5. Ivy McDermott 3/2/2023 Death by a Thousand Cuts (Documentary)

We recently watched this documentary detailing the conflicts on the island of Hispaniola between Haiti and the Dominican Republic: an alarming example of humans' impact in their habitat. In summary, the Dominican Republic chose to protect their resources and adapt, meanwhile Haitians, stricken with natural disaster and malnourished and eroding soils, have lost 90% of its trees. 

Wood charcoal is used for cooking, energy, and warmth. The people of Haiti have adapted in their own way, whether that be depleting the mangroves, using the Dominican Republic’s resources, or changing tides and finding work across the border. We saw a researcher delving into the reason why: survival and lack of skills for other jobs. Sadly, we see a problem with education, basic necessity security such as food and water, alternative fuel sources, and overall lack of infrastructure. We also saw that they don’t have typical jobs there because they are busy securing their safety and resources, maintaining what they have, and catering to their needs. 

There is a lot to be said about what can be done here. The violence and impoverishment as a result needs to be challenged with very many considerations in mind as we are learning. It’s perplexing how one side can look so green and the other so barren. Was it the fact that the Dominican side banded together governmentally to protect their resources? Why doesn’t Haiti do the same thing? Or was it because Haiti was devastated by so much? What can we do to offer the same opportunities and resources for everyone?

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