21518: Senou: The Future of Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Senou <senou@yahoo.com>

The future of Haiti

The future of Haiti is in the Hands of Haitian
Nationals. Some foreign countries may provide
assistance but it is up to Haitians to put their act
together and launch the country.
We don’t need to give a lecture of our past we know
that already. Now, can we reiterate what our ancestors
did 200 years ago? Can we reiterate May 18, 1803, the
first Union?
The current crisis can go either way and Haiti has the
potentiality to become the next Lebanon in the region
if we mishandle this fragile and volatile situation or
becoming one more time the pearl of the Caribbean. The
two actors that caused Lebanon to become a No-man land
until today are present in Haiti and this is scary.
Haiti may be poor but there are plenty of
opportunities, but it is unfortunate that Haitians
don’t know how to explore these tremendous
opportunities.

Initially, this current Haitian government can expect
a limited support until real changes are made. For the
past 200 years most Haitian politicians seek power not
to help the country but as a way to get rich. We
expect this government to go by the book and follow
this current constitution.
Folks, I expect the members of this government to
function like civil servant in the U.S., Canada,
France and many other normal countries. It is truth
that normalcy has never existed in our country and it
is not surprising to hear folks said that it used to
be done during previous administrations. Therefore, it
is ok. My friends, we have to move away from this line
of thoughts.

In order for Haiti to move forward, this current
government must restore security to the country,
otherwise, it would be impossible to bring local,
Diaspora and foreign investors.

Hopefully, the Haitians in Haiti will see the
necessity to unite the country in removing or amending
articles 13, 14 and 15 of the 1987 constitution. Some
of you may never return to Haiti to live but you can
be more useful to Haiti while living away. Haitians in
Haiti and Haitians in the Diaspora shall be able to
rely on each other. Without a doubt, the Diaspora is
the biggest asset of Haiti oversea; but that Diaspora
can play a much bigger role in influencing the
American and Canadian policy toward Haiti in the
future if it were organized.

There are various well-organized ethnic groups in the
U.S., such as the Jews, the Nigerians, the Cubans and
so on. When the U.S. government wants to do something
about Israel or Cuba, they call the Cuban American
Foundation or the Jewish Federation.  Three years ago,
the State Department wanted to send information
pertinent to Jews only in this country, they did not
call 3 or 4 organizations, they called one
Organization; within the hour that information was
sent to every single Jew community in the nation.
If the state department wants to communicate a similar
info to Haitians only in this country, they have to
use the mass media. We are not “yet” organized, but it
is coming. Therefore, it has become a necessity to
create a Link.

Again the future of Haiti lies in the hands of
Haitians. The future of Haitian Communities in the
Diaspora lies in the hands of Haitians, we have the
required skills, we have the ability and we have the
will; therefore, we shall be able to start working
toward a greater Haiti. Again, we can continue doing
what we have been doing for the past 200 years, which
is very ineffective, or try a new approach. We can say
this or that organization is very powerful but not a
single Haitian organization was able to play a role in
these 3 years saga. And this June, two major things
are taking place simultaneously in the Diaspora, not
because there are animosities among any of these
entities in question but because we do not
communicate.

We see the Jews in this country and we see the Cubans
in this beautiful country; after establishing a
structural Link; in less than 15 years, our new comers
and youngsters will be able to enjoy the same
privilege. I will not blame those who came before us.
My philosophy, we see a problem, let’s fix it and
nobody gets blame. Again my friends, the future of
Haiti is in your hands, there might be disagreement
among us and we cannot think the same but we must all
work for the prosperity of Haiti and for a better
Haitian community in your area. Again, we need to join
hands together and ipso facto create a greater Haiti.
A former education minister Mr. Joseph C. Bernard
wanted all schools in the country to teach the Haitian
language, which is Creole. He lost his cabinet post
and many were reluctant to use the Creole language.
Today, Creole the beautiful language of Haiti is
taught everywhere. Remember my friend idea never dies.
It may come ahead of its time but in due time it will
comeback again.

Flash!!! Make plan to attend the Atlanta Convention on
June 25-26. It is FREE; you can register online at
http://www.hcronline.org

Joseph Alfred, Educator
Founder/CEO
of
Haitian Community Relations, Inc
P.O. BOX 334
Smyrna, GA 30081
Email: hcrinfor@hcronline.org
http://www.hcronline.org





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