Specifically, How to Destroy an African-American City in 33 Steps (via WoC Blog), by Bill Quigley

Step Thirty Two. Refuse to talk about or look seriously at race. Condemn anyone who dares to challenge the racism of what is going on – accuse them of “playing the race card” or say they are paranoid. Criticize people who challenge the exclusion of African-Americans as people who “just want to go back to the bad old days.” Repeat the message that you want something better for everyone. Use African American spokespersons where possible.

It makes me ill that this willful refusal to address the impact of racism continues to be the major problem in discussion of the response to Katrina (what discussion there is over a year and a half later - see Step Thirty One).  I remember that people had hoped that the plight of New Orleans would mean a change in the way race and poverty are addressed through discourse, policy, and action in the US.  Even my cynical soul hoped that , at the very least, sustained discussion of the systems that perpetuate urban poverty and racism might become part of the national discourse after the disaster in New Orleans.  It is really disheartening that the aftermath of Katrina wasn't enough of a shock to bring about that kind of change.