I’m so sorry.

It seems strange to begin this journal entry that way, but it was the first thing that came to mind. I’m so sorry, New Orleans. I have lived here for almost four years; I have claimed to love you. But I didn’t know anything about you, and for that I am so sorry.

I didn’t know about Betsy in 1965. I didn’t know about the I-10 and the Treme. When Katrina held the city underwater, I was 14 and far away; I didn’t know the extent of the devastation, nor did I know about the utter failure of the government to help New Orleanians when they needed it most. I didn’t know, I didn’t know, I didn’t know…

But now I know. Through readings and film and (of course) service learning, this class has shown me more of New Orleans in one semester than I’d previously learned in the past six. While I may not stay in New Orleans post-graduation (though I’d certainly love to do so), I can honestly say that this class has changed me. It taught me that I can’t take the Big Easy for granted, like so many others seem to do

By Alexa Thrun