Blaming victims a cheap shot

"Its residents lazy"? While I defer to Ed Blakely's expertise and tenure in New Orleans, I must confront his conclusion.

I urge him to familiarize himself with the social psychology concept of "learned helplessness." When experience has taught people nothing they do makes a difference, the remedy is to lead them to take small steps where success is probable.

During my month in the Crescent City, I have joined a platoon of God-driven volunteers providing emergency aid and self-support opportunities to those who have the most reason to be discouraged -- the homeless.

Yet the faces of our homeless clients change every week at First Presbyterian Church, because most are eager to work and are off applying for, and obtaining, permanent work that benefits our community.

We must not confuse discouragement and lack of leadership with laziness. Ed Blakely is understandably frustrated, but a good leader knows that what worked in Oakland, or Baghdad, needs to be modified before it works elsewhere. It's a cheap shot to blame the victims.

Connie Lamka

New Orleans