The Personals
Today I was telling Val about Craig’s List. I was explaining to her that it was basically a bulletin board and that people could post things by city. I asked her to see if they had one for Baton Rouge and she said she’d look.
When I got a chance to peruse the site myself I saw they had one for Baton Rouge. I noticed that this branch of the website was just built after Katrina. All of the ads were new.
I had just gotten introduced to the Craig’s List personals and I had already posted an ad for my friend as a surprise for her birthday. (She didn’t get mad) So something made me look at the Baton Rouge and New Orleans personals and there were ads on there that looked like this:
MEN SEEKING WOMEN in New Orleans
i’m in los angeles if u want me…seeking relationship, marriage, kids – 35
Reply to: anon-95168213@craigslist.orgDate: 2005-09-03, 3:11AM CDT
i cant afford to pay for ur way out here but if u can make it to l.a. u can stay with me. i’m not gonna lie…i’d marry u if u wanted…(i know i’m stupid, but i’m not a freak) photo attached – NOW SEND ME YOURS…Thanks if nothing else, i hope everything works out for u even if u never write back. josh
and this
Place to Stay in Seattle – 35
Reply to: anon-94982456@craigslist.orgDate: 2005-09-02, 9:15AM CDTI have an extra room in my house for up to two single women(18-40) who have no where to turn to. Must be ok with pets (dogs). Can provide stable enviroment… Please send some information on yourself (the normal basics) – and I will contact you back and I will arrange your flight etc… I am 35 – an artist / busines owner … will assist in getting you a job and getting you back on your feet – no other expectations…
and this
Husband for Cajun Queen – serious replies only please. – 35
Reply to: anon-95798786@craigslist.orgDate: 2005-09-06, 3:43PM CDT
Hii Out of tragedy can a new Love bloom? I would like to find a beautiful woman displaced by the storm who is willing to begin life anew in Austin, Texas. I have a new place I will be moving into soon. A very good location in the center of town, near St. Edwards University and blocks away from all the fun things to do in Austin. Preferably you are in your early to mid-twenties, but early thirties is alright. Maybe you were going to college in NOLA or Biloxi and want to continue school or you are ready to start a heart and soul relationship with a passionate intelligent man. I do not care much about race, but it would be sexy if you had a gentle Southern accent and some Cajun flare. It is vitally important to me that you come from a good natured family. Please send a pic or at least an accurate description of yourself. I am an artist and musician. So you should be open minded and it would be nice if you were artistic as well. I am deeply spiritual, but I do not attend church or any organized religion. So you should be open minded to that as well, maybe you are into Yoga or holistic healing. I appreciate beauty and I understand that the greatest beauty comes only from the heart. This is why I want to help you now.
or this one from a woman
COME TO NEW YORK – 29
Reply to: mailto:anon-94927885@craigslist.org?subject=COME%20TO%20NEW%20YORK%20%20%2d%2029Date: 2005-09-01, 10:31PM CDT
DO U NEED OR WANT TO LEAVE WHERE U ARE? WELL I’M A LONELY, 29 Y/O BBW. NOT UGLY, NOT BEAUTIFUL JUST IN THE MIDDLE. I WORK AND HAVE MY OWN APT AND A 3 Y/O SON. LOOKING FOR MR RIGHT. WE CAN CHAT A BIT IF THING S R GOOD U CAN MOVE TO NY AND LIVE WITH ME. NO I WILL NOT BE UR SUGAR MAMMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! U MUST FIND A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT I WILL SUPPORT U TILL U START WORKING, BUT IT BETTER BE SOON. PLS BE 24 TO 30 NO KIDS OF UR OWN, SORRY BUT I DON’T HAVE ROOM OR ENOUGH MONEY FOR 2 OR MORE PPL. WHITE, SPANISH OR MAYBE A LIGHT SKINNED BLACK. SINGLE , SANE AND READY TO SETTLE DOWN. REPLY WITH A PIC, AGE, AND WHAT U HAVE TO OFFER. THIS IS FOR REAL SO BE FOR REAL TOO. I TRIED OF THE BAR AND CLUB BULLSHIT SO I’M TRYING THIS. YOU MAY THINK THAT I’M CRAZY, I’M NOT JUST TRIED OF BEING ALONE.
And so many more!
I want to believe the best in people during this time. But my heart just couldn’t go along with some of these ads. I’m just so scared. So many false prophets. People saying they want to help but you don’t know their true intentions. But if you have no other choices then what do you do?
I’m saying. What if it was ME?! I mean, damn, here I am sitting here typing. When the SAME hurricane that just knocked out my electricity for a few days went on to become a NATIONAL DISASTER! Those winds passed right over me and my sons.
What if it had been us? We don’t have a single family member outside of Miami. If Miami were to ~Lord, I won’t even release that negativity into the air~ man, who could we turn to? Who could we trust? Homeless. With no family. Or maybe your WHOLE family are right there with you and you have no one to turn to but the same people who left you on TOP OF YOUR ROOF FOR FIVE DAYS! ~screams~
I’m sick to death over all of this. I just wish it were all OVER! I can’t like, concentrate. I can’t even be too happy without feeling bad. It’s affecting me man. It’s like a stab in my chest. I just want things to be okay. But it’s going to be a long while before we get there. In fact, I don’t believe this country will ever be the same.
…
It’s sad because I’m mourning already and they havent even finished the body count.
Pray for the people who survived Hurricane Katrina. Pray that they have discernment about whose handout to take.
Pray for the President. Pray for his advisors.
Pray for all of the US Citizens to not react out of their emotions, pride or prejudice.
We have to survive this. I feel like this country is going to crumble if we don’t handle this properly.
God Be With Us.