many people believed the word "uptown" to be a coded reference to wealthy whites, such as those who live in the old mansions on st. charles avenue or around audubon park. however, uptown new orleans actually is one of the most ethnically and economically diverse sections of the metro area. many of nagin's original supporters live uptown. as uptown contains the largest section of unflooded high ground in the city's east bank, at the time of the speech uptown had the city's largest concentration of locals back in their homes, businesses back open, and displaced new orleanians from other more severely damaged parts of town living there. locals protested the mayor's comment which some felt suggested he did not care about an important section of his city.