HAITI

 

 

The once proud nation known as Haiti stands alone as America’s destitute neighbor to which we’ve pulled our shades and closed our doors. Amidst the sea of riches and resources we take for granted, Haiti stands as a veritable wasteland, an isle of indescribable poverty, unfortunately inhabited by people of color. The ‘hands off’ approach taken by the United States toward Haiti, contradicts and defies its own vow in the Monroe Doctrine to protect and preserve all nations in the Western Hemisphere. Apparently, all nations but Haiti. The dirty and diseased water, lack of electricity, tent cities and scorching heat have combined to produce the recent outbreak of cholera, a sort of ‘death by diarrhea.’ While America looks the other way as yet more people die, Haiti stands as an undeniable monument to America’s shame, a country for which we claim no responsibility.

 

The question to whom we are ultimately responsible for was raised by the lawyer who sought to justify himself. Tempting Jesus with the question, ‘who is my neighbor?’, Jesus responded with the story of the Good Samaritan, who risked his own life to care for the life of another. In other words, our neighbor is anyone less fortunate than us.

 

Who is your neighbor? To whom does your neighborly love extend? Someone down the street? Perhaps around the corner? Someone living next door or sitting next to you? As always, Jesus gives us food for thought and meditation. Something else, and someone else, to lift up in prayer.

 

                                                       Because He Lives,

 

 

                                                        Rev. Rodrick K. Green

                                                        New Hope Baptist Church

                                                        Ann Arbor, MI 48104

                                                        734-994-4620

                                                        734-829-7464 (Cell)