What I found most interesting about the Haiti article is that something as small-scale as a dissertation could have such an impact on an entire country. When Julia Gaffield set out to write her dissertation about Haiti, I’m sure she didn’t expect to bring hope to all of the people of Haiti. She reminded them that they had already overcome something incredible and had gained their independence, which helped them to believe that they would be able to again rebuild after the devastating earthquake. Mostly I like the article because it illustrates how one person can cause such a massive effect on something else. That it only takes one to create a wave, or ignite a spark or start a revolution. Julia was determined to learn more about Haiti even though the odds were against her and luckily for the entire world, she was that one person that cared enough to make a difference.
Unfortunately, this reminds me of the article I read very recently about the spread of the cholera disease in Haiti. It is a painful reminder that it is still a third world country and although there have been advancements and although the discovery of their Declaration of Independence was crucial during such a hard time for them after the earthquake, Haiti is still in desperate need of help. It was heartbreaking to read that over 8,000 people have died from this disease that was introduced into their country by United Nations peacekeepers.
The article by Julia Gaffield about her dissertation and the archives demonstrates how useful it is to have archives and technology to be able to share such wonderful news. It it truly incredible that something one person found can be so easily shared around the world in order to create a larger impact. Sadly, we are also reminded of the work we still have to do in this world, seeing as countries such as Haiti still don’t have proper health care in the year 2014.
Gaffield, Julia. “Haiti’s Declaration of Independence: Digging for Lost Documents in the Archives of the Atlantic World-Vol. 2, No. 1.” The Appendix Combined. N.p., 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.
Cave, Damien. “Lawsuit Against U.N. on the Spread of Cholera Epidemic in Haiti Advances.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 08 Oct. 2014. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.