Editorial | Picking up the pieces

A little more than a year ago, America paused. People stopped, however briefly, and paid attention to the news.

New Orleans was drowning.

For a while, all eyes were focused on the Gulf Coast, where Hurricane Katrina broke levees, destroyed cities and left millions homeless. One of America's greatest cities beamed out images that looked like a scene from The Day After Tomorrow.

The disaster left more than 1,800 dead, making it one of the worst tragedies in American history. But, as the waters finally receded, media coverage began to wind down and, most importantly, many Americans slowly turned their focus to other things. For America's attention span - even when a city of a half million has been destroyed - only lasts so long.

So earlier this month, a year removed from the disaster, The Daily Pennsylvanian sent a reporter and photographer to see what has happened while America had returned to its wars, lobbying scandals and American Idol finales.

And from the series that their reporting produced, we took away two major lessons.

Penn didn't forget about the Gulf Coast so quickly. The University took in more than 100 displaced students, and Penn community members helped in major ways. Groups across campus, from Habitat for Humanity to Civic House, led students and teachers to the Gulf Coast during breaks and vacations.

In addition, the series reminded us just how much work there is left to do. Parts of the Gulf have returned to normal, but many sections of New Orleans, Biloxi, Pass Christian and the rest of the Gulf Coast remain mostly ghost towns scattered with debris.

In many places, help has yet to even arrive.

And this is where members of the Penn community can help. With the Gulf Coast so desperately needing assistance, students should continue giving up their vacations - or consider putting off that consulting or finance job for a year - for as long as help is needed. And for professors, what could be a better way to spend sabbatical than helping to rebuild?

It may sound like more time and energy than most are wiling to give - but remember how you felt during those days last September. Remember the despair, the chaos and your empathy for Katrina's victims.

But don't just remember. Do something about it. The Gulf Coast will need your help for years to come.

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