Ray’s neighborhood was empty when we arrived. There was little sign of life and even less of the rebuilding and healing that the nation would like to believe is taking place in the historic districts of New Orleans. Ray told us that within his city, the blighted areas seem to remain “out of sight and out of mind” to far too many. Several of his neighbors had abandoned their properties and have not returned to help him breath life back into this once proud neighborhood.Ray just turned forty-five and never has lived anywhere but the Holy Cross district. As he recounted stories of better days, he spoke of community and friendship, of the small businesses that once thrived in the neighborhood and their colorful proprietors. His younger middle-aged brother was quiet and remained in the shadows as we conducted our evaluation of his family’s two residences in the neighborhood. As he looked inward and remembered, tears welled in his eyes.
The brothers are committed to repairing their homes and rebuilding their lives. They clearly are overwhelmed and, by their account, there is little help. They were touched by the attention we extended to them in conducting an evaluation of their properties and thanked us in advance for the promised inventory that would itemize damage and make recommendations for the work that needed to be done.
What needs to be done is far more than Ray and his brother will be able to accomplish alone. Yet, each day they set to their work and continue to hope that some manner of help is on its way (despite the year that has passed since tragedy changed the very fabric of their lives) and remain optimistic that others will follow in rebuilding the nearby abandoned residences. Their passion for the past and normalcy that once characterized their lives is palpable. Every step they take appears to be a step towards attaining the goal of re-establishing the life they once knew.
