Go see a movie: Trouble the Water

Go see a movie. Not just any movie but a movie that will get you thinking. Click here to see where it is playing near you. And if it isn't, either ask a local movie theater to show it or get in touch with the filmmakers and ask them how to get it shown in your town.

I saw clips of Trouble the Water while I was in New Orleans at a conference earlier this year. There was a panel discussion afterwards with the actor Danny Glover (who co-produced this film), the film's directors and the two "stars" of the film - a couple from the 9th Ward neighborhood of New Orleans who managed to film their experiences during the storm and allowed a film crew to follow them around in the aftermath. Hearing them speak was incredible.

But what makes this movie even sadder is what hasn't happened. We are the greatest nation in the world and our government has completely abandoned New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. I saw it first hand during my visit in March. Some neighborhoods are clearly pulling themselves together while others are languishing. It seems to be based on which neighborhood has either a functioning organization or resident will-power to pull themselves out of the mess.

This shouldn't be based on who is lucky to have resources. There should be an equitable way of helping the entire city rebuild. That is why we have a federal government.

Which seems to be committed to rebuilding foreign counties in the Middle East. We should be asking why they won't commit more to rebuilding a great American City.

This movie could be to race and poverty what The Inconvenient Truth was to environmental movement. Please go see it. Then talk about it.