Jordan River Forum: Long live American- Haitian solidarity

Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh
Political science professor and dean of Office for Women’s Affairs

Haiti is in shambles and deserves our unlimited empathy, hence it is very reassuring to learn that food, water and other supplies are reaching Haitians. However, there is a lot of irony in the sad plight of Haiti, especially so as Americans observed the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and the events that were scheduled to take place throughout the country. Dr. King’s selflessness and courage, in the midst of brutalities during civil rights marches, were typically pointed out by speaker after speaker. This included the Reverend Jesse Jackson who was the featured speaker in the City of Bloomington King Day event.   
                                
As our nation and the world remembered Dr. King’s legacy, what came readily to mind is the Haitian tragedy, in which countless lives and valuable properties have been destroyed due to a natural catastrophe of unlimited proportions. Instead of folding our arms and moaning for the Haitian people, American and other world leaders have seized the occasion to show that, just as Dr. King’s life-long civil rights marches called for courage and compassion to help our own down-trodden, we are ready to make sacrifices to make sure that the people of Haiti receive assistance to start in rebuilding their own lives.

Part of the irony in the Haitian earthquake debacle is that it has recently been reported that Dr. King had urged the then-President Lyndon B. Johnson “to appoint a black American to his new Cabinet.” Instead, as the historical records have shown, President Johnson reportedly “reminded Dr. King that voting rights were the surest path to black equality.”  

Today in America, a black person is not simply in the nation’s cabinet. Instead, a black man – Mr. Barack H. Obama – is the president. It is in this historical and political nuance that it is very reassuring that America and its citizenry have risen to the expectant occasion to make sure the people of Haiti receive adequate help to rebuild their nation. Happily, a large contingent of American soldiers have arrived in Haiti to supervise aid distribution at Port-au-Prince airport. In addition to sending massive amounts of food and needed medication, President Obama has appointed former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to use their prestige to lead American efforts in Haiti. That is a remarkable undertaking.

Indeed, it is true that our nation and its people are known for our generosity of spirit and compassion. Therefore, no matter who is in the White House, assistance would have been forthcoming for Haiti and its people. Yet, it is ironic that these sad events have unfolded when Mr. Obama is in the White House. Therefore, while patting the backs of Americans, it is hoped that the legacy of compassion, for which Dr. King was known, will prevail in whatever we continue to do for the people of Haiti so that, in the end, one can proudly say: May long live American-Haitian Solidarity!