New Slave Quarters in Haiti

I have just returned from a delegation to see and hear the needs of the people of Haiti. Haiti, a country created by slaves who overcame their captors, is now being returned to the conditions of slavery. There will be a page on this web site, devoted to Haiti but for now here are a few thoughts written on the plane back to USA.

Africans were captured, placed in the hole of a ship in darkness, without food, drink or care of for their health. All they had was their mind and imagination. If they survived the journey to the new world they became slaves to the French who had taken part of an island we now call Haiti. French used the fertile land and resources of Haiti with slave labor to bring wealth to France.

The slaves of Haiti rose up against the armies of Napoleon and in 1804 obtained their freedom or independence, or so they thought. Over the years, the powers that be, U.S.A., Canada, France and Spain never allowed freedom and independence to happen.

Now in 2011 Haitians, descents of the African slaves live in tents or tin huts without electricity, sanitation, clear water, health care. The people in these camps are being expelled with nowhere to go while the NGO’s (Non Government Organizations) and government organizations drive around towns with their large SUV’s. They have abandoned their care of the people in the camps. Where did all the millions and millions we gave to Red Cross, Catholic Relief Service, Oxfam and the hundreds of other organization go?

Haitians have no jobs, land or opportunities while well meaning missionaries leave their job and family to fly to Haiti to provide basics, food, medical care or housing for a week or so at a time. Yet the air fare of all these missionaries would be enough to supply jobs and resources for so many in Haiti.
One third of the money the US government gave to the people of Haiti after the earthquake was used to reimburse the US military for its services. One third was given to large NGO’s who were
already rich in money given to Haiti. Only 5% of money went to the government of Haiti to rebuild the country.

The poor of Haiti cry out: Stop the occupation of Haiti by the UN military forces of MINUSTAH, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. This occupation force has brought us cholera and violated our women. We do not want your food but a chance to grow our food on our own land. We do not want the army back. We can provide our own security. We want to be free to build our country. Just let us be.”

The people of Haiti have been returned to slavery. It is no longer the dark holes of the ship where they reside but in the dark and hot camps. There still is no water, food, sanitation or health care. But the people still have their imagination and mind and once more strive to be free.

Comments

(:commentboxchrono:)