"Media Promotes Flawed Haiti Narrative"

Submitted by Jeff P. on January 26, 2010 - 8:41am.

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Haiti earth quake

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By now I am sure you are aware of the horrible situation in Haiti. Here is a video that explains the true historical narrative of Haiti. This crisis in Haiti did not start two weeks ago. Opportunities to help the Haitian crisis, have been abundant for over a decade. Please watch this five minute video which explains why sympathy is not needed. Instead, a show solidarity with these folks that we understand the US (and Canadian - Harper wasted no time to take advantage of this opportunity) government's previous and continued imperialist influence.

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"It wasn't the devil that hurt Haiti; It was Thomas Jefferson"

Submitted by Jeff P. on February 9, 2010 - 8:36am.

"It wasn't the devil that hurt Haiti; It was Thomas Jefferson"

http://www.theroot.com/views/curse-haiti?page=0,0

Henry Louis Gates Jr. | Posted: January 25, 2010 at 10:39 AM -The Root-

This is a comprehensive article which contextualizes the Haitian narrative. It is ripe with revolution, faith and resistance. The Louisiana purchase is further explained.

It's a rewarding read.

"A Legacy of Oppression in Haiti"

Submitted by Jeff P. on February 16, 2010 - 12:21am.

Here is another article explaining the history of revolution in Haiti - thus explaining the main contributing factor of the people's dismal living conditions for the past century.

Are humanitarian support efforts engaging in a strategy of liberation and autonomous economic, social and political development? Or, are they/we, as observers and actors of this terrible natural and human made disaster, unknowingly involved in salvaging/rebuilding a systemic mode of exploitation and domination?

A Legacy of Oppression in Haiti

Lynn Holland

POSTED: 01/24/2010 01:00:00 AM MST

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_14247765

"Today, as the country struggles to recover from disaster, we must ask where recovery will take this country. Who will lead and what will the priorities be? Will elites continue to be favored over the 80 percent living in abject poverty? Or can humanitarians support a strategy where health care, education and a decent standard of living for all can be envisioned? In the midst of this great tragedy, it is up to those who care about Haiti to support a recovery process that can lead to a genuinely democratic system. In the absence of that support, only the most powerful interests will prevail - again."

"A Future for Agriculture, A Future for Haiti"

Submitted by Jeff P. on March 6, 2010 - 8:04pm.

This article is a well articulated response from the people of Haiti, as captured by author Beverly Bell, to the ongoing political, economic and environmental strife which has besieged their domestic population. Can liberation be found from the toils of Neo-liberalism? Of course it can - through food!

Land reform.Those who work the land need secure tenure. Otherwise they
willcontinue tobe unable to support themselves on what Haitians call ‘a
handkerchief of land,'plots sometimes no larger than15' x 15'. Land
reform must be not justa one-time hand-off, which wouldquickly revert to
its previous concentration as strugglingfarmers are forced
toselltheirsmallgardens, but a change intenure laws accompanied
bytechnical support.SylvainHenrilus ofTèt Kole says, "The land reform we
need is not what Préval did in his first term,which was to just divide a
bit of land into very small plots without any support,but wherethose
who work the land have the right to that land with all the
infrastructure and means-notjust to adequately feed thepeople but to
export as we used to do, to have our sovereignty in all dimensions."

It is not so difficult to find solidarity with the people in Haiti, in that, the majority of youth here, in and around London Ontario, would benefit from land reform practices. What hope do young folks have in securing land for the production of local, small scale agriculture? Obviously, youth are more fortunate here to have access to far greater resources than the folks in Haiti - however, so few of such supports are designed to address the lack of access to land. We are landless together - locally, provincially, nationally and globally.

Community Garden Plots

Submitted by Jeff P. on March 6, 2010 - 8:05pm.

While the previous reply was referring to a larger narrative than small plots of public land in the city - this posting, in addition to a friend I recently spent time with, reminded me of the simple and short story of the community garden plot.

How great it must be for some, to live in a city where access to much needed community garden plots, are seemingly reserved for those with beautiful lawns at home.