‘Something beautiful remains in a place so rich
Yet so in pain…
We have forgotten you, a once jewel amongst stars
Now battered tenements, a horror filled with scars
I cry for you, I cry for your people
I cry for the place you once were….
A song for Haiti….
My son was asked to compose a written piece in creative writing about the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and this is what he came up with. I was proud of his ability to put his pain into words and tell a story without saying much. It is hard to be sitting here in a warm house with food and clothing and cable and wireless when thousands of people are dead and/or dying in Haiti.
In the news, you continue to hear about Haiti’s poor community of citizens. And yes, modern Haiti has been a country of little means if any and lives in a state of poverty, whereby the average salary of a Haitian is $2 a day. But at one time, Haiti was a shining jewel, a crown amongst royalty. That is the Haiti I would like people to remember and learn about. A former slave, Toussaint L’Ouveture lead a revolution in 1772 from France and later, Haiti established ties with Great Britain and the United States.
Photo Courtesy of The Telegraph, UK
Modern day Haiti has been mismanaged and abused by those in power. Because of this, Haiti’s almost non-existent economy and poor infrastructure has always been a concern to humanitarians. And with seemingly constant acts of nature such as hurricanes, floods, and now earthquakes, Haiti is going to need our help and prayer.
Haiti has given us many gifts and produced many artists. Artist and producer Wyclef Jean may be one of Haiti’s best well known entertainers. You can hear pieces of Haiti in songs such as ‘Gone Til November’, heavy in guitar and spanish rhythms. Wyclef Jean’s fellow bandmates from the Fugees, Pras is also from Haiti and Lauryn Hill has Haitian ancestry. Singer Maxwell has Haitian blood, as well as actress Garcelle Beauvis Nilon. Painter and artist Jean-Michel Basquait was born in Brooklyn, but is father was from Haiti. They are a nation of proud talented individuals with creativity in their heart and bones. For a list of Haitian Americans, click HERE.
It’s easy to look away and say that this is not our concern but of course that is hogwash. We all can do something to help the effort. Whether it’s donating money to the cause, giving blood or clothing, working phone banks to collect funds for the Red Cross, we all can lend a hand to help. For so long, Haiti has been forgotten by most the world. Let’s lift them up and help as much as possible to help Haiti.
Photo Courtesy of Guardian U.K.
What are your comments? What do you plan to do to help the relief effort? Please chime in and let your thoughts be known.
I would like to thank @AphroChic on Twitter for inviting me to participate in the Bloggers Day of Action for Haiti. As bloggers, it’s wonderful that we can come together to help a common and highly important cause. This is a state of emergency folks!
Below is a complete list of bloggers who are participating in the Bloggers Day of Action for Haiti. Please visit them and read their blog and show them love!
- itsohsogrand.blogspot.com
- http://www.hammocksandhightea.blogspot.com
- http://alifemorefabulous.blogspot.com/
- http://bayareastylefile.blogspot.com
- singlebubblepop.blogspot.com
- www.lindseyloublogs.blogspot.com
- Styleture.com
- http://simplygrove.com
- http://makeundermylife.com
- http://www.designformankind.com
- http://urbancasita.com/
- www.nuvanynice.com
- www.jodinescorner.com
- http://www.thecubiclechick.com/
- www.aphrochic.blogspot.com
There is also a header at the top of the page to YELEHaiti, an organization committed to humanitarian efforts in Haiti. You can also visit their webpage HERE.The header at the top of the page takes you directly to their donation site.
For a list of organizations in which to donate funds, which is needed the most, please visit the official White House Blog which gives a list of approved sites.
*Top photo courtesy of BBC News/Associated Foreign Press
*Blog cover photo courtesy of Mashable.com
What a beautiful poem that was…
Yes it was. I was proud of my son for writing so eloquently. He covered so much in so little.
So happy to see all my fellow bloggers. Coming together for a great cause.
Absolutely. It's wonderful being a part of this movement. I just wish we can get the help there faster!