Babacar:

I know of your history and your diligence in not only talking but walking the walk.  In fact, it is scholars=activists such as yourself that represents the ideal.  So, first of all please excuse me if you felt my piece was aimed at you or those like you.  Similarly, there are clerics who are deeply involved in raising monies, sending supplies, and working hard in this and in other tragedies.  Then there are indeed those who are actively engaged in doing more than debating the mundane.  And there are those scholars who will blame the Haitians for their plight.  And yes, there  are also those who are pimping the poor,   profiting from the disaster, and using this tragedy to advance their agendas.  There is a time to have the conversation, but the necessity of garnering resources to those affected takes precedence.  For me it's a matter of priorities.  And unfortunately, I have seen far too many pimps and far too few rescuers.  I have seen those whose rhetoric would humble the Gods themselves, while the reality of their efforts only is seen at professional conferences, in dusty tomes, and on listservs.  So, my brother, I do wonder if those who are spending so much time finding fault are essentially using the Haitian tragedy to promote their favorite excuse for doing nothing.   And we must be honest about not only our motives, but also our concerns.  

Thanks for always being there..



The man who has no imagination has no wings. 
Muhammad Ali


Rodney D. Coates
Professor


-----Original Message-----
From: The Drum: A Community of Scholars [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Camara, Babacar Dr.
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 1:57 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [THEDRUM] Who's at fault - or What's to be done

Hello Rodney

I have several concerns about your piece but I limit my response to the following.

You wrote: "[...] others who suggests that the Haitian history of  corrupt government, culture of poverty, and essential laziness lies at the heart of the tragedy.  I wonder, if those who are spending so much time finding fault are essentially using the Haitian tragedy to promote their favorite excuse for doing nothing.  Regardless of these minor conversations, a much larger one is taking place around the world which is more constructive and beneficial to the Haitian people in their time of need."

Theoria: from the lower Latin theoria, Greek word, properly: "act of observing." (Dauzat/Larousse)

This is the perfect time to talk about Haiti, particularly when the economic and political disaster coincides with a natural one. It is the perfect time to theorize Haiti while the catastrophe has drawn the world's attention onto Haiti. Moreover, right now, Haitians cannot theorize their fate because they are too busy; other people are doing it for them.

As you observe yourself, Haiti's ailments have started a long time ago. Yet, nobody has advocated help.

We cannot let the media theorize Haiti in their terms: extremely poor, plagued with AIDS, cursed, unsophisticated, because its people are predominantly of Negro descent. Funny how the term "African" pops up every now and then when it comes to Haiti.

Haiti needs a rigorous theorization  and it is getting it. In terms of natural diasters, this is what I got:

 By themselves, the Tsunami, Katrina, and the earthquake in Haiti have revealed the secret reality of our society. As quick as a flash, these disasters have laid bare the social misery behind the extravagant consumerism of modern society. We are seeing what we do not want to see and what no one wants us to see.

Thanks


Dr. Babacar Camara
Associate Professor
Chief Program Advisor
Black World Studies/Comparative Literature/French
MIAMI UNIVERSITY

217 Johnston Hall
Middletown Campus
4200 East University Blvd
Middletown, OH 45042
513 727 3358
513 727 3462 Fax
[log in to unmask]




________________________________________
From: The Drum: A Community of Scholars [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Coates, Rodney D. Dr. [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 12:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [THEDRUM] Who's at fault - or What's to be done

Who's at fault or What's to be done
Rodney Coates*

It seems that tragedy and crisis always brings out the extremes in human beings.  I am not sure if this is caused by human nature or the human paradox.  As the tragedy of our family in Haiti continues to become more understood, there are those who would either blame God, external structures, or the Haitians themselves for the crisis that has befallen them.  Strange indeed are those who would suggest that somehow a vengeful God has decided to punish the Haitians with earthquakes, or those who posit the  historical policies of neglect, imperialism, and exploitation of the U.S. and others accounts for the lack of development and hence the unnaturalness of the disaster, and yet others who suggests that the Haitian history of  corrupt government, culture of poverty, and essential laziness lies at the heart of the tragedy.  I wonder, if those who are spending so much time finding fault are essentially using the Haitian tragedy to promote their favorite excuse for doing nothing.  Regardless of these minor conversations, a much larger one is taking place around the world which is more constructive and beneficial to the Haitian people in their time of need.

It is these conversations, backed by real, tangible, and significant efforts that will help sustain the Haitian people during these difficult days that lay ahead. It is remarkable to see the hundreds thousands of doctors and nurses, the firemen and rescue squads, the humanitarian and relief workers, military and civilians, and the church folks and the common folks  -who have left home, family, and jobs to extend a hand to those caught up in this disaster to render aid and comfort to the unfortunate Haitian victims. These, unsung heroes, are doing what needs to be done to transform the living hell that Haiti has become into a space for healing and restoration.

What we should recognize, as this healing and restoration takes place is that this is a process and not an event.  Haiti, long before this current crises, was teetering on the brink of disaster as abject poverty became the norm for all too many of its' citizens.  As we continue the process toward healing and restoration, we need to discuss how to help the Haitians create a sustainable society where all of its people have access to a decent standard of living, housing, medical care, trade, and employment, and education.   Perhaps, out of this tragedy we can discover new directions.  If we can begin this conversation, perhaps out of the destruction a new vessel of hope might emerge.  Perhaps, just perhaps we can move past finding fault to discovering what's to be done to began a conversation about the Americas and their viability, vitality, and vibrancy into the future.


*Note: Rodney D. Coates is professor of sociology, gerontology and black studies at Miami University.  He can be reached at [log in to unmask]