Talk is great, but Action is even better. If you would like to learn about or participate in the Katrina Relief Efforts of African American organizations and individuals please click here.

I would encourage anyone who has donated to an organization, to post that organization's information, so that we all can participate in the giving.

Five things you can do to help immediately:
1. Duplicate what we are doing elsewhere in New York City, in your city ortown, on your college campus, at your church, synagogue, mosque, or otherreligious institution, via your fraternity or sorority, or via your localcivic or social organization.


2. Cut and paste the information in this eblast about Items needed by survivors of the New Orleans catastrophe:* Monetary donations* Where you can ship non-perishable items* Alternative media outlets* Five things you can do to help immediatelyand share this information, as a ONE SHEET, with folks near and far, viaemail, or as a hand out at your event, religious institution, and with yourcivic or social organization.


3. Voice your opinion to local and national media, and to elected officials,via letter, email, op ed article, or phonecall, regarding the coverage ofthe New Orleans catastrophe, as well as to the federal government's ongoinghandling of the situation.


4. Ask the hotel you frequent, such as the Marriott or Holiday Inn, to giveyour hotel points to an individual or family in need of a stay for a night,a few nights, or longer, depending on how many points you have. Be sure toget confirmation that your points have been applied in that way. Encourageothers to do the same. Also inquire if your airline Frequent Flyer mileagecan be used for hotel stays as well.


Finally, either offer to pay for hotel rooms, or encourage others to do so,including your place of employment or worship or your organization.5. Dare to care about other human beings, no matter their race, gender,class, sexual orientation, religion, geography, culture, clothing,hairstyle, or accent or language. Like September 11th, the New Orleanscatastrophe is a harsh reminder that all life is precious, as is each day wehave on this earth.


AND REMEMBER that our attention and response to the New Orleans catastropheneeds to happen in three stages...DISASTER, RECOVERY, and REBUILDING. Weneed you for all three stages.


LaShanda Henry aka Black Out Loud
msoy: black content for black people