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La Renaissance haïtienne: 7 choses en l'empêchant de Happening

Le titre sonne mal, mais je crois qu'il va se passer mais je crois aussi qu'il ya certaines choses qui ont empêché et continuera à l'empêcher de se produire.

Before I continue, I would like to say that I am Haitian, I was born in Port-au-Prince, very proud, and I am fighting the good fight the way I know how. Onward...

Although I am often on the side of Haitians who blame the international community for everything, I do not think we are powerless and unable to control our own destiny. So this countdown, "The Haitian Renaissance: 7 Things Keeping it from Happening" are the seven reasons dealing with us.

I am somewhat judging others but I'm also judging myself too; as the saying goes. I have been complicit, if not guilty for all of these things as well. But recognizing is the first step in solving them. Please share your comments.

Number 7. Denial of our Global Nature.

If there is to be a Haitian Renaissance the people and especially the government, must accept that the culture is worldwide.

There are an estimated 4 million Haitians living outside of Haiti and that number doesn't take into account most 3rd or greater generations and most of those living with illegal status in other countries. In Haiti, the population is about 9 to 10 million.

From these, admittedly rough, numbers it can be seen that with about a third of its people living abroad, along with their resources and talents, a true cultural movement like a renaissance will always be hampered by their marginal participation in official matters of the nation.

Number 6. The Union Between Religion and State.

Simply put, as long as there are institutions in Haiti that directly involve religious, faith-based, organizations there can not and will not be a renaissance.

The nature of faith itself goes against the pursuit of knowledge based on evidence and the tolerance for new ideas. Those are the fundamental wrongs that faith bring into the state.

There are particular wrongs that are brought depending on the religion, but that is a topic for another day. The bottom line is the current union between religion and the Haitian state is hindering.

Number 5. Lack of Fairness.

It's not only just fair tax policy and regulatory reform that is needed but there has to be a sense of fairness throughout the entire Haitian community.

Elections must involve as many people as possible and it should go without saying, votes need to be counted correctly, respecting the people's will.

Inclusion should be creed in businesses and institutions. There should be restrictions taken when accepting a new member, or partner into an organization or business but the level of cronyism and its blatancy, from the citizen to the higher-ups is not conducive to a renaissance.

A sense of fairness, allows the mind to concentrate on creativity and excellence and not how to get around institutional discrimination among other barriers.

Number 4. Volunteerism is not honored.

Speaking to a volunteer rescue operator who was in Haiti, he explained to me how Haiti is full of volunteers but they don't get recognized enough.

These persons don't normally make the press, they don't get support and more often than not are taken for granted. Volunteers should take photos with the President and every citizen should be predisposed to honor those who volunteer.

A culture of volunteerism expands beyond just people helping people but people electing upon themselves to serve their country, to serve others which ascends them to the level of greatness. But far too much, they are not honored as greatness but are disregarded as slaves, and their work taken for granted. There is much that can be gained, that can be done, by making volunteerism a greater honor.

Number 3. Lack of Tolerance.

We have to tolerate, and even go beyond, and accept our differences.

Far too many times I hear from Haitians born in the U.S. whose parents wanted them to be well assimilated to American culture so failed at teaching them Creole. Because of this, these individuals are outcast of the greater Haitian community. That is not fair.

We have to tolerate and accept that Haitians in Canada are generally snobby and that Haitians in the U.S. are wild like cowboys. We must accept that Haitian in D.R., and South America have Latin influences and those living in France are so 'cultured' in a sense that they won't relate well to experiences in this hemisphere.

Tolerance is big, but it is only the 3rd most important.

Number 2. Lack of Moderation of Temperament.

Cooler heads rarely prevail amongst our people. There are times when it is justified, and anyone understanding our history and situation knows that. But this is about the far too many times it is unjustified and down right radical.

Yes, there are people who deserve to be thrown in prison but these calls must come with reasons, evidence, trial and opportunity to defend; due process.

Far too many comments on DH are just disgusting at times, and make me question if what we do here is the right thing. Comments about killing another person, profanity - anger, vitriol - these things are not becoming of a better society. Everything does not have to be "kraze brize", this has to be the last resort, not the first.

Number 1. Lack of Transparency and Communication.

This is the most important thing blocking a renaissance and it is what DH is working on. We have to bring more people to the table and we have to tell more people the truth. We have to have a bigger conversation. It's not easily done but it can be done.

If MINUSTAH is guilty of bringing the cholera, it must, I said it must, be stated officially. If the French illegally extorted money from Haiti, it must officially be stated. Politics should be not played. And this has less to do with politics and more to do with truth.

This does not mean action must be taken but putting things like these on the record is needed. Otherwise there is confusion between the people, and between the people and their state.

DH also looks to bring together a diverse group of Haitian voices. Our different geographies and experience provide a, literally, world class resource for education and ideas. But far too often, provisions to include them in our communications aren't established.

We are a unique people. It has been said the only group more dispersed around the globe are perhaps the Jewish people. The scattering of our people is not a detriment, it is, and we will soon realize, a blessing.

Globalization is where this planet is going and Haitians are ahead of the curve. More communication, more transparency is the start of making use of it.

In Closing

We are close to such a movement. We are damn near on the brink of it. The leaders must take a comprehensive look at these things and facilitate the change need to allow the people to rebuild and be reborn.

Liés 06.01.2011: Sur l'intention du gouvernement de subordonner la diaspora au ministère des Affaires étrangères
Liés 28/05/2011: Qui sera le nouveau chef de l'opposition haïtienne?
Liés 26/05/2011: Une minorité en Haïti est menacée par la diaspora haïtienne
Liés 05.11.2011: La Révolution vous auriez pu manquer
Liés 05.05.2011: Est-ce que Martelly Répondre aux «Nouvelles» que la MINUSTAH est responsable pour le choléra?
Liés 05.03.2011: Democratizing Haitian Politics States with the Electoral Council
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