Prologue
I went to Biloxi, Mississippi nearly 10 months ago and I haven't been able to get it out of my head or heart. Seeing the Gulf Coast and the devastation last march changed my life. That is no way an understatement or an exaggeration. I don't know anyone who has actually gone down to the area and not be changed, or changed the way they think. I find it to be completely astounding that we can spend billions of dollars in Iraq and yet we still haven't found a way to allot funds to help rebuild in the Gulf Coast region. It sickens me to even think about the situation and the lack of action that has happened a year and a half later.
I am about to head down to Biloxi on the first of a number of visits to help to coordinate my thesis which focuses on rebuilding in Biloxi and finding a way to get design students and professionals to engage with the local communities to help in the rebuilding efforts. I will continue to update my weblog with a series of small informational pieces from my fall semester's research and case studies as well as update with photos and thoughts.
On a final note, if you haven't seen "When the Levees Broke: A Requim in Four Acts" by Spike Lee do so immediately. It will not be a pleasant experience, but you need to see it.