Rising Tide: Our Five Year Mission

Aug 24, 2010 by Loki

Rising Tide V poster by Greg Peters

This coming weekend is chock full of events commemorating the trials that began for all of us five years ago. While the rest of the United States is still hung up on the myth that Hurricane Katrina was the cause of New Orleans’ woes, there are those of us who remember that feeling of “wow, we dodged a bullet,” that occurred once the storm had passed over. It was rapidly replaced by seeing the news coverage of the failing levees, by watching our friends, family’s and neighbor’s homes sink below the water. It felt like being punched in the chest, losing your balance, and suffering anoxia all at once.

In the intervening time the bloggers of New Orleans began to come together, to encourage and teach new voices, and to watchdog the process of rebuilding in the wake of the flood. It was from this new media fueled community that Rising Tide was born. [Check out the history.}

So to make it short and sweet, why should you spend next Saturday there? I’ll allow the content we have developed to speak for itself. I say we because even though I, myself, am now in Cincinnati I am still one of the organizers. I’ll be seeing all of you the day of the event when I will have the pleasure of playing your MC.

So here’s a little taste of what to expect from our panelists:

Rising Tide 5 Aug. 28 at the Howlin’ Wolf …

Keynote speaker Mac Mclleland …
“The goal is not to let it blow up”: A tour of BP’s relief rig

Treme panelist Eric Overmyer…
Treme News: Eric Overmyer Looks Back on Season One

Treme panelist Dave Walker …
‘Witness: Katrina’ tells storm’s story through the lenses of home-video cameras

Public safety panelist Susan Hutson …
In New Orleans, an unprecedented push for police reform

Public safety panelist Chief Ronal Serpas…
Superintendent Ronal Serpas presents 65-point plan for reforming the NOPD

Environmental panel moderator Steve Picou…
Seafood is safe, scientists say, but oil spill will impact physical and mental health for years …

Politics panelist Jason Berry…
Children don’t mean a thing, if you aint’ got that bling…

Politics panelist Stephanie Grace…
Five years later, a recovery mayor?

Politics panelist Clancy Dubos…
The Storm That Changed Everything

Politics panelist Jeff Crouere…
Political Correctness Doesnâ€™t Quit, Dr. Laura Does Over N-Word Storm