Warm Up *What have you heard about the Haitian disaster?

Discussion *How does it compare to other recent major disasters?

Haiti: A Historical Perspective

Discussion activity with the Newsweek article “Haiti: A Historical Perspective”
http://www.newsweek.com/id/231179

Reading Comprehension
What was the relationship between Haiti and France in the 1700s?
Who were the Duvaliers?
What’s the problem with US Food Aid?

Discussion Questions
Did you know much about the history of Haiti before the article? Does it change your view of the country?

How much responsibility does France, the US, the EU, the UN, other Latin American countries, etc. have
toward Haiti? Should former colonial countries be held accountable for their impact on their former
colonies?

How should international bodies deal with dictators? Should banks and international financiers be held
accountable for taking money from dictators? If so, how? If not, why not?

What do you think of Haiti’s current situation? future situation? Is it possible to fix? Do you agree Haiti will
need considerable help over the long term? If so, where will that help come from? Do you think countries
will in fact continue their efforts in 6 months? 1 year? 5 years? 10 years? Haiti has had many disasters over
the years of various sizes. Why is this one different?

Current estimates by the Haitian government may be that there are as many as 100,000 - 200,000 dead
including many within the government. Haiti had a population of 10 million before the quake. How would
an instant 1-2% population loss affect your country? How would a major quake in your capital or a major
business center affect your country?

Economics – Is Haiti a wise investment now or in the future? Should sentiment enter into investments?
Would you invest money in Haiti? Why (not)?

Many Haitians have emigrated to different countries because of the extreme poverty. Why should
wealthier countries be forced to accept immigrants from poorer countries? Will economic migration
accelerate in the future? What is the solution?

How do you build a country from scratch? What should be the next step in building the economy? What are
the steps to (re)build infrastructure, jobs, houses, police, business, healthcare, etc.? Which is the most
important? Can they all be done at once?

US and EU subsidies on many farm crops allow farmers and agribusiness to sell at below the cost of
production. This makes it very hard for developing countries like Haiti to compete. What should or can be
done about this?

Deforestation – Haitians have cut down nearly all their forests to build houses, for wood for cooking &
heating and to meet the demand for charcoal in Port-au-Prince. (1923 – 60% of Haiti was covered in forest;
2006 – 2%.) Is there a solution to rebuilding their forests? building new homes? heating & cooking when no
other resources exist?

© Voice One Limited 2009. This sheet may be photocopied and used within the class.
Hate for Haitians – As the US leads in the recovery efforts, racism has become a factor in domestic US
politics. US Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh on Jan. 13:
“Obama was happy for the quake in Haiti, as his administration will "use this to burnish their, shall
we say, credibility with the black community, in the ... the both light-skinned and dark-skinned
black community in this country. It's made to order for them."

Former Republican presidential hopeful and televangelist Pat Robertson on Jan. 12:
"They were under the heel of the French, you know Napoleon the third and whatever. And they
got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said 'We will serve you if you will get us free from
the prince.' True story. And so the devil said, 'Ok it’s a deal.' And they kicked the French out. The
Haitians revolted and got something themselves free. But ever since they have been cursed by
one thing after another."

Both are considered mainstream Republicans. What do you make of these comments? How different is this
from politics or political discourse in your country? How do you deal with someone with such different or
extreme political views?

© Voice One Limited 2009. This sheet may be photocopied and used within the class.