9-1-1.... and 9-1-2...and 9-1-3

In reading Egger's novel, many have supposed that Zeitoun is not only a novel exploring Hurricane Katrina, but also the events of September 11, and it's importance in society. In the events of the climax of his novel, and the stereotypical "happy ending" takes place for main character Zeitoun, as well as his family, suggesting that Eggers perhaps has a positive outlook for society post-9/11.
In a world with the Patriot Act, Guantanamo Bay, and racial profiling, America has changed for, in my opinion, the worst. However, when one puts it into scale, looking at the history of our country, is a post-9/11 society REALLY that insane?
Americans were overwhelmed and confused when the British army came in with overpowering numbers and independence was won.
Even worse still, Americans looked on as brother turned against brother in the Civil War.
The next hundreds of years were plagued by war, diversity, and racism, and Americans thought the worst had come.
The Twentieth Century was filled with freedom speeches, race riots, death, and the most protesting the world had ever seen, and yet worse was still to come.

I think that Eggers attempts to paint a positive future for America by placing a noble and honorable man such as Zeitoun in the novel. Zeitoun is a prime example of the "American Dream" being pursued alongside a moral code that would never seek to harm another along the way. Maybe Zeitoun is a symbol for America as a whole- a country that runs after its hopes and dreams but refuses to allow another to be harmed along the way toward success. And although I initially disagreed with Eggers' positive approach for a post-9/11, Post-Katrina world, when put in perspective the author may indeed be correct. Worse has, arguably, happened to our country, and worse still may come.

Fitting the Profile

Racial Profiling.

In addition to his ideas concerning Hurricane Katrina itself, author Dave Eggers also introduces ideas concerning racism and racial profiling in his novel Zeitoun.

The Oxford Dictionary defines racial profiling as "the use of race or ethnicity as grounds for suspecting someone of having committed an offence". In a post- 9/11 society, racial profiling is the norm. After the Patriot Act was passed, it was made clear to Americans that the government would stop at nothing to achieve peace, no matter the price. In this price, one must include the lack of respect and the blatant racial profiling that occurs to those of Arab descent.

And although racial profiling has, in theory, stopped several terrorists from completing their mission on American soil, at what cost do we stop terrorism? Initiating racism has stopped several attacks, but is that really what America is about? Would the Founding Fathers accept such a cost?

Author Dave Eggers perhaps responds to some of these questions in Zeitoun. However true (or untrue) the novel may be, main character Zeitoun exemplifies many honorable characteristics of a man pursuing the American Dream. After representing Zeitoun in a way that makes him likable to readers, the author then introduces several prejudices faced by the family because of their Arab descent. By no means do I assume the author wishes for terrorism to resume in America, but Eggers obviously is distraught over the racism faced by this honorable character, a character that is proved to be similar in nature to so many Caucasian Americans.

FEMA Drops the Ball

In a post-Katrina society, the word "FEMA" is typically connotative of a stream of harsh words and possibly graphic images of the terrible events of the Hurricane. Giving FEMA the benefit of the doubt, I investigated more closely. However, the articles I found time and time again reviled that FEMA did, indeed, drop the ball.

According to a 2005 ABC.com article (http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/HurricaneKatrina/story?id=1108268&page=1), one of the main reasons that FEMA was unprepared stemmed from a recent turn over in authority to the Department of Homeland Security after being an independent organization for several years. Because of internal re-organization and confusion that erupted due to new leadership, FEMA was unprepared for any emergency, including that of a Hurricane.

Still too, many blame FEMA's director Michael Brown (http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-09-07-our-view_x.htm). A former commissioner for an Arabian horse association, many give total credit for Brown's hiring to another former director, and close friend. Deemed unfit to lead an emergency organization by many, Brown was (and still is) harshly criticized for much of the chaos that took place in New Orleans.

Perhaps many articles and evidence do exist showing FEMA and another, less harsh, light. However, I challenge one to find such an article, because I find it nearly impossible to locate.

When I first read the novel Zeitoun, I found it hard to believe that the American government could really react to a situation so poorly. However, after researching several articles it is obvious that the situation that the main character is placed in is possible and probable. I personally will hold on to the hope that Zeitoun hyperbolises the events that took place, because I find the alternative to be a scary reality.

Anarchy in the USA

Chaos, havoc, confusion, death, disease, anarchy- many of the things we think of when we hear the words "Hurricane Katrina". As video was shot and stories were written in the aftermaths of the storm, and the breaking of the levies, the majority of Americans looked on with disbelief and horror.

However, one must wonder if the stories being told are complete truths, or another media dramatization with an ulterior motive. The impressive and heroic tale of Zeitoun is no doubt entertaining to audiences everywhere, but is a story that bold with a character THAT heroic really possible? Perhaps I am pessimistic overall, but I find it the story far fetched with a character that seems to be perfect in every way.

In Dave Eggers' novel, Zeitoun, main character Abdulrahman Zeitoun and his family struggle with the events that unfold during and after the hurricane. Zeitoun, a contractor from Syria, refuses to follow his wife and children out of the city when evacuations for the Hurricane begin. Choosing to stay behind and take care of his properties, Zeitoun's story is a springboard for Eggers to discuss many of the issues that took place before, during, and after the storm.

Abdulrahman Zeitoun, (photo credit- http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/11/dave-eggers-zeitoun-hurricane-katrina)

The author of the novel would argue that the media spin, as seen in this article-

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/02/katrina.impact/

perhaps has another agenda. The agenda in question, however, is up for much debate. Perhaps the government sought to justify the actions that took place, or to detract from the disorganization of FEMA. Conspiracy theorist, no doubt, are still having quite the hey-day.