The Unknown Face of Voodoo

In the aftermath of Pat Robertson’s self-righteous accusation that Haiti is victim of a powerful quake as a result of a pact its inhabitants made with the devil, there is only one thing I would like to say: “Pat Robertson, you know not of which you speak.”

Many have already had the opportunity to assess Pat Robertson’s failing mental state after New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina, and the good ole faith healer, who claims to be able to stop hurricanes with his prayers, had the nerve to say that New Orleans was destroyed because of widespread sin in America. Where was Pat Robertson on August 29, 2005, I ask, and why didn’t he give us all an example of his power against the elements instead than passing judgment?

And now he is at it again. If his opinion about the destruction of the twin towers being caused by homosexuality and promiscuity wasn’t enough, he has now topped his act with the assumption that Haiti was destroyed because of its historical ties to the Voodoo religion. Although Voodoo – or Vodou, as the religion is known in Haiti – is still practiced behind closed doors, the country is almost entirely Catholic, thanks to the French influence in the area.

At this point I would like to throw in my two cents – not about Pat Robertson’s obvious faux pas and lack of sensitivity, but about the fact that he associated Voodoo with devil worship. Although Hollywood has done an amazing job demonizing the religion, most of what is routinely shown in films is just screen fiction selling to thrillseekers.

First of all, there is a difference between Voodoo and what is commonly referred to as Hoodoo. While Hoodoo is the practical wealth of “recipes” used to fix different problems humans are afflicted by, Voodoo is a monotheistic religion not too different from Catholicism. Not too far from Pentecostal faith either, if one cares to compare the two.

Voodoo was born when Yoruba and Catholic beliefs merged together after African slaves were transported to the Americas. Voodooists – or Vodouisants – believe in one Creator, God, also known in some traditions as Olodumare. The Orishas personify the Catholic Saints and they are considered God’s helpers. The highest of all Orishas is Obatala, also known as Oxala or Ochala in some traditions, and he embodies the figure of the Christ.

Even if the image of a doll being jabbed by pins is what jumps to the mind the moment the word Voodoo is uttered, many Voodoo practitioners focus their work on doing good and wouldn’t harm a hair on anyone. Most petitions (prayers) are made to request healing and peace, abundance and love, balance and justice - earthly and divine.

I grew up in a family circle strongly influenced by the Voodoo religion, yet I have never harmed a soul. My upbringing taught me to respect all religions, especially those I don’t understand or know much about, and to appreciate the beauty found in all systems of belief. If anything, Voodoo taught me about the duality of humans and the existence of a side of good even in those who come through as completely rotten.

Pat Robertson, I hope you are taking notes.

How Should We Help? A Discussion on International Aid

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” ~ Chinese proverb

The past day and a half, communication mediums have been saturated with heartbreaking news of the powerful quakes which have rattled the tiny country of Haiti, a nation already ridden with extreme poverty and dire living conditions. The international community has grandiosely responded to the crisis – from foreign governments pledging aid, to celebrities nudging their fans to pitch in, and to supplies being promptly delivered, everyone is hoping the suffering of the people will be eased, if only a little.

A friend I was discussing the terrible event with, yesterday, suggested something which made a lot of sense. It would require a bit of effort to work out the logistics, but in the end, if the approach was seriously considered and implemented, it would better the Haitian conditions of living, and would boost the economy of other countries involved with international relief.

As most know all too well, the American economy is suffering; every day, more businesses – even some that have been successful and active for decades – are shutting down in our country. What if, my friend asked, our government and other foreign institutions could join efforts and provide a program to fund contractors willing to go and rebuild Haiti? If some of our failing businesses could be given an opportunity to keep their heads above the water by winning a contract abroad, some of their profits would filter back into our country, as opposed to just sending money into the black hole of relieving extreme hunger and poverty only temporarily.

If contractors were encouraged to go in and rebuild – or even unemployed police forces were offered the opportunity to go and sustain local public safety – there would be jobs available for Haitians who would no longer need a handout but would, instead, be able to be a part of the rebuilding process, soon able to take care of themselves. Currently, even without natural disasters, we feed people who, if given the right tools, could be feeding themselves. If the dilapidated shacks were replaced by acceptable housing, public safety was restored, and resorts built by investors interested in taking advantage of new opportunities, Haiti could become a prime spot for tourism.

Certainly, I am aware that such an accomplishment would require a lot of planning, but it is not impossible. This is an opportunity for Haiti to go through a second birth, and for some failing US businesses to be rescued from drowning into economic hardship our country is currently experiencing. Our world is changing, and our actions must shift with it. Handouts, no matter how generous or selfless, help things but don’t stimulate change. If we want to see true change, we need to get to a point where people aren’t just fed or clothed, but empowered with the self-confidence and the skills necessaries to make a difference for themselves.

It can be done. Everything can be done, if approached from the right angle and with an open mind. It is time we all come together to fix old problems using the suggestions of a new mindset. Only then we will be able to call ourselves an international community.