6781: Re: 6760: Subj: 6747 Haitian Army, Dorce to JAAllen (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: LAKAT47@aol.com

JAALLEN181@aol.com writes:

<<  I would like Ms. Dorce to define "minority classes" for me.  Is she 
 talking about the professionals, the rich Haitians, the light skinned 
 Haitians, the landowners, the business owners or the politicians?  >>
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I am talking about anyone who considers themselves not a majority class 
Haitian.  That includes elites and those in the middle class who aspire to be 
elite.  If a person sees himself as apart and superior from the peasant 
class, then they are the miniority class to whom I referred.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
<<Between us, it would bother me greatly to realize that I 
will not get to be in the majority in any country! >>
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I wonder if you mean that, with regard to Haiti.  Somehow, I think you might 
enjoy being referred to as upper class.  Correct me if I am wrong.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
<<Misconception I. All Haitians in the "minority classes" are right 
wingers, nostalgic about the defunct Army, and in favor of suppressing a 
people that are democratic by nature.>>
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I agree with you that all minority class Haitians are not right wingers who 
feel that Haiti needs their army back.  Thank heavens.  In fact, many of them 
are on this list.  I do not refer to them as they do not see themselves as 
above the majority class Haitian.  I speak only of those who see majority 
class Haitians as children (somewhat stupid children) who need to be told 
what to do and what is best for them.  The seem to feel that what those 
"children" need is a very, very stern father to knock them in line.  I think 
the people are saying that this is not so and they would like to be treated 
like the thinking, feeling adults they are, and given the same respect 
accorded to the educated and more fortunate minority.  

You use the term lumpen proletariat.  That is a very divisive term, and 
possibly derisive in the context in which it was used.  They are citizens of 
Haiti, and deserve to have a better chance at life than they have been given 
thus far.  Your point about how many educated and gifted people were 
destroyed by Duvalier using the army or the makouts, is well taken but only 
goes to make my point that any armed force used to repress the people (poor 
or otherwise) is not healthy for the country.  Expedient, yes.  Neat, yes.  
(people are killed in a building instead of the street) Quick fix, yes.  But 
in the long run, the slow and steady change brought on by education and 
re-education of those who already consider themselves educated, will serve 
the country better.

And that last phrase you used, "and in favor of suppressing a people that are 
democratic by nature."  Do you really think they are democratic in nature?  
They have never lived in a democracy.  That is an interesting idea.  My 
thoughts about the transition from dictatorship to democracy is that it is 
very difficult to deal with because new found freedom is confusing and even 
disturbing until people realize that with added freedom comes added 
responsibility.  The changes that Haiti needs to make are huge and will take 
generations to complete.  It is tempting to want to resort to old ways of 
keeping order, but that is going the wrong direction and will only prolong 
the agony.  I wish all the educated Haitians who are resisting this change, 
would try to figure out how they can contribute to Haiti's improvement 
instead of putting up intellectual tire barracades.  Onward and upward.

Kathy Dorce~