Scholars, Researchers, Community Leaders and Artists Observe the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
September 8-10, 2010
Chapel Hill NC – To observe the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina – this country’s largest natural and human-caused disaster – The Center for the Study of the American South at UNC-CH and the UNC Center for the Study of Natural Hazards and Disasters, in partnership with the Center for Poverty, Work and Opportunity, the School of Government and the School of Law are coming together to explore the human impact of the storm through workshops, storytelling, photography, singing and songwriting. A series of free events from Wednesday, September 8th through Friday, September 10th will offer attendees an opportunity to understand how the storm impacted people and communities and how lives are being rebuilt and renewed. The full schedule of events is below.
Wednesday, September 8th at 2:00 p.m. at the UNC School of Government, Room 2603 (Free and Open to the Public)
A panel comprised of researchers and an artist will discuss regions within the American south and the associated public policy issues confronting it – poverty, race relations, inequality and economic growth. Research will be paired with art (photographs) to communicate the analysis because data alone cannot convey the complexities and nuances of the people. Panelists include:
- Maureen Berner and Sharon Paynter will discuss poverty through the lens of hunger;
- Jesse White will discuss economic development; and
- Donn Young will discuss successful collaboration between artist and researcher.
Thursday, September 9th at 2:00 p.m., in UNC’s Gerrard Hall (Free and Open to the Public)
A panel discussion with artists, hazard scholars and community leaders regarding the ongoing human impact of Hurricane Katrina on the people and communities in the Gulf Coast region. First-person accounts of Hurricane Katrina presented through photographs, personal accounts and storytelling will focus on how individuals, communities, states and the region were affected, survived and are preparing for the future. Presenters include:
- Gavin Smith, Executive Director, University of North Carolina Center for the Study of Natural Hazards and Disasters;
- Donn Young, Photographer and Curator, 40 Days and 40 Nights;
- LaToya Cantrell, President, Broadmoor Improvement Association;
- David Perkes, Director, Gulf Coast Community Design Studio; and
- Andrew Horowitz, Director, New Haven Oral History Program, Yale University and Project Team Leader, “Imagining New Orleans” Oral History Project.
Thursday, September 9th, at 6:00 p.m., Opening Reception and Musical Performance, The Center for the Study of the American South, 410 East Franklin St. (Free and Open to the Public)
Beginning at 6 p.m., there will be an opening reception for Donn Young’s photography exhibit featuring photographs taken in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, as well as examples of his photos for the North Carolina Hunger Project, a collaborative effort with the UNC School of Government. Katie Bowler, a featured 40 Days and 40 Nights poet, will read from State Street (Bull City Press, 2009). A musical performance and discussion with former and current New Orleans residents, Peter Holsapple, Susan Cowsill, and Russ Broussard follows. Directions and Map to the Center.
Friday, September 10th at 12:00 p.m. at the Center for the Study of the American South (RSVP Required; please call 962-5665 to make a reservation)
The UNC School of Law Pro Bono Program conduct a lunchtime roundtable discussion, “Providing Legal Assistance in Low-Income, Rural Communities in the South.” These law students partner with the UNC Center for Civil Rights, Legal Aid of North Carolina, the Mississippi Center for Justice, and legal offices in the city of New Orleans to help deliver pro bono legal services to low-income families throughout communities in the South. Their projects have ranged from legal research on education and housing law issues to helping to draft wills for rural African-American landowners to handling criminal and family law matters in the years following Hurricane Katrina. As one student observed, “We had the opportunity to work directly with those in need… and the whole experience gave us a better understanding of the role that law and policy – and state and national decisions – have at a community level.” Come and hear what the students have learned from their experiences.