On Tuesday, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The quake was the biggest in the region for 200 years. The tragedy has left hundreds of thousands dead and over three million homeless and hungry.
The outpouring of grief and aid into Haiti has been reassuring. Haiti is a country of poverty and corruption. While millions lived in shantytowns before the quake, the devastation has only made the situation worse.
President Obama mobilized the United States military almost immediately. Everyday citizens from all over the world have donated to the Red Cross and other NGOs. Yet, not all of the reaction has been so heartwarming. There was the case of Pat Robertson, who said that the Haitian people had made a deal with the devil. "They said we will serve you if you'll get us free from the French. True story."
Actually, in 1791, inspired by the French Revolution, the African-majority in Haiti started demanding more rights. In 1793, France went to war with Britain, and Britain invaded the colony. Six months later, partly in an attempt to gain favor with Africans over the British, France ended slavery in all colonies. Soon, emboldened by new freedoms, Haitians began to call for their independence. Then, Napoleon sent his brother-in-law Charles Leclerc, to quell the rebellion. After achieving military victories, the French were not able to defeat yellow fever, and Haiti became the first and only nation to be born of a slave rebellion.
So inspired by the rights of men, and with a little help from yellow fever, Haiti was born of an underdog story. If that if a deal with the devil, then Pat should take a look at his own nation. Instead, Haiti's historical problems could be seen as a result of a vulnerable geographical position (look at 2008 hurricanes) and exploitation of the island by colonial powers (see the United States occupation of the 20th century.) Therefore, it is important that the United States, France, and all first world nations come to Haiti's aid.
The outpouring of grief and aid into Haiti has been reassuring. Haiti is a country of poverty and corruption. While millions lived in shantytowns before the quake, the devastation has only made the situation worse.
President Obama mobilized the United States military almost immediately. Everyday citizens from all over the world have donated to the Red Cross and other NGOs. Yet, not all of the reaction has been so heartwarming. There was the case of Pat Robertson, who said that the Haitian people had made a deal with the devil. "They said we will serve you if you'll get us free from the French. True story."
Actually, in 1791, inspired by the French Revolution, the African-majority in Haiti started demanding more rights. In 1793, France went to war with Britain, and Britain invaded the colony. Six months later, partly in an attempt to gain favor with Africans over the British, France ended slavery in all colonies. Soon, emboldened by new freedoms, Haitians began to call for their independence. Then, Napoleon sent his brother-in-law Charles Leclerc, to quell the rebellion. After achieving military victories, the French were not able to defeat yellow fever, and Haiti became the first and only nation to be born of a slave rebellion.
So inspired by the rights of men, and with a little help from yellow fever, Haiti was born of an underdog story. If that if a deal with the devil, then Pat should take a look at his own nation. Instead, Haiti's historical problems could be seen as a result of a vulnerable geographical position (look at 2008 hurricanes) and exploitation of the island by colonial powers (see the United States occupation of the 20th century.) Therefore, it is important that the United States, France, and all first world nations come to Haiti's aid.
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