12995: Haitian elite posts (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Ahpaly Coradin <ahpaly@hotmail.com>

I've tried to read all the posts on this topic but may have missed some. Here
are my thoughts in no particular order:

Joel Dreyfuss' post on the elite appears to reflect an American anti-class
idealism.  As a fellow Haitian-American, I can understand the basis for his
comments.  However, like many things American, that idealism is part hypocrisy
in that this country is ruled by an economic elite that is as arrogant and
anti-populist as the Haitian elite.  See the Republican Party for reference.
Contempt for the poor (and for Blacks) is no less heinous in a pluralistic
society that touts itself as the beacon of democracy and freedom than it is in
a Black Republic. Therefore, any criticism of the Haitian elite is best made
without reference to American elites or ideals.  But there are other bases on
which to criticize the Haitian elite.

First, a clarification:  The words "elite" and "bourgeois" are often confused
for each other.  Originally, the word "bourgeois" denoted someone who was
neither a noble, nor clergy nor laborer, someone of conservative views not
particularly given to the arts or litterature.  Such a description would fit
the terms "middle class" today.  A bourgeois was by no means rich or even well
off, but was usually doted with some skill or formal education.  Thus, the
professional and merchant classes were considered bourgeois.  "Elites" on the
other hand are usually depicted as the rich and/or very successful.  Thus, I
would agree with Desmangles that our great scholars of the past are part of our
elite, as are our contemporary scholars (whoever they are), professionals and
artists who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields.

In Haiti as in the U.S., there are disparities:  wealth, education, culture.
I see no way to deny this.  Some Haitians have been more exposed to our French
heritage, which (like it or not) is part of our culture, while others are more
exposed to the U.S..  (I note that few of us have any true connection to our
African heritage, but that's another topic.)  The reactions against our French
heritage and the French language are unfortunate and (in my opinion)
hypocritical.  France is no more neo-colonialist or classist than the United
States (U.S. racism is a form of classism) and the French language is no more a
colonial export than the English language is (many would say today that it is
much less so).  So those who have shunned French for English may have excellent
reasons for doing so, but rebelling against classism should not be one of
them.  I am quite proud to speak French fluently (as I am proud to speak
English) and I intend to teach my son French as well, because I want him to be
able to read Madiou, Price-Mars, Bellegarde, Dorcinville, Pompilus and (yes)
Coradin and to appreciate the depth and skill with which they wrote (and that
so few Haitian writers today possess).

The attributes that bother most about the rich and powerful in Haiti have
nothing to do with whether those people are bourgeois or elites.  Corruption,
prejudice, incompetence, lack of vision--these things exist in people
regardless of station.  They may not manifest until a person reaches a certain
place and time in their lives.  See Lavalas Party for reference.  Also, the
charge that elites (whoever they may be) should do more "for the people" is
somewhat convenient, especially when most of us are on the sidelines waiting
for someone else to do something so that we don't have to get involved.

Finally, people can attack someone like Olivier Nadal if they wish.  But
Olivier is a patriot who put himself and his family on the line when he was in
Haiti, which most who criticize him would not do.  I don't have to agree with
all his views to respect that he speaks out for what he believes in.  If the
bourgeois class in Haiti (which Olivier is part of) were as engaged in the fate
of the country as he is, perhaps we would have seen some progress by now.

Ahpaly Coradin

PS  Sorry for the book.  I don't post often.

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