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7543: Haiti violence spreads to provinces (fwd)
From: ndorsinv <ndorsinv@hsph.harvard.edu>
Nancy Dorsinville <ndorsinv@hsph.harvard.edu>
comment on johnny's reply to amy
i was amused and pleased to see the constellation of disciplines and
perspectives that were added to the mix in analyzing notions of rule of law,
freedom of expression in the actual polemic between convergence and lavalas
re. the proclamation of a so-called alternative government
granted, it is a reaction to the may elections, etc....
in haiti perhaps more so than in other developed, ergo industrialized states,
where economic viability can mitigate other salient issues, any meaningful
discourse is inalienable from the socio-cultural context
the concurrent discussion on this list about african roots of creole words,
inferences to the legacy of the "griots", the rich haitian tradition of
"alternative" communication - proverbs, drums, lambi, chants to name a few of
our more allegorical than cartesian modes of expression - made me think that
yet another variable could be added to our already complex national
predicament
language used--
michele montas, in one interview said: radio is a unifying force in haiti
i agree and will add that the oral tradition - radio dyol, tele dyol are for
us haitians the quintessential "force" of communication
as such, using terms like "alternative president" are received as defiant
and inflammatory to a people whose only social capital thus far, is in
exercising a democracy they have long aspired to
regardless of one's political stance, the recognition of president aristide's
adept use of metaphors, of a "language image" that resonates with the poor has
and continues to be one of his significant attributes
the creation of the alternative government and its consequences, has to be
assessed within the history/culture of haitian political ideology... it has to
be framed in language congruous with the people's reality
i can imagine the opposition's use of terms like "alternative president" being
interpreted as a threat by people who have a stake in exercising a democracy
that promises them "peace in the belly"
gourgue said he is/wants to be a symbol
words are symbols
they need to be carefully chosen
an alternative "voice"--
the label "voice of the opposition" may, perhaps have been more transparent
less provoking than any modified or qualified term juxtaposed to the laden
word "president"
of course, the contention here goes way beyond semantics... we need to address
the root causes of our present crisis and work toward sustainable corrective
action
none-the-less, we also need to be mindful of the use of language as a
strategic tool in communicating with people who are seeking any means for
sheer survival
even with the most noble of intents... what is said, the symbols used to
convey thoughts, ideology, conviction can be either peace promoting or
incendiary...