12704: 12655: US Governor of Bahamas on Haitian Menace(fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Jean Saint-Vil <jafrikayiti@hotmail.com>

"We don't want The Bahamas to change its cultural identity, but if The
Bahamas has a population that is dominated by Haitians, it will become a
different society," said the U.S. Ambassador.

Can someone please explain to me how, in the year 2002, such a statement can
be made by a so-called diplomat?

1) Is the Bahamas a free nation or a Southern U.S. city, in the 1800s?

2) In New-York city we saw the steps taken by Mayor Adolf Guliani's forces
to ensure that the likes of Abner Louima, Patrick Dorismond et.al. do not
turn «their» city into «a different society». What does Mr. Anbassador
Blankenship have in mind to protect the Bahamas from «Haitianity»?

3) Who shall stand up to these diplomatic skinheads and tell them to get
with the program, Haiti-bashing is now officially declared out of fashion.

Having read Mr. Blankenship's anti-Haiti rant, here is for your health, an
inspiring article from The Black World Today:

Towards A Pilgrimage To Haiti In 2004

By Ron  Daniels
TBWT Contributor
Article Dated 8/13/2002
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The latter part of the 18th century witnessed three great revolutions, each
of which made a unique contribution to the course of human history – the
French Revolution, the American Revolution and the Haitian Revolution. The
Haitian Revolution was the most unique in that it pitted enslaved Africans
against European colonialist and slave masters. Consummated in 1804, this
Black Revolution shattered the myth of white supremacy and established the
first Black Republic in this hemisphere. Spearheaded by legendary figures
like Boukman, Toussaint, Christophe, Petion and Dessalines, this Revolution
was also unique in that it was Pan-African in character. Some of the leading
revolutionaries migrated to Haiti from other Caribbean Islands like Grenada,
Jamaica and Cuba.
As any student of African history is aware, however, Haiti was punished for
accomplishing a feat that defied the flawed racist/white supremacist
theories of the time. Consequently, France, the United States and other
European powers refused to recognize Haiti for decades and when recognition
was forthcoming, it was at a burdensome price. Haiti was compelled to pay
France reparations for the “property” loss by the colonialists and slave
masters.
And, even after independence and recognition, the U.S. was determined to
make Haiti a virtual neo-colony within its sphere of influence, invading and
occupying this nation in 1915 and remaining there until 1934. When ruthless
dictatorial regimes like that of Duvalier came to power, the U.S. was
content to recognize and support them as long as they colluded with American
interests in perpetuating Haiti’s neo-colonial status. In short, Europe and
America, sometimes with the willing collaboration of elitist forces internal
to the country, have conspired to keep Haiti the “poorest country in the
Western Hemisphere.” The spirit of resistance of the masses of Haitian
people, however, and their desire for dignity, democracy and
self-determination has never been extinguished.
2004 will mark the 200th Anniversary of the Haitian Revolution. I believe
that people of African descent and friends of Haiti the world over should
use this historic occasion to recognize the unique contribution of Haiti to
African and world history. We should also use this auspicious moment to
develop a global base of support that will enable the Haitian people to
fulfill the promise of the Revolution by building a viable democracy and
socially responsible economy! Towards the end, the Haiti Support Project
(HSP), which I founded in 1995, is launching an extraordinary initiative to
involve people of African descent and friends from around the world in
uplifting Haiti – Cruising Into History: A Pilgrimage to Haiti Commemorating
the 200th Anniversary of the Haitian Revolution - featuring an International
Black Arts and Cultural Festival by Sea and Land!
Though the government of Haiti may make an effort to contract for the
construction of additional hotels for the 2004 commemoration, there is
likely to be a shortfall of available rooms for the tremendous numbers of
people who will want to visit Haiti in 2004. To overcome this obstacle, HSP
developed the idea of making a cruise ship the hotel for the Pilgrimage and
Festival! Accordingly, HSP has entered into negotiations with the Royal
Caribbean Cruise Line to charter a mega-ship (perhaps two) to transport
upwards of 6,000 people to Haiti as a part of the Commemoration of the 200th
Anniversary of the Haitian Revolution.
Embraced by the Institute of the Black World which is the continuations
mechanism of the State of the Black World Conference that was held in
Atlanta last year, this exciting pilgrimage/festival will feature cultural
performances by renowned artists, poets, playwrights, musicians and dance
troupes from various parts of the Black world on the ship and in outdoor
concerts in Haiti. There will be educational forums with panels of notable
leaders, scholars and activists. A Pan-African Film Festival will also be
incorporated into the overall schedule of events for the Pilgrimage. Once we
arrive in Haiti (tentatively scheduled for August 14th - 21st, 2004), where
the proposed itinerary will include stopovers in Cap Haitien, Port Au Prince
and Jacmel, there will be tours to the Citadel and other sites of
cultural/historic/political significance within proximity of these ports of
call. Major exhibitions on Africa and the Slave Trade will also be open
during our visit.
Another major goal of this initiative is to identify various civic
minded/oriented programs, projects and initiatives in Haiti and to match
them up with organizations and agencies in the U.S. who are willing to
provide material support for these projects (we are particularly anxious to
secure the participation of faith based institutions and civic and fraternal
associations in this effort). The net result of this aspect of the
pilgrimage will be to establish a network of entities in the U.S. to provide
sustained support for community based organizations and agencies in Haiti
into the future. The Haiti Support Project will also establish a material
support and economic/business development fund from the proceeds from the
cruise.
This is an ambitious project with the potential for enormous impact. As of
this writing, Danny Glover, Bev Smith, Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Rev.
Jesse L. Jackson, Edwidge Danticat and Rev. Al Sharpton are among the
notable leaders and personalities who have already endorsed this initiative.
And, Marc Morial, the dynamic former Mayor of New Orleans, whose family is
of Haitian descent, has agreed to serve as Honorary Chairperson for this
historic undertaking.
The Kick-Off event for the Pilgrimage/Festival is slated for August 24th,
2002 in Miami aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Explorer of the Seas
– the ship HSP intends to charter for this once in a life time event. In
August of 2004, we’ll be “Cruising Into History” to commemorate the 200th
Anniversary of the Haitian Revolution, one of the greatest achievements in
world history. The time for you and yours to get on board is now!
Persons interested in further information on this initiative should call the
toll free Information Hotline - 877-HAITI04 -- 877-424-8404
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Jafrikayiti
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