when i say that we are the mothers of humanity, i am not just being dramatic.when i saw this picture and read of the women and children starving; words cannot convey the deep sadness and pain that i felt then and feel now.
i am a mother. i am of african descent. i see these images and i see---my child and me. i am connected. we are the same people. we simply live in different places and have different experiences. it is only by God's grace that i am spared.
a little history of haiti.
in haiti, a once proud people have reached the level of poverty where in the face of starvation, african people are eating dried mud to fill their bellies and fool their bodies into thinking they are actually getting sustenance. like africans around the world, these conditions in haiti can be traced to imperialist white governments. these impoverished conditions are imposed. they are not the natural order of things.
this haitian imperialist-imposed situation can be traced back to the period immediately following the haitian revolution of 1804, one of the first successful slave revolutions in the world. after the slave rebellion defeated napoleon's troops the haitian government was forced to pay reparations to france for having freed themselves. since that time, haiti has been under constant attack from imperialist white supremacist u.s. and french governments.
i love history because it will inform your future. it will also warn you against certain pitfalls if you simply study and respect it. sisters and brothers when we are free, we will not pay reparations! instead for taking our freedom we will...apologize. ok, bad joke. i feel blessed to have retained my sense of humor.
i am prayerful that in due time the last will indeed be first. i don't know that i accept that "meekness" will get us there. i do know that i am committed to doing my part to make that change happen. in many ways i feel like the world is needing and waiting for us...
SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT
UPDATE
GET INVOLVED!!! i believe that grassroots is the way to go in an effort to effect meaningful change. this post was done in agreement with the Haitian Solidarity Movement. as the information becomes available i will continue to update this post.
Join people in 36 cities on four continents to mark the International Day in Solidarity with the People of Haiti. The events will mark the 4th anniversary of the coup in which US Marines kidnapped Haiti’'s president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and replaced the democratically-elected government with UN forces.
Four years later, Haiti is under a UN-US occupation, and thousands of Aristide supporters have been killed or imprisoned. The occupation has been marked by deepening poverty, arrest, rape, disappearance and murder.
Events will also protest the disappearance of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, co-founder of Fondasyon Trant Septanm which advocates for victims of the 1991 and 2004 coups d'états against Jean-Bertrand Aristide; Fondasyon members carry out weekly vigils demanding justice for victims of human rights violations and for the release of political prisoners. Additionally the co-founder of Fondasyon Trant Septanm Wilson Mésilien has been forced underground.
International actions calling for Lovinsky'’s safe return and safety for Wilson Mésilien and others under threat have included weekly vigils and fasts in London, England, and other actions and fasters from Guyana, to Spain to Los Angeles. Haiti has been punished by colonial powers since the Haitian revolution of 1804 where the most powerful army of the day, Napoleon’s army, was defeated and led the way for the emancipation of those enslaved throughout the Americas.
Haiti gave refuge to Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Latin America, and provided ships and fighters. The Haitian people remain determined and are once again making a revolution. Everyone Welcome * Donation $5, no one turned away * Translation into Spanish All funds raised will go to support Haitian grassroots activistsLA event coordinated by the Women of Color in the Global Women’s Strike and GWS/LA sponsors include ANSWER-LA, CISPES, Eastside Café, International Action Center-LA For more info 323-276-9833, la@crossroadswomen.net, www.globalwomenstrike.net
The call for the 3rd International Day in Solidarity with the People of Haiti has been initiated by the Haiti Action Committee.
International demands include:
End the US/UN Occupation – Respect Haiti’s sovereignty Free the political prisoners – No more illegal arrests or prolonged detention without charges
No more killings and sexual abuse of the poor by UN troops, police and paramilitaries under police control President Aristide must be free to return to Haiti – Respect the Haitian Constitution
No more ‘disappearances’ – Work for the rule of law and the safe return of kidnapped Haitian human rights advocate Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine Launch an independent inquiry into the February 29, 2004 coup and forced removal of President Aristide Perpetrators of the coup and massacres of the poor must be brought to justice – Reparations (not APOLOGIES alone) for the victims
10 comments:
Hi focused,
What can be done about this? I'm talking about on a grand scale (over and beyond sending 'care packages, etc).
If I go to the Haitian embassy, can I get more information on what the UN is (or isn't) doing about this?
Who are the US decision makers who can help them -- I'm wondering if we have a diplomat or other government emissary, etc. Or maybe the charitable foundations?
We simply can not let the children starve.
Shecodes-
welcome back. forgive the delay, yesterday was a "full plate" day:-)
purposefully, i made the distinction that the impoverished conditions in haiti are by design and enforced by the u.s. and ally european governments.
it seems to me that the u.s. and her european allies want to be free to violently rampage around the world raping, murdering, and pillaging foreign lands for their wealth and natural resources. the new world order and one world government gives them every right.
those indigenous people that are content to quietly accept it are allowed to live oppressed lives. those that resist---haitians have demonstrated well that they will resist; they successfully drove the little war-monger bonaparte out. as a result haiti/haitians have been shackled with poverty and suffering. again, i say, it is by design that our sisters and brothers are dying.
i don't know if you recall the haitian immigrant boats that were turned around under the bush and clinton administration?
there are centuries of history that demonstrate that the u.s. and european governments hold haiti and her citizens in contempt. for the longest time there has been a refusal to acknowledge liberated haiti (didn't want to threaten u.s. lucrative slave trade with haitian bad influence) and when they did it was in an effort to reinstate forced labor.
when pressed to evenly apply asylum laws; rather than grant asylum to fleeing haitians the u.s. government changed their policies prohibiting automatic asylum to cubans as well.
for those that contend that working from within the system is the best way to effect change---consider the fact that the congressional black caucus has unsuccessfully attempted that as well. it is for these reasons and more that i did not give government contact information. for those that believe that appealing to the u.s. government to abandon its mission in haiti is the best course here is the link:
http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/dpl/fall/96642.htm#haiti
this list should provide a partial listing of those involved in the destruction of haiti. whether they know it or not. (my money is on them knowing and being compensated well for their participation)
furthermore, since somalia under clinton the u.s. pretty much leaves africans to die. (haiti is 90% african)
in closing let me say this as well--i think what we can do is the mission that you blog so beautifully on--- black women must unite and create for ourselves a power base. we must create and present a strong enough presence where we can impact life here at home.
then and only then do i believe that we will be able to impact the world. it is my strong conviction that charity begins at home and travels abroad. i will spare you all that i would fly away from heading to haiti or africa. it resonates with me as being out of divine order.
this notwithstanding, i will attend a meeting later today of international activists where haiti and the on-going haitian genocide will be discussed. i am hopeful that there is something that i can do with those from haiti that understand the nature of the threat. i will definitely update my blog visitors in this case.
for the record, i am also lobbying to get the support of media power players that also happen to be black women. i have a tenacious, stubborn streak and am cautiously optimistic that i will get the assistance i seek. of course, when i do the whole world will know!!!:-) and if i don't i will name names...we should not support them either.
our differences are our strength. everyone's way is not my way. now let me head over to your blog and see what i missed yesterday.
blessings!
focusedpurpose
She Codes and Focusedpurpose:
There is a Haitian college professor here in NY city I met at a conference 2 years ago who is doing ample work with the media on the Haitian crisis.His name is Steeve Coupeau and his e-mail address is scoup@nyiha.com
Saludos,
Ana
She Codes and Focusedpurpose:
I met Steeve Coupeau, a Haitian professor at a conference last year and he is very much involved and is a spokesman on Haitian affairs here in the United States. His e-mail address is scoup@nyiha.com
Saludos,
Ana
Ana-
welcome. thanks for paying a visit. you are always welcome.
thank you for the additional information. i will follow that lead most definitely.
my post was in honor of the 3rd annual haitian solidarity movement. i am also actively seeking possible remedies. i am also enclosing information for those that would like to get involved.
i think that grassroots is the way to go to effect meaningful change for previously stated reason. check out the following information:
Join people in 36 cities on four continents to mark the International Day in Solidarity with the People of Haiti. The events will mark the 4th anniversary of the coup in which US Marines kidnapped Haiti’'s president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and replaced the democratically-elected government with UN forces. Four years later, Haiti is under a UN-US occupation, and thousands of Aristide supporters have been killed or imprisoned. The occupation has been marked by deepening poverty, arrest, rape, disappearance and murder.
Events will also protest the disappearance of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, co-founder of Fondasyon Trant Septanm which advocates for victims of the 1991 and 2004 coups d'états against Jean-Bertrand Aristide; Fondasyon members carry out weekly vigils demanding justice for victims of human rights violations and for the release of political prisoners. Additionally the co-founder of Fondasyon Trant Septanm Wilson Mésilien has been forced underground. International actions calling for Lovinsky'’s safe return and safety for Wilson Mésilien and others under threat have included weekly vigils and fasts in London, England, and other actions and fasters from Guyana, to Spain to Los Angeles.
Haiti has been punished by colonial powers since the Haitian revolution of 1804 where the most powerful army of the day, Napoleon’s army, was defeated and led the way for the emancipation of those enslaved throughout the Americas. Haiti gave refuge to Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Latin America, and provided ships and fighters. The Haitian people remain determined and are once again making a revolution.
Everyone Welcome * Donation $5, no one turned away * Translation into Spanish
All funds raised will go to support Haitian grassroots activists
LA event coordinated by the Women of Color in the Global Women’s Strike and GWS/LA
sponsors include ANSWER-LA, CISPES, Eastside Café, International Action Center-LA
For more info 323-276-9833, la@crossroadswomen.net, www.globalwomenstrike.net
The call for the 3rd International Day in Solidarity with the People of Haiti has been initiated by the Haiti Action Committee. International demands include:
End the US/UN Occupation – Respect Haiti’s sovereignty
Free the political prisoners – No more illegal arrests or prolonged detention without charges
No more killings and sexual abuse of the poor by UN troops, police and paramilitaries under police control
President Aristide must be free to return to Haiti – Respect the Haitian Constitution
No more ‘disappearances’ – Work for the rule of law and the safe return of kidnapped Haitian human rights advocate Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine
Launch an independent inquiry into the February 29, 2004 coup and forced removal of President Aristide
Perpetrators of the coup and massacres of the poor must be brought to justice – Reparations for the victims
thanks again Ana.
blessings!
focusedpurpose
Focusedpurpose:
Thanks for the information. The grassroots Panamanian community stand in solidarity with the Haitian people.I have Panamanian friends who celebrated the 200 years anniversary of the Haitian Revolution in Haiti last 2004. I will follow up. Please keep me informed, you can e-mail me if you wish.
I agree with you, both European nations and the U.S. stifled Haiti purposeful becaue the Haitian Revolution propelled the ending of slavery in the Americas and also gave way to the revolutionary movements throughout Latin America.
There is a strong labor movement in Panama, with a militant tradition of struggle that carries a strong identification with the worldwide oppressed.
Saludos.
Ana-
welcome back! it is my pleasure to share information. that was one of my missions with blogging.
i am idealistic. i firmly believe that most people don't do anything because they don't know what to do.
shoot me an e-mail sis @ focusedpurpose@yahoo.com. i don't have contact information for you.
thanks for the information you supplied as well. we will work it out.
blessings sis!
focusedpurpose
Focused:
Good evening,I wrote you an e-mail, I did not get the date of the event. I should be able to attend here in NY city.You can write me back with the date.
Saludos,
Ana
hi Ana-
the event that you are requesting information on was in fact around the time that i posted in los angeles. i am on the west coast.
i apologize. i was not aware that you were requesting information from me. i most definitely would have responded sooner. please forgive the oversight.
try the number listed on my blog to see if they have anything happening on the east coast.
hope this helps. again, i apologize for the miscommunication.
i also sent you an email:-)
blessings to you!
focusedpurpose
as i rewind for the book...
i must say that meekness = the Way because that is what is written;)
He/His Word will not change. it is our minds that must. i am a witness;)
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