19027: (Hermantin)Sun-Sentinel-Is Haiti a nation, or simply a place where human beings (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Look past status as a nation

By Joseph M. Bernadel
Posted February 23 2004


Is Haiti a nation, or simply a place where human beings live?

The bicentennial anniversary of Haiti's independence (1804-2004) is cause
for many celebrations within the Haitian diaspora. It is a reminder of a
moment of great achievement in the historical annals of humanity and a
justifiable source of pride for all Haitians. Determined African slaves,
propelled by dreams of freedom, equality and justice, defeated in battle
Napoleon's mighty colonial armies in November 1803 and proclaimed Haiti a
free and independent Nation on Jan. 1, 1804.

But today, the terms most often associated with Haiti include: dire
political crisis, catastrophic ecological disaster, severe economic collapse
and ongoing human tragedy. In this light, the bicentennial anniversary also
invites some reflection:

First, what determines a nation and what purpose do nations serve? Political
scientists generally accept certain characteristics to represent the concept
of nation. Among these are a common past, history and geographical space.
Culture, political organization, language, religion, mores and traditions
also serve to define a nation. Haiti surely meets that test in general.

Second, are nation-states, under their present conceptual framework, viable
entities, especially in the case of a country in crisis? One of the main
reasons for people to assemble in a geographical space under the concept of
nation is for the welfare of the inhabitants. While we may agree that Haiti
presents many characteristics of a nation as defined above, the evidence of
its abysmal failure as a society is undeniable. Some writers will advance as
principal cause of Haiti's failure the lack of a common vision for its
people's future; others may cite the intrinsic weakness of Haiti's internal
institutions of civil society. Yet Haiti is not alone in this; many other
nations today are unable to deliver the aspirations of their people and
present symptoms similar to Haiti's grave illnesses, albeit, not at the same
critical advance stages.

What then is the answer? The birth of Haiti 200 years ago had worldwide
historical implications, even though they were, at the time, conveniently
overlooked because of prevalent racial attitudes. Today, Haiti's potential
disintegration as a nation affects more than just Haiti and Haitians.
Haiti's traumatic struggles may yet be the best sign that indicates the
world's need to revisit the concept of nation-state as a political system.
This may truly be the time where we need to look at Earth not just as an
accumulation of distinct nations, but a place where human beings live.

Let's start with Haiti.

Joseph M. Bernadel is a retired U.S. Army major who served in Haiti as U.S.
military attache and consultant to the U.S. State Department from 1996-1998.
He is the first Haitian-American to have started a public school in the
U.S., the Toussaint L'Ouverture High School for Arts and Social Justice, in
Delray Beach.

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