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Interdependence and Global Governance | Values & Politics
Glenn Beck Cranks Up the Culture Wars: CNN.com | August 30, 2010
Why Haiti Can't Afford a Rap Star President: Salon | August 10, 2010
World Cup Ushers in a Loyalty to Humanity: USA Today | July 7, 2010; July 19, 2010
Let's Not Forget Haiti's Anguish: Our compassion fatigue; USA Today; By Rich Benjamin; After the USA's generous response to Haiti's earthquake six months ago, we suffer from compassion fatigue. Sometimes this fatigue is worsened by a suspicion that Haiti is a basket case, not worthy of long-term attention, just emergency-disaster charity.

But do most Americans realize that 1.5 million Haitians, displaced by the quake, live on a precipice of catastrophe, lacking housing, clean water, garbage removal, medical care, schooling, and civic institutions?

More than fatigue, we suffer from confusion. Americans are perplexed by the deep, complicated historical and political dynamics that keep Haiti in a headlock and how our nation can foster a farsighted global role.

Let's remember Haiti's bright spots, too. Our media reduce Haiti to a national caricature, The-Poorest-Country-in-the-Western Hemisphere. Portrayals of Haiti fail to grasp the rich tapestry of its culture, woven from Africa, Europe and the Americas: the delicious kidney-bean rice and stews, the lush visual arts, the sublime literature, all so exquisite, but unfussy.

Timothy Rusch
Director of Communications
212.389.1407
trusch @demos.org

Gennady Kolker
Online and Media Relations Associate
212.389.1408
gkolker @demos.org

Events:Jinny Khanduja
Events & Outreach Assistant
212.389.1399
jkhanduja@demos.org