14748: Dorce:Re: 14665: Nadal's comments on Saint -Vil post (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: LAKAT47@aol.com

In a message dated 2/3/03 6:44:00 AM Pacific Standard Time, Olivier Nadal
<o_nadal@bellsouth.net> writes:

<< M. Saint-Vil,what you have written above is not serious. It is very
 irresponsible to speak today in Haiti  about "hate" among different social
 classes or even within social classes , because it does not exist. >>
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
It not only exists, it is what keeps Haiti in desperate circumstances.  Not
only hatred of the uneducated Kreyòl speakers but the self hatred that comes
from a lifetime of feeling undervalued and knowing you are nothing in the
eyes of successful Haitians.  If you have ever experienced shame over being
born in a certain place or being treated like scum if you don't speak French
you will know that hatred exists and kills Haiti.  This entire political
blockade is about hatred.  Everyone knows down deep that the disdain
expressed toward Aristide has much to do with his looks...he looks like the
poor and he loves the poor.  He cannot commit a more heinous crime.  No one
will improve Haiti until the cycle of hatred stops.

The discussion about who is Haitian and who is not is valid.  Of course if
you live there you may be called Haitian.  But if you deny your culture, the
whole thing, you may not be seen as a true Haitian.  Kreyòl, Vodou, Ra Ra,
Krik Krak, Racine music, folk art and the folklore of the Haitian peasant are
rich and wonderful  parts of Haiti.  Without these, Haiti would not be the
magical, mysterious and magnificent country it is (it's still there, only
hidden beneath the misery).  The self loving so-called intellectual class is
of little interest to the world without the culture of the masses.  Listen, I
think the French part of Haiti is charming, but both sides of the culture
must be embraced.  They try to kill the Kreyòl part.  Why, they might as well
be French.  I say that's cool, so go to France and be French.  Haiti is for
Haitians.  Kenbe la!!

Kathy Dorce~