. . .

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was most interesting to think about this through a historiographical lens as this was written in 2006 and the discussion of the intersection of poor, Black (or non-white people generally) residents and disaster preparedness has basically not progressed in the slightest. Definitely am interested in reading more about New Orleans with regards to rebuilding post-Katrina, particularly given that I'm sure the Great Recession plays a large part in the story (might check out Katrina: A History, 1915-2015). Not really sure I would recommend this to anyone who is not also interested in both history and climate-related disaster management planning tho lol

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the aftermath of Katrina and how the changing perspective of the nation through the media of the victims and the struggles they faced. Each section was made up of different articles, but there were common themes throughout the book.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of interesting and controversial information that isn't often brought forth in mainstream media.