An interesting consequence of Katrina

Along with the destruction and suffering, Katrina brought more diversity.

From the Austin (TX) Statesman:

"In a state where the U.S. Census Bureau said only 1.7 percent of the populace was Hispanic in 2004, the new store with shelves full of Spanish-labeled foods is another sign of how the worst storm in Mississippi history has changed the coastal culture, perhaps forever."

And later:

"Hispanic workers are doing most of the work in recovery and cleanup," said Bill Chandler, president of the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance. "I think a majority of the residents of the coast really appreciate the work that they are doing."

Most? mmm...hard to believe. Maybe the most on the big jobs, but if you count all the work people are doing on their own homes, I find that claim to be hard to believe.

"Until the recent influx, Mississippi was among the least Hispanic states in the country.

The Census Bureau estimated that the state had 49,000 Hispanic residents in 2004, or 1.7 percent of the population, ranking it 46th of the 50 states...."