SAYING THE QUIET PARTS OUT LOUD. Hurricane Katrina was a man-made catastrophe. Poor city planning, failing infrastructure, and decades of environmental neglect collided with a government that abandoned its own people. New Orleans collapsed under the weight of systemic racism and classism, forcing a mass exodus that permanently reshaped Louisiana. We must ask ourselves: would this disaster have been handled differently if it had hit a predominantly white city? What would’ve been different? How would the government respond and how quickly? What resources would have already been available? Katrina was environmental terrorism and its aftermath revealed how deeply this country fails Black communities. Yet in the face of devastation, the people of New Orleans showed unmatched resilience. From the unsung heroes who risked everything to the communities who rebuilt with grit and grace, we honor their lives, their strength, and their beauty today. We thank them for the warmth and cultur...