Haiti: Why guns and not water or medicine?

Patrick Bentrott, a Global Ministries missionary in Haiti who has ties to communities in St. Louis, Denver, Kansas City and Iowa (to name a few) posts on this blog this morning some thoughts about how the earthquake and its aftermath have been portrayed in media and contrasts that view with his own experience the past 14 months living in Haiti. Here is the link if you would like to go right to it: Patrick's Musings.

After a short synopsis of Haitian history and occupation by various European and North American powers, I think he rightly calls out the undercurrent of racism that still exists when we look at these dark skinned people as being needy, but having no culture of their own and nothing to offer to us in return for our aid. In his own words:

If forced to stereotype the Haitian people I would use three adjectives to describe them: strong, generous, and compassionate. They are a people whose horrific history would have undoubtedly broken many others, but they have endured hardships and abuse with a dignity that is simply remarkable from my perspective. Most of the Haitians I know live on very little, have no access to healthcare or education, and find it nearly impossible to provide for their families. Yet they go through life with a faith and determination that I find both inspiring and humbling.

Since the earthquake 10 days ago, I have not seen one instance of looting or violence. This is not to say that neither of these things has not taken place, but only that they are the exception and not the norm. What Kim and I have witnessed are people reaching out to help their neighbors in need. Carrying the injured and bleeding through the streets to hospitals, trying to unbury those trapped beneath the wreckage, and sharing whatever few material things they may have with others. This is the Haiti I am seeing. When Kim, Solomon, and I have been reunited with friends here they have all expressed their great joy at our survival and given thanks for our safety. These sentiments have always been expressed before any rendering of their own difficult situation or experiences of destruction. One friend who works at Solomon’s orphanage told me how happy she was that we were ok. She asked about our friends, neighbors, and even our house. It was only afterwards that she told me that both of her parents and all of her siblings had died in the earthquake.

There have also been a few times when Kim and I have found medicine and water to distribute to people. Although nearly everyone is in need we are always lead to those who are most desperate. No one has ever attempted to steal the medicines or the water. We have also been fortunate to give money a few times to friends. They have always used it to help not just their immediate families, but also their neighbors in need as well. This type of generosity and compassion is what we see on the ground here everyday.

If there is something to be learned about the Haitian people in the aftermath of the earthquake, it is that they have shown the rest of the world how to live with courage, strength, and love. All of us, no matter where we reside, have an opportunity to enter into a new relationship with the people of Haiti at this moment in history. Without trying to be insensitive to the immense death and suffering that has occurred in Haiti, I believe that this may indeed be a “kairos” moment where the people of the world are being offered a chance to begin a new relationship with a truly remarkable group of human beings. Let us hope that we seize this opportunity and explore ways to be in solidarity with a country that not only needs our assistance, but also has a lot to offer and teach us as well.