In an exercise of their First Amendment right, many Americans have responded to the national… In an exercise of their First Amendment right, many Americans have responded to the national tragedy that occurred last Monday. But it seems that Black Americans who have voiced their opinions regarding the obvious discrimination involved in the impeded relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina have encountered more scrutiny than empathy and serious consideration.

A week ago today, an outraged Kanye West spoke openly about his beliefs during “A Concert for Hurricane Relief.” West charged President George W. Bush specifically by commenting, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people!”

Some blogs referred to his comments as ignorant. NBC adamantly stated that West ignored the script and his views were in no way a representation of their network’s. Meanwhile, President Bush seems more concerned with the annihilation of Trent Lott’s house than with the entire state of Louisiana, making gloriously stupid off-topic comments about sitting on Lott’s new porch.

It seems that other comments West made were also not completely unfounded. He went on to say, “I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it says, ‘They’re looting.’ You see a white family, it says, ‘They’re looking for food.'”

Everyone has caught at least a glimpse of the images that have saturated the media since the events of Hurricane Katrina. Our very own Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ran pictures with white families who had stumbled upon food while black families appeared to be looting what little New Orleans had left.

Kanye West wasn’t the only one who spoke out about the supposed looting that carried on. College students were also proactive, but paid a much higher price. Phillip Bailey, a 21-year-old University of Louisville student, could be facing a 5-year sentence to a comment he posted on a Web site in response to someone who suggested that looters in New Orleans be shot.

Bailey responded by saying, “Families in New Orleans should do whatever they must to stay alive. That means shooting every cop, National Guard (member) and politician who stands in your way, including George Bush, if need be.”

Now, let’s be clear about three things.

First, the ’92 race riots and looting in Los Angeles that involved people stealing property that would be needed the next day by storeowners and consumers cannot be compared to those going into a sewage-flooded Wal-Mart to retrieve food for survival that could not even be resold. While the comment wasn’t phrased as carefully as it could have been, his intention should count for something.

Secondly, if President Bush doesn’t care about the average American, why would he care about the Black American?

Third, there is plenty of good cause for the black community to be upset. Just watch the news. They were disproportionately highly represented among the poor left behind. How could the black community not be upset? Unfortunately, on top of all this is the racial tension that has been stirred up.

While West has the support of his boss, Jay-Z, and several other hip-hop moguls as they pursue their own efforts for relief, there is something we can all do.

People need to be honest with themselves about the situation, the media coverage, the relief and how we really should be responding to people’s comments.