Seems like in recent days there have been numerous news reports, leaked internal memos and water cooler conversation (in some places) about how Haiti got to be the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere as well as lots of pointing fingers; namely at NGOs, the Haitian government, the elite, international financial institutions, donor countries and the Diaspora (especially those that left and never came back).
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once said "some are guilty, but all are responsible." Ever since I heard that quote I haven't forgotten it. Its applicable to any situation, whether living in a community, working on a team or advocating for a cause. We can enumerate the many, many ills committed against Haiti in the name of selfish greed, foreign policy, bad governance or free market economics and the like. And I would be the first to provide the laundry list of grievances. All of this is very important, people need context and a frame of reference to understand the contributing factors; the visible and invisible actors and the role they each play. History is invaluable.
But when its all said and done, what is most important is that those of us that truly care about Haiti and want to ensure equity not only in the reconstruction process but in society as well find fellow supporters and allies that don't just want to line their pockets, that don't just want to impose their ideas, or start up yet another organization to compete with the more than 1o,000 NGOs on the ground but rather are committed to a sustainable Haiti and one where ordinary Haitians are driving the process. We are responsible, whether we realize it or like it. If you don't like the way things are organize yourself and work to change it.
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