“American Sodom: New Orleans Faces Its Critics and an Uncertain Future”

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans faced critics ranging from members of the religious right who saw the storm as God's judgment on a sinful city, to politicians who condemned the city's free-wheeling lifestyle and history of political corruption. In the face of a disaster that resulted from improperly built levees, the residents of the beleaguered city were forced to defend their city's right to exist. This essay explores the roots of these negative perceptions of the city, th impact of these perceptions on the rebuilding effort, and the spirit of the city's citizens who are determined to rebuild while holding on to the city distinctive culture