Man-made catastrophe. Demographic threats. Hundreds of thousands of refugees denied the right to return to their homes. A criminal justice system that is motivated by racism. A government that is determined to portray itself as a melting pot all the while pursuing policies that insure a system of inequality will be upheld in all sectors: education, healthcare, safety, housing. Jordan Flaherty's book may be about New Orleans, but it has so much to teach the world about catastrophes and how to resist them in a variety of contexts. His style of journalism is deeply rooted in grassroots organizing and activism. Flaherty paints a vivid picture of New Orleans historically, culturally, and currently. Readers will get an inside view on the devastation of Hurricane Katrina as well as the creative means to resist the ongoing depopulation of New Orleans that targets women, people of color, and the poor. This book is not only essential reading, it is a call to grassroots, leftist organizers. It is filled with ideas and an agenda for taking action not only in New Orleans, but beyond.