i was struck by the comments of the first individual who posted, initially infuriated, then saddened. Saddened because a real understanding of Haiti and the Haitian people is missing from his/her life. I was recently given the opportunity to live in PAP for 4 months and work as an English teacher in a orphanage. In those 4 months, I was able to really experience the Haitian culture, and understand how beautiful and inspirational a country that has been so plagued can be to those of us who are so focused on material possessions and commercialism.
I did not find any Haitians standing and crying, all were standing, moving forward with their heads held high. I found none calling for "whitey" to help, but many very graciously accepting the few things I had to aid them. And none screamed racism, many children yell "blan" as a young white girl walks through the street, but as i responded to them in kreyol that i was named nikki, not blan... they giggled and ran to me for a hug or a high five everytime i left the orphanage. If their is racial tensions, they know where the anger needs to be placed and i was not looked at any differently for being white, absolutely not as though I, or "my people" had once oppressed them.
I hope others who have had amazing Haiti experiences can speak out on them. And I will pray for your ability to see outside of yourself, and into the beauty that is Haitian cuture.