Apologies to those suffering in the South after Katrina

Copy of the Message of Hope I posted to the Essence Magazine site 9/2/05 10:27 p.m.

Beloved brothers and sisters,

I am reaching out to you this night. I have few words to communicate to you my feelings of love and concern and worry for your condition.

We in other states only have the media to count on and we have to trust that they are communicating the truth of your situation to us. I regret all that we lack---plane, boats, rescuers, the national will and commitment to your lives.
Most importantly, I wish we had not let you down. I wish we'd loved you more. I lament your suffering.

We are praying, praying, praying...but I am also racking my brain trying to come up with ways to help in the short and long term. Know that we tried and we are trying and each day we are striving to reach you...to save your lives. And we so apologize for all that we were not prepared to do.

We apologize to you and to God for your the pain you suffered before Katrina ever struck...and now your suffering has come to symbolize the suffering of a conflicted nation.

Seeking God's heart for answers,

-Professor Nicole Anderson, Los Angeles