Thread by @GregBeckett9

Congratulations, you are writing a news article on #Haiti! It is a country with a vibrant culture and a rich history. Here are a few things to consider as you write your article.

1/ Is the word “violence” in your headline or article? Violence does happen in Haiti, just like everywhere else. If you are referring to political violence, please make clear attributions: Who is causing the violence? Who is the victim of the violence?

2.1/ There are #protests happening in #Haiti. How do you want to describe them? Before using words like “looting” or “rioting,” consider this: are you describing the protests with the same language you use to describe similar events in other countries?

2.2/ If you need a handy example, consider how your newspaper or organization has chosen to characterize the Gilets Jaunes protests in France. If you are using different language, is there a reason for that difference? Is the reason race?

3.1/ Before describing #Haiti as the “poorest country in the Western hemisphere” consider how else you might describe it. As they say in college writing courses, please try to avoid weasel words and cliched tropes.

3.2/ If you would still like to use an appellation for the country, consider the following: "Haiti, the only modern country founded by a slave revolution," or "Haiti, the second independent Republic in the Americas."

4/ Current events in Haiti often have a deep history behind them. Consider briefly trying to contextualize current political events in relation to that history. You might also want to consider the role of regional and international powers in the region...

... especially the governments of Canada and the US, and organizations such as the OAS, the IMF, and the UN. But please note, your article should not rely exclusively on interviews from spokespeople for those organizations and governments! Try to talk to a few Haitians too.