From Deseret News archives:
Blacks, whites build bridges after Katrina
Evacuees feeling accepted in an unfamiliar realm Utah
Ninety percent of Utah's 2.4 million residents are white, compared to 64 percent of Louisiana's population of 4.4 million.
Narrowed down even further, the numbers are much more striking: 67 percent of New Orleans residents are black, while only 1.9 percent of Salt Lake City's population is, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
And as the evacuees here move forward, starting their lives anew after losing everything to Katrina, it's inevitable that many will choose to stay in Utah. In fact, state officials, including Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., estimate that as many as one half could put down roots here. Which raises the question: What kind of cultural impact will the new residents have on the state?
"It's not a black thing, it's not a white thing. It's just how we connect to people in need and show love to everybody," he said. "The evacuees have already felt that. They're so appreciative of all the Utahns. We've seen bridges built between black and white that I've just been amazed at, and it's gratifying. It's truly gratifying."
The tragedy of Katrina has allowed Utahns to interact differently with the evacuees, who are overwhelmingly African-American, than they would have in other circumstances, psychologist Lauren Weitzman says.
Utah residents flooded a hurricane relief hotline set up by the state following the announcement that Utah would welcome up to 2,000 evacuees. Callers offered money and goods, and many extended an invitation for evacuees to stay in their homes.
Weitzman is hopeful that the spirit of giving and acceptance will continue as the evacuees who choose to stay in Utah integrate into their chosen communities.
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