Looting?
Thursday, January 14th, 2010As Haiti has been devastated by a massive earthquake we are beginning to hear the familiar reports of looting mobs running the streets and striking fear in the hearts of the citizens.
What????
Let me make sure I understand what we are being asked to believe:
1. There was a major earthquake in Haiti destroying most of the country’s infrastructure. (Yep, confirmed.)
2. Thousands of people are dead and many are still missing. (Confirmed)
3. The airport has been shut down because there is no more room on the runway. (Confirmed… but temporary)
4. Cell phones and basic utilities such as electricity and running water are not functional. (Confirmed)
5. Bands of youth wielding machetes are stepping over dead bodies, breaking into stores and looting…huh??
Come on! Why is it that a country that has been largely ignored - except for the influx of missionaries and church folk many of whom feel it is their responsibility to “go down there and help get some souls saved” - by their capitalistic Western neighbors is now made to look like mere barbarians? And why does this report reek with the putrid odor of the same manner of racist reporting done during Katrina? How ridiculous is it to declare that “looting” is going on when black folk try to care for themselves in the midst of crisis, especially when they know that the first rescue efforts will not be primarily about them but about foreigners?
This is not to say that there have not been some genuinely caring workers who have done excellent health and welfare work as well as building projects through the years. And, this is not to say, that an agency should not put itself to the task of finding its workers. (I get that. I am United Methodist. I want our workers found.) But, let’s be clear, our Haitian neighbors are NOT LOOTING!! They are either surviving in the midst of chaos or responding to the false dream of capitalism by trying to take hold of some of the “good life” exemplified by the rich and wealthy who come as tourist or live (d) “in the rich part” of Port-au-Prince!
And finally, just because I could NOT believe it. Pat Robertson - uh him, I’m not wasting much more of my spit to form words to speak about. But Kristi Watts either has no sense of integrity or is plain ignorant. How could she sit and listen to him spew such venom about Haitians without question? Is the money and fame so critical to her survival that she dare not challenge him on air when he is so blatantly racist? His comments, her silence… now that’s real looting! Where are the po-po’s when you need them?
