13192: Benson:Re: 13185: Dorce posts: Re: 13176: Denis on Corbett and the elite.

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: LeGrace Benson <legrace@twcny.rr.com>

While  the exchange of opinions on the "elite" seems to be an
entertainment
that provides neither definition nor solution to problems of Haiti, I
cannot
stay silent when I read that "This[social responsibility] is completely
lacking in Haiti's elite."

I have not found this to be the case either
for current observations or for a reading of Haitian history. The list of
exceptions to this accusation  reaches to the beginnings of the nation and
continues into the present. Indeed, some fortunate families have a
multi-generation tradition of civic responsibility.  To define "elite" in
such a way as to leave all these men and women and their contributions to
education, medicine, law, government, the arts, civil engineering,
religion as well as attempts to alleviate poverty (yes) is a grave
distortion of Haitian history and will not assist in the process of
ameliorations so sorely needed at this time.