Photographs of charred bodies, news of looting and Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s interview on CNN. In homes and offices, telephones are ringing with notes of Haiti’s escalating turmoil, bared by the glare of international attention.

The increased attention has brought concern and piqued the curiosity of non-Haitians, who ask “What’s going on with your country?”

Many Haitians, at a loss themselves, say they are embarrassed about the political turmoil and being obliged to explain it to friends, co-workers and family members who were born in the embattled country.

“I feel ashamed,” said Abdias Pierre-Paul, an airline employee and college student. “From time to time, you hear of problems in Haiti. Foreigners hearing the same news come to you every time asking about it.”

News reports show burnings, shooting and stabbing and other violent acts. Barricades have been set up in various towns, the latest being the Central Plateau’s capital, Hinche.

The death toll has reached more than 55 and continues to mount since violence erupted in Gonaives on Feb. 5, as an anti-Aristide group moved to seize the northern city.

Martine Jean-Baptiste, a 24-year-old college student, spoke to family in Aux Cayes on a recent Wednesday and learned that two drivers had been killed.

“It’s chaos,” Jean-Baptiste said. “With our family living over there, it’s a constant worry.”

Beatrice, a 35-year-old interpreter, is disappointed that she cannot bring her friends to show off the beauty of Haiti. Instead, she spends vacation with them in Europe, South America and other Caribbean countries.

“It makes me bleed inside,” said Beatrice, who emigrated from Haiti 25 years ago. I go to their countries. I end up telling them I won’t have vacation time to bring them to Haiti. But I can’t. What if something happens to them? Their families will blame me.”

Though uncomfortable about it, there is no shortage of views or knowledge about developments in Haiti. As in Haiti, New Yorkers are split about the cause of the problems and solutions to them.

In New York, protests both for and against Aristide’s rule have taken place. On Feb. 13, a rally made up of Haitians and other nationalities occurred in front of the United Nations in Manhattan, their cries for the international organization to support Aristide staying in power carrying over to people blocks away, observers said.

Johnny McCalla, a long-time activist for Haitian immigrants, said the Diaspora must engage elected representatives in the U.S. government and support its organizations.

“Standing on the sidelines won’t work, at this point,” said McCalla, on his way to comment about the situation on a television show. “If the United States and Canada are going to do something, it requires a sophisticated approach, sound analysis, to be in constant dialogue with representatives, and coming up with creative ways [to solve Haiti’s problems].

Thony Prévil, owner of C’est L’Eternel Quis est Dieu restaurant in Flatbush, said it would benefit the country if Aristide were to leave.

“If he truly loves the country, he should leave because there are too many victims,” Prévil said.

Next door to Prévil’s place, Ernst Domany, a driving instructor, said it’s not the first, nor the last, time that violent uprisings have taken place in Haiti. Having been in rallies in Haiti and the United States since he was a child, Domany said he is not shocked by the events.

“My heart doesn’t race anymore,” he said. “Ever since ’86 . . . the whole country’s history . . . presidents have come and presidents have gone. It’s inevitable.”

Pierre-Paul said he believes the next elections in Haiti may turn into a bloodbath because most politicians are so enticed with the idea of ruling the county that they may use all means to stop rivals.

“All these things are a look into the future,” said Pierre-Paul, who added that recent violence discouraged him from visiting Haiti to celebrate its 200th anniversary of independence. “As young people living in the United States, we’re tired of being ashamed.”

The rash of disturbances has curbed the flow of visitors to the impoverished country, as many Haitians say they have put plans to visit Haiti this year on hold until things calm down.

At a local hairdresser, Beatrice tilts her head back when asked whether she would cancel her trip to Haiti this year.

“You want to visit the place your umbilical cord is buried in. But if these protests continue, I won’t go.”