Even though Hurricane Katrina has passed through the Gulf Coast, it has still left thousands of people to cope in the remains of the disasters.
As floodwaters stream down the streets of New Orleans. Some residents are finding necessities by looting, and some are looting for luxuries.
The reason for looting, however, can vary based on the type of person committing the crime, said James Whelan, an associate professor in psychology and the director of psychological services center.
Whelan said there is no way to truly find out the reason why people would loot in times like these, but for the most part, it was a matter of opportunity.
“People will violate their personal rules when they feel their integrity is compromised,” he said.
Most of the looting, Whelan said, can be attributed to three kinds of people. There are the ones who do it to for basic essentials, ones who feel abandoned and those who don’t feel looting is morally wrong.
When people see others do something, they are most likely to copy, Whelan said.
“You see other people do it and then you do it,” he said.
Looking for necessities can be justified, Whelan said.
The majority of the people who stayed in New Orleans did so because they did not have the means to leave the city. Most of them either did not have enough money or were elderly, he said.
“I mean, you look at the pictures in the news and the people in the Superdome don’t look like your typical suburban family,” Whelan said.
With the exception of those who have decided to steal on opportunity, Whelan said in general, it seems the image of the looting has taken away from the serious situation since many Louisiana residents live in poverty.
“What if you haven’t eaten in two days?” Whelan said.
Many U of M students who expressed the same feelings had a similar situation happen to them in Memphis.
Most said if the necessities were in demand then they would resort to looting, but most would not if they had the things they needed.
“It’s still very wrong that they’re stealing, but they’re stuck there without food and basic necessities,” said Xylon Thomas, a freshman biology major.
Besides wanting to have what is needed, Thomas said other situations are pointless.
“If you’re going to take something, take what you need,” he said.
Even if he was to not be reprimanded for his actions, Thomas said he would still pass up the opportunity, although he would be tempted.
C.J. Tyus, a sophomore international business major, said it is human nature to want to take things for free, although it can be morally wrong considering the disasters.
“If I saw a flat-screen TV or a PlayStation, yes, I would take it,” Tyus said.
“It’s atrocious that someone would take advantage of a bad situation,” said Brian White, a junior political science major. “Your conscience should kick before you do something like that.”
White said America is a land of opportunity where people encourage you to go after what’s desired, but not by cheating.
“The concept is, you’re taking something that’s not yours,” White said. “Not that you’ll be reprimanded, but you’ll be doing the wrong thing.”
Bobby Buls, a junior history major, said if food was needed, then it could be understandable, but people who loot for no reason are something else.
“People who loot are after an easy score,” Buls said. “They sweep in there, take what they want and get out before someone can punish them.”
