We Will Never Forget -- Nou Pap Janm Bliye

On January 12, 2010 Haiti experienced a devastating 7.0 earthquake.  I (and many of us I suspect) had no knowledge of the earthquake threat in the Caribbean.  Transfixed by the horror of it all many of us did what we could, sent what money we had and prayed.  One year later we join Haitians here in the US and in Haiti to remember, reflect and consider what actions are necessary to bring rebuilding assistance and renewed vigor to the recovery effort.

The public one year anniversary remembrance was marked by a blizzard here in Massachusetts so that event is happening today at Roxbury Community College.  Nou Pap Janm Bliye/We Will Never Forget is sponsored by a coalition of groups including AFAB, MACCHA, and FATEM.  Here's the schedule:

Date:                                    Sunday, January 16, 2011

Time:                                    4:00PM to 9:00PM

 Where:                                 Roxbury Community College/ Media-Arts Center

                                              1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury, MA

 Agenda

 Poster exhibit:                      4:00 to 8:00

 Documentary:                      4:30 to 5:30

 Reflection for Action           5:30 to 7:00

 Memorial:                            7:00 to 8:00

Waiting for Water

Haiti is about 906 miles from Disney World. You would think the U.S. military and world relief agencies could get water delivered less than 1000 miles from "the most powerful country in the world." Relief agencies haven't been able to air drop water and food because they fear riots. Maybe they are waiting until people are too weak to riot.

Fear seems to be a recurring theme in dealing with the people of Haiti. Fear of riot, fear of youths with machetes, fear of the black body but fascination with it dead and dusty in the street.

Or is it just me? What have you seen in the press coverage that makes you uncomfortable?

Haiti -- Help By Giving To Oxfam America

The earth moves. We on the east coast of the United States don't experience earthquakes very often but the Caribbean is actually quite seismically active. The Monserrat volcano has been very active lately, and now Haiti has been struck by a devastating earthquake.

Please consider supporting recovery efforts by making a donation to the Haiti Earthquake Response Fund. Remember, Oxfam America was one of the organizations first on the ground in the Gulf after Katrina. They have stayed to help residents bring long-term change to the region. They have done and will continue to do the same in Haiti after the earthquake.