Skip to main content

Initial Thoughts on Haiti Earthquakes

As I write this, I’m not even sure how to convey the feelings and thoughts that I have over the events that have taken place in Haiti. It seems that Mark McGwire’s confession, Lane Kiffin’s exodus to USC, American Idol and whatever else are as meaningless as they really are in the grand scheme of things.

In attempt, and to begin, I could say that I have been fortunate enough to grow up in a place such as New York City, a place that is diverse in every way imaginable. A place that is home to the largest population of Haitians in the United States. Due to that, I was able to encounter, experience, and appreciate the Haitian culture and most importantly, the kind of love the culture embraces.

Many of my friends growing up were from Haitian families, and a few of those friends are still some of my closest friends today. And through my friendship with them, my experience with the culture, what I have learned from other Haitian-Americans in New York City, combined with the roots of my family being from the Caribbean, I felt a connect with the nation and its current situation.

So on a day after such destruction hit, part of me finds myself in despair. Confused. Sad. And guilty, yes guilty. Guilt for sometimes taking for granted the blessings we have here in the United States.

Haiti has always been a nation that has struggled in many ways. In fact, I learned today that it is the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation. A description and fact that I found to be eye opening, yet, not quite shocking.

Through the corrupt political actions, various illnesses, hurricanes, mudslides, hunger strikes, and now earthquakes, Haiti, a country between and surrounded by so many other sufficient nations (including being connected to the Dominican Republic), seems to have always found wrath’s hand. A wrath that almost seems, and I believe is, Devine in design.

However, as I continue to struggle in sorting out these feelings, I look at a nation that was already struggling in its existence, and now finds itself without water and electricity, with buildings collapsed around them, with prisoners let loose from the destruction, with little to no way of communicating to relatives in the States, and with tens of thousands presumed dead, I can’t imagine how one of my closest friends, who cannot get in touch with his family must feel.

My prayers and thoughts to the people and families of Haiti.

Recent Favorites

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The After (2023)

What is it about? In a short film, a grieving man confronts his past when he comes face-to-face with a passenger.  Who is in it? David Oyelowo - Dayo Jessica Plummer - Amanda Amelie Dokubo - Laura  Favorite Scene: It's an extremely short film, so...the final few moments.  Favorite Quote:  None. (not much dialogue) Review: This eighteen-minute masterpiece is amazing. You're absolutely taken on this ride of emotions that ultimately leaves you with a great realization of questioning what we value in life.  The lead character, in eighteen minutes, is powerful. His grief is carried through the film, exploding at the end. It very much leaves the viewer with so many questions - what was his life before the tragedy? What was his life after that moment? Did he ever reconnect with that family? Did he rediscover happiness?  Again, a very, VERY, powerful eighteen minutes that will jolt the heart, mind, and soul about life, what is important, and what we overvalue in its place.  Grade: 4/5

2024 NBA All-Star Weekend Thoughts

There's something wrong with the All-Star Game.  Yeah, we've definitely had this conversation before. Expect to pick up this very discussion (again) in July when Major League Baseball has their version in the "Mid-Summer Classic" when it is the ONLY current topic to bounce around in the stratosphere of sports discourse.  What's wrong with the All-Star Game?!  I'm not dismissing the obvious - yes, the NBA All-Star Game is very much at an alarming point of necessary refinement and change - evaluation is needed. What we saw on Sunday night was not disappointing, but outright embarrassing. Also yes, gone are the days when the game flooded your television screen at a respectable 6:30pm on NBC, and you were wowed by the athleticism and star power of the first half of the game, and treated to what felt like the world's best players playing pickup basketball on the grandest stage.  Now? Not so much. So yeah, we got the message. The outrage - and shock TV and hot t

Quick Ponder: Daily Armor

Imagine, if we can see the dents and scratches, the smashes and chaos,  on the daily armor, each of us put on. Just imagine.