Submitted by Bryan Schaaf on Sun, 02/03/2008 - 15:43.
RR - Great that you have been to Haiti five times but I am concerned that you feel this makes you an expert in all things Haitian, which it does not. Even myself, after having lived in Haiti for two and a half years, speaking Haitian, knowing the culture intimately am always learning new things about the country. It is nice that you have met government officials, and have almost met President Preval (that's the proper spelling). You say no one forced Christianity on Haitians. That is not true. The French did so and used it as a justification of slavery. Hey, there are all kinds of missionaries in Haiti. Some of them treat Haitians as equals and are extremely caring and dedicated individuals. I respect them. However, the person who wrote the email contained within the blog is just another crusader. Seems to me you are only prepared to treat someone as an equal if they think and act as you do. In reference to being told what to do, how to think, and how to believe by foreigners a friend said to me "You are the only white person who has ever treated me as a human being". I wonder how you would react to people from other countries coming to your community to convert you? Perhaps you would like to become a Muslim or a Hindu? I am not anti religion or anti missionary. We can and do partner with religious organizations involved in health, environmental preservation, and education. In closing, you offered to take me to Haiti so I could learn a thing or two. I extend the same offer to you.
Response to RR - Here We Go Again
RR - Great that you have been to Haiti five times but I am concerned that you feel this makes you an expert in all things Haitian, which it does not. Even myself, after having lived in Haiti for two and a half years, speaking Haitian, knowing the culture intimately am always learning new things about the country. It is nice that you have met government officials, and have almost met President Preval (that's the proper spelling). You say no one forced Christianity on Haitians. That is not true. The French did so and used it as a justification of slavery. Hey, there are all kinds of missionaries in Haiti. Some of them treat Haitians as equals and are extremely caring and dedicated individuals. I respect them. However, the person who wrote the email contained within the blog is just another crusader. Seems to me you are only prepared to treat someone as an equal if they think and act as you do. In reference to being told what to do, how to think, and how to believe by foreigners a friend said to me "You are the only white person who has ever treated me as a human being". I wonder how you would react to people from other countries coming to your community to convert you? Perhaps you would like to become a Muslim or a Hindu? I am not anti religion or anti missionary. We can and do partner with religious organizations involved in health, environmental preservation, and education. In closing, you offered to take me to Haiti so I could learn a thing or two. I extend the same offer to you.