I reserved much of my feelings on last week’s catastrophe largely out of respect for those that continue to perish and grieve. The arbiter of morality, Pat Robertson, aptly exhibited the stupidity that comes with politicizing tragedy – I needed not join the asshole. My few Haitian friends, frat brothers and romantic indiscretions know my heart aches as if it was my own family lying beneath the rubble. My deepest apologies for the lack of facebook status changes.
The feeling I currently have is indescribable. Despair understates it. Anger oversimplifies it. Ambivalence denies it. Sure, earthquakes are acts of nature, but extreme vulnerability to them is certainly man made. After you’ve taken time to donate $5 to a charity (preferably one with ties to Jesus), ask yourself how this could even happen. Really, consider it. One country. Seven days. 200,000 dead. That’s fucking unimaginable – and for the most part, unprecedented. Earthquakes don’t kill that many people, but shanty towns assembled with LEGO-like structures do.
Most understand that Haiti’s inception indelibly (and ironically) dictates its tragic narrative. And as complex as the story may appear to read, its essence is blatantly clear. This is a country that, through a rebellion of barbaric and moronic slaves, became the first post-colonial Black led nation. And it’s been punished for that fact ever since.
First, by the French who laughably demanded and received billions in reparations. Then, by American occupation that, although provided relative stability for a few years, left the country in a much larger mess afterwards. And finally, by indigenous corruption and misrule that the world seems to have deliberately aided and abetted. I’m no historian, but this shit just seems too obvious (even after only 10 minutes with google). Am I missing something? Are these not the reasons, albeit abridged, that Haiti is in the fucking position it’s in?
And so now – in all the world’s altruistic (and mostly Christian) glory, it comes to the aid of these savage people. Some water over here…some bags of rice over there. Sounds like a plan to me! Next stop, Africa – which, if you can believe – is in worse fucking shape than Haiti. Highest HIV infection rate in the Caribbean? Zimbabwe has you beat, Haiti! 6% infant mortality rate? No worries – Uganda takes the cake. And 200,000 dead from an earthquake? Psshhht -- meet The Congo, who from 1998 to 2004, buried 3.9 million of its citizens in a civil war (divide that up for yourself).
Shit, I don’t have all the answers, and I’m surely not attacking anyone reading this. So before you ask what I’m doing to “save the world”, f*ck you. I donated my $5. But God, there just has to be a better way. This antiquated mindset of believing charity will solve an entire nation’s ills is outright dumb. Before the earthquake even hit, there were already a reported 10,000 humanitarian groups involved within Haiti. And to even assume the U.S.’s pledged 100 million in aid will help (all while Haiti is still indebted to the U.S., Italy, The World Bank, etc.) is psychotic. I suppose it can go right along with the nearly 10 million dollars Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier plans to donate. Give me a break.
The catchy facebook slogans; the inevitable “How To Save Haiti” forums; even the millions of dollars in aid (to accompany the billions that have already been poured into this country) will mean nothing if the world is unwilling to take a serious look at what the God damn fundamental issues are. Unless the world is willing to see that it caused and continues to inadvertently perpetuate the situation in Haiti (and Africa). And since that will likely never happen (barring outright colonization), it truly is within the hands of the African Diaspora – namely, America.
No, I don’t believe that revolution must come solely from Blacks – in fact, I don’t think that it can. But if we do not spearhead it – who else will? If you expect the world, in it’s undying "hope" for Haiti, to save this country – just as it has every other 3rd world nation, then I don’t know…enlighten my ass. Because I am lost and I am going out of my mind and I am hurting deeply. I don’t understand this.
In closing, I want to point out that I’m not undermining the efforts of those who volunteer, donate money, or (again) pray in their facebook statuses and shit like that. Again, I've 'donated'. And if the opportunity presents itself, I will go -- I'm discussing it now with friends. But it means nothing if we can’t be serious about not only helping people in a time of need, but all together alleviating their need for our help.
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