In January, in the wake of the Haitian earthquake, The Age published a piece by Chris Berg, from the Right-wing think-tank Institute of Public Affairs. Berg argued that the only thing Haitians need now is to 'get away from Haiti'. For Berg, Haiti is a lost cause, and intrinsically unable to develop.
To prove his point, Berg cited the amount of aid wasted on Haiti and quoted the World Bank on the impossibility of making any progress due to the endemic political instability. The only solution is for Haitians to come and work (read: be exploited) in Western countries, learn our civilised ways and send money back home.
Of course, Berg is somewhat of a caricature. Most journalists did not express such narrow views. There were also notable exceptions, those who gave an informed picture of Haiti and its tragic history. Yet under the veneer of progressivism, many journalists and commentators reiterated the arguments Berg had put forth. Haiti was a failure, a doomed country that had been unable to lift itself out of poverty and perpetual political crisis.
A neo-colonial veil has settled on our Western media and brought back the pessimistic view regarding the ability of the 'barbarian' to ever civilise. Since Haiti became independent in 1804, the country has never been at peace and has never managed to survive without our assistance. Luckily, Haiti could rely on us. Not only are we giving money to the Haitians, but UN and US troops will implement peace in a country apparently prone to the most horrific looting. The earthquake was our chance to start anew and this time we 'would get Haiti right'! We would implement democracy, restore order, bring stability, peace and prosperity.
It was not the first time someone would try to 'get Haiti right'. The US claimed such a target after the 2004 coup against democratically elected Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Moreover, this episode was only the latest Western interference in Haiti's destiny, all of which have left Haiti ever poorer and dependent on our 'generosity'.
Yet Haiti had not always been poor. Before the small country became independent in 1804, it was the most profitable colony in the world. After a decade fighting the French, the British and the Spanish, Haiti was left in shambles and forced to divert most of its resources towards its military protection.
For freeing themselves, the Haitians were also found guilty