So Fresh and So Green

AP Photo: Mitchell Monroe prays for the victims of the Haiti’s earthquake during a mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary’s Wednesday Jan. 13, 2010, in Miami, Florida’s Haitian community.

Haiti was hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake about 15 months after a devastating hurricane. President Barack Obama has promised an all-out rescue and humanitarian effort for Haiti.

My sorrow and deepest sympathies are with Haiti, those directly affected and the Haitian community abroad.

It is a sad day.

My hope is this tragedy can shed light on the fact that U.S. foreign policy discussions have been framed in terms of axises of evil and threats. Hopefully we will understand the world is so much bigger than that. And maybe here is an opportunity to help rebuild this nation that needs so much help.

For those who would like to help Brad and Angelina have already pitched in with Haitian musician Wyclef Jean.

“We are devastated by the news from Haiti. We will work closely with our good friend Wyclef Jean to support the humanitarian efforts on the island and help those who have been injured and left without homes and shelter.” ~Brad and Angelina

Wyclef said, “I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince face catastrophe alone. We must act now.”

If you would like to help here is a list of links provided by the White House at whitehouse.gov

HERE is another very comprehensive list including links to the American Red Cross, UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders and Yele Haiti (Wyclef Jean’s grassroots org. Text Yele to 501 501 to donate $5 via your cellphone)

The Catholic Pope has asked Catholics specifically to donate as well. Haitians number 9 million with 8 million being Catholic.

New York City is home to the largest Haitian community in the U.S. As a city that needed lots of outreach just a few years ago NYC’s mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson addressed this tragedy specifically.