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Web Letter

Congratulations to Amy Wilentz for telling the story in a manner unlike the major "news disseminators." Bravo!

I have had the privilege of briefly volunteering in Haiti, and I have never experienced the profound strength, resolve and faith as I have witnessed in Haiti last week. All of us may take a lesson from the people of Haiti, and in particular the children. Missing limbs, facing more surgeries, they still smiled, happy for the outpouring of love and humanity given them from relief workers around the globe. There is absolutely no room, no tolerance for inaccurate, racially motivated, bigoted preconceptions nor the stupid assignment of blame for this devastating natural disaster.

Thank you, Amy Wilentz, for your insightful and respectful commentary.

Web Letter

Haiti is badly in need of an effective government responsive to the welfare of the people. Only in the last two years has there been a government that is not a kleptocracy à la Papa Doc. Recently a truck convoy set out from the airport to distribute rice and a mob formed so the trucks could not move. In London, Havanna or Santo Domingo orderly lines would form. Obvious solution: a shipload of rice, then there would be plenty. In Port-au-Prince, food goes to the strongest or the saddest beggar. Nothing wrong with the people, just the situation.

Haiti grows fruit, vegetables and coffee, but officials in the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos take the profits. There are fine beaches, but with the chaos and visible poverty, tourists do not come.

The Cubans are not getting much credit for the hundreds of doctors there. We can hope that Cuba, the United States and other nations can cooperate and build a nation in Haiti. If it works out there, then do it in Honduras.

Web Letter

Unfortunately for Wilentz, the facts aren't helping her argument.

In fact, rape and violence against women was a recurring problem in the country.

Pointing out problems isn't racist.

Web Letter

I also have been shocked by news articles, blogs, etc that have equated Haiti's sociopolitical problems with an earthquake. I am not even sure how this ridiculous jump in reasoning is made. Yes, the country has suffered from a number of problems, some self inflicted by a minority of the population and others results of the neglect/abuse of outside nations. However, an earthquake knocking down buildings is still an act of nature, last I checked. Instead of hating and accusing, this is an opportunity for the Haitians to expose those who abuse them, inside and out, in an effort to improve the situation in the tiny country. While the world's jaded eyes are focused on them for this minute in history, more than just celebrity telethons needs to be considered and done.

Web Letter

Good summary, but don't jump from 1862 into the present when you are trying to explain cause and effect.d

Web Letter

Wilentz didn't take note of this, but Brooks attributed the same cultural deficits to the people of Harlem as he did towards the Haitians. Then, bearing the white man's burden, he calls for replacing parts of Harlem's local culture "with a highly demanding, highly intensive culture of achievement--involving everything from new child-rearing practices to stricter schools to better job performance."

Point being, they're not just Haiti haters.

Web Letter

The mainstream media don't have a clue about anything. The wire services do fact-based reporting. CNNI and BBC are very good, though I prefer the early-morning news on BBC America. The New York Times and the Washington Post are overrated. They are apologists for "free trade," "globalization," and Wall Street. They may be neoliberal, but not the traditional form of American liberalism. CNNI had favorable comments about Haitians' behavior under very difficult circumstances. I was very impressed myself. You don't pay attention to idiots!