Caribbean Focus

HAITI ET SA NOUVELLE MELODIE NATIONALE

2011-04-11T03:31:00.000-07:00

Haiti and Her New National Melody (NNM)

The New National Melody has already become a force to recon with in the quest for change in Haiti. The group first started in 2010 on face book with a message that resonates well with the diaspora and with local youth. The movement is micromanaged by the recording artist, educator, activist Louinel Jean who resides in Jamaica. Many critics consider Jean‘s patriotic activities as his warming up towards electoral office in Haiti. But he insists that his number one goal is to help in the emergence of a NEW BREED OF LEADERS to help redirect Haiti in the 21st century. The NNM rejects the traditional political class of Haiti completely and seek to promote a radical abandonment of such establishment. The group considers that Haiti’s traditional politicians have failed miserably, that the time has come for a radical turning point in the country’s history.

The Haitian people need significant change in the trends of leadership in the country. It is the attitude of our politicians that has made Haiti what it is today, the casualty of the western world. Jean argues that the traditional political class has made Haiti a zone of no expectation, no accountability, and rampant corruption. They have managed to plunge the country in such a constant crisis of credibility causing the people to be encapsulated in a deeply alarming psychological deficit.

The problem

The Haitian people always go to vote when they are called to do so, but the political class or elite always have a plan to crush their attempt. When the people vote mayors, our cities move from bad to worst, when we vote parliamentarians it is only to see them engaged in other agenda often so remote to the basic needs of the people. When we vote a president we simply provide a paradisaical ticket for his friends and family. To test the authenticity of these facts, one would just need to take a trip to Haiti and try to understand the role of government, and it would immediately be evident that governance is definitely not a word in the dictionary of Haiti’s traditional ruling class.

We could also refer to this consortium of politicians as the political gang or mafia power house of Haiti whose only achievement so far has been violence, corruption, strife, and the proliferation of national crisis often left in the hand of the international community to solve with very limited or no provision for the population. The dilemma is that we have had too many leaders who are satisfied with the personal pleasures of power and, worst of all, blind to the evident sufferings of the poor.

The solution

It was therefore judicious that we got engaged in this electoral process to help elect, among the legion of political interests, President Michel Martelly who is our militant musician for the cause of change. We, the Haitian people know well that Mr. Martelly is not a politician in the conventional definitions of world politics or Haitian politics in general, but he is our choice this time. He represents our clear rejection of the politics of division and poverty, a kind of politics which we classify as the cacophony of the gerontocratic order in Haiti, to embrace a NEW NATIONAL MELODY to start shaping a better future for our next generations.

We are engaged with all our strength to help government find harmony with the aspirations of the people, government by the people, for the people and with the people. We don’t need a president to blame at the end of every five years or during his mandate to plan a coup d’état. We need an active citizenry who understands their role in a true democratic society. We are fully engaged with the diaspora and with Haitians in Haiti to sharpen a true Haitian dream; and with the support of our neighbors and partners of the international community to help salvage Haiti from the deep waters of poverty and despair she is in.

Already the mobilization and initiatives towards change are amazing. The level of celebration which replaced the anticipated violence after the results of the election was a clear message that when leaders do their part transparently and with the proper dose of integrity the people rejoice. But when corruption is the ruler of our events we can expect them to be marred with the full force of popular anger which often worsens our conditions. The last time I checked, both NNM and the Haitian people at large do not need that.

The ardent call

NNM is open to Jamaicans and other CARICOM citizens who wish to support our projects in Haiti. We are one family and now we know that we can find synergy in our dreams and our desires to see a more just and humane Caribbean community. We can create the new high ways of solidarity if we allow the power of love to continue to guide our path.

We cannot stop thanking the citizens of Jamaica as well as the Jamaican government who have done so much to help our people after the earth quake last year. As a resident of Jamaica, I took note of your good hearts and great compassion for the Haitian people. May God continue to bless our nations greatly!

We take it upon ourselves to send this message to the world and to everyone who has gotten a chance to read this article, that Haiti is now ready for business; she is ready to stand in her rightful position as the mother of freedom in our region. She is ready to dance again to the rhythm of true democracy and speak again even in the words of our great brother, Martin Luther King Junior “free at last, free at last, thank God almighty we are free at last.”

VIVE LA NOUVELLE MELODIE NATIONALE! VIVE LE PEUPLE HAITIEN!

Louinel Jean (Recording artist, Activist)

President/ Founder of the NEW NATIONAL MELODY OF HAITI (NNM)

Contact

icmnloui@hotmail.com

876-4826584

HAITI, ELECTIONS THEN AND ELECTIONS NOW!?

2010-05-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

Elections are a fundamental element of the democratic process. They require transparency,trust, accuracy and clarity. Haiti's political culture has almost left us confused as to the true importance and function of elections. Why do we have so much tension when we need to choose a new leader? Why are so many of our politicians afraid of elections ? why do our elections take place without any form of meaningful debate between candidates? These are the questions we will address in this first 2010 post of Caribbean Focus.

Why do we have so much tension when we need to choose a new leader?
I am a young man I don't wish to speak too much about the remote electoral history of Haiti, but the following recent years of election remain fresh in my mind as I began to get conscious of the situations that befall Haiti from its quest for a stable democracy. In 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2004, 2006 we killed, we fought each other, we demonstrated violently throughout the country just to choose our president. In any democratic society, a leader must make his case to earn the trust of the people. In Haiti our politicians oppress the people, buy their trust under the canopy of extreme poverty, bribe electoral organizers for the top spot, instigate fear to force people to cast vote against their will, arm gangsters to disrupt electoral prospects , so we pervert every good process that would lead us to an established functioning state. As a result,Haiti is a fake democratic state where politicians and even the people pretend to be democratic. Democracy continues to elude us. I hope one day we will realize that all of us cannot be the president at the same time.

Why so many of our politicians are afraid of elections ?
Our politicians are numerous,we have a republic of political leaders. Every news cast is the announcement of a new political platform which has absolutely no base among the population, no political capital at all,but they can easily get the massively unemployed population of Haiti to demonstrate for the entire year as long as they have a truck with a few speaker boxes for the ambiance. To them, this is the test that they are legitimate and that they are ready to brag a presidential term. The problem is when they realize that the Haitian people has already chosen the leader even before any form of electoral campaign, everybody now starts pulling away from elections and they will give a million rationals why elections cannot take place. You know why?The answer is simple:they are afraid of the test of legitimacy.
An election is a test of legitimate positioning among the people,this is my definition, and most of our thousands of candidates never get even 0% of the national vote. This example was clear during the 2006 election. Many of our candidates stand absolutely no chance of becoming president of Haiti, they have no political or leadership mass ,they have no leadership flexibility, no sensitivity, even in times of extreme national disaster they want to keep the momentum of "dechoukage", all they care about is power by any means except good elections.

Why do our elections take place without any form of meaningful debate between candidates?

Let me start by saying that in this particular time in the History of the world, any elections conducted without a proper formal debate is meant to deceive the people. In Haiti our elections are based on high emotions and militancy nothing to do with competence , courage, vision, credibility and the list goes on... We all know that all these elements cannot necessarily be proven in a debate but it can reinforce the resilience of a candidate, it can place the people in a more conscious zone of decision, it can serve as an authentic means of positive differentiation of individual candidates. Furthermore, political debates also can serve as reference for the nations in their quest to be more attune to the concept of electing. A debate is also a great educational moment for the people and the candidates, it provides greater visibility to the future successes we so desperately need and the failures we encountered in the past. We must develop the culture of political debate in Haiti so that people can become familiar with our politicians under the microscope of our national or even the international media. I really don't see how democratic we can be if our elections continue to go as though they were a mere popularity contest or pageantry.

We must insist that in 2010 a strong debating agenda is put forward to the candidates ,we must bring them to the schools ,farming communities, slums ,everywhere not just to engage on a trip of political jargon, but to answer questions from the people, the media, from their fellow candidates and so forth. We cannot allow the meaning of our votes to be depleted by placing people in authority who cannot, by any means, carry out the responsibilities of manning our ship.Haiti is our legitimate ship. We need qualified captains to take us to destination.
We can avoid the extreme risks of crossing the ocean with fake captains that often leave us at the mercy of sharks or some foreign coast-guard.

This attitude has left us with a republic of NGOs, we cannot even fix a gully without the intervention of some foreign agency. This is unacceptable and we must fix it now. We must embrace the democratic principle for what it is and stop faking it. We must embrace integrity in leadership and also in our function as a nation to reject corruption in all its forms so that we may build Haiti as a model in this hemisphere. Haiti is meant to be a model of a free society not an epitome of poverty and despair as portrayed in the world media.

Louinel Jean
May 15th 2010

Jamaica and the Changing Global Economic Landscape

2009-10-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

The cost of living in Jamaica is rising at breakneck speed and government has one solution for it, IMF. The number one solution for economic decay is productivity, it is absurd to try fix an economy or a third world economy with just more and more borrowing. The Jamaican people need to move away from the extravagance syndrome.

Every Jamaican wants to drive a 'Avalanche' while, in fact , the country has no backbone to support such life style. Jamaica lives too far beyond its means. In addition, we should want to know why Jamaica really needs an army, two airports or maybe a third one will soon be in construction? One thing I know, the Jamaican people is resilient and hard working, at least one section of the population.

There is, on the other hand, a 'Get Rich Quick' mentality that will make the country suffer enormously. Too many young men are just waiting to be the next super star while in reality stardom is one of the most fickle aspects of human destiny.

The other critical aspect that Jamaicans may need to take a hard look on is the judicial system. Lack of proper procedures and lack of result driven investigations as it relates to crime is a severe dark spot in daily life. Jamaica records over one thousand murders per year, and for the most part, approximately one hundred criminals tried. This is absolutely disturbing for the Island nation as this has the potential to affecting its economy further.

It may be easy to blame the current government based on the fact that "everything rises and falls on leadership." However, we cannot forget that this government is, in fact, just the 'new kids on the block' and those who ruled the country for nearly 20 years did very little to engage in real sustainable development. The politics of the past years are hurting Jamaica real hard and it does not seem that the leaders really understand the extent of the struggle that ordinary Jamaicans face.
I am not from Jamaica, but I am in many ways a Jamaican. I have lived here for nearly ten years, not as a passive alien but, as a fully engaged member of the Jamaican society. Hence I conclude that Jamaica needs a compelling voice to make its case to the institutions from which it wishes to borrow and legislate policies that will validate youth empowerment, thus put the nation to work.
May God help us overcome!

Written by Louinel Jean
Protected by Copyright. All rights reserved

2009-08-28T00:09:00.000-07:00

GarageBand.com : icmnloui's podcast

2009-08-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

GarageBand.com : icmnloui's podcast

Why does Haiti have twenty Ambassies?

2008-06-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

Taken from a discussion on the Rene Preval Blog on the above topic. Purely argumentative!

Gents and Why Does Haiti Have 20 Ambassies?

Flo is gone.

As I agreed with what she said in the post that you are addressing, I will try to respond for her. I have neither the time nor the inclination to put details in my answer (that was Flo’s specialty), but I will give you a broad idea of why I do think that she is right.
First let me respond to what I thought were Louinel Jean’s very interesting, yet problematic statements.

Louinel argued “the worst thing a poor country could do is to isolate itself from other nations” and “Isolation breeds poverty.” The problem with the first statement is that Louinel might have a very good point, but it is based on a misread of Flo’s statement.
Nowhere in her statement does she say or even imply that Haiti should become an isolationist nation.
She only questions the need for our small and very poor nation to have so many ambassadors, seemingly in many places that might have no real benefit to us. Thoroughly analyzing a person’s statement before answering helps the flow of a discussion, reduces fiction, and promotes collaborative efforts.

I am sometimes just as guilty as Louinel of not thoroughly reading a post, but I try to make up for it by offering a denial statement ahead of time, as I did with Flo and Djakut the last time they posted something that worried me. Sometimes I’ll say something like “I’m sorry if I misunderstood your argument, but here’s what I understood from what I read so far.” That kind of statement tends to keep the peace.The second more interesting argument made by Louinel is “isolation breeds poverty.” I simply disagree with this one, primarily because the evidence does not support it. Although neither Flo’s statement or my supporting statement said anything about isolation, the fact is that isolation can breed social stability and economic progress.
Isolation was good for Japanese economic stability and national solidarity.

It is during the period of isolation that the Japanese merchants developed a new national credit system that allowed them to become--by any standard--very wealthy.
It is also during the isolation period that independent farms and farming multiplied in Japan, which then led to the strong development of cash crops like cotton and tobacco that are now at the root of modern Japanese agriculture.

Today’s Japanese economy yields one of the world highest rice crops.
Another benefit of social isolation is that the national culture is protected.
As I stated many times on this blog, in my opinion a nation loosing its culture and national identity is worst off than a nation that’s poor (short version).
It is during Japan’s period of isolation that the Japanese samurai sword was perfected.
During this period, the Japanese use to promote the use of firearms in combat as something that is to be reviled.

It then became dishonorable to use firearms in any form of combat.
Rejecting the use of European types of firearms as cowardly and un-Japanese, the use of traditional weapons were encouraged; resulting in the Japanese Samurai sword becoming the best and most sought after sword in the world today.
Even after it opened itself to the international community, Japan still maintained a relatively secluded society.

You can get most of this info on the web, but historian Yuji Ichioka wrote a fairly good book about it.We also know that the Chinese were also basically isolated with all sorts of trade embargos against them, especially after the fall of Russia.
Look where they are today! Cuba is another example of (relative) isolationist success.
They are not as far as they could be, but even with the Giant (US) breathing down their neck constantly, they are still far better of than we have been in years.
It is not that I think that isolationism is a good thing, nor do I think that that was what Flo meant to say.

It is simply that perhaps we are a bit more realistic about the situation than you. Most people who know our history would understand the value of Flo’s question, and not be obfuscated by it.
Realistically:1. We all know that most of these ambassadors are doing nothing for Haiti--nothing at all.2. We all know that no real strategy or plan of action or real training was given to them, making their presence in those other nations futile.3. We all know that most of these ambassadors are just people who knew people who knew people.4. We all know that no serious research was done to determine where to place these ambassadors so that they could really be useful to our nation.5. We all know that for every two ambassadors who might actually care about making a difference for the country, there are five who are now living it up at the expense of the Haitian people.6. We all know that right now Haiti has developed nothing to trade.
No surplus of anything.

I am sure that a carefully thinking person could find better use for the little money we have.
You don’t rebuild a nation by running around with your little cup. You start by redeveloping the national structure and infrastructure, and by creating ways for your population to create trade goods…What exactly are even the good ambassadors doing? Are they again discussing how we are not self-sufficient and need help? Are they again passing our little tin cups? What has happened to our pride and dignity.

In my very humble opinion (maybe it’s the way I was raised) if you have nothing to offer, you stay in your corner and build on the little you have.
You only make contact with the most crucial outside elements—at least until you have something to offer.

I think that’s where I was going with this, and maybe so was Flo. I could probably go one to explain this further, but I don’t really want to. Sorry Jean-benito Mercier; I'll try to get to yours tomorrow.

Reply to: Msg 5215 Posted by Linda on 12/16/07 10:29 AM in respond to Louinel's argument on International relations.

South Africa- Hmmm!

2008-05-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

Truly, in the Caribbean, we are in shock to see the level of violence that South Africans wage against their neighbors. We are really saddened by the death of over fifty persons from neighboring countries; they died because they were immigrants, not for any crime against South Africa. They are killed because they were searching for life in a place they thought was better than their own. But the people of South Africa told them that to remain there could mean the most humiliating insults and death. We have heard of people being killed and thrown into fire. This is quite symbolic; it means that this place that those immigrants considered their heaven was in fact their hell.

After apartheid South Africa has been considered a symbol of peace and prosperity in the continent, but the latest waves of violence against foreign nationals raise the question of whether or not the south still holds its moral bearings on issues of human rights and social justice, not withstanding globalization which promotes the movement of professionals across borders. What makes the situation more alarmant is that the government of President Mbeki did very little to ensure the safety of those who took refuge under their wings. Now South Africa must be very careful that it does not fall under the same category as to what happened to the Jews under Adolph Hitler. The South African government should have confronted xenophobic violence with the same firmness that it would deploy if the country were attacked by a foreign army.

South Africa reveals itself a weak state, so weak that one should ask if it will be safe enough to host the world for the World Cup in 2010. If you are killing foreigners, how do you expect to host the world for such a big event as the World Cup? What makes those foreigners that you are killing less deserving of your protection? How comfortable will you want the world to be when they invade your hotels during the event? These are among others the questions that the South African government should answer.

Really, the world media must be swift to question the ability of the South African government’s to put certain level of lawlessness under control. In case of violence during the World Cup how long will you take before you act against it? It is really disturbing to many people in the Caribbean who wish to know why nothing concrete was done to stop the xenophobic violence that was waged against immigrants who simply wished they were asked to leave.

South Africa! South Africa! South Africa! Don’t forget the history and the reality that you represent to Africans and to the world! You are a land of inspiration, a land of forgiveness and grace, a land of love and reconciliation.
So when we see you kill 56 immigrants for the mere fact of their status we wonder what has happened to your deep sense of decency and pride. We want to question whether or not you are going to bow to the infamous culture of war and death that has plagued the mother land for many decades.

South Africans, you are strong don’t give in to the weakness of wickedness!

DARFUR :WILL,WAR,WHEN

2008-05-10T20:31:00.000-07:00

Looking at this title on a blog from the Caribbean may trigger an interrogation; what does Darfur have to do with Caribbean issues? Darfur's distance and our lack of media coverage of the prevailing conditions (hunger, rape, and murder) may serve to validate our decision to cast a 'blind eye' on this genocide. Yes, I said genocide; the argument about whether or not it has reached this point is incredible. A recent report by the BBC states that the total number of murders now stands at approximately 300,000 people, not withstanding over 20,000 reported cases of rape and children reduced to their skeletal structure before crumbling to dust while war lords and their legions wrestle for power. This is GENOCIDE!

I could not continue to write about Haiti and other concerns of the Caribbean while our brothers and sisters are living under the threat of extinction. It has been said that 'a nation never dies' but when we consider a situation as the one described above, death is a daily prescription for the nation of Darfur; and this, at the conscious negligence of the most powerful nations on the planet.

Now, we must address the issue of WILL as it happens to be the motivating factor for change. We know without a doubt, that it is the will of the people of Darfur to live and dream, to labor and harvest, to raise their children in an environment of peace, justice and hope. But we are not quite sure whether it is the will of those who have the power, to help trigger the radical changes that are so desperately needed. We see a lack of will because it is not a lack of resource or capacity to bring about a new day for the people and send a clear message that the civilian people of Darfur are precious to the Human family and that the have the right to life. That oppression and misery in one part of our planet is a global threat that we should tackle with decisive action now and always. Let us not reinvent another Rwanda. If the rich nations could unite to fight a senseless war in Iraq, and with all the necessary resource that could be, why is it okay for this genocide to remain in Darfur? And what is the rational for remaining so passive towards it? These are questions that must be answered if we are going to really make poverty and extremism history.

The last question is when? When is the world’s going to see policies that mean real change to their conditions. There are steps that have been taken to find alternative energy such the cultivation of corn for fuel. But why was such decision taken without regard to the survival of the majority of the world’s population that lives on less then $5 a day. Now the world faces a food crisis that announces itself to be deadly. What is going on is world preparing itself for a global catastrophe or famine? What will happen to people in crisis such as those in Darfur, Iraq and many more? It is time create change, but first to scrutinize global leadership and see how they match with the principles of democracy, human right and Justice. We need to act with a sense of urgency because the need of the people of Darfur is urgent.

Haiti, La Peur Et Le Declin Soutenus

2008-04-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

Do you understand what is taking place in Haiti right now? In fact, it is nothing new: Elected officials take refuge behind nominated officials to 'fool' the people.

Why did Alexis get fired so late? What is the rational for deposing him, considering that his politics was approved by parliament recently? This is a reactionary parliament which acts by instinct, no real mass behind their decisions. they take action because they are afraid to lose their own job. Remenber! They did not show real concern for the deterioration of the living conditions of the people which many organizations have been voicing for nearly six months.

Instead they spent the time arguing on how to get rid of boulos, a senator who is retained as being tied to US citizenship, or fighting among themselves over petty matters. I don't believe that Mr. Alexi lacks the competence to do the job and do it well. And they know it too! For fear of getting fired by the people; they take action and there find the scapegoat.

The private sector needs to show that they, at least, have some understanding of the plight of the poor at this particular time in the History of the Country.

For too long they remain so passive and look at the masses with disdain. They could have collaborated with the government to see how they could help to curb prices on some most basic food items.This would have prevented the riots and looting of the pastweek. It does not seem that it is going to work like that any more. It cannot be that as long as you as a government official or a business owner is fed alongside your family, the hell for the rest of the nation which is the majority.

I have heard about so much dialogues between political parties in Haiti. Everyday you hear that there exist good dialogues between parties. It is obvious that these dialogues continue to be mere political cocktails that may have nothing to do with the hunger and extreme poverty that befall Haiti.

Any primary dialogue about Haiti after the elections, considering it as a post conflict territory, should have taken into consideration, the misery on the ground. Haiti has gone through enough political dialogs while the economic dialogue remains dormant. We must learn to love our neighbor as ourselves. Haiti can no longer be ruled within the context of exclusion, we must materialize the moto: "L’union fait la force" to rebuild it.

I will continue to do what I can for the few that I can, until the dream of the Haitian people is finally realized, until we move from the culture of mud and dust and build the skyscrapers of a Haiti, peaceful and prosperous.

The Caribbean and the Food Crisis. What solution?

2008-04-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

The Caribbean prides itself in its tourism ,promoting stretches of white sand beaches , lush and push resorts and spa. So we prepare a paradise for our guests , but hell for our people. This constitutes the general interest of Caribbean governments while neglecting the most powerful employment industry of the region, agriculture . Contrary to what many people might think, the tourism sector does not provide jobs to more people than agriculture in the Caribbean. There are more people who earn a living doing their subsistence farming, and send their children to school. Yet governments remain oblivious to that fact. This is why the region has become a fancy economic field with a serious lack of touch with the kind of economic policy that would help to alleviate poverty through sustainable action. Everybody seems to just laying back waiting for the next guest to bring a bread. What a vision! Who?

Everyday we hear about people surviving with less than $1 a day in Haiti or elsewhere in the region.This is not fiction, it is fact and this is not fancy either, it has to do with real suffering, real children going to bed hungry and parents who feel like giving up because they see no way out. They see no way out because the way they have has been neglected by their government, their agriculture and the education of their children. We must not forget that more than one third of all those who live on less than $1 a day live and work in rural areas. Some of them are subsistence farmers or those who sell days of work to earn a meal.

I was born and raised in Haiti in a family with land enough to hire a few workers per month. I grew up seeing my father waking early every morning to reach his farm at 6 o'clock each day except Sundays. He is a man with undivided focus on farming and does it with all his might, yet he has nothing much to show for it at this point of his life and he is in his sixties. I recently encouraged him to abandon the practice because it does not make much sense giving your life to something that will only transform your sweat and blood into frustration. I have never seen the intervention of any government official to help in any way with the production of rice ,banana, corn and many other crops that are produced in my home community which is Thomonde. The paesants are left on their own to work the ground primitive style, Carry their goods on their heads primitive style, and sell it for nothing because the purchasing power of their communities are minimal to the smallest m. The "Republic of Port-au-Prince" is the best point where the peasants could at least gain some returns from their hard labor. But their is no proper road to transport the goods there. Those who manage to make it by the time they reach depends on the kind of product they they loose everything due to the deplorable condition of roads.

Now that we see rising food crisis around the world, the Caribbean nations should not be among the first to feel it based on the amount of water, and Arab land they possess. Haiti has nearly 10 millions people, with 80% unemployed or under employed. Why? Because the number one employer of the country is not really a priority for our government. Any government who cares about the need of the people, particularly in Haiti will first conduct the necessary research on how to strenghten the agricultural sector. If you come talking about tourism and foreign investment I know you are out of touch because .The read to tourism and foreign investment in Haiti will definitely be the organisation of our agriculture and a proper reform in our education system.

You cannot be eager to receive people in your house if it is not in order. The first place order is needed is in the belly of the people. As of now there is absolutely no order in the belly of the people ,they are HUNGRY. Any politics that seek to change Haiti and look at the peasants with disdain will pay a heavy price. Any ruling elite that think they can go ahead making profit while they sink deeper in despair and hunger is making a big mistake. Because the younger generation no longer believe you have the will to help them. So they will exercise the will to come to port-au-prince and fight. They will fight every body who is in the position to help make change ,but remain quiet.

Leadership is meant to give direction to the people, help them find their way. The Haitian people ,the Caribbean people are resilient people ;you can always expect them to bounce back from a bad situation,but we must fuse exuberance with discipline in order to lead our children to the destiny they deserve. They don't deserve the famine that is been passed to them,their need to be a certain level of generational responsibility. Have some concern for the next generation if you think this one does not deserve better. Haiti will rise again when we remember this lesson that we have learnt in primary school and actualise the lesson that " Haiti is essentially agricol" there we cultivate rice, banana, corn, "pitimi" patat0, zaboca, manioc, and much legumes. We must raise enough cows to provide milk and meat for our people, if we lack the seed let us get some from Africa. Let us get some cows from our mother land, Africa , and give our people some of the power and help them be proud of being Haitian again because ,at home they can not just survive but live.

I long to see visionaries in Haiti , in the Caribbean, not politicians to eludes the people to win elections.

Haiti and the MDGs

2008-03-25T22:00:00.001-07:00

It is clearly stipulated as the first point of the Millennium Development Goals that hunger and extreme poverty should be eradicated. But in stark contrast to that particular goal , Haiti has gone through the fastest liberalisation process ever. So Haiti is the poorest nation in the Americas, but one of the most open economies in the world. How do we explain that to the new generation of Haitians who are engaged in research and keen observation of economic trends? How in the world does this make any sense when we consider that one of the main agricultural products of Haiti is rice. Haiti is a producer of rice, yet some time around 1995, Haiti cut import tax on rice from 35% to nearly 2%. No need to ask for the origin of that decision, we all know that it was the result of international bullying. “Accept it or forget it”. Yet the same super-nations that push such policy in Haiti’s throat are the ones that are constantly talking about the millennium development goals.Rice farmers in Haiti were sent to hell with their productions while cheap imported rice continued to invade the country. The only way the development goals will work in any country is if and if only the poor nations are given the space necessary to build their own economy with adaptable policies along with strategies that take into consideration the voice of the peasant. It is absolutely absurd and unsustainable to pursue development through the lens of international aid which often does not reach the poor, which often has nothing to do with the poverty that reigns in poor countries. We are plagued with cross-conditional agreements that stand on the way to real development. This is why we continue to see small projects after small projects that have nothing to do with development as it is known in the developed world.
Development for poor countries seems to suffer from a lack definition, in the sense that when one considers the extent of the conditions that prevail and the size and types of the projects undertaken one should ask what development are we talking about? What exactly do we seek to achieve? If the development goals are working elsewhere,there is no sign that they are making head-ways in Haiti.
Haiti is a nation essentially agricultural,yet suffers from a current severe food shortage. We cannot engage the nation in development without first acknowledging the need for an ownership of its economy.This means empowerment:help them build their agriculture and allow government to implement policies that can accommodate such goals.
I wish Haiti well with the MDGs and let us pray that the Government of Rene Preval continues to promote stability and regularise the institutions. We know that our institutions have been destroyed by the latest wave of violence with the eviction of president Aristide. Again the MDGs are not possible without strong institutional backing ,so with that I think it might take another decade before Haiti can see real result on the ground.
Louinel JEAN

Hatian Petrol

2008-03-25T21:59:00.001-07:00

Dr. Mathurin and his wife have become very passionate about the prospects of some very significant well of petroleum and other precious metals in the sous-sol of Haiti. Haiti is known as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere due to its lack of production almost at every level. Most researchers know that Haiti is not poor because of a lack of resource but more so due to a lack of appropriation of resources. From human resource to natural raw material resource, we have failed to generate proper strategies to maximise them.It is unacceptable that such a discussion should still be dormant in the Haitian media. They should be calling government officials one by one to tell the people of Haiti what they intend to do with the eventual wells of Haiti. We need to know their perception now and their plan for the future. Petroleum in Haiti would mean deliverance for the Haitian people provided that our leaders do not allow themselves into the corrupted trap in which the wealth of the nations serve for the welfare of big corporations while the nation suffer. If we consider what oil represents in Nigeria: war, tribal tensions, extreme institutionalised corruption, slavery and poverty, then we will need to consider our politics and economic strategy carefully, negotiate wisely and exploite cautiously.
A Haiti with oil should be considered a prosperous Haiti. Not a divided society where the nation continues to sink deeper and deeper in despair,where a small group of privileged people lay hold on all possible chances for Haiti’s development as was the case in the past or even now. We need to engage the the discussion with the government, let them speak to the people ,tell us what they intend to do with the prospects of petrol in the sous-sol of Haiti. We do not accept that they remain silent on a matter of such great importance.
They need to bring more experts on site to give clear indication on whether or not we can count on the future that oil can help us build. This is absolutely not the time for quiet government. They need to talk to the people even with daily briefing on how are they progressing with issues that matter to the people. We are talking here about a nation that has gone through some real deplorable situations ,shame, humiliation, even slavery in modern time. Personally, I can’t wait for the day when I can start to bring back every single Haitian from the bracero of the Dominican Republic. Let the Dominican people taste the flavor of what it means to be a nation of hard workers like Haiti. Let them see their real economy without Haitian slaves.
Oil in Haiti would mean freedom from Dominican slavery and boat-people status. It would mean a Haiti with voice in the OPEC and with a formal space in global economic decision. It would no longer an under nourished dog waiting outdoor for crumbs from the table of the economic giants of our day. I guaranty you even the Caribbean nations who pretend to integrate Haiti in CARICOM will change their attitude towards us. I am not sure that CARICOM is genuine as far as Haiti is concerned. The last time I saw Haitian boat people in Jamaica ,They where pick up from the shaw with a dirty truck like cows, while police beat them to hold in . This remind me of the stories I read about the middle passage. In contrast, when a group of Cuban did arrive as boat people, they where pick up in a clean bus with sits for every passenger. As an observer ,an educator and a politician I will not allow this contrast to fill my heart with hate. I love Jamaica , I love its people, in fact, my wife is Jamaican, my daugter is Jamaican ,I am a JamHaitian.
Oil in Haiti would be our chance to become a global donor in the fight against poverty, not a receiver of the so called international aid which often goes to NGOs that mostly spend it in lavishing luxurious life styles.
I wish to hear the government telling the people what they intend to do with the news of significant oil wells in Haiti.I demand a proper debate on the matter so that we may start looking at more significant ways to sharpen the Haitian dream.
Louinel Jean

The Legacy of the Geronts

2008-03-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Decades of poverty, extreme environmental degradation, violence, instability, dictatorship, zero investment in education, zero investment in agriculture, systematic oppression against the poor, tyranny, hatred, classicism, poor health services, ‘boat-peopleism’ and maximum investment in international banks. The result: Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas and one of the poorest in the world.
How could we expect the people not to believe that some how any other land in the world might be better than the land of Haiti? They destroyed every inch of freedom and by all the above means trampled on the country’s real profile which is: the world’s first black –led republic and the first Caribbean state to achieve independence.
It took two religious faces to destroy all the prospects of Haiti’s potential as a tourist hot spot. This is so true that even people in their 50s are not so sure about the existence of white sand beaches in Haiti. They would often ask such questions as: Do you guys have hotels, you have nice beaches? Or even, do you have schools? I forgive their ignorance because the Geronts did not promote the positive; they did their best to make Haiti a casualty of Western Consciousness rather than a force to reckon with.
When I teach young people in the Caribbean I am some times forced to give an account about what has happened to my country. The young children would ask me why is HAITI so poor? When that happen I wish I could call a member of the gerontocratic society to answer, but alas! They are no where to be found. So the new generation is obligated to answer for the legacies of the old. Although they have left us with absolutely no foundation, we must not remain silent. Not at this time or in this era, because the younger generation of leaders in our neighboring nations will continue to ask us questions about our country.
We must rebuild the institutions of Haiti so that other nations don’t decide when to change our government and who should be our government. We must not allow the Geronts to push us to the street to blindly protest on behalf of their politics of mud and dust. We must elevate our thinking, raise our standard and look to the horizon of new dawn for Haiti.
If we are going to change Haiti for good, we must be willing to suffer a little longer, we must sacrifice our cravings within the context of the principle of postponement of our wants in order to cater to our fundamental needs. We need a strong education system, a strong agriculture, a strong justice system and a police force free of corruption that protects and serves the people within the context of a true democratic society where the rights of the people become sacrosanct.
The Geronts have shown that they have no concern for our dignity. This is why we have our people collecting water from unsanitary pipes and carry it on their heads for long distances .We have a great number of our schools, private and public remain unsanitized. We have no electricity, no significant road network etc… and they did not seem to have a proper strategy on how to solve these problems.
My dream is to see the new generation of Haitian leaders defy the legacy of the Geronts by building a road network that will allow one to tour Haiti in one day. Cutting through the mountains of Haiti we will build the railways and bring supersonic trains to the nation. Also, if we have to build toll roads, let it be. It is unacceptable that the hard working people of Haiti have no way to transport their goods for sale after long days of manual, traditional agricultural labor. We must acknowledge that the political culture of the Geronts has left us with no country, no pride, so that we may be able to rise from our psychological deficit and build our land.
Louinel JEAN

HAITI, EMBRACING RADICAL CHANGE

2008-03-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

The Republic of Haiti has gone through all the struggles that the world’s developed nations have known prior to their rise to superpower status. The nation has experienced the rigors of hope and despair, but neither hope nor despair has taken deep root in the heart of its people. In the global media, Haiti keeps on falling in and out of bond with both hope and despair. This gives us a clear picture of the generational confrontation that exists in the society. Yet the nation is in denial.
La Gerontocracy Extreme (Extreme Gerontocracy)The older generation of Haitians has always monopolized the government, the economy, the thinking pattern of the people. They kept the education system as archaic as they could, they managed and promoted poverty as meticulously as they could, they oppressed the people as systematically has they could. Very few of them have left an inheritance for their children. They did everything necessary to ensure that, in the 21st century, the new generation of Haitians cohabits with a multinational force that has little understanding of its history. They have taken the dignity of the people and exposed their wounds. In sum, they have changed Haiti’s original title from “Pearl of the Antilles” to “Casualty of the Western World”. But we know and we understand that Haiti cannot remain there; it cannot continue to make headlines as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. There is an oasis in the middle of Haiti wilderness, there is hope, and there is a new breed of leaders who understand that the vertical port of sustainable development is, unquestionably, the dignity of the people. The new generation must dissociate itself from the mentality of the geronts, we must run with urgency from the mentality of mud and dust and build the sky scrappers of the Haitian people’s dream. It must be understood that this view is by no means a rejection of our ancestral legacy, but the establishment of a line of demarcation from the recent history that we have witnessed for the last 20 years, a history of war and corruption. We want a politic of decency and grace, mutual respect and unity, tolerance and hope, pride and dignity. We want to give our people a rational to regain confidence in the concept of Haiti, which is originally a concept deeply rooted in freedom and exotic beauty. Haiti will be green again when the green generation rise with the seed of redemption to replants our forests, clean our streets, reorganize our agriculture, redefine our educational goals, and regain our space in the global economy. Yes, we will rise as a significant Power in this region because we have the human resource for it. We have the land mass for it. And we have the will for it.The resource I refer to has to do with the vast number of professionals who love Haiti and wish to participate in its development. This includes both Haitians and foreigners, an approach which takes into consideration the need for integration, global participation, and openness. Haiti must become an open field for investment. This is the line of argument that I will continue to promote as I engage in this quest for sustained development for the Republic of Haiti. I am sure you have seen the inclusive nature of my political philosophy and wish that you will feel free to show your interest to engage with me in this journey for radical change.

Louniel Jean
www.myspace.com/louineljeanjproject

GOLD IN HAITI'S FUTURE?

2008-03-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

I heard a little talk tonight about gold in Haiti's future on Radio Ginen. I always knew that there was gold in Haiti's past and there will continue to be gold in its future. The problem is that while the experts are showing excitement over our resources our government remains as if they have nothing to be excited about. They remain very circumspect about the news as if it does not mean anything to Haiti's development. We have a nation that feels as if there is nothing to help them hope and see the future optimistic. Yet we fail to use anything that comes to us positive to help build our national pride and help the people to believe in their land. Perhaps the government may already know that this will mean nothing to the welfare of the people. This is the only reason we should not speak more enthusiastically about resources in Haiti. We are so comfortable with international aid that means almost absolutely nothing for poor rural communities in Haiti we cannot even take pride in our potential for wealth. We will have those communities where gold has been found remaining the same twenty years later while gold is being mined at their gaze. Frankly, I wish to hear some comments on that. Also hear about petrol in HAITI, but government remains quiet about the prospects and what should be done about it. We live in the age when oil is so precious, yet no excitement about the potential discovery of oil in the country. Our people continue to suffer while awaiting international aid. I wish to hear what will be done to inform the people clearly on the initiatives underway about Haiti's potential mines.
Louinel Jean