Haiti - Cultured and Strong - Maybe not Poorest of the Poor

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June 04

Haiti - Cultured and Strong - Maybe not Poorest of the Poor

After re-reading my entry I decided that I somewhat misrepresented Haiti and wanted to make some clarifications. Haiti gets enough negative publicity and misrepresentation... example the hot spot showing people eating mud pies.

While Haiti definitely lacks development - it is still very rich in spirit and culture. Haitian art is some of the best in the world with striking and violent contrasts of colour. On top of painting they have incredible metal sculptures that are manually hammered and manipulated by their masters. The music and love of singing is also amazing in the country.

On top of that Haiti has THE BEST food and restaurants in the Caribbean. Some sensationalism-loving journalists (hot zone) - indicate that Haitians eat nothing but dirt. This is bull crap - I am sure the the lowest and poorest 1% may eat dirt from time to time... just like the poorest 1% in the USA eat garbage. Why not show American's eating garbage instead and stop continually sensationalizing the poverty and crime of the country... let the country develop for christ's sakes. During that same time period that Mr. Hot Zone was in Haiti kidnappings dropped by 23% and the country was dropped to 'medium' security risk globally. Where was that coverage? Why show the small, very violent, very poor neighbourhood where most of the gang warfare occurs?

Lastly, go see Haitians play football one day. Haiti is the next Brazil - all they need is a little development and Haiti will honestly explode into the football scene.

I encourage you all to go visit Haiti yourself - it is an amazing cultural experience.

12:01 PM | Blog it | Jamaica

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Val (PS) wrote:

Ooops, forgot to say that Haiti is totally the next Brazil- they even have a young men's leage which travels all over the country, even to the island of LaGonave.
My pretty athletic friend could barely keep up with a scrap match of barefooted kids, although part of that may have been the sun. But mostly, Haitian's are football champs waiting for a chance.

July 31

Val wrote:

I was in Haiti for eight months, it is an amazing experience, but very overwhelming. Some of my friends consider me an expert but I know that the only real understanding I have is of how much I can never fully grasp. Whatever I started to think I understood, that was only the next lesson, there was always another reason behind the reason, for this is truly a deep and complex culture.

I saw latè (mudcakes) in buckets, for sale all over the provinces, although they were much smaller than those in Kevin's video. I'll post a picture on my blog if you care to see: http://racinette.blogspot.com/.

I saw these cakes for sale, but i don't ever remember seeing anyone eat them. The part of my brain still wanting to sport rose-coloured glasses wants to say that latè isn't for eating, that they only tell that to stupid blancs.

It also reminds me that once, while I was being treated for diarrhea. (I'll never again take refrigeration for granted) I was given dirt mixed with water as an antibacterial drink. (Yes, it worked. Not as fast as drugs, but pretty fast and I only needed one dose.)

July 31

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