Katrina, Investco Field and Gustav

The Louisiana Delegation sat behind the California Delegation at Investco Field Thursday Night. As I sat in the back row of the California Delegation, these people were within arm’s length of me.

Despite all the different conversations I had with people from all walks of life from all over the country that week, I never had a single conversation with a Louisiana Delegate. However, I did have two interactions with them both of which continue to speak infinite volumes. As national attention shifts once again into the Gulf Coast region, the events from the Democratic Convention floor that day way heavy at the forefront of my consciousness.

First: When Steve Wonder took the stage and performed, I thought the ENTIRE floor was going to lose their collective minds. I’m sure I stood out like sore thumb as I gravitated into the Louisiana Delegation to dance with them. I couldn’t help it. The celebratory energy and enthusiasm generating from their section was like a magnet. I had to be a part of. It was like no musical, concert, perhaps even spiritual experience I have ever had before, and will probably ever have again. It made me want to go to New Orleans.

Second: Later that evening, Barack Obama made reference to Hurricane Katrina. When he did so, something happened that I will never forget: a sort of sigh or gasp – a purging moan mixed with a few sparse Amens – echoed from the Louisiana Delegation. I struggle now to put a finger on the specific noise I heard, but I what I felt – once again - was electric. But this time, it was different. What I felt was much more overpowering: anger, sorrow and hope all at one instant. It continues reverberate in my bones. Even now at this late hour, goosebumps appear on my skin as I send my prayers to them.

In the wake of the second event, the first event gained different meaning. What suffering had these people gone through during the past three years? What fears did they have in the coming week? How much work and dedication did it take for them to arrive on the floor of Investco Field that day? Who and What does Barack Obama represent to them?