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After yesterday's spectacular Super Bowl Victory, the city of New Orleans shone brighter than it has in years. The city's residents had a reason to celebrate, to believe in something larger than themselves, and to move out of the shadows of the tragedy that has darkened the streets of the city for nearly five years.
I can't help but be reminded of the classic work of literature by Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities. In the opening passage it seems we have a perfect description of the city of New Orleans- on both it's darkest day and it's brightest. One place on earth that has seen the best of times, and the worst.
While the celebrations and parties continue now through the Mardi Gras season, don't be fooled. New Orleans is still struggling to recover from the hurricane, the gross mishandling of aid money and efforts, the desperate and violent acts of its victims, and the subsequent lost revenue from tourism.
Americans have a short attention span, but have proved numerous times that we also have the power to do tremendous good during that short time. What we need to work on as a nation is keeping our energy and efforts focused on seeing devastated communities through the entire recovery and rebuilding process. It is long, it is difficult, it is thankless at times, and it is critical.
Communities in our nation, and around the world, continue to struggle to rebuild and recover after various disasters. My own city of Cedar Rapids was devestated by a flood in June of 2008, and it only takes a five minute drive to the downtown area to get a rude awakening and reminder of the hardships many still endure.
A heartfelt congratulations to the Saints, and the people of New Orleans!
