For the last three weeks, the readers of this column have been able to follow Dr. [Anthony P. Maingot]'s speech about Haiti's history of war of liberation and internicine struggles which have been such a burden for the First Black Republic. He began with "the issue of the moment," namely the reparation from France for 200 years of slavery. Haiti's political culture, its "developed legacy of behavior, " is not conducive to development. The second issue studied by Dr. Maingot is the U.S. occupation of Haiti, which "rested on the idea of the White Man's burden" - its Manifest Destiny. But, on balance, the occupation was not entirely negative. The very racism of the White invaders was a reality check for Haitian society. Yes, by treating all Haitians (whether dark skinned or light skinned Mulattoes) as "Niggers," no more no less, the foreign invaders reconciled the subjective ideas of superiority and/or inferiority of the Haitians with their own, i.e., their more objective, non involved, opinions as powerful occupying forces. Thirdly, Dr. Maingot analysed a cultural element that had, and continues to have, a great impact on Haitian society. That major cultural factor, of course, is the syncretic religion called vodoo.
Repatriations of Haitians in the Dominican Republic have become an almost daily routine. Indeed Dominican authorities almost constantly expel hundreds of Haitians illegally living in the Dominican Republic. Haitian authorities seem to accept as a fait accompli the onslaught on our territory nationals of Haiti with their Dominican counterparts, regardless of taking long-term measures to stop the bleeding of the labor national work as well as the brain drain to benefit our bordering neighbors. Notwithstanding the ill-treatment Dominicans inflict our brothers, repressed people manage to return a month later to where they are to be expelled. Since, in the absence of a long-term strategy to frame the returnees and give them hope for a decent life in their country, crossing to the other side of the border continues to attract good workers sentenced to unemployment in their own countries.
It goes something like this: A Dr. James D. Watson made a statement in an interview with the Times of London, which was interpreted to mean that blacks are dumber than whites (those are my words). Here's what he actually said: "...there are many people of color who are very talented," ...he is "inherently gloomy about the prospect of Àfrica. ' "All our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours - whereas all the testing says not really," the Times quoted him as saying. As a child growing up in Haiti, I often heard my peers making comments that would reflect views similar to that allegedly expressed by Dr. Watson. There's no truth to the belief that Haitians are inferior to citizens of other nations, but sadly, many Haitians believe that. Unfortunately, many non-Haitians believe that about Haitians as well. For as long as I can remember, there s been a cancer spread throughout that says that we as a people aren't capable of rising above our circumstances and becoming who we were created to be. It's time for all of us to recognize that all people are created in the image of God. One race or people group isn't created "better than another. We are all created equal and we are all loved equally by a Heavenly Father who desires the best for His creatures.
At the 32nd convention of Black Mayors, which was held in Memphis, Tennessee, from April 26 to 30, 2006, Minister of Interior and Territorial Collectivities Paul Magloire led the Haitian delegation. In the name of the interim government of Haiti, here is the speech he pronounced April 28, on the third day.
I was very disappointed after the death of my beloved [Ghislaine Valm]. She was my mother although my biological one is still alive, she was my mentor, my sister, my strength, a fellow Christian, someone who made the difference in my life. O Haiti, my native country, you killed my beloved Mammy Lèlèn. Shame on you! Although living overseas in in America, I usually cried out to you for assistance, my beloved Ghis. She often replied: "Sister Ferou, I am here let's pray our Lord Almighty, he has the answer to your struggle." By now, it sounds as if I lost confidence, no one to possibly help me with my daily burden. 1 remember June 2, 1993, the day I lost my first born child Winifred Felix, Mammy Lèlèn moved me from my family home to make me dwell in hers in order to care for me. There everyone, friends and family came in to grieve and mourn the death of my daughter. She opened up not only her home but her heart to help me bear my burden. As it's said in the old adage "Simon helped Jesus bear the cross." It is kind of difficult to find someone supportive, loving, and compassionate like Mammy Lèlèn. One thing that keeps me going is that I have the assurance that my Heavenly Father has opened up the doors of the Eternal Resting Place for my lovely Ghislaine as well. May your soul rest in peace, Mammy Lèlèn!
On the fourteenth of July, the French Bastille Day, Ms. [Jacqueline Damour] will celebrate her 68th birthday. A vibrantly energetic widow, Jacqueline is proud of her Haitian heritage. She is the mother of six children whos-names are: Ossleine, Vaneek, Judith, Jacqueline, Amsden and James.
Top music industry stars visited the MMPRM booth, sang some of their songs and signed autographs. Haitian-American Hip-Hop and R'n'B artist Jimmy Carter came with his entourage, including a group called "Starvin Krew and he sang his songs "The World," "If You Want To Roll" and some "free style." Special Kudos go out to E-Uneek who M.C'd along with Emmanuel Marcellus. E-Uneek's rendition of his songs from his CD, "200 Years Of Blood, Sweat and Tears" and "Voule" were well received by the crowd. Sweet Micky a/k/a, "The Bad Boy of Haitian music"'s latest CD, "GNB" was represented at the MMPRM booth as Sweet Micky was in Miami and couldn't make it.
When Mr. [Jean Berard] died of pleurisy, "Toussaint discreetly supported his widow. He even postponed his own wedding until Madame Berard's death. Although themselves childless, [Pierre Toussaint] and Juliette (a slave whom Pierre freed) Toussaint went on to co-found one of New York City's first orphanages. During an epidemic of yellow fever, while thousands fled the city, the Toussaints stayed behind to nurse the sick. He and his wife donated funds for New York's first Catholic school for blacks." Did you also know that these Haitians send almost $1 billion back to their families in Haiti every year. This amount makes up about 15 percent of Haiti's GNP. This goes a long way to help the balance of payment and foreign currency. This amount is also close to double Haiti's total exports and almost double the international assistance Haiti receives.
In the music's hundred year existence, the tradition's greatest innovators (Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, and Ornette Coleman, just to name a few...) have been black. However, Jazz music has since evolved into an international and even a universal level, to the point where we now have: Latin Jazz/Brazilian Jazz/Cuban Jazz/Japanese Jazz etc...Basically, most cultures around the world found their niches in Jazz music. Over the years, Haiti has been home to many great jazz musicians, unfortunately with the dominance of Konpa Music, many Haitians have sort-of ignored this genre of music, and these musicians, but there are a small minority of Haitians in Haiti and abroad that are very fond of Jazz music and have shown serious support to the Haitians musicians who dedicated their lives and craft to playing Jazz music, despite the fact that it's not the dominant and popular art form in Haiti.
The Haitian-American Association for Political Action (HAAPA,) headquartered in Brooklyn, N.Y., officially endorsed Ms. [Tamara Grandoit] for the New York City Councilmanic district number 46. After reviewing her platform including a question and answer session, HAAPA members decided to endorse her and contributed a total of $1,100 to Ms. Grandoit's campaign. If successful, Ms. Tamara Grandoit will be the first candidate of Haitian ancestry to be elected to the New York City Council. This feat is long overdue, given the significant number of Haitian-Americans living in New York City, and particularly in the Brooklyn area.
