NGOs

To me, one of the most interesting parts of Mark Schuller's "Killing with Kindness: Haiti, International Aid, and NGOs" are the parts that break down the reality of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). In the United States, people are generally less leery of NGOs. With NGOs, the assumption is that these organizations "empower local recipient communities to participate in all aspects of their work, from setting priorities to evaluation, and is autonomous from not only the state but also donor agencies" (9). However, that is the ideal-- far from reality. In actuality, NGOs potentially enable external nations "to establish foreign priorities and maintain foreign control over the country" (9).

Schuller uses Haiti as an example, to explore the space and place before and after the earthquake. He causes readers to question the hegemonic power relationship existing between NGOs and "third-world" countries. Schuller calls this power relationship "trickle-down imperialism." 

One of the most striking parts of Schuller's description of Haiti post-earthquake made me question my response to disaster in another country. I generally accept the "good" that NGOs are doing, without much thought to individual stories or identities. Just a general recognizing of tragedy. This omission of individual stories and identities is crucial to the oppressive regime maintaining power. (Shameless feminism plug: it's also why women's studies is a legitimate field, but you all knew that!)