White Savior or Local Hero?: Conflicting Narratives of Help in Haiti

• DOI: 10.1353/gia.2022.0016
• Publication Date: 2022-06-05T13:00:19Z
• Authors: Diane M. Hoffman
• Keywords: White (mutation); HERO

White Savior or Local Hero?:Conflicting Narratives of Help in Haiti Diane M. Hoffman (bio) In 2010, experienced a devastating earthquake that killed over two hundred thousand people and resulted vast but ultimately ineffective international humanitarian aid relief effort. This article considers how the recent August 2021 has produced shift rescue assistance narrative emphasized trope Haitian agency when responding to hardship disasters. Based on critical reading Facebook posts, online news media, organization websites, this piece argues while current toward emphasizing themes empowerment appears be positive trend, deeper suggests notions help solidarity conflict with neoliberal understanding empowerment. Furthermore, narratives about prioritize emotions white missionaries workers, revealing persistence Saviorism representations agency. Introduction One most natural disasters Western Hemisphere, January 2010 which affected Port-au-Prince surrounding areas unleashed globally unprecedented level assistance. Nonetheless, response disaster is widely regarded as manifest failure. Billions dollars were funneled through approximately nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) private contractors, creating fragmented lacked accountability.1 An astoundingly small portion actually reached government people.2 there was no infrastructure absorb sudden influx supplies personnel, needs defined largely without input from those affected—indeed, entire apparatus excluded voices involvement.3 Thousands young American volunteers, armed little good intentions, descended capital "help," straining what already stressed resources.4 Instead highlighting Haitians' own efforts, extensive coverage prominently featured actions Americans Europeans,5 reinforcing sense incapable helping itself. Eleven years later, Southern palpably different. Prime Minister Ariel Henry told "We will not repeat same things done … A lot donations made country, money spent seeing impact."6 Recognizing Haiti-based better positioned conduct assessments allocate aid, Haiti-affiliated diaspora groups, celebrities, academics sent strong messages social media platforms various professional list-serves recommending would-be donors give local, rather than large organizations.7 Further, advised send physical resources, support local economy by providing funds for resources bought locally.8 Organizations foreign volunteers stay home; teams trained Haitians instead into remote deliver relief. [End Page 99] NGO staff living filled comments praising presence workers scene: "I love see Haitians!"; "Helping South—let's start movement we post pictures working together!"; so passionately serving one another!"9 sum, broad consensus emerged should voices, effort represent actors capable addressing their can read longstanding dependency. representing country dependent handouts foreigners, post-disaster reflect theme scholars have been pointing out some time: way policymakers consistently emphasize role actors, initiatives, obscures fact always helped themselves traditions collective community responses disaster.10 true it after Hurricane Matthew 2016, also devastated southern part country.11 As these pointed out, traditions...