Trouble the Water - Take Action
August 24th, 2008 by Glenda Johnson
Trouble the Water tells the story of a young New Orleans’ couple—trapped by the deadly floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina—who courageously survive the storm and its calamitous aftermath. It chronicles their flight from home and their quest to rebuild their lives and Lower Ninth Ward community.
This powerful story vividly illustrates community fortitude in the face of adversity.
Foremost, it is a tool for discussion and action around the ongoing rebuilding of one of our nation’s most valuable treasures.
You can play an important role in the rebuilding effort.
There are a number of action steps to get the word out about the film and the issues it raises. Download the “Take Action” brochure for details.
Also check out the Trouble the Water site for more info on what you can do to make sure New Orleans and the Gulf Coast is not forgotten on the domestic policy agenda.
In the meantime, if you’ve seen the film, tell us what you think.
Don’t forget to read the policy recommendations in the report, A Long Way Home. Let us know if you’d like to join the thousands of folks who’re working to help New Orleans and other Louisianans make it home.
Tags: housing, Lower Ninth Ward, new orleans, poverty, race
August 25th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I want to say to all involved - Trouble The Water was a superb documentary. I was really bothered by the fact that three years have passed and nothing had been done to get the people of New Orleans back to theirr homes. I love the fact that Kim and her faithful and dedicated husband was a sunshine that rose out of the storm - no matter what was thrown their ways they kept their faith in God and sense of humor.
I know that the French Quarters have been built back up for the the tourist attraction that is okay. But tell me where in the these United States of America do you have a city and state that it is just for tourist and no working class people. That is what the United States of America is all about. - It is the working class people that make up the great cities and states of America.
The Goverment should be ashamed of themselves. They are trying to sweep the people of New Orleans under the rug, Well let me tell you that I will do everything I can to make sure this will never happen. In addition to my participation I will spread the word to everyone that I come in contact with to make sure they see Trouble the Waters so they can know what injustice is being done to the people of New Orleans. My prayers are for ALL the people of New Orleans and the dedicated people who put together this excellent documentary. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Gwendolyn Young
August 25th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I enjoyed trouble the water soooooo much, kim was a true inspiration to me, i especially liked how she put her issues to the side and helped as many people as she did during the hurricane, she is a strong woman indeed. i loved the film i thought it was funny and very touching
August 25th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I started reading a book titled, “The Great Deluge” by Douglas Brinkley. When I got the invitation to see the film based on the survivor’s point of view, I was very excited. I loved the spirit of Kim and her husband, Scott and how they took care of neighbors, family and strangers; even though they did not have much. To see how they were treated by the government reinforced the anger that I felt at the handling of the citizens of New Orleans, especially the African Americans, the elderly and the poor.
If I had the opportunity to meet Mayor Nagin, I definitely would like to talk about his total disregard for people who helped to put him into office. He is supposed to be the Mayor for all the people, not just the business interests.
I have traveled to New Orleans on several occassions and loved the city. I would like to see the people return to their homes. If there is some way in which I can help, I would be willing to do so.
Thanks for bringing this documentary to the theatre. I will certainly share and encourage friends to see the documentary.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:41 am
First of all I also would like to thank the producers and editors of the film,Policy Link, and everyone else involved in bringing this riveting documentary to us. As a proud descendant of the gens du colour libre [free gentlemen of color] with French last name to boot, I am Creole and proud of the history that my anscestors made along with former slaves in building great city of New Orleans and the Cane River Plantations that sent the goods down river. New Orleans was the original New York of our country. The Mississippi was the transporter of most of the goods in our country at that time through the port of New Orleans.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Continued from above……. Ne wOrleans was also home to the largest population of free blacks in this hemisphere before the end of slavery. To see such a great city, whose people and commerce have propped up the finANCIAL SKELETON and international trade of our country in the first 200 years thrown by the wayside and its protections ignored ny the Federal Goverment and the Louisiana officials is outrageous. The film TROUBLE THE WATER is a godsend . It is devestating to watch regular American like you and me get thrown under the bus by local, state, and Fedderal officials. The films portrayal the heartbreak and the failure of our structures to help the most needy when we had the resources is mind boggling. The way the film takes us in and out of time sequence made me feel as if I were there, not the Louisiana born California raised woman that I am, but right in the moment suffering with my people. The Heroin Kim’s last name is Hall and I definitely have Hall cousins in my family. To overstate this films importance is not possible. The images of elderly left dying in the street. The officials lying about hospital evacuations. The prisoners left locked up to die, while their custodians gone to higher ground. The school buses and amtrak trains left idle while thousand s of home owneres and taxpayers who were financially disabled were left with no viable means of escape. Ordinary people like the films STARS and you and me forced to become heros and against impossible odds make it out alive. It is a heartwrenching gut check that every person in America SHOULD SEE! You dont have to have roots in Louisiana and New Orleans to feel thAT THEIR PAIN IS OUR PAIN! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THAT this could happen anywhere in the US right now. It is an astounding achievement and I am so proud of the Heros in the film that shared their painful losses and new found conviction in spirit with us! I an equally proud of the filmmakers for taking a chance on a film that no major studios were interested in. Most importantly I would like to thank Policy Link for all of the brilliant heartfelt work they do every day for American s like me and you who can easily fall under the crushing wheels of bureaucracy and indifference. I will continue lo support there heroism in thier daily fight and after you see this film TROUBLE THE WATER …believe you will to. GO AND SEE THIS FILM, YOUR LIFE AND VIEWS OF OUR COUNTRY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING L.DeSoleil Arbiter of New Media ps one last fact [ the 9th ward is always portrayed as an impoverished area, but dont forget that 78% of its black inhabitants owned the properties they lived in which made it one of the largest homeownership areas in America for people of color. These were homeowners and taxpayers who were abandoned.] A rallying cry: IF IT CAN HAPPEN TO THEM IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!
August 26th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Thank all of you for your comments. It’s very important to speak out – in any and all forums — about the film and the issues it raises.
As I mentioned at the NYC screening, we had Danny, Tia, Carl, Kimberly and Scott at our conference earlier in the year. And when we showed the film to the 1800 attendees, there wasn’t a dry eye or an uninspired soul in the place. This film has the power to enlighten, agitate, and to move folks to act. The groundswell of interest and enthusiasm has been absolutely remarkable. So keep spreading the word about it.
But also, we must be vigilant in making sure the issues of race and poverty remain on the national agenda. People of color and low-income communities were disproportionately affected when Katrina, Rita and the floods destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes. And although there have been some good news coming out of NOLA, there’s still so much work to be done:
In the coming months, we’ll be reaching out to you to join us in our efforts as we continue to push for a fair and just rebuilding in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Trouble the Water is an AMAZING film. I applaud the filmmakers, Kimberly, Scott and everybody involved… It is so important that we keep the conversations about what Katrina unveiled alive… Three years after the storm, so much still needs to be done… The physical and emotional scars are deep. My film KATRINA’S CHILDREN explores the impact of Katrina completely from the children’s point of view… A different angle, but our hope is that young people will see the film and be inspired to become better citizens and understand how we all are connected…
Here’s a recent article by Leonard Pitts:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080826/OPINION03/808260325
Let’s hope Gustav does not hit…
August 28th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Kudos on a great way to take a film into action.