Haiti: That's My Blood Down There

"My Blood"

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Jah turn your head to Haiti
Please keep the people strong
Jah please come down to Haiti
Hear my brother's freedom song
That's My Blood Down There
Oh on the island
That's My Blood Down There
Help them survive Jah
That's My Blood Down There
(Neville Brothers 1989)

When disaster strikes, and when major injustice and brutality are on the rise, it affects all of us. Of course we don't experience the disaster in the same way as the people directly involved, but we should always have to think about what is going on in our world. Thanks to technology, every nation and culture on this earth is connected. We can no longer use the excuse: "I didn't know" in today's age because it means "I don't care." When we attempt to distance ourselves from major problems and challenges by saying "It could never happen here" "It didn't happen to me" - or even worse - "Those people must be cursed." - we are in denial about how connected we are to those who are near and far. We deny that we are also responsible for our brothers and sisters and ourselves. Haiti deserves and needs our support. We learned the hard way that Katrina was not only something that happened in New Orleans and the Gulf States to those people in the South. It happened in our world. The genocide in Darfur is happening in our world. Those who follow Hiphop know that we are all in this together. We can't announce: "I am Hiphop" and then refuse to stand up when our world, nation, community and friends need our support. We recognize that there are times when we need to stand up and do something. The Hiphop Archive is highlighting The Neville Brothers song from their album Yellow Moon because what was true in 1989 is still true today. That's our blood down there in Haiti! Unlike many songs that link Americans to freedom struggles and justice, this song makes the struggles of others our struggle as well. The song doesn't say "It could happen to me." Or "I have so much, I should give." Or "Somebody's got to do it." Instead, the Neville Brothers argue that the solutions to our problems include me, you, and all of us. It is our blood, our connection, our humanity, our breath, our family, our dreams that unite us in this effort. That's our blood down there!

Professor Marcyliena Morgan, Director of the Hiphop Archive

There are many ways to help and it is easy to give. Education is also important. Following are websites and some books that provide information about Haiti.

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