BigRedJed
9/12/2006, 01:50 PM
Maybe I missed it and this has been addressed here already. I did a quick search and didn't find anything. But I've caught portions of this new Spike Lee/HBO documentary and thought I'd mention it.
I know, I know. This is going to turn into a political discussion, and ultimately I'll abandon this thread along with everyone else who gets sick of the polarized harping. I also know that Spike Lee is no unbiased film maker.
But I will say this: he did a brilliant job of communicating the immensity of the devastation and some of the personal stories of loss and frustration. It's easy to become a bit jaded and numb after seeing all of the coverage. It's also easy to retreat into the blame game (which he allows to happen on film, though there's plenty of blame to go around, not just directed at the Feds).
But, at the end of the day, your heart has to go out to many, many of the people in this film who just lost everything, and are dealing with some really insane conditions, even today. You're reminded that, along with the criminals, the looters and the like, there were hundreds of thousands of people like you and me affected by this. People who work, and go to chuch, and look after their families and friends and neighbors, and who will never be the same.
It's a tough film to watch, and yet you can't look away.
I know, I know. This is going to turn into a political discussion, and ultimately I'll abandon this thread along with everyone else who gets sick of the polarized harping. I also know that Spike Lee is no unbiased film maker.
But I will say this: he did a brilliant job of communicating the immensity of the devastation and some of the personal stories of loss and frustration. It's easy to become a bit jaded and numb after seeing all of the coverage. It's also easy to retreat into the blame game (which he allows to happen on film, though there's plenty of blame to go around, not just directed at the Feds).
But, at the end of the day, your heart has to go out to many, many of the people in this film who just lost everything, and are dealing with some really insane conditions, even today. You're reminded that, along with the criminals, the looters and the like, there were hundreds of thousands of people like you and me affected by this. People who work, and go to chuch, and look after their families and friends and neighbors, and who will never be the same.
It's a tough film to watch, and yet you can't look away.