The body count is not final, because this summer is not over, butthe weather will make its claim. Not like the 739 souls, mostlyrenters, whom Eric Klinenberg tolls in his new book, Heat Wave, ASocial Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago (University of Chicago Press),about the massively deadly 1995 heat wave, yet others will die justthe same.
Klinenberg, a Northwestern University assistant sociologyprofessor, paints a sad and critical picture of what he calls one ofthe great disasters of modern America. Klinenberg researches records,talks to officials, and interviews people who worked firsthand tocope with the withering effects of the heat index that reached 120degrees.
The majority of those who died lived alone--unconnected, wereelderly or incapacitated, did not have air conditioning or fans (andcould not afford the electricity), had no place to hide from theheat, and were so fearful for their safety they kept their windowsclosed, doors locked and so baked to death.
Klinenberg blames not only nature, but identifies the deadlytoxins of social and community breakdowns. He says civil leadersdenied the severity of what was happening, seemed to blame thevictims, and were bewildered and overwhelmed attempting to cope. Hecriticizes the media for missing the enormity of the catastrophe,with more deaths than the 1871 Chicago Fire.
Klinenberg believes citizens, governments and media are stillignoring the ongoing underlying causes. These include socialdisconnections within families, poverty, isolation and segregation ofthe elderly, lack of utility payment assistance, and a shortage ofdecent, affordable housing.
While Klinenberg praises the city for creating a plan thatincludes wellness checks, cooling centers and transportation, hepoints to electricity and water service shut-offs as disastrouslycounterproductive.
When there are so many to blame, it is easy for the community todisavow responsibility, says Klinenberg, since most of us are neitherfamily members of those in distress, nor have the technical skills orfinancial resources to care, comfort and correct.
Blame will not change the past, nor build the future. Can housingdevelopers be persuaded or mandated to set aside 30 percent of newconstruction for our lower-income population, as housing advocatesare demanding?
Should landlords be required to provide cooling and heatingappliances or maintain cool temperatures in summer, as they mustmaintain heat in winter? How will all these costs be shared?
Will dignified jobs with adequate pay appear and surmountneighborhood disintegration, poverty and crime? After this summer'sfunerals, what shall we do with Klinenberg's autopsy report?
No comments:
Post a Comment