As a Haitian American I am very hopeful that one day my native country will recover from its impoverished state. After the January 12th earthquake my hopes turned into a deep despair. It was heart-wrenching watching CNN. The world came to Haiti’s aid; however Haiti still needs a lot more help to recover from January’s devastating earthquake.
After hearing about the newly-crowned Haitian beauty, Miss Sarodj Bertin, I have a renewed hope that she might be the catalyst that will spark new interest in Haiti’s unfortunate plight. The 24-year old beauty is a lawyer who is fluent in Creole, English, French and Spanish. Perhaps if she wins the much coveted world crown she will bring much needed attention to what is really going on in Haiti.
Miss Sarodj Bertin works for the International Alliance for Haiti’s Recovery and I believe she has good intentions. Before the earthquake no one really paid much attention to Haiti, but a little more than six months after the disaster, Haiti is now yesterday’s news.
Imagine how much worldwide interest she could possibly garner if she wins. One can only hope that, if Miss Bertin were to win, she would do her very best to help her native land. Hope is definitely better than despair; perhaps Haitian youths would look up to Miss Bertin and see her as a role model. No one knows for sure what the future will bring, but it is never wrong to dream.
The most encouraging scenario about winning the world crown is the individual is allowed to use her platform to support a cause that is of vital importance to her. I can actually visualize seeing a major media frenzy if Miss Bertin were to win. The headlines would read: Newly crowned Haitian beauty receives support from Hollywood celebrities to help the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere to recover from abject poverty.
Can Miss Haiti help her native land? A resounding yes! is my answer, because something has to be done; Haiti can’t wait, the time is now, not tomorrow.