LAist is on the road keeping it real -- so when we were instructed by our friends to dip down into New Orleans and talk to the people, we did.

Yesterday we made our way to the notorious 9th Ward, which was the area hit hardest by Katrina a year ago. We already posted a photo essay of some of the photos we took, but we were struck most by the young people in this area. They're obviously still reeling from the effects of the disaster, and who can blame them?

Besides the fact that reporters (and bloggers) are driving through their devastated neighborhoods every day, asking the same questions, and being nosey, many of their friends are gone and have yet to come back. Plus, the wreckage of flooded and crumbling homes are reminders on every block.

Of the group of high schoolers hanging out on this porch very few wanted to talk to us, and only one agreed to appear on video. It's not because they have anything to hide, or don't have good stories to tell, they've just had enough of Katrina, since it's with them every day.

Fortunately Ketasha, 18, gave us a few minutes of her time and sends a shout-out to Tyra Banks.