“Be Grateful for all that is Given to You”
Does the amount of money one has define who they are as a person? This question can be answered many different ways, but the true answer comes out when one observes the actions of others. Most people are fortunate to have money, some have more the others, but on the other hand there are many people in other countries that don’t have money at all. Americans are tremendously wealthy compared to Haitians. Americans and Haitians are very different when one looks at wealth, houses, necessities, and language; but even though Americans and Haitians share many differences they are similar in ways such as some religion, and their inner qualities. There are many more differences then there are similarities in
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Not everyone in America is wealthy but the biggest majority of America is wealthy enough to have extra money for wants and not just needs. The people of Haiti barley have any money at all, not even enough for their basic needs. No matter how much Americans have, they still seem to want more. Most Americans are very greedy and only think about themselves and buying the newest versions of everything when there are men, women, and children in Haiti starving to death. Haitians are grateful for each and everything that they have, and they do not envy what others have that they do not. According to Jessie Jackson, 56% of the Haitian population exists on less than $1 a day (Starving Haiti needs help from America, 2008). Small things, even the smallest amount of money should not be taken for granted, because that small amount could care for a hungry family that is less fortunate. Not only are the Haitians different when it comes to wealth, their houses also show an enormous difference then …show more content…
These thinks may not seem like a big deal because here in America there is food around every corner, no one is seen walking around without clothes or shoes; in fact most Americans have closets full of both shoes and clothes. According to Jessie Jackson, 47% of all Haitians are malnourished (Starving Haiti needs help from America, 2008). Also many people in Haiti are forced to have to walk around with no clothes or no shoes on because they don’t have any; and the Haitians that are wearing clothes or shoes, that is their only outfit and they have to wash it every day and wear the same thing over. Every day when Americans get dressed in the morning, they should look at all they have and be thankful that they have something to wear each and every day. Haitians are less privileged when it comes to necessities, but Haitians also differ when it comes to language.
Language is a big part of every culture and each country has their own unique way of language. In America the dominant language that is seen spoken is English, but there is also Spanish, Chinese, and other languages from where different cultures have come to America. The dominant languages in Haiti are French and Creole, 9 out of every 10 Haitians speak Creole ( ). When visiting and looking at different cultures, one can see the differences in
The Dominican Republic is a country appealing to the Haitians, because that is the nearest to them and can have better quality of life. But, in recent years we have seen a massive immigration from Haiti to Dominican Republic. These leads us to ask, what are the reasons which the people of Haiti are fleeing their country. These factors are: to escape of the poverty, deficiency of basic services and lack of jobs. Due to the scarcity of resources, lack of access to basic services and lack of job opportunities, many haitian families have been used as a defense mechanism traditional your transfer to the Dominican Republic to have access to health care services, public schools or work in the agricultural
In David Brooks’ op-ed “The Undying Tragedy,” he discusses four main hypotheses regarding poverty and aid in Haiti. His ideas about poverty, as viewed through the modernization, dependency/world-systems, and post-structural theoretical perspectives lead to three different conclusions. Specifically, as viewed through a modernization lens, the “truths” Brooks puts forth seem fairly in accordance with the perspective, with some minor addendums needed. The dependency and world systems theories again agree with some of Brook’s hypotheses, but would disagree with some of the assumptions he makes in regards to culture and paternalism. Finally, the post-structural theory would find the most problems with Brooks’ claims, likely disagreeing with his assumptions about the effects of culture on poverty and his view of the development process.
In addition, the poor are overburdened they always have been, especially in 2014. This is owing to the fact that the middle class is close to disappearing, which is forming a large gap between the poor and the rich. Furthermore, banking can be more expensive for nearly all poor people, whom are usually put in extreme circumstances where they are required to pay more taxes. And the poor are usually shut out from society and are left on the street as if they were a piece of garbage, which is why it is particularly difficult to attain a job as a poor person. Not many people in the world care for the poor. It is surprising to think that the poor had not been oppressed in 1791. Someone would think the poor have always had a heavy burden. The majority of America’s population is poor and they are ignored and portrayed as aliens whom we should have no contact with.
Haiti is a small country in the West Indies and is the western third of the island Hispaniola (Rodman, Selden). According to Selden Rodman Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and after the earthquake in 2010 they are way worse than they were before. The Earthquake changed a lot for everyone living there rich and poor. “Over 200,000 people died as a result of the earthquake another 2.3 lost their homes” (Haiti). This quote shows how bad the 7.0 Haiti Earthquake was that happened in January of 2010. The conditions are already awful for the people there and all the human rights violations happening are not helping. The conditions are so bad many are trying to flee their country and come to the United States even though they know that the chance of making it there is very slim (Human rights violations…). According to Richard Horton and William Summskill the United States did a survey test called the lancelet to get results from the Haitians on human rights violations happening. The survey showed us murders, women getting raped and other human violations numbers. This showed the United States that we should take action, because we had real evidence from the victims of the human rights violations in Haiti. One of the problems is that the United States does not know how to help. Haiti is so behind in everything; technology, inexperienced policemen, lacking a judicial system and their economy is very unstable. We should take action in Haiti because of these human rights violations; police and government abuse, women not getting their rights, and poor people not getting their rights.
Haiti means “mountains country” Haitian culture represents a specific mix of physical characters especially skin color, hair texture. hair color and facial features the African culture is an ethics mix of African and European elements due to the French, African and indigenous dialects. Major customs of Haitian culture are Catholicism and voodoo a mixture of African animism which means belief in spirits and nature, some Haitians even practice both at one time. There are significant holidays in the Haitian culture as well voodoo is considered a holiday(is a belief system based on practices and traditions that originates from west African traditional regions)
Haiti as a rich history, filled with many peoples’ blood and countless hopes of freedom. With such a rich history, the country has yet to become financially stable because of their past. From the beginning of the French settlement where slaves were brought over from Africa to harvest crops, to the dictatorship of the Duvalier family. Haiti has yet to see a time when they are not in need of help. After the racial caste systems were set in place, many people would not see a truly independent country. When France finally gave independence to Haiti, they did it for a price. After they paid that price, the US occupied them because of their location and many resources. Every year in Haiti’s history as a nation and before has effects on the world today. These effects are not hidden in fine print, but blatantly found within Haiti and those who have been involved with Haiti.
Corruption and abuse have been cancerous hallmarks of Haiti’s political system and leaders. Until recently, power switched hands quickly and brutally as dictators faced assassinations, coups, and international interference. The instability of political roulette has made it difficult to accomplish or establish any social, economic, or environmental plans or policies. Racism is a rampant residual from the colonial era. Wealth and power are controlled by the mulatto elite and little concern or regard is shown for the poor. Few social programs have been created to assist the poor as resources are diverted away from communities and into the hungry pockets of the corrupt. Differences in languages and religions also echo the past. The ruling class speaks French and is predominately Roman Catholic while the majority of Haitians speak the slave language of Creole and practice the voudon (voodoo) religion. The focus of power resides in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Rural communities are ignored and struggle to survive by farming. During the colonial era, much of Haiti’s land was deforested to accommodate sprawling plantations. Wood is also used in the building of homes and as a primary fuel. The removal of trees caused severe erosion and the loss of the nutrient topsoil which washed into the ocean, impacting marine life and fishing. Farmers have moved to Port-au-Prince to seek employment. The desperate
The economics of Haiti has deceased in the last 4 years after the devastating earthquake that struck it 4 years ago. The Haiti economy has become very poor and one of the poorest country in the south, Central America and Caribbean region making it ranked 24 out of 29 countries in this area and its overall score is below average. Haiti’s economic freedom is 48.1 making it economy the 151st freest country while in the last several years Declines in the management of government spending, freedom from corruption, and labor freedom make its overall score 2.6 points lower than last year. Recovering from the disastrous earthquake in 2010 with the support of the U.S. recovering efforts “Haiti’s post-earthquake reconstruction efforts continue, assisted by substantial aid from the international community. Governing institutions remain weak and inefficient, and overall progress has not been substantial. The parliament has not renewed the mandate of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, which had been tasked with overseeing reconstruction efforts but was unpopular.”( .heritage.org). The open market of Haiti trade weighted to be 2.1 this is because the lack of tariffs hamper the trade freedom of Haiti. Foreign investors are given national treatment but the investment is small and the financial sector is remained underdeveloped and does not provide any adequate support.
Edwidge Danticat’s short story, “A Wall of Fire Rising” is about a woman whose family lives in Haiti and follows some Voodoo principles. An article by A to Z World Culture lists some of the denominations commonly found in Haiti, “Roman Catholics comprise 55 percent of the population, Baptists 8 percent, Pentecostals 3 percent, Adventists 2 percent, and Methodists a little over 1 percent” (Religion). Voodoo is the most practiced religion in haiti, with Christianity at a close second. While some people think of voodoo as just dolls, spirits, and witches, the Columbian Encyclopedia defines it this way, “Voodoo contends that all of nature is controlled
The difference between the structure of the educational system in Haiti and the United States are the following ones: Schools in Haiti are divided in four levels: Primary, Secondary, Vocational and Technical, and University. On the other hand, United States’ structure has the following levels; Kindergarten, Elementary school, Middle school, High school, College and University. Schools in Haiti have a different educational system than the United States. Students remain in the same classroom for the whole day. In contrast, in the United States students go to different classrooms during the day. In Haiti there are a few things that are quite different; in Haiti during break time schools do not pr...
As a society, individuals often revert to the financial status of a person in order to judge their character and potential. However, looking solely at social class, the perception of the individual is primarily based on material possessions or lack thereof.
Haiti lifestyle and America lifestyle is different. In Haiti They don’t have the same sources as Americans do. In fact, Most Haitians don’t have Electricity and rely on charcoal for energy. While in America most people are able use stoves or microwaves to prepare food quickly. People in Haiti don’t bathe as much as people in America because they don’t have access to clean or running water. However, In America people are able to bathe every day. In America people often eat 3 meals a day which is breakfast, lunch and dinner. In Haiti they only eat 2 meals a day. Haitians usually eat bread and coffee in the morning and later on the evening they eat fried meat like goat, chicken, pork etc. Americans on the other hand, may eat eggs, bacon, sausages,
Why are these background informations useful? Because these informations provide us some important basic knowledges of Haiti. As a country mainly composed of ex-slaves, Haiti is mainly composed of people of African origin. However, why is Haiti so poor compared to its other black majority neighbors such as Saint Kitts and Neves and Barbados? Because Haiti did not attain its independence through peaceful means. Haitian revolt against the French, and they indeed won, against Napoleon Bonaparte[2].
“Fifty nine percent of Haiti’s population lives on less than two dollars and forty two cents a day” (New York Times). The Giver by Lois Lowery presents a world where many of the worlds problems but has a government that controls almost everything their people do. In the article “Haiti in crisis”by Brian Brown and Patricia Smith presents a 3rd world country where those problems are there but people have full control of their lives. If an opportunity occurred to choose which place would be a more desirable place to live, it would be The Giver’s community.
Money can give people a lot opportunities and privilege. Financially privileged people have no trouble getting materialistic things such as big houses, expensive cars, and jewelry. Being privileged can also provide better scholastic education as well as respect. On the other hand, a lack of money, as a person might guess, limits opportunity and lower a person’s status on the privilege pole. In order for an underprivileged person to have all of those things, they have to work hard to get to get the luxuries of nice houses, cars, and jewelry. As far as education goes, the underprivileged might not go to the best schools but they get an education that will prove to be more valuable in life; they learn to earn respect, appreciate what they have and how to survive with just the necessities and what’s really important in life. So when a person looks at each group and tries to decided with one gets the most out of life, they will see that underprivileged individuals get so much more out of life than a person who came up in affluence and privilege.