Independent America - Rising From Ruins

Rising from Ruins is set in the spring of 2008, three years after Katrina, finds many communities still lack basic local services such as grocery stores, gas stations and banks. Yet, government support and financial breaks for large chain stores - including tax-free land and buildings - have resulted in small, local businesses being forced to subsidize their competition through the assessment of higher property taxes. Compounding the struggle for the small outfits is decreased sales due to competition and an inability to compete with lower prices offered by the larger stores. This is the story of the frustrating, spirited battle of a people passionately dedicated to bringing their communities back to life in an enduring, sustainable way.

Learning Questions

1. Describe Gentilly and the Gentilly residents’ main concerns after the storm.
2. How does the owner of Angelo Brocato’s Ice Cream describe the reopening of his store and what his customers said about it?
3. How have chain stores and franchises participated in the recovery compared to local businesses and why do you think there is such a difference?
4. Explain what the government’s support to large chain stores has resulted in for small, local businesses. 
5. How has the community’s interest in growing and buying local food changed since Katrina?

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