Media should not criticize those looting to survive

Editor,

Like so many other people, I have been watching the hurricane coverage on television in total shock and awe.

One problem I have with all the news coverage is the reporting on the looting that is going on in New Orleans and other surrounding areas. Every time they talk about the looting or interview local or state officials about it, they talk about how wrong it is and how the people should be ashamed of themselves.

It is unbelievable to me that the media or anyone else has a right, under these circumstances, to judge these devastated people.

Many of these people have lost their homes, jobs and even loved ones. Most have nowhere to go and do not know where to turn. Local officials say it might be days if not weeks before everyone is rescued and evacuated from New Orleans.

Many people have no transportation or means of getting out of the city without help from the rescue teams. People do not have access to water, food and other bare necessities. Most only have the clothes on their back.

I am not saying looting is the right thing to do, but we all need to take a moment to truly understand what these people are going through emotionally and physically. People need water and food, mothers need diapers, baby food and formula, and everyone needs shoes to walk in the deep water, not knowing what they might step on.

One man even stole an air mattress so he could push his old grandmother around on top of the water.

The big problem with looting, however, is that it gets out of control. People are taking things for all the wrong reasons. People are stealing televisions and other electronics that are unusable because nobody has power. These are the people who should be ashamed of themselves. There are reports now that some looters are even becoming violent with local officials.

It is not the business of the media to talk down to looters when they are sitting in their cushy chairs in front of cameras and the hurricane victims are at ground zero.

Chris Backstrom

UNM student