Poor suffer as Mississippi levels rise

[Generic Other]

Run time: 01:54 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSPRwv_j9Lw   Posted on YouTube: May 12, 2011 By YouTube Member: AlJazeeraEnglish Views on YouTube: 6847   Posted on DU: May 16, 2011 By DU Member: Generic Other Views on DU: 449

 
Uploaded by AlJazeeraEnglish on May 11, 2011

In the American south, the Mississippi River has crested just short of record floods in 1937.

The rising river and its tributaries is now affecting those who live in low lying areas - poor people mainly without insurance, who by American standards have nothing, and who now are about to lose even that.

Al Jazeera's John Terrett reports from the Mississippi Delta.

[dkf]

1. Is it really necessary to classify everyone suffering by the rise in the Mississippi as poor?

Isn't it just a human tragedy?

One of the guys whose place was destroyed just bought it 8 months ago. That means he wasn't completely poor. Why is he not worthy of sympathy?

[Generic Other]

3. This was the first report I saw of people I thought looked poor

Most of the reports I saw showed middle class families evacuating. And I saw many talking about how it was their vacation home. I think if the flood is destroying your everything you have, then yes your suffering is greater.

[alp227]

2. Similar report by Channel 4/ITN

Mississippi floodgates open to spare New Orleans. Independent Television News reports are also distributed internationally to Ten News in Australia for instance and the PBS NewsHour in America.

[Generic Other]

4. Dramatic footage of the flooding

Australian news. They have had some recent experience with floods. Thanks for posting this.