How does sociology enhance our study of disasters such as Katrina?
Sociology teaches us that disasters like Katrina, far from being “natural,” are socially induced by such factors as disparities of income, unequal access to resources, and discrimination against, marginalization of various groups. The physical driver is of course the storm itself, but this will make merely a “glancing blow” if the society in toto has the ability to be resilient. When a society is so out of kilter with regard to human rights, social justice, and economic access, then a natural event becomes a disaster. The Kaiser Foundation has been studying Katrina. What do you think of the findings of its latest (second) report? I reviewed the Kaiser study and don’t find anything that I disagree with. One striking finding was the increase in medical treatment of mental illness. That may be the improving access to medical care and medication. There were a few other surprises but nothing dramatic. This was a year of natural catastrophes, with Mynamar suffering the ravages of Cyclone Nar
