Thanks Ellen

I don't blog much on television because I don't watch much of it.  Between the women gossiping in my office and the industry trade magazines, I'm able to keep up with current pop-culture events.  The only parts of American Karaoke I've seen are in the beginning when the really bad people, like myself, are singing.

However, Thursday I was able to make it home from work a bit early.  I was changing into my workout clothes.  The Ellen DeGeneres show was on.  I always thought she was a cool, funny person and  is from New Orleans.  Other than that, I've never really followed her. 

During her show, she showed video of her going to New Orleans in mid-May.  The premise of her show was to illustrate how things are still bad after nine months and that the country can't forget about the great city.  People were forgetting about us after one month.  People still make asinine comments to me about what happened.  Anyway, I could tell how much she missed her city and how sickly she felt for the people that endured/are enduring what happened.  She, like many others, are completely frustrated at the slow movement at rebuilding the city.  The people there are very resilient and much of everything will have to be done alone.

She did more than she realizes by just bringing, in some form, the city to a national medium.  She went so far as to give a man and his wife a set of Bosch tools and a Dodge truck.  It may be just one person, but every bit helps in rebuilding that city. 

While on camera near one of the largest levee breaches, a woman approached her and thanked Ellen for bringing the area to the nation.  One of the most powerful things people can do for us is to go visit.  Not only to spend money, but to see first-hand what it is like.  The best writers in the world have tried and it is impossible to put into words.  Even video, does not do it justice. 

Evey time I think I've hardened to the situation, I'm amazed at the various ways emotion is stirred up inside of me.  Whether it is from driving back into the city or catching a random talk show on TV, it always comes back into my gut.

Thanks, Ellen.

Comments

[Sheley]

It's amazing, even after all this time, how much Katrina still affects our emotions. Every once in a while, my mind will wonder about how it use to be - driving to my friends house every day after work or going to my favorite sushi place. These things do not exist anymore but the hope it will come back keeps me going.

It's nice to see people like Ellen taking time out of their lives to help those in need. It really makes you feel like New Orleans is coming back. :)