He said New Orleans fared differently from Minneapolis, comparing the city and nation's response to the collapse of the I-35 bridge this summer, with the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans two winters ago. "New Orleans is a Black city, with a Black mayor, in a state run by a governor who is a Democrat and a woman," he said, calling that the perfect storm for Republican-led indifference, lack of responsiveness, and lack of compassion and genuine concern for the thousands of families still displaced and disadvantaged by Katrina and FEMA.
Joseph K. Byrd, Vice President for Student Affairs, Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana first served as a general counselor, then Assistant Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, and Associate Vice President for Student Services. He has been the Vice President for Student Services since 1995 and is responsible for twelve areas of student life at Xavier University.
He was in Twin Cities to address the Hamline University Katrina Response Network presentation to the first annual Newell Family Lecture Series for this Thursday, November 15, 2007. He talked about the role and importance of educational institutions in the rebuilding of New Orleans.
He said New Orleans fared differently from Minneapolis, comparing the city and nation's response to the collapse of the I-35 bridge this summer, with the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans two winters ago. "New Orleans is a Black city, with a Black mayor, in a state run by a governor who is a Democrat and a woman," he said, calling that the perfect storm for Republican-led indifference, lack of responsiveness, and lack of compassion and genuine concern for the thousands of families still displaced and disadvantaged by Katrina and FEMA.
