As I read about and talk about the Katrina hurricane coverage, I’m amazed that so many people are ’surprised’ by the inequality that has been laid bare by the slow rescue and recovery efforts in New Orleans.  This predominantly black, predominately poor area has been left behind.

Recently, Adam and I were discussing inequality, and he was touting the integrated and multicultural city that is Los Angeles and asked me, "where can you go in Los Angeles that is all white?"

"Law firms," I began.  "Television networks, movie studios, non-profit organizations helping the poor and disenfranchised," I finished.  All the places I’ve interviewed for jobs have certainly been mono-cultural.

"I knew you were going to say that," he said.  Then I looked at him.  "There’s also the grocery store, boutiques, and upscale department stores in our neighborhood."

Every day, you see it in our neighborhood.  Scores of middle aged white men, drive north out of our neighborhood in tank sized German sedans and SUVs.  And driving south in old El Caminos, battered sedans, and pick up trucks — or by foot, young Latino men and women come in.  Promptly at 7:30 or 8:00 the lawnmowers start, and the blowers blow leaves up and down the street; while young Latinas load little white children into strollers and prams for their daily walks.  Late in the afternoon, the pattern is reversed, the white men coming back — the Latinos making the exodus back to other neighborhoods that are forgotten, even now.

Last year, I toured Pacoima (in the city of Los Angeles proper) where yearly rains flood the streets and city sewers were recently installed — their tar scars still marring the streets.  Last year, I lived in Mid City where calling the police for routine infractions of the law yielded no response.

If a large flood hit Pacoima, I can clearly imagine dozens of brown faces, on roofs, waiting for rescue in vain.  If a large earthquake rocked South Los Angeles, I could imagine a response no greater than the current non disaster response, which is delayed, at best, non existent, at worse.

So, when I see the pictures of black and brown faces waiting in vain for rescue in New Orleans, I’m not shocked, I’m not surprised, rather I’m amazed that others are.