The Dream Remembering Hurricane Katrina
5 snips
Aug 29, 2025 In this conversation with Lisa Pollak, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and alum of This American Life, the complexities of reporting on Hurricane Katrina's aftermath are explored. They share personal stories of displaced families, highlighting the emotional toll and chaotic environments of makeshift shelters. Lisa also reflects on the racist dynamics encountered while capturing these narratives. The resilience of the Bay High Tigers football team adds a glimmer of hope, showcasing community strength amidst adversity.
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Reporting From The Astrodome
- Jane Marie and Lisa Pollak recount arriving in Houston and living in a terrible motel while reporting at makeshift shelters like the Astrodome.
- They describe chaotic shelters with bright lights, cots everywhere, illness, and a lack of coherent plans for evacuees.
Twins Hopeful About Moving
- Jane Marie tells the story of twin girls, Coquina and Kayla, excited about moving to Colorado while their mother scrambled to re-establish a life.
- The kids remained hopeful and playful even as their family searched for missing relatives.
Casual Racism Shapes Reception
- Jane Marie and Lisa Pollak observed casual racism among some Houston residents toward evacuees, which shaped local reactions and media coverage.
- They note local newspapers even had to counter false claims linking evacuees to increased crime.
