“The quake hasn’t stopped Haiti’s well-heeled from spending lavishly while the scores of homeless barely scrape a living in the streets.”
[Simon Romero, New York Times, in Star Tribune 3/28/10]
“Act of Nature that it was, the earthquake…was able to kill so many because of the corruption and weakness of the Haitian state, a state built for predation and plunder.”
[Mark Danner, “To Heal, Look to History, not Nature.”]
The goal “demands an approach to the development planning that calls for the active participation of the Haitian people.” Robert Maguire, Trinity College professor and head of Haitian working group of US Institute of Peace, said: “We will simply see another lost generation with hundreds of millions of donor dollars being directed to projects that perpetuate the status quo and enrich those business, government and military elites who have been personally profiting from international donor generosity for many generations… Haiti is a lot more than a free-enterprise-zone filled with low-wage textile workers.”
[William Fisher, “Haiti Beyond the Cleanup,” 2/9/10, Truth Out]
“Letting people retake control of their lives and letting them know they are the actors in advancing the people…Believe in your strength. In your capacity to rebuild this country.”
[Beverly Bell, interview with social psychologist, Lenz Jean-Francois, Truth Out, April 13, 2010]
From this distance, and lacking all the “on the ground” information, I can only offer some of my insights for rebuilding Haiti, based also upon faithful reading of news and recently published books and reports. My many sojourns in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1967 have exposed me to the numerous examples of the exploitation and manipulation of these peoples and their economies, politics, and lifeways by the consequences of NAFTA, “structural adjustments” forced on them, debts impossible for them to repay, manipulations of their elections, facilitating coups, actual invasions by our military, and so on. Moreover, I’ve little faith in the major international entities comprised of privileged persons from governments and corporations, unelected and operating without full transparency, “traveling first class,” well-paid elites, voicing concern for the “poor,” with whom they have little association or real commitment. Such as AID, World Bank, WTO, NAFTA, CAFTA, and so on.
The USA has for too long related to Haiti as if it were “our colony.” They wish to remain Haitian. They do not need NIKE on their shoes (if worn) or GAP on a t-shirt (if they have one)!
Perhaps, given its history, the Haitians might wish to review and consider a revision of its Constitution with a national convention. They need to protect the nation from being dominated by other countries, politically, economically, or culturally. Let them be Haitians! They need strong constitutional principles that assure fair and full citizen participation in elections, regulations of elected or appointed officials to avoid corruption, protection against the intervention by other countries in their internal affairs, ownership of their land only by Haitians, and so on. Some legal specialists from Sweden, Norway, or other “non-colonial” powers might offer guidance for such a democracy. The Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS) should be enforced – forbidding interference in the internal affairs of any other member for “any reason.” The UN Charter and international law, plus the International Human Rights document should have application. The right of workers to organize should be assured. Perhaps its “Congress” might allocate equal representation of men and women. Haitian land should be owned only by Haitians. Exploitation of its resources should result in negotiated charges when extracted – mines, forests, crops, and manufactured goods.
Given the impending impacts of “climate change,” Haiti has the opportunity to foresee the implications and incorporate NOW changes that make adjustments gradual and effective. About 60 nations and international groups have pledged at least $5.3 billion (by 4/1/2010). In the past, Haiti has often been forced to “stand aside” and watch as internationally financed “aids” went forward without Haitian rights protected. Former President Bill Clinton said, “It will be tempting to fall back to old habits – to work around the government rather than to work with them as partners… We cannot retreat to old strategies.” (Star Tribune 4/19/2010). Haiti could now set an example for creative social change!
A lengthy article in the New York Times (3/31/10, Arts Section) sets forth ideas for the de-centralization of Haiti, spreading out beyond Port-au-Prince. Smaller “transition communities” might be organized as cooperatives, with homes grouped. Garden spaces – pastures, trees, streams, etc. centered within or spread outside of the clumping of homes. Much of their food could be home-grown, not imported. They should return to their own rice and cease importing the genetically-treated rice from the USA and elsewhere. Rice is their main food base (as corn is in Mexico, Guatemala, etc.) They can return to providing their own food base and eliminate the altered seeds (which can’t be saved, must be bought each cycle) and the special needs for fertilizers/pesticides, and so on that pollute their soil, water, air. Human waste and other organic materials can be composted and provide added soil quality. Small animals could be incorporated for meat/eggs/milk. The Creole pig has been reintroduced already. The International Heifer Project could aid in providing young food/farm animals.
There are strong women’s groups, long-standing and organized, that should be included in the planning of the housing, gardens, schools, clinics. Focus strongly on the education of the women and girls.
My conception would have a small health clinic and grade school for each community of “functional size.” Larger districts could combine for secondary schools and more extensive clinics, with a major hospital in the capital. Perhaps communication could be now fully electronic (cell phones), eliminating the care costs and obstructions of telephone poles/wires, etc. Perhaps by then electric cars/buses would provide transportation for secondary and college students via public buses (available also to the general public separately). Dr. Paul Farmer, a physician who has served in Haiti for many years, would be a fine consultant-head for planning the medical clinics and greater resources.
The Habitat for Humanity project could be fine aid in rebuilding homes, using local labor (as should also be utilized in every possible rebuilding endeavor – streets, roads, civic buildings, and so on). Some planners may not be Haitian, but they should utilize Haitian workers on construction projects, providing training if necessary and income for the Haitians.
Like Kenya, reforestation could be instituted to reduce loss of soil, eliminate mud slides, provide shelter, wild life areas. Streams could be returned to greater purity with fish re-introduced.
Like Costa Rica, Haiti would benefit and reduce costs, by having no military establishment. Only a police force (or “national guard”) would be needed. The international Nonviolent Peace Force might be invited to help phase in such a system. (It has served in El Salvador, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere.) For school children, the Alternatives to Violence Project and “conflict-resolution” learnings could be introduced. Children might be reared bilingually – adding either Spanish or English – to enhance their future employment opportunities and travel/study abroad chances.
Finally, I believe there remains one action that could galvanize the entire rebuilding of the infrastructure and revitalize the population – invite and arrange for the return (as a citizen) John Bertrand Aristide. He now resides as a refugee, from his own country, in South Africa. He knows Haiti well, its Creole language and culture. He is greatly admired by the large majority of citizens who voted him to be president. The forces that terminated his presidency should have no veto power. The USA, as an enabler of the coup which displaced him, should accept such invitation by the populace, the largely poor citizenry. His presence would bring renewed support, civic integrity, rising spirit!!
Blessings on the Haitians as they regain their hope, achieve what may now seem impossible, and set an example for the rest of the world facing our shared human future.
Suggested readings: Paul Farmer, The Uses of Haiti; Lester Brown, Plan B 4.0; Nicholas Kristof et al, Half the Sky; Greg Mortenson, Three Cups of Tea; John Perkins, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
April 21, 2010
WHY have the Haitians been so poor so long?
Part one: Past
When it comes to foreign policies, our nation seems prone to respond to the symptoms rather than seeking out the causes of such problems. Thus, serious problems are not resolved. The relations of the USA and Haiti go back at least to our second president, John Adams, who eyed the Caribbean islands as possible “take over” colonies. Haiti has suffered US interference many times since then. However, the causes of her poverty didn’t begin with us.
Probably few of our citizens read the magazine envío, which focuses on Latin America and the Caribbean countries. The January/February 2010 issue presents an analysis that I wish to share (pages 1-3 of that issue). Quote marks “” will indicate words of the envío editors; but for reasons of brevity, I’ve summarized their elaborations. (I do hope readers will seek out and read the full article, entitled “For Suffering Haiti, The First Word…”)
The envío editors set forth eight “devils” that account for much of Haitians’ suffering these past several centuries. Of course, the recent earthquake they experienced greatly added to their present tragedy.
“The first devil was called Spain. At the end of the 15th century, Spaniards invaded the Americas…” Columbus and his sailors committed mass murders. New diseases were introduced. The indigenous Taino population, then about half a million, became 30,000 in 20 years. No Taino remained after 50 years.
“The second devil was called France.” They drove the Spaniards out of the western portion of Hispañola and took over Haiti. Slaves from Africa were introduced to work on sugar plantations. Slaves died by the thousands, but were continually replaced. Such slavery certainly didn’t manifest France’s claim to liberty, equality, and fraternity! The slaves finally rebelled against French cruelty, led by François Dominique Toussaint Louverture, defeating the troops of Napoleon. Thus, in 1804, Haiti declared its independence and was the first country to legally abolish slavery. But their land had been greatly damaged by the huge sugar plantations, by deforestation, and by the ravages of war. A third of their population had died from the battles.
“The third devil was called Europe.” With defeat, France blockaded the island. No nation recognized Haiti’s independence. Europe supported France’s claim for 150 million gold francs in “war damages” to be paid by Haiti. Haiti, being abandoned, was saddled, having to use its resources to pay “the French debt.” Europe did not want a nation of former slaves to succeed.
“The fourth devil was called the United States. US bankers lent money to Haiti to build railroads and banana plantations.” However, the loans (and ever-increasing interest rates) became too large for the poor republic to pay, and it was clear they would be in perpetual debt to others. (See John Perkins, Confession of an Economic Hit Man, which indicates how major countries keep the poor ones in perpetual debt, and under control.) Thus, Haiti remained beholden to “outsiders,” without relief. President Wilson sent in the Marines in 1915. The customs house and tax collection offices were occupied and the gold reserves were taken to New York to “protect” them. The US withdrew in 1934 after 19 years of occupation. The Marines left a well-trained national guard behind to stop any future rebellion by the Haitians. Our Secretary of State justified the long occupation saying, “the Negro race is incapable of governing itself.”
“The fifth devil was called François Duvalier, the infamous ‘Papa Doc.’” This “leader,” backed by the US army, terrorized the populace and created a vicious militia called “tonton macoute” that committed many atrocities and killed 30,000 people. Upon his death, his son Jean Claude (Baby Doc) succeeded him. In 1986, after 30 years of tyranny, a popular movement deposed Jean Claude. Finally, Haiti could hold a democratic election.
“The sixth devil was called the Vatican. In 1991, Jean Bertrand Aristide, a very popular priest coming out of the base communities in Haiti, launched a campaign and won the presidency.” Pope John Paul II, an opponent of Liberation Theology, opposed Aristide. Aristide was “allowed” to serve only a few months before the US government facilitated his overthrow. The Haitian general that led the coup had been trained at the School of the Americas. The Vatican promptly accepted the government of the new “dictator.” Aristide now resides in South Africa, displaced from his own country. “To erase the evidence of US and Vatican participation in General Cedras’ organized slaughter, the Marines carried off 160,000 pages of secret Haitian archives.”
“The seventh devil was called the International Monetary Fund. In 1996 René Préval was elected president of Haiti…he wasn’t really president at all…since… the IMF and World Bank were the ones that controlled the Haitian economy.” Haitians used to grow their own rice but were forced into the “free market” by the IMF. “The peasant rice growers, who were the majority, became either beggars or boat people. Today, Haiti buys all its rice from the United States.” And it’s all transgenic rice.
Now, will there be an eighth “devil”? “The earthquake that destroyed Haiti didn’t start on January 12 [2010] but more than 500 years ago.” Will we see a free Haiti, with dignity, much less poverty, having hope?
[Coming next will be part II, Concern with Haiti’s Future]
When it comes to foreign policies, our nation seems prone to respond to the symptoms rather than seeking out the causes of such problems. Thus, serious problems are not resolved. The relations of the USA and Haiti go back at least to our second president, John Adams, who eyed the Caribbean islands as possible “take over” colonies. Haiti has suffered US interference many times since then. However, the causes of her poverty didn’t begin with us.
Probably few of our citizens read the magazine envío, which focuses on Latin America and the Caribbean countries. The January/February 2010 issue presents an analysis that I wish to share (pages 1-3 of that issue). Quote marks “” will indicate words of the envío editors; but for reasons of brevity, I’ve summarized their elaborations. (I do hope readers will seek out and read the full article, entitled “For Suffering Haiti, The First Word…”)
The envío editors set forth eight “devils” that account for much of Haitians’ suffering these past several centuries. Of course, the recent earthquake they experienced greatly added to their present tragedy.
“The first devil was called Spain. At the end of the 15th century, Spaniards invaded the Americas…” Columbus and his sailors committed mass murders. New diseases were introduced. The indigenous Taino population, then about half a million, became 30,000 in 20 years. No Taino remained after 50 years.
“The second devil was called France.” They drove the Spaniards out of the western portion of Hispañola and took over Haiti. Slaves from Africa were introduced to work on sugar plantations. Slaves died by the thousands, but were continually replaced. Such slavery certainly didn’t manifest France’s claim to liberty, equality, and fraternity! The slaves finally rebelled against French cruelty, led by François Dominique Toussaint Louverture, defeating the troops of Napoleon. Thus, in 1804, Haiti declared its independence and was the first country to legally abolish slavery. But their land had been greatly damaged by the huge sugar plantations, by deforestation, and by the ravages of war. A third of their population had died from the battles.
“The third devil was called Europe.” With defeat, France blockaded the island. No nation recognized Haiti’s independence. Europe supported France’s claim for 150 million gold francs in “war damages” to be paid by Haiti. Haiti, being abandoned, was saddled, having to use its resources to pay “the French debt.” Europe did not want a nation of former slaves to succeed.
“The fourth devil was called the United States. US bankers lent money to Haiti to build railroads and banana plantations.” However, the loans (and ever-increasing interest rates) became too large for the poor republic to pay, and it was clear they would be in perpetual debt to others. (See John Perkins, Confession of an Economic Hit Man, which indicates how major countries keep the poor ones in perpetual debt, and under control.) Thus, Haiti remained beholden to “outsiders,” without relief. President Wilson sent in the Marines in 1915. The customs house and tax collection offices were occupied and the gold reserves were taken to New York to “protect” them. The US withdrew in 1934 after 19 years of occupation. The Marines left a well-trained national guard behind to stop any future rebellion by the Haitians. Our Secretary of State justified the long occupation saying, “the Negro race is incapable of governing itself.”
“The fifth devil was called François Duvalier, the infamous ‘Papa Doc.’” This “leader,” backed by the US army, terrorized the populace and created a vicious militia called “tonton macoute” that committed many atrocities and killed 30,000 people. Upon his death, his son Jean Claude (Baby Doc) succeeded him. In 1986, after 30 years of tyranny, a popular movement deposed Jean Claude. Finally, Haiti could hold a democratic election.
“The sixth devil was called the Vatican. In 1991, Jean Bertrand Aristide, a very popular priest coming out of the base communities in Haiti, launched a campaign and won the presidency.” Pope John Paul II, an opponent of Liberation Theology, opposed Aristide. Aristide was “allowed” to serve only a few months before the US government facilitated his overthrow. The Haitian general that led the coup had been trained at the School of the Americas. The Vatican promptly accepted the government of the new “dictator.” Aristide now resides in South Africa, displaced from his own country. “To erase the evidence of US and Vatican participation in General Cedras’ organized slaughter, the Marines carried off 160,000 pages of secret Haitian archives.”
“The seventh devil was called the International Monetary Fund. In 1996 René Préval was elected president of Haiti…he wasn’t really president at all…since… the IMF and World Bank were the ones that controlled the Haitian economy.” Haitians used to grow their own rice but were forced into the “free market” by the IMF. “The peasant rice growers, who were the majority, became either beggars or boat people. Today, Haiti buys all its rice from the United States.” And it’s all transgenic rice.
Now, will there be an eighth “devil”? “The earthquake that destroyed Haiti didn’t start on January 12 [2010] but more than 500 years ago.” Will we see a free Haiti, with dignity, much less poverty, having hope?
[Coming next will be part II, Concern with Haiti’s Future]
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