Rachel Corry

Ms. Boudreau

ENC 2135

18 October 2017

Project 2 Draft 1

The scholarly article Bureaucracy, meet catastrophe and image titled Gulf Coast

Begins Cleanup in Katrinas Aftermath both address the disastrous Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a

prime topic of debate and significance in the crisis management field. These artifacts caught my

interest because they concern one of the most well-known natural disasters in recent history but

argue different conclusions about the effectiveness of resulting governmental crisis response. In

their article, Margaret B. Takeda and Marilyn M. Helms claim the governments reaction to

Katrina was inadequate; Mario Tamas photo portrays the government and its organizations

acted heroically, going beyond their duty.

In Bureaucracy, meet catastrophe, the authors employ an abstract at the opening of the

article to outline its organization, relying on key subtopics under the general bureaucratic

response to Hurricane Katrina. The bureaucratic model, general methods of addressing

catastrophes, failures of the bureaucracy in their response, and lessons to be taken from relief

efforts are the primary subtopics of focus. Incorporation of bullets, italics, quotes, and overview

of specific actions are key to establish the articles purpose to increase awareness of the need for

improving the bureaucratic crisis response system. On the other hand, the photo featured in Getty

Images concentrates on the central figure being an emergency responder carrying an elderly

woman to safety, surrounded by National Guard workers. It relies on visual components such as

facial expressions, movement and action, prominence of red coloring, and background
implications. In contrast, the article relies almost solely on written text (aside from one table

summarizing various charities and organizations aid after Katrina). The images purpose is to

reassure people of the American governments reliability during crises and reveal that disasters

can potentially strengthen the relationship between government and the public.

Educated, well-read, and primarily American people are the main audience for

Bureaucracy, meet catastrophe while Gulf Coast Begins Cleanup in Katrinas Aftermath

addresses a broader audience of news readers and Internet users paying attention to current

events (potentially internationally). Exigence surrounding each artifact is apparent in the obvious

sense that such a major natural disaster demands attention and should be a topic of relevance.

More specifically, Bureaucracy, meet catastrophe clarifies that the bureaucratic system impacts

almost every public issue and is responsible for the countrys recovery, thus improvements to the

system are needed urgently. Gulf Coast Begins Cleanup in Katrinas Aftermath aims to

illustrate emergency organizations under the government taking proper involvement during a

time of crisis, likely aiming to spur others action to do the same. The articles title comments on

Katrinas disastrous nature but also implies the bureaucracy itself is at least partially responsible

for the continuing wide-reaching and long-lasting effects. In the image, the man appears as a

hero saving an elderly woman from further suffering, ultimately symbolizing strength, sacrifice,

and courage. The scene can be paralleled to a war rescue, in which prolonged effects of the

hurricane are similar to battle-like circumstances.

Bureaucracy, meet catastrophe employs a critical and analytical tone as it investigates

the efficiency of the bureaucratic model based on the crisis response to Hurricane Katrina. A

critical attitude underlies diction such as failures of the bureaucratic approach, ignoring

outside information, commitment to failing courses of action, and the bureaucracys

universal problem. Essentially, it attempts to convince readers the current bureaucratic model is

inefficient and unequipped to handle crises because of its failure in Hurricane Katrina.

Conversely, Gulf Coast Begins Cleanup in Katrinas Aftermath develops an admiring and

sorrowful tone with respect to the commitment and bravery demonstrated by emergency

responders. Despite the challenging and heavily emotional times, collaborative action and public

assistance acts as a force of hope because those suffering are not left behind or forgotten.

Takeda and Helms establish credibility through listing their positions at universities,

Takeda at the College of Business Administration of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

and Helms in the Business Administration Division of Dalton State College. An extensive works

cited affirms the research supporting their argument arises from primary, reliable sources taken

from a wide base. A logical approach is formed through drawing conclusions from direct quotes,

FEMA actions, and explanation of lessons to be learned from governmental response to the

hurricane. The image, however, chiefly draws upon sympathy for the elderly woman as well as

admiration for the rescue workers authority and approachability. This is suggested by the

genuine concern expressed on the main mans face, attempting to hold in his shock and sorrow

as he securely holds the aged woman in his arms. She is small, frail, and vulnerable, but the man

has provided a sense of protection and reassurance during a time of devastation. Additionally, the

two National Guard members standing to the left are surveying the scene intensely, one of them

watching the main man carry the elderly woman away. Every person representing or having a

connection to a government/public service is depicted as actively engaged in the situation and

dedicated to help people suffering from Katrina. This strong emotional appeal is a central

difference from the article, which utilizes logical and ethical methods the authors predict to

persuade their well-educated audience.

 Overall, Bureaucracy, meet catastrophe and Gulf Coast Begins Cleanup in Katrinas

Aftermath employ contrasting techniques to reinforce their respective arguments regarding the

nature of the bureaucracys response to Hurricane Katrina.

Works Cited:

Takeda, Margaret B., and Marilyn M. Helms. "Bureaucracy, meet catastrophe: Analysis of

Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and their implications for emergency response governance."

International Journal of Public Sector Management, Vol. 19, Issue 4, 2016, pp.397-411,

https://doi.org/10.1108/09513550610669211 Accessed 10 October 2017.

Tama, Mario. Gulf Coast Begins Cleanup in Katrinas Aftermath. Getty Images, 2005.

Accessed 10 October 2017.

"Things to Do in New Orleans." New Orleans Official Guide, New Orleans Tourism Marketing

Corporation, http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/ Accessed 20 October 2017.