Dear Editor,

It may be said that major tragedies generally bring forth the best and worst in human beings. The recent horrific earthquake in Haiti is no exception. The global empathy for the Haitian victims and their families and the overwhelming generosity are unprecedented.

Nevertheless, there are a few cynical, self-righteous and insensitive people who always like to lay blame and politicise tragic events. It is therefore not surprising to hear heartless comments from the 700 Club talk-show host, Pat Robertson, who claims that Haitians have been cursed because their founding leaders made “a pact with the devil” in exchange for their country’s independence.

We also get the bigoted remarks from talk-show host, Rush Limbaugh. In reference to America’s quick response to the Haitian disaster, he said: “This will play right into Obama’s hands… They’ll use this to burnish their ‘credibility’ with the black community – in both light-skinned and black-skinned communities in this country. It’s made to order for them. That’s why he couldn’t wait to get out there.”

But amidst these negative sounds of ill will, and amid the anguish and utter despair that have beset the nation, the Haitian people have demonstrated an amazing degree of resilience and hopefulness.

It is true that a few natives have demonstrated their mean-spiritedness by looting and brutalising their fellow citizens, but by and large the vast majority of the Haitian population have shown great restraint and have behaved admirably.

When all is said and done, the Haitian tragedy is not the fulfilment of a curse as a few misguided would like us to believe. On the contrary, this calamity may be a blessing in disguise. It may very well be an opportunity for Haitians to rise up and build a better and prosperous country.

As William Shakespeare said: “Sweet are the uses of adversity”.

Rupert Johnson

Toronto, Canada

r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca