Haiti HARMAGEDON; America to the Rescue
“A friend is born for the time of distress” states a bible verse. It is a time of extreme distress for Haiti and Haitians, home and abroad. Just at the twinkle of an eye, before any one could say “Jack Robinson’; or topping gas in a vehicle; or waking from a nap, a country is ruined beyond repair. People woke up into cramped holes or edges or fire that left them zero chance of survival. Their dark tears and screams could not penetrate the caving walls or the overwhelming quakes. The earth roared at that unfortunate Island just few “walks” from the greatest country of the world, and the defenceless Haiti caved in to nature’s inhumanity to man. Hers is the worst type this century has seen and might ever see. “Nothing matters anymore” uttered an American reporter at the scene. Yes, all the money for which people kill each other; all the jealousies; all the greed…nothing mattered in the day of the fury of nature. Not even the President has a home after the quake. No politician remembered to go for the public money stolen …Nothing matters any more but life and survival…A lesson for the living. As the world rallies to help poor Haiti and Haitians – rescuing the dead, half dead and the living dead, some fundamental questions keep coming into my mind about man, beliefs and God. This silent question blew out yesterday (Jan. 21) when a Haitian voodoo king lamented to the world media on what he considered the “unholy” funeral their fatal victims received and said the gods/voodoo priests are displeased because the dead may not have the chance to re-incarnate appropriately because of the disrespectful funeral. At least that is what I could make out of his expressions. He may be implying that some funeral rituals/respect be accorded before lowering the dead into the mass graves. It is alright to suggest some prayers or even traditional respect to the dead but when he now associates their mode of burial to their future (blessing or curse) and reincarnation and offending the gods and a whole bunch of voodoo nonsense, he sounds ungrateful to me and perhaps to America and other countries that are there salvaging his people and even their gods as well; Oh yes, abodes of gods are ruined as well. Of what use are gods of Haiti when they cannot foresee the earthquake or better save their worshippers from the impending danger. Haiti has had several natural disasters and perhaps more ahead and it is a country unpopular for steep adherence to old devastating African ritual worship style. Many Haitian Christians have always feel bad about the way many in their country still stick to voodoo and demonism. Witchcraft and all sorts of fearful stories are told by Haitians themselves on how life in Haiti is made more miserable by those who stick to devilish traditional harmful cultures –all in the belief that religion is a matter of choice. The relevant question now is: “What is the salvation index of gods that only empower worshippers to terrorize or make life miserable for one another? What is the dignity and relevance of Haitian gods since they are waiting to receive funeral rights of their dead, those they could not protect? Are there such gods who only take funeral rights but are incapable of offering salvation or at least setting vigilant alarm that could have saved Haiti this holocaust? Are the gods as blind as their loyalists? A Haitian friend said to me with anger that day, “Even the home of voodoo priests and voodoo forests are devastated…it makes nonsense of certain belief or it shows that black man can only get bad gifts from his gods when white men get technology, education and a better sense of humanity…we are there killing each other with voodoo and wickedness…The same voodoo cannot even tell Haitians to run away from the fury that was coming…It is all nonsense…we need to rethink as a people…All the voodoo countries are the poorest in the world” Yes since the disaster, America has proved to be the “true friend” or even a more caring ‘god’ than all the gods of Haiti and ancestors who only wait for bloody rituals at funeral rights. America’s media have their reporters all in Haiti, beckoning the world to come and help. The first country to send medical personnel, food, and countless volunteers is the United States. They are organizing and doing everything that mortal man can do under such circumstances to help a fellow man. It is coming from all angles. It started with the media blasts, then the presidential appeal from all three Presidents, Obama, Bush, and Clinton. Only in America does human calamity draw common interest bridging all political polarization. The presidential appeal set off the blaze. The first lady mothered it down with touching appeal for people to dial certain number to Red Cross and get help for devastated Haiti. The talk show hosts took it from there as Oprah Winfrey rallies for celebrity fundraiser for Haiti. Every American is thinking of how to help and those who had to adopt children ran quickly to get them alive. All life saving stories are tear provoking and are basically done by American this or that. America leadership has succeeded in internalizing in its citizens that “what hurts others touches us all” as President Bush once said, during 911. Right now this country is talking Haiti in the press and on the street. Those of us from Africa, the original home of Haitians must borrow a leaf from the America’s spirit of survival in time of distress. The Lagos state government in Nigeria gave Haiti $1million and that is so nice as we wait for others to follow suit. Haitians are our extended African family which obligates the average African anywhere in the world to send something, including prayers to Haiti. Nothing is too small to give in this time of distress. Haitians are still sleeping on the streets and without food and basic needs. America has set the pace and other countries (China, France, Britain…) are all doing well too. African governments must also step up; self exclusion is not allowed… “We also need some help too” would be a selfish response to a brother’s tears.
Right now we give three happy cheers to America and Americans….kings that do not forget that some poor farmers live on their path to the stream. Some great thinking the rest of the world must imitate. America does not mind giving bread and bomb at the same time if the situation calls for that. But this time they are giving just bread and rallying the world to join and save the black Island of Haiti, whom their gods abandoned to quakes and tornadoes…poor Haiti…America or your gods, which is more powerful?
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