When Disaster Strikes: Hip-Hop and Emergency Management 101

Disasters are increasing in frequency, severity, and complexity. Preparations are underway for the peak hurricane season. New data suggest where disasters will kill the most people in the future, and the question of “the Big One” isn’t a matter of if, but when.

I know the importance of emergency management for these situations. I also know and love hip-hop — and I think hip-hop has something to teach us about how emergency management can work for everyone. If you are curious, even a little, let’s go to class.

First lesson is to understand that there steps you can — and should — take today in order to ensure that you and your family are prepared for disaster in the future. Having a disaster plan, which includes a kit, is one place to start.

The blueprint to this lesson is outlined by the ‘teacha’ KRS-ONE through his song ‘Disaster Kit.’ He opens his first verse with an absolute truth: “When that disaster hit, don’t you get trapped in it.” This is followed by a critical step within our control: “You must always stay prepared with your disaster kit.” He then walks us through his perspective on assembling a disaster kit, with the underlined message being to create something that meets your needs and the needs of loved ones. If you are looking for a starter list, some items include, water, cash (small bills), a copy of family prescriptions, manual can opener, and a flashlight. For a full listing to start your kit, check this out.

Second lesson is that you can hold all levels of government accountable to ensure your community is not ignored if disaster strikes. For this, we look to Yasiin Bey’s (formerly Mos Def) song Dollar Day: “Don’t talk about it, be about it. Peace.” The lyrics on Dollar Day recount the frustrations with the government response to Hurricane Katrina and end with a call for accountability.

Congress also put pen to paper to identify problems with the government response to Hurricane Katrina in the 2005 report failure of initiative. Findings in this report include an in-depth look at how “the failure of complete evacuations led to preventable deaths, great suffering, and further delays in relief,” and how the consequences of “massive communications damage and a failure to adequately plan for alternatives impaired response efforts, command and control, and situational awareness.” The conclusions from Yasiin Bey’s song and Congress’ report are clear: An engaged public is the only way to ensure government accountability. And holding government accountable is an active partnership. For example, you can participate on a local emergency planning committee, take advantage of the free trainings and workshops provided by local first responders, or call your local emergency management agency and ask, “What are the disaster risks for our community?”

If you believe you will never experience multiple one-in-1000-year floods* in a year or an earthquake where you live, do not allow chance to prove you wrong. Instead, take part in the review and updating of plans that your local government makes for its response to the most common emergencies. Contact your state emergency manager to see who leads this effort in your community and volunteer. Your engagement ensures that emergency managers are planning to meet the needs of who they serve in various disaster situations. Examples of organizations taking a grassroots approach can be found in the post, Lessons from Black History Month: How to Build Strong and Resilient Communities.

Third lesson is that if you are fortunate enough to donate after a disaster, be clear about where you are sending your money and how it will help — because when the cameras crews move on, the road to recovery is still very long and real for many families. Knowing the type of impact you would like to make for families can help you determine when and who to give to.

JAY-Z and Ne-Yo speak of donating in the song “Minority Report,” which was released roughly a year after Hurricane Katrina on JAY-Z’s album Kingdom Come. The song goes:

“Damn, that money that we gave was just a band aid / Can’t say we better off than we was before / In synopsis this is my minority report.” — JAY-Z

“Now it wasn’t on the nightly news no more/ Suddenly it didn’t matter to you no more, in the end almost nothing changed/ What the hell, what was that for?”– Ne-Yo

JAY-Z and Ne-Yo’s lyrics teach an important lesson about donating responsibly. Whether $10 or $10 million, you or people you know may have expressed similar despair about how donations are being handled to help the most impacted. The truth is that recovery is a long and difficult process. The immediate generosity toward impacted communities is admirable, but it’s okay to stop and ask yourself: “What can I, my organization, or my community do to be most helpful in the mid- or long-term?” I believe the best way to donate is by providing money to an organization whose mission, values, and function align with your own.

Finally, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. provides the closing lesson for this session: Persistent, consistent, and creative civic engagement is necessary to create and sustain change.

Rev. Yearwood and the Hip-Hop Caucus work with local communities around the country to lead change on issues related to the environment and civic engagement. This includes providing robust support to disaster survivors and working with leaders in the entertainment industry who seek to make a significant change in their communities after an emergency.

Do you instead love country, indie rock, or folk songs? There are plenty of examples across genres that provide lessons on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Heed the lessons, make a plan, and talk with your loved ones about what they will do if a disaster happens in their community.

*I take issue with the term “one-in-1000 year flood” or its cousins (500 year, 100 year, etc). If your so inclined to know why, click here to learn more.

Tracey Kent is a Political Partner with Truman National Security Project. Views expressed are his own and not those of his employer.

Editor’s Note: This piece has been published with a pseudonym. On occasion, Truman members are granted anonymity due to career considerations.