It is easy for us to view Haiti and what happened after the Earthquake from our safe place, hundreds of miles away from the USA. We read the stories of the struggle in the beautiful words of Beverly Bell, or in the newspapers that discuss how Haiti is still trying to rebuild. But that never truly tells the entire tale, there is something missing, something visual that brings everything together for the impact intended. As I read through Fault Lines, it was important for me to see first hand the destruction of the Earthquake even if I could not physically be there. These videos are haunting and at times I feel as if I put myself in the shoes of those who were victims of the earthquake, experience their fear, their desire to escape and to save their own lives.
Have you seen videos from the earthquake? Watched news coverage? What do you see and what do you feel? Empathy? Sadness? Do you ever put yourself in the shoes of those who actually experience these sorts of tragedies?
Thanks for posting these videos Vel. Although I was older when the earthquake happened, I don't remember much about it or seeing any footage like this on TV. Reading your post made me take a step back and check the privilege that I enjoy because I live in America. I was so removed from this horrible disaster that I couldn't really even remember any details about it.
ReplyDeleteThese videos are probably the first I have seen since the initial media coverage. Seeing the panic and fear is so heart wrenching. I actually needed to see this. I needed to step down from the privilege I was hiding behind.
Vel is right. Reading about something is powerful, but seeing something with your own eyes just does something words on a page cannot.
I appreciate you posting the videos. I agree with Olivia that I remember this happening, but I do not remember seeing these videos. I remember how distant the topic felt. Pretty much the only things on TV I saw that had to do with Haiti were images of black children who had sad expressions. At the time I remember people talking about the destruction from the earthquake while they never outright said this - I always felt that they were suggesting it was the Haitians fault. Usually the sentiment was wrapped in - "they should have prepared better".
ReplyDeleteThese videos were really hard for me to watch. I didn't want to see people fleeing and dying. I had the luxury of not being invested with what was happening. I really feel like I have been given the tools to start to be a better global citizen and aware of my privilege.
Thank you so much Vel for sharing these videos. I think this post was really helpful and important. Like you, I read the book and thought I could slightly understand the struggle that these people faced. However, there was still something missing like you mentioned. It was hard to watch, but these videos definitely help get an understand of the true tragedy that happened.
ReplyDeleteAs Michelle mentioned, I remember seeing news coverage and not understanding how it could create so much destruction. As a native Californian, it was hard for me to understand how people were not taught earthquake preparedness. I did not understand how these buildings did not have to be built to specific codes in case of natural disasters. My mother was the first to tell me about the corruption in their government. She shared with me how not many countries are as lucky (now I would say privileged) as we are to have a government make rules for buildings to be safe from natural disasters like ours are.