Part D  The Bridge to Gretna

 

Vocabulary Preparation:

 

exodus   n. a journey by a large group to escapefrom a hostile environment 大批的离去；外出

shotgun   n. firearm that is a double-barreled smoothbore shoulder weapon for firingshot at short ranges  霰弹枪；猎枪

paramedic  n. a persontrained to assist medical professionals and to give emergency medicaltreatment  护理人员，辅助医务人员

convention   n.a large formal assembly  大会

hurricane  n. a stormthat has very strong fast winds and that moves over water 飓风；暴风

plumbing   n. utility consisting ofthe pipes and fixtures for the distribution of water or gas in a building andfor the disposal of sewage 室内给水；排水

evacuate   v. to moveout of an unsafe location into safety 疏散；撤退

evacuee n. a person who has been evacuated from a dangerous place 被疏散者；撤离者

blast n. shooting with a gun 枪击

makeshift   adj. done or made using whatever is available 临时的；权宜之计的

drive up to approach while driving 开车赶到

encampment   n. a group of tents or other shelters in a particular place,especially when they are used by soldiers or refugees （尤指士兵或难民的）营地

downdraft   n. a strong downward air current 向下之气流或风

predominantly   adv. mostly or mainly 主要地；占主导地位地

compassion   n.a feeling of pity, sympathy,and understanding for someone who is suffering 同情；怜悯

flee   v. to run away quickly 逃跑，逃走

looting   n. the act of stealing things,especially from shops or homes that have been damaged in a war or riot 抢掠；打砸抢

commandeer v. to take arbitrarily or by force 征用

crash downto hit something or someone extremely hard while moving, in a way that causes alot of damage 击垮；剧烈冲击

seal off to impose a blockade on 封闭；把…封锁起来

wherewithal   n. the necessary means (especiallyfinancial means) 必要的资金（或手段）；所需

pedestrian   n. a person who travels by foot 步行者；行人

sprout v. to appear; to develop something, especially inlarge numbers 出现；使涌现

unanimously  adv.of one mind; without dissent 全体一致地

veil   n. a garment that covers the head andface 面纱

 

 

Notes:

 

French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in the city of NewOrleans. When New Orleans was founded in 1718, the city was originally centeredon the French Quarter. Although called the "French" Quarter, most ofthe present day buildings were built under Spanish rule and show Spanishcolonial tastes. The district as a whole is a National Historic Landmark,and contains numerous individual historic buildings. 法国区（美国新奥尔良最古老、最著名的街区）

Gretna is the parishseat of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, USA.  Gretna is on the westbank of the Mississippi River, just east and across the river fromuptown New Orleans. 格雷特纳（路易斯安那州下属城市）

The Superdomerefers to Louisiana Superdome. Itis commonly called The Superdomewhich is a domed sports and exhibition venue, locatedin the Central BusinessDistrict of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.  路易斯安娜超级巨蛋（新奥尔良的一座多功能体育馆）

NewOrleansis a city in Louisiana in thesouthern US, next to the Mississippi River. It’s famous for the way itcelebrates Mardi Gras every year and also for the music played there. 新奥尔良（美国南方历史古城）

HurricaneKatrinawasthe deadliest and most destructive Atlantic tropicalcyclone of the 2005Atlantic hurricane season. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the 6thstrongest overall with 1,833 death toll. 卡特里娜飓风（2005年8月的一次五级飓风）

 

Exercise:Answer the following questions.

 

1.        Why do you think the evacuees, who were turned away onthe bridge that day, view Gretna police department’s actions asracism, but RonnieHarris, the mayor of Gretna, does not?

2.        What could be the reasons for the police chief of Gretna to seal off thebridge to Gretna? Are they wise and reasonable?

3.        Do you think it is inhumane for the armed Gretna policemen to stop the evacueesfrom walking acrossthe bridge to Gretna? Give reasons.

4.        Howcould you understand the support from people by putting up thank-you signs intheir front yards and from city council by unanimouslypassing a resolution?

5.        What does Oliver Thomas mean when he says “Your politics cannot be bigger than yourhumanity?”