Kouraj

That's Haitian Creole for "courage." To see valor in its truest, but most desperate form, read the following articles. (I'm not linking because I'm still wary of copyright issues, but I honestly don't think the authors will mind me spreading their news.)

On www.haitianalysis.com (a fantastic collaboration of many currently involved in truth and activism in Haiti), look at the February 28 "Brutalized and Abandoned: Residents of Cite Soleil Speak Out."

This piece shows the faces and gives the testimony of the true brave. These people--already living in sub-human conditions--have fallen victim to MINUSTAH, the UN "peacekeeping" mission, in its attempt to rout out gang members. Instead of employing the rule of law and due process, they have been arresting and shooting indiscriminately. The people in the HaitiAnalysis photoessay are innocent, civilian victims of the "crossfire"--now with even less access to basic needs than they had before.

For more background on the raid, read the March 1 article "Haiti: Poor Residents Describe a Capital in a State of Siege." And to see how the people of Cite Soleil and advocates are banding together to try to negotiate with the government and MINUSTAH for a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration approach--instead of the current injustice--see http://www.hurah.revolt.org and read about the Haitian Nonviolent Nonpartisan Coalition (HNVNPC).

How can someone so torn by grief, so crippled by poverty find the strength to speak out? These people know they are victims of brutality. They know they are the sacrificial pawns of a 203-year long international chess game with the Republic of Haiti--all to serve wealthy country interests. They know they are being treated as less than human.

I don't know despair like the residents of Cite Soleil, and I certainly don't know courage. But I so admire the activists working for human rights, broadly defined, in Haiti. Could us regular people not do something? Can we not cry out for some compassion, so the people in one of the world's most decrepit and dangerous slums don't have to suffer? Can we not demand justice?