I have to agree that that 'knee-jerk' reaction of accusing the rest of us of being racist with respect to the victims of Katrina is infuriating. Not only is it not true and I also saw many white people trying to get into the Dome at that time; there were all sorts of people. Basically anyone who lives in an inner city where it's densely populated and they use public transportation to and from work most of the time, would have found themselves in the same position. Trapped in the downtown core in the path of a hurricane and no high ground available except at the Dome. When I donated through a poster on here and LGF, I didn't ask what color he was, just that I'd posted with him for a couple of years and knew what he was like and he was THERE! As far as I'm concerned, as long as what I donated could actually REACH someone and do some good was all I cared about. I'm sure most of us felt the same way. But when I saw the bollocks, the ARC and others had made, spotty service and help at best, what was the point of donating more funds to them which would be sidetracked for future use as the ARC did when they estimated they had 'enough' to cover Katrina and the rest would go to future disasters. That's not what the Katrina donors wanted. They wanted their funds to go to the victims NOW.
But all that aside, just the accusations from the professional race baiters is enough to make you want to tell people where to go. I think, when giving to community groups, you state that you are willing to give but insist that you will only give to organizations THAT DO NOT EMPLOY RACE BAITING AS A FUND-RAISING TACTIC! That may make them think twice about using that technique in future.
I sent my money to the Salvation Army.
It has been my experience that they do well with disaster aid, take care of everyone who needs it that they can.
Also they spend very little on overhead and salaries. Most of the money goes where you send it.
Like you, I didn't even think of race as an issue until others made an issue out of it.