15847: Dorce: Re: 15811: Magloire:School to be taught in French (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: LAKAT47@aol.com

In a message dated 6/10/03 10:14:09 AM Pacific Daylight Time,  Phil Magloire
<derrickj66@yahoo.com> writes:

<< A parent has to choose between two schools. One teaching French as a
 second  language, the othwer teaching Creole. Which school will get more
students?   I do not think French or Creole is holding us up, but rather our
 ignorance! >>
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Here is the crux of the matter.  Most Haitian families would choose the
school teaching French but that is not the answer to the problem, rather it IS the
problem.  French is looked on as the divider between the good Haitians and the
bad ones.  If you cannot speak French in Haiti you are subject to being
humiliated on a daily basis by French speakers, regardless of how much money they
have in their pocket or in the bank.  A lifetime of being humiliated will cause
anyone to do whatever they can to be on the side of the good ones.  (just
like good hair, good skin color)  Should this behavior be encouraged in the USA?
No, and anyone who insists on continuing the superiority game, should be
ashamed of themselves.  And if they are not...then I am ashamed for them.  When
the stigma goes away from speaking Creole instead of French, then choices may be
given and taken freely.  Right now, it's loaded with meaning.  The division
between classes is the worst thing about Haiti and Haitians.  The sooner it
dies a painful death, the better.  Creole is the language of Haiti.  French is
the language of France.  Listen, French vs English in Canada is not a picnic
either.  So before you extoll the joys of Quebec, let's admit the reality.

If the children learn French in school, it will not make much difference in
their connection to their roots.  Families are in charge of that kind of
teaching.  Passing down stories will happen no matter what language is taught in
school.  But it would be great if Creole got the nod instead of French.  It's
about time.

Kathy Dorce~