To Haiti, with Love

Dear fellow internet folks,

As some of you many know, my good friend Richard was born in Haiti, has many missing loved ones and next week is heading back to do everything he can to help; please support him any way you see fit.

(Please copy and paste this message along to others)

Richard recently sent out the following message:

For starters, THANK YOU to all of you who have expressed your deep concern from my brothers and sisters in Haiti. I speak for many Haitians when I say that we often feel like the forsaken people.  As the first and only Black Republic to win its Independence from slavery (2nd only to the US to win independence  in the modern world), we have paid the consequences.  However the solidarity and love that  all of you have demonstrated is mind blowing.  I honestly do not know how to express my gratitude.

Personally, I have several people dear to my heart who remain unaccounted for (including my grandfather, an uncle, a brother, and a few dear friends).  At the same time however, I am just as gripped by the mounting death of my people from this unimaginable horror.  For those of you who know me personally, you know my story; I was born in Haiti and fortunate enough to have parents who were able to sneak me into this country as a youth.  Not that my country was bad, but because they wanted me to have a chance at the 'American Dream'.  Since then, I have spent countless days and sleepless nights at attempts to grasp what many believe is unattainable and at the same time, my strong sense of guilt and responsibility to my people, my ancestors, and the world beyond burns inside of me.  Never before has this feeling been so vibarant as the present state.  Whether family or not, the blood in my veins flows from the same stream as the people who continue to suffer; for what -  I wont even attempt to decipher.  And since we are all interdependent - and by a mere overlap in our paths of life - this tragedy pulsates in your bodies as well.

Before I get into our next steps, I must ask something of you.  Please do not feel sorry for the Haitian people.  Rather - learn to respect us.  Respect our contributions to the world; our tribulations; our culture; our beliefs; our hopes, our joys, our victories, and our dreams.  We understand that pity and respect cannot co-exist and the true essence of the Haitian people is to command the lather.  In the clutches of misery, Haitians have always found a way to turn around on the high seas - a glorious situation; always speaking the language of optimism.  You won't find a people with a tougher road traveled than the Haitians.  I KNOW that the sun will shine again in Haiti.  What we need is your love and support so that we can continue to lead by our example.  I have kept silent for the past couple of days while my emotions stir.  And still, I find it difficult to pen my emotions. 

What's Next?:
Many of you have asked me what you can do to help  There are many organization taking up collections and history demonstrates that these resources rarely make it to the people who need it the most (especially in Haiti). Next week, I will be traveling to Haiti with the basic necessities for myself (a pair of jeans and first aid) and hopefully a heavy load filled with your contributions; whether it be your words of hope, solidarity or monetary contributions.  At first I thought that perhaps, I could provide a helping hand however it maybe.  But as many of you have asked to make donations, I decide to include your contributions along with mine - my heart grows bigger.  I ask any of the following of you: 

1. Your generous contributions made to http://generationalimpact.com/ :
Any amount is fine. Please know that every penny will be used to directly for the people; for water, food, medicines and other basic necessities.  I will be covering my own costs and upon my return, I will also provide itemized details of how every penny was spent (in addition to Photos and blogs among the people).  Any questions, please contact me directly.

2. Your words of encouragement: I want the people to know that we stand with them and I want nothing more than to be able to take the names and words from individuals such as yourself as an offering of hope.

3. Tell Others: Please pass this message along to others.

4. Learn more about Haiti:  Through these dark clouds, I see more than a silver lining.  I see that perhaps finally, the world can learn the truth of Ayiti Cheri (My dear Haiti).  The press had gone to great lengths to cover the disaster in Haiti.  I hope that if nothing else it piques your interest in learning more about the country.  No, we are not the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere - We are the first Black Republic and as Christopher Columbus (who chose Haiti as his burial site) said, 'the Jewel of the new world' . Yet the history is filled with instances in which politicians (both national and international) have raped the country of its natural resources - a catastrophe that continues even today.  If you would like to learn more, I urge you to read the book called "The Black Jacobins" by CLR James.

Once again, I thank you for your ear, your generosity and your solidarity.  You can make your contributions at: www.generationalimpact.com I will communicate with all of you whom would like a follow up upon my return.

With all the love in my bones, i say THANK YOU.

dingane Richard St. Arromand