What is good or bad for Ayiti? (English)
Djalòki:
I still believe that real change won’t come from the political arena. There is a more subtle scheme at work, bigger and wider, but at the same time deeper and closer to everyone of us Humans. It is about our species and its evolutionary process within the evolution of life on our planet, herself in a cosmic evolutionary path, of which we are instrumental agents from within our minds and hearts. Of course, political awareness is fundamental to understand the world we are living in, and it is much lacking among most US citizens right now.
Friend:
I want to know what you think would be good for Haiti.
Djalòki:
Ayiti’s “problem” is part of an overall world “problem”. Looking at Ayiti, where truth is crudely exposed, allows one to see the hidden side of reality worldwide. Hunger, misery, poverty, violence and illness in Ayiti are directly linked to apparent opulence, prosperity, wealth, stability and health in “developped” countries. The “solution”, if any, for Ayiti, cannot be looked for separately from a “solution” for the world. Part of the answers will have to come from Washington, as well as from Port-au-Prince. Other answers will have to come from changes in the beliefs and lifestyles of almost each and every human being on Earth. We are talking of a major wide scale revolution.
On the Ayitian side, it would be good for Ayiti that Ayitians start thinking for themselves, stop dreaming the American Dream, stop rejecting their own values, culture and traditions, heal from the wounds of slavery and colonization, and finally devise a model of society that will respond to their own profound needs and paradigms. This model WILL be different than the commonly accepted modern model of a democratic, capitalistic, rational, industrial, “civilized” society.
Friend:
Is Aristide good, even if he does suppress resistance? He is
better than a pure dictator, but is there an alternative? Should we rely
on the “power of the poor in Haiti” ! (as Paul Farmer describes the force
that put Aristide into power originally) to replace the government with
a better one once it has gone sour?
Djalòki:
The Ayitian people should be the one left to decide which leader and which governance style they want. So far, the decision as to who should be leading the Ayitian people has always been taken in, or consulted with Washington, and enforced by political and economical means, as well as military. This will NEVER ensure stability, peace or healing in Ayiti. The question is not whether Aristide was good or not. He was forcibly removed by foreign powers before the end of his term (his “resignation” letter was handed to a US official; quite bizarre for a head of state, isn’t it?). This will have negative political (and thus economic) consequences for years to come, and psycho-spiritual negative consequences for decades to come.
Friend:
I also wonder about the Lavalas party now. Are they really responsible
for the violence that is currently happening? Is the violence just in
retaliation to the pro-Aristide protest that turned violent?
Djalòki:
All factions in the race for power are partly responsible for the current violence, the Lavalas party or their followers, the Ayitian government or their followers, the ex-army or their new recruits, the “democratic” business driven sector, the US government, among others. None of them want the system to change. They just want to be in charge of it and within it, for power and money.
Peace be to all who receive,
I met Djaloki recently on a trip to Haiti at the end of October in Port of Prince, Haiti. Needless to say, I connected with him and his entire group within minutes. Actually we started to vibe immediately, and before we knew it, the entire of group began to form a circle and exchange knowledge. Did I mention this happened just before a ceremony and my brother and I just met Djaloki and his group just minutes before!
Before I go any further, allow me to introduce myself. I am a Melungeon of West Virginia in the United States. The proper title of my people is "West Virginia Guinea". Right now I hope that I have peeked someones interest. We are commonly known to others as "Tri-racial Isolates", but dont let the "Tri-racial" fool you. I am African/Indian and European, but I am 100% African-American. I would like to let you in on a talked about secret….most blacks in America are!! If you would like to have further information on "Melungeons" here is link page that might help you. http://www.cyndislist.com/peoples.htm#Melungeons
If you have time, I would suggest that you check out all the links, Im sure you will be astonished by what you find about America.
Well, you are probably asking yourself what does all this have to do with Ayiti. Firstly, the first settlers of America were 100 Haitian slaves that jumped ship and ran onto an island off the coast of South Carolina called "Dataw Island" were they married and formed families with women of this indigenous Indian tribe called the "Dataw Indians". If you would like to check and see for yourself http://www.sciway.net/facts/firsts.html There is a saying amongst black people in America "Ya cant know where ya goin, less ya know where yas been. I have lots of information linking Americas history to Haiti, and I will continue to find more information that ties us together rather than tear us apart.
Here is where I feel the whole problem stems. The only people who have not thrown their combined help and energy into Haiti are Blacks in America. In my own personal experience being a Black American in a Haitian Society, within and Haiti and in New York. I am troubled deeply by what I find in these two groups of Diaspora children, who have so much in common, but have little to nothing to do with each other. Now, I can say what many people who benefit from keeping these two groups apart say, Its a cultural difference. I say we are more alike than different. Have you seen the Black Church lately, or have you seen a Vodou ceremony lately. The only part missing in the Black Church is the drink and the lwa showing up and talking. Other than that, we are playing music, calling the spirit, praying, eating, crying, rejoicing etc. The only part I feel that is missing in most Vodou ceremonies from a mortal standpoint is Freedom! Freedom to be what youre meant to be without fear or negativity. You see, we Black Americans fortunately did not have to fight for that right, the founding fathers of America were also running from religious intolerance. So, we have the freedom to worship without persecution. Could it be what is missing in Haiti is Black America, and what is missing in Black America is Haiti? I mean putting all academic yaddah yaddah aside, is that so hard to conceive? I have been to Haiti numerous times, and what I find in Haiti in abundance is what Black Americans have a scarcity of Spiritual connectivity. It has always been our problem in America and continues to this day. We have the religious aspect down to a science, but we have very little spirituality. Our Haitian brothers have spirituality, but lack religious accountability. And without religious accountability you have no government accountability. Every day people are allowed to say anything to anyone, or do anything to anyone. This lack of accountability is not good for Black Americans. Through our history we know how important it is as children of Africa to have accountability. Without accountability it is very hard of Black Americans to contribute from the heart. Many Haitians, both in the states and in Haiti, have called me many names. All the names that I was called indicated that Haitians feel that Black Americans and not really Black people from Africa. When I heard these names I honestly felt like WHAT!!! My next response was I hope they are not doing this to all Black Americans, because this will cause a war. Black Americans are very sensitive about their struggles and accomplishments; I feel that we share them with the other children of the Diaspora. When Abner Louima was being violated we didnt stop and say .I better not help him because he is not Black American enough White, Black, Brown and Red got together and fought the strongest police department in the world the New York City Police Department. We knew how to work with the media, lawyers, politicians, religious leaders and community activists. We did this diligently without every letting up. What was that one word that connected people of different racial, cultural, economic and religious beliefs, it was ACCOUNTABILITY. That one word incites strong emotions and will bring about peace and productivity.
I consider myself an average Black man having an extraordinary experience. I hide behind no worldly title, nor do I suggest that I have all the answers, but what I do have are questions, and if I keep asking myself these questions, I will eventually come up with the positive answers towards resolve. The biggest question usually has the smallest answer. Haitis problems got so severe, because we have been trained to believe in complexity rather than simplicity.
I hope that I have not offended anyone by writing what I believe is true. I am constantly working with like-minded people to help my brothers and sisters in Haiti. I have one last note to Haitians that are looking to America for answers or sadly enough as a model for correctness. Study and learn about Black Americans by talking with all types of Black Americans. There is a new breed of Black Americans that are very conscious and powerful in their own right. You will not find us only in Miami or New York. You will not find us only in academic institutions, political offices or other high-profile professions. Our strength and resolve come from the being common people in an uncommon land. It is that commonality that we have, that hinders all forms of media distortion and government oppression. I dont pretend to think that Black America has done it all we surely have a lot more work ahead of us. But I feel that we can enlighten Haitians on what tools will be needed to win the struggle!