#1045: Miami-Dade OK's ballots in Creole: reply to Hermantin from Poincy

[Robert Corbett <bcorbett@netcom.com>]

From: Jean Poincy <caineve@idt.net>

By refering to the "cuban american viejitos", you made a contrasting
point, an interesting one indeed. To have a Spanish version of the Miami
Herald there must be an able audience for it. You said it right: "the
cuban american viejitos, who vote religiously... read the El Nuevo
Herald the Miami Herald' spanish version." How many of the potential
Ayitian voters in Miami-Dade County that would pick up a newspaper in a
would be Ayitian version of Miami Herald? First, they would have to know
how to read and second, if they knew how to read, they would rather it
be in French.  

 	"It's just hard for them to do anything other than holding down three
jobs,attending to their parental responsabilities,ect...However, in
spite of these barriers..."

	You've got to accept one thing; the Ayitian mentality creates these
barriers. When they left Ayiti they did it with one purpose only: work
as hard as they can, make enough money that would give them a "bourgeois
status", so they think, once they go back home. By the time they realize
the contrary, a hard reality, it is too late. Yes, they would go home
and act, like I don't know what, among those still living in dirt poor
and in ignorance. I don't know if you've seen them in actions when they
go back to Ayiti. 

	This mentality alone is what inhibits them from learning how to read
and this is not due to any natural inability as you seem to insinuate.
Of course, attendance in any program that would enable them to "acquire
basic conversational proficiency" is going to be high. For all they want
is: being able to say the least in a job they find. If ten words
sufficed to help them in their daily activities, once acquired
attendance would fall. Would you attribute that to indifference, natural
inability, barriers imposed by the system or their natural state
centered on just survival?

	Pity may lead one to underestimate other's capabilities and it does not
help advance the cause of the people s/he is trying to defend.
Recognizing and attacking the real problem (painfully or not) are the
way to go. Whomever put this measure on the table and is fighting hard
for it must be a politician putting an act that will be his/her/their
letters of credence before potential Ayitian voters in due time. It's
just politics and it's hollow. As I said the taxpayers' dollars could be
put in better use. 


Ayiti has lived, lives and will live
Mozeb