For the people of Haiti this is more than a cataclysm; it is more so tragedy by design. For those of us who recognize our connection with Haiti, and understand our own economic vulnerability, we see it for what it is. It is neo-colonialism at work. It is the continual disregard for the life of people of African descent.  It is the continued enslavement of peoples by economic means. It is the destabilization of a country and more specifically its economy so that others may be imposed their will on us.

 For many of the "aid donors" in Haiti this isn't a tragedy, for many of them this is an opportunity. Pennies of every dollar donated to Haiti actually benefit the people of Haiti. So where does the remainder go? Let us get it straight, this is not just a humanitarian effort that is taking place in Haiti, this is business. It is the “first world” countries, led by the United States, establishing political and economic structures that will aid their businesses and political interests for many years to come. We saw it in Iraq a couple years ago. Who got the contracts “to rebuild Iraq?” Certainly not the Iraqi or Asian companies. Those contracts were given to companies from the countries of the “collision of the willing.” This is the foundation for the new and improved neo-colonialism which is being built in Haiti. Thus, the apparent aid is in the eyes of the donors an investment.

You may ask, “Where are the watch dogs”? - “Who is responsible for oversight and to ensure that the people of Haiti are justly served?” Well, the Haitian tragedy is not new. It has been there since the first Europeans landed on Haiti and worsened with American and European imperialism. Who looked out for Haiti during those 200 years? Do not expect the politicians to help, they are more engaged in politics rather than governance.  Do not expect the media to shed light on the real issues. I am still waiting for CNN to investigate how the Bill Clinton’s administration undermined the agricultural economy in Haiti, and turned independent farmers into factory slaves.  The media has been relegated to the role of peddling tragedies, and the commercialization of information. What you know is what their corporate sponsors and parent companies want them to tell you. The rest, that is the truth, you have to dig and find for yourself and quite often the truth surfaces sometimes twenty (20) years later when they decide to open some secret file.

It will take “us” the people, those of us with a voice, those of us who are willing to speak up, and to speak out to do so. We have to form alliances with our brothers and sisters in Haiti. If ever there was a need for Caribbean unification it is now. Do not wait on CSME and do not wait on your politicians. We in the Caribbean basin have the resources to sustain ourselves. What has failed us and continues to fail us is the lack of leadership of any kind. With the unification of Caribbean peoples, not only can our vulnerability be minimized, our prosperity can be realized.