This is the part of the Helping Haiti's earthquake survivors and Justice Not Charity diary series. The focus of this diary is books about Haiti. The first diary was by Dallasdoc and previous diaries are linked below.
Join us in the comments for today's news roundup and book discussion. Action alerts and links below the fold.
"The Haitian people are asking not for charity, but for justice."
The Uses of Haiti last paragraph pg. 307
What, then is to be done? Speaking of events since the 1991 coup, Noam Chomsky has noted that "honest commentary would place all of this in
the context of our unwavering opposition to freedom and human rights in Haiti for no less than 200 years." The first order of business, for citizens of the United States, might be a candid and careful assessment of our ruinous policies towards Haiti. Remorse is not a very fashionable sentiment. But for many, old-fashioned penitence might be the first step towards a new solidarity, a pragmatic solidarity that could supplant both our malignant policies of the past and the well -meaning but unfocused charity that does not respond to Haitian aspirations. The Haitian people are asking not for charity, but for justice.
|
This is how Paul Farmer ends his book and where a new dairy series for us begins, Justice Not Chaity. The Uses Of Haiti is now in its third edition. I want to say that it is the best of the three Haiti books I have read so far Mountains Beyond Mountains, Damming The Flood and The Uses Of Haiti but I am not sure (I am now reading The Black Jacobins). They all cover different times and aspects. I recommend all of them. Because Paul Farmer is a doctor and an anthropologist, The Uses of Haiti was written like an anthropology book, I think. It was first published in 1994 and has updates about the second coup and updates with new information about the first coup. So he covered both coups.
I don't like that our government used propaganda and even the withholding of aid to destabilize Haiti because we did not approve of who Haitians voted for; but I can comprehend. But when we talk about use of military force and death squads to remove a democratically elected President it sounds more like an episode of Prison Break than it does real life. I can't help but feel a sense of shame, a bit of anger and urgency to act as I begin to learn about US policy towards Haiti.
A problem I encounter and maybe we can discuss is how to tell people what I have learned without sounding like I am exaggerating or oversimplifying. Most things are complicated and my writing is not good enough to express the nuances of say the sweatshop/HOPE bill. But there are things that are simple. There is no grey area around whether we should have funded death squads in order to remove Haiti's first democratically elected President. And then when they elected him again we kidnapped him.
If you don't believe me this should convince you-let's look at the Players (this is part of an update Farmer wrote in March 2004,pg.390-392):
Who are the other players in these high-stakes games, games in which history weighs so heavily? For many years it's been the same cast of characters on both sides of the sea. Starting with the U.S. dramatis personae helps make things clearer on the Haitian side. The current Bush administration has put in charge of Latin American diplomacy two men who have been at it for a long time; their views are well-documented. As the "Special Presidential Envoy to the Western Hemisphere," Otto Reich in the United States' top diplomat in the region even though he has never survived a House or Senate hearing; He was appointed by Bush during a Congressional recess. In the 1990s, Reich was a lobbyist for industry (among his current deals: selling Lockheed Martin fighter planes to Chile), but prior to that he had a long record of government service. In a recent New Yorker profile of Reich, William Finnegan gives us more background on his curriculum vitae:
Reich first went to work for the Reagan Administration at the Agency for International Development, in 1981. As the civil war in Nicaragua heated up, he moved to the State Department where from 1983 to 1986, he headed a Contra-support program that operated out of an outfit called the Office of Public Diplomacy. The office arranged speeches and recommended books to the public libraries, but it also leaked false stories to the press-that for instance, the Sandinista government was receiving Soviet MiG fighters, or was involved in drug trafficking. A declassified memo from one of Reich's aides to Patrick Buchanan, the White House communications director, boasted about the offices's "White Propaganda" operations, including op-ed pieces prepared by its staff, signed by Contra leaders or academics, and placed in major newspapers. (Reich's spokesman denied this.) The office employed Army psychological-warfare specialists, and worked closely with Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, at the National Security Council.
During the course of the Iran-Contra investigation, the U.S. Comptroller General concluded that Reich's office had "engaged in prohibited covert propaganda activities."...
When the Bush administration sent a certain Roger Noriega as its envoy to "work out" the Haitian crisis in February 2004, not everyone knew who he was, for Noriega's career has flourished in the back of Senate committees, For the better part of a decade, Noriega worked for Jesse Helms and his allies. Although it is no secret that Noriega has had Aristide in his sights for years, none of this history made it into mainstream media until recently. Then things became clearer. On CNN on March 1, after Aristide's departure from Haiti Congresswoman Maxine Waters "accused Undersecretary of State for Latin America Roger Noriega-whom she called 'a Haiti hater'-of being behind the troubles there." The CNN report continued: "Noriega was a senior aide to former Senator Jesse Helms, who as a chairman of Senate Foreign Affairs Committee was a backer of long-time dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier and an opponent of Aristide."
Who doesn't just love Rep Maxine Waters! She puts it all out there. And just for anyone that doesn't know who long-time dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier (Baby Doc) is he was a ruthless, thieving dictator responsible for many murders and terrorizing Haitians. He inherited the office from his father Francois (Papa Doc). Some Haitians call Bush one Papa Bush and Bush 2 Baby Bush.
So fare we have Reich who's office had "engaged in prohibited, covert propaganda activities." And then we Noriega and a long time aide for Jesse Helms and had a long history of opposing Aristide.
(More from pg. 392)
When I share these biographical details and the names of other people who are driving these policies-I refer to Otto Reich, Jesse Helms, Jeane Kirkpatrick, Elliot Abrams, John Poindexter, Bush pere and fils-and then mention Iran-Contra, Honduras, Venezuela, the Declaration of Quebec City, liberation theology, and the International Republican Institute, the Haiti story starts to hang together. Haiti policy is determined by a small number of people who were prominent in either Reagan's or George H.W. Bush's cabinets. Most are back in government today after an eight-year vacation in conservative think tanks, lobbying firms, and the like. Elliot Abrams, convicted of felony during the Iran-Contra hearings, serves on the National Security Council; Reagan's national-security advisor John Poindexter is now heading the Pentagon's counterterrorism office; John Negroponte forma Ambassador to Honduras, is now Ambassador th the United Nations. Jeane Kirkpatrick in on the board of the International Republican Institute a prime source of funds for the political opposition to Aristide and, credible sources suggest, for the demobilized army personnel who provided the muscle for the Haitian opposition in early 2004. The far right of the U.S. Republican party has been the key determinant of Haiti policy.
This is the group of people that have made up the Haiti story. The narrative that Aristide is unstable came from none other than the repugnant Jesse Helms. In 1993 the CIA had information (that later proved to be false) that Aristide had received psychiatric treatment in 1980. Jesse Helms left that briefing and started calling Aristide a psychopath. Even when he was informed the information was false he kept calling Aristide a psychopath.
Does anyone remember Aristide being interviewed by Anderson Cooper on CNN after he was kidnapped in 2004? And right after Aristide was interviewed, Anderson Cooper interviewed Collin Powell again-Anderson Cooper interviewed Powell before and after Aristide's interview. So CNN let the government start the narrative and then immediately respond to Aristide's statement that he was kidnapped. Just a small example of the medias fair and balanced reporting.
I am asking because I remember seeing it. And I knew nothing about Haiti or Aristide at the time. I have never been an fan of Powell so I didn't believe him but I didn't believe Aristide either. The story sounded to outrageous. And from watching the news I had passively formed a negative impression of Aristide. So they succeeded in muddying the water with me and I am sure many others. That is all they needed to do to get away with it.
Now that we are armed with the facts about where the propaganda is coming from the choice of who to believe does't seem that difficult. Yet try to tell acquaintances about Aristide and Haiti. Or better yet talk to people here on Kos. Many people automatically go to how corrupt Haiti is. I believe that it is corrupt after all look who is responsible for placing them their-The Bush Crime Family (got that from Mike Malloy).
We know what Haitians want for their country. They want sovereignty and a fair vote. The US, France and Canada won't let them do it because we do not want the Lavalas (the flood or avalanche) party in office. They take care of the poor. We liberals could learn a lot from the Lavalas movement. It is all about unity. give Haitians a fair vote they vote for Aristide who is not corrupt but when he was in office we withheld aid and got everyone else to withhold aid to. I don't believe the Haitian government is anymore corrupt than we are (look at wall street ripping us off. Half our senators have been bought. CA insurance regulation agency can't even enforce fines because they are our lawyered.)
The Uses of Haiti pg.310
...Relations with Aristide were often less chummy: one U.S. official with "extensive experience of Haiti," speaking to the Boston Globe, observed that "Aristide-slum priest, grass-roots activist, exponent of Liberation Theology-represents everything that the CIA, DOD and FBI think they have been trying to protect this country against for the past 50 years."
London Review of Books, Paul Farmer, Who Removed Aristide?:
(There are times when I find the cognitive problems ms causes me extremely frustrating. This is one of them. I want to tell you the details but I just can't today sorry, I am having a flare up with multiple sclerosis and am having trouble remembering. But the book diary must go on :-))
The Aristide Foundation for Democracy (AFD) was created in 1996 by former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide (the first democratically elected president of Haiti) with a simple principle in mind: "The promise of democracy can only be fulfilled if all sectors of Haitian society are able to actively participate in the democratic life of the nation."
CanDo is a direct outcome organization that provides AID and relief in emergency situations.
Fonkoze (***) , a micro-lending organization in Haiti. From their Web site:
Fonkoze is Haiti’s Alternative Bank for the Organized Poor. We are the largest micro-finance institution offering a full range of financial services to the rural-based poor in Haiti. Fonkoze is committed to the economic and social improvement of the people and communities of Haiti and to the reduction of poverty in the country.
According to their Web site, their offices have taken quite a hit. This is another one in the category of long-term rebuilding. (h/t parryander and dizzydean)
Haiti Emergency Relief Foundation:
Haiti’s grassroots movement – including labor unions, women’s groups, educators and human rights activists, support committees for political prisoners, and agricultural cooperatives – are funneling needed aid to those most hit by the earthquake. They are doing what they can – with the most limited of funds – to make a difference. Please take this chance to lend them your support.
All donations to the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund will be forwarded to our partners on the ground to help them rebuild what has been destroyed.
Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti:
We fight for the human rights of Haiti’s poor, in court, on the streets and wherever decisions about Haitians’ rights are made. We represent the unjustly imprisoned and victims of political persecution, coordinate grassroots advocacy in Haiti and the US, train human rights advocates in Haiti and disseminate human rights information worldwide.
The Lambi Fund (***) is a secular non-profit nonprofit whose mission is "to assist the popular, democratic movement in Haiti. Its goal is to help strengthen civil society as a necessary foundation of democracy and development. The fund channels financial and other resources to community-based organizations that promote the social and economic empowerment of the Haitian people." They support "projects that embrace the following principles: non-violent, non-partisan, community-based, promoting the advancement of women, using education and training for empowerment, and promoting the overall democratic movement."
Partners in Health (****/A+) has now started a BLOG about its efforts called Stand with Haiti. It has very useful information. Partners in Health is also putting out a call for health volunteers, in case you are a medical professional who can help out that way.
Matching Funds
Turn a $25 donation into a $50 donation.
Matching funds currently available at this link for Reiser Relief, a group that parryander works with:
Reiser Relief is a charity started by my friend Father Reiser - it funds our water truck, pays teachers salaries, feeds kids, and it supports orphanages and homes for the elderly and women.
A total of $20K in matching funds have been provided for Reiser Relief from Razoo.
As of May 13, over $4K remain (this number does not appear to be updated daily, but we will keep it as current as possible).
SOIL is based in Haiti (founded by two American females) and although their regular mission is :Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting soil resources, empowering communities and transforming wastes into resources in Haiti, they are in the streets in PAP providing normal disaster relief services and translation (they speak Kreyol). They have said that all donations in the next 30 days (at least) will go directly to their relief work rather than their usual mission. They have been in Haiti for several years and are very familiar with the people and communities (h/t Royce)
TransAfrica:
Today, TransAfrica Forum campaigns against the crippling debt burden on the countries of Africa and the Caribbean by opposing Vulture Funds, companies that threaten the gains of already hard-fought for debt relief. TransAfrica Forum also struggles for international financial architecture that promotes sustainable growth and takes cues from civil society.
Other news and diaries: |
ShelterBox: carolina stargazer is still watching the store. The next ShelterBox diary is planned for Tuesday morning, but activity in Friday's diary will be monitored until then. Matching funds are available.
There are two excellent liveblogs by mindoca. This is the first one and this is the second. If you need more specific information, these are a great place to start. mindoca has spent time in Haiti and offers a true first-hand view of disaster relief and Haiti itself.
Mokurai has contributed The Real Story in Haiti and Haiti: Dimensions of Disaster.
FishOutofWater takes a moment to explore the benefits of Partners in Health's commitment to solar powered health centers.
Meteor Blades points the way to a better and more sustainable future for Haitians in Haiti Could Use a New Deal.
As the MSM (in the United States) turns attention away from Haiti, Deoliver47 reminds us that things are not suddenly all better: Raining Disease and More Deaths.
For some good pre-earthquake background on Haiti, see Daisy Cutter's Book Review: "Damming the Flood" by Peter Hallward, pt 1. This diary was published in July 2008 and presents a history of Haiti up to 1999 using Hallward's book as a reference. Excellent.
Two recent diaries by Deep harm remind us that the rains are coming and tents are needed.
This series was created by Dallasdoc and has been maintained with the help of (listed alphabetically): Aji, ALifeLessFrightening, allie123, AntKat, Avila, betson08, big spoiled baby, cosmic debris, Deep Harm, Deoliver47, Frederick Clarkson, J Brunner Fan, Jimdotz, maggiejean, marabout40, Norbrook, OHknighty, oke, parryander, Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse, Pluto, RunawayRose, swampus, and thebluecrayon. All of these previous diaries can be found by clicking here (listed in reverse chronological order).
UPCOMING DIARIES
Friday: Avila
Saturday: Aji
Sunday: maggiejean
Monday: RunawayRose
If you would like to volunteer to contribute a diary to continue this series, please volunteer in the comments below. Norbrook has created a Google documents file** with the source code for our usual introduction and the list of charities the community has developed. Doing one of these diaries, thanks to Norbrook, is not nearly as demanding as it was early in the series. Also, updates need to be made far less frequently. You don't need to set aside huge chunks of time for it and it's easy to multi-task if you have other things to do, as long as you're able to check the comments every 30 minutes or so.
**There is also a backup to the original google doc. See this comment for more details.
|
The icons and March 13 formatting revision of this diary series are courtesy of the html artist known on Daily Kos as Pluto. The "Help Haiti" image at the top of the diary that has become the "logo" of this series is courtesy of AuntKat.