At this time, two and a half weeks ago, the earth opened up its deep crevasses and let out a large yell that knocked down the people of Haiti. The devastation and destruction of Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas was heartbreaking, heart wrenching and at times, almost unbearable to even look at. The sadness in the faces that appeared on television and in the newspapers touched me to the deepest of my core. I humbly did everything in my power to help and will continue to support the Haitian people in all of my capacity. While the earthquake might have knocked down these beautiful people, with history at their back, I know they will rise again.
Since the slaves of Haiti rebelled triumphantly against their French occupiers in 1804, becoming the first free black republic in the world, Haiti has since been the subject of harsh policies, U.S. military occupation (1915-1934) and a pawn in the cold war. After Haiti's liberation, for sixty-two years America refused to recognize Haiti and then organized an embargo and blockade against them. Later, the United States along with France threatened to re-invade Haiti unless they paid France 150 million francs in gold as reparations for defeating the French, which took until the mid 1940s to pay. Just to put it in perspective, 150 million francs in gold in 1804 is equivalent to approx $1 trillion US dollars today. This began a long history of Haiti being in debt to the world.
Our relationship with Haiti dates back hundreds of years, where Haiti even sent 900 soldiers to Savannah, Georgia to aid America in its war against England for our independence. Not only did they help us gain our independence, their rebellion against the French helped us obtain the Louisiana Territory, which makes up one-third of the United States. However, once Haiti liberated itself from the French, our relationship with Haiti changed dramatically. Although we recognized Haiti as a free nation in 1862, it was largely because President Lincoln wanted to have Haiti as a place for the Africans in America to go to. Later the US government, according to many historians, was complicit in the rise of the brutal dictatorships of Francois Duvalier and his son Jean Claude with their secret police, the Tonton Macoutes, which many believe was done because of fear that the USSR would try to bring communism to the island like they had done in Cuba. Although this never happened, the connection between the United States and Haiti has been forever intertwined, and has only gotten more complicated and more one-sided as time went on.
The Haitian people were the first to be free of slavery, but they have been paying a price ever since. As the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Permanent Memorial to the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, I feel it is important to address the lingering effects of slavery that the Haitian people have endured. We, as a nation, have drained this beautiful island, but now we have the chance to repair the past. Although throughout our history, our government has at times made horrible choices, in the end, it is the people of our great country that can stand up and inspire the world once again. We have the chance to help re-build this country as a model for the 21st century, full of innovation and sustainable technology that is healthy for their and our environment. The wealth of giving that has out poured from our nation to theirs' since this horrendous tragedy is the right beginning, but let us not stop there. Let's continue to exude the love that is in the hearts of all decent Americans. It is this love that makes us great givers, as we know those who are in need the most, need not ask for any help. The ability to give is the greatest gift we have from god, so let us give all that we have, and smile when the people of Haiti rise again.
United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Permanent Memorial to the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Founder, GlobalGrind.com.
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to Doctors With Out Bordors and help in any way I can. But who is going to help the Ameican
people who need medical care food and shelter and lets not forget the people in this county who need surgery and the people here who have lost jobs and are on unemployment or nearing the end of
there unemployment and still no job in site. Tell me who is going to help us. Humanitarian aid is
all well and good but Ameica need to stand up and do it now. We always suffer the trickle down affects
and yet everytime something happens the USA is there.
Sincerely debdef
Thank you for the insightful article, my heart goes out to the Haitians and I wish I could help, but I must first fend for my own, as should OUR government. We can not afford the luxury of caring for others, when our own go hungry and homeless.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:U.S._Federal_Spending_-_FY_2007.png
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
If, as a THOUGHT EXPERIMENT all debt was forgiven from smallest debtor individual to largest debtor nation, who/what would be left holding that final owe sheet?
How much of that final owe sheet amount would represent actual money rather than Federal Reserve Bank play money?
Think it through people, who owns our homes, who are we getting into more debt to fix them up for?
Love
Bette S Baysinger
his people.? He gives us some examples of other peoples that were enslaved. Black folk who were deposited here on this soil, were treated less than barn-yard animals by their "WHITE CAPTORS."
America's wealth is due to the FREE LABOR, for 250 years by black folk Did I mention that Thomas Sowell is a "BLACK MAN"?
The US has had interest in that island due to its proximity to the mainland-wars with Spain, Brtis, French=not saying any of is right but when a country is dealing with invading nations, such things occur.
The US, depsite all its ills and nec. actions at times, has offered safe haven for millions of people escaping oppressive regimes around the globe. Like it or not, the Soviet Union and as a result, things went down that were far from proper. Considering the lives of Cubans under Castro, the threat of the island going "communist" was an issue.
The flow of people to S Florida and the US has been constant for decades due to their impovershment, lack of resources, and own political thrugery. This natural disaster is beyond horrendous, see the US playing a major role now, could be delivering more aid, and will be at the forfront of building efforts and future developement. We shall see over the coming months and years the extent of other nations role of the UN and other developed countries in the rebuidling process.
People love to bitch about how bad the US but they seem to be consistent in showing up with food, water, medical supplies, and help.
Don't forget guns, religion, and contracts that enslave entire nations.
What's their stock symbol on the NYSE?