For Haiti Moving into a Prosperous State: Nationalism Must Be Embraced with Heart
© Copyright 2011
By Luders Allen
August 27, 2011
No leader can save Haiti: not until most members of the entrepreneurial, educated and political sectors sincerely embrace nationalism.
Signs of hope and prosperity will appear, one day, in Haiti, when most members of entrepreneurial, educated and political sectors, in which the future of Haiti depends upon, respect their fellow compatriots and embrace nationalism. As long as lack of respect and patriotism are fully preoccupied the minds of these three sectors, no President can save Haiti.
For most members of these three sectors, Haiti's progress lies upon individualistic mind concepts. Once they can have the money to fulfill their needs and wants, they don't care about the Haitian have-nots. For them, Haiti is great. Therefore, the 50% illiterate Haitians, over 80% Haitians that live in abject poverty and Haiti that is known as the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere are just hearsays (Global Security.org).
Members in such groups would do anything to defend their personal interests, they have made some of the percentage in contraband, i.e., those big time entrepreneurs and politicians don’t contribute to Haiti’s national revenues and national funds for the needy people...
On the other hand, if they contribute or paid insufficient amounts, these taxable moneys are shared among corrupt and greedy politicians. The moneys go straight into their pockets. As a result, this is for that reason whenever a progressive nationalist leader (President) tends or wants to establish national regulations, they never want to support that President.
In Haiti, the population is about 8,800,000 people (CIA Factbook). And its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is only $7.724 billion USD a year (Global Finance). A Haitian senator in Haiti gets paid $10,000 USD a month, without counting monthly expense allowances, which is equivalent to $120,000 U.S. dollars a year. Furthermore, when combined into Haitian's currency, it is equivalent to 4,729,800 gourdes (HTG) yearly.
A densely poor country as Haiti, how come a Senator is paid that much amount of money? Meanwhile, over 80% of the population lives in dense poverty. And in fact, to live large in Haiti, one does not need to get paid $2,500 U.S. dollars a week. $1,000 USD weekly is enough for someone to live well (maybe even large) in Haiti.
E.g., Bermuda which is the richest country in the Caribbean (Caribbean Entertainment Magazine), the Bermudian Senate President, who is the highest senate member in the Senate Chamber, only gets paid $45,548 U.S. dollars a year (Strangeways).
If those Haitians politicians, who make the legislative bodies of the country, were conscious and pragmatic nationalists, they should have realized that politicians in every official position have been overpaid. Therefore, their salaries should have been cut in half, and the portion of that money would go to the country's national revenues in order to reduce poverty and social backwardness in Haiti. Overtime, there would be some improvement of prosperity.
Among Haitian politicians, eagerness to run for office or to occupy an official position in Haiti is purely based on self-interest. Most Haitian politicians are after two things only: (1) feeding their pockets in whichever ways they can possibly be fed, (2) their titled positions are their priorities, which make them privileges, well known and historical figures. For the most part, they don't care, thereafter, about Hatian people and Haiti.
What makes the situation worst: these same individuals of todays that are against the prospects of Haiti or serve as gridlocks for the benefits of the have-nots, yesterdays were the members of the lower class. Transition of an advanced class status makes them becoming the enemies of a class they were once parts of. This is to say they forget where they came from.
On the one hand, although national and world's capitalisms, especially worldly capitalism, profoundly attribute to Haiti's poverty, their schematic suppressions upon Haiti, most of the time, have never been vividly shown, unpatriotic citizens, politicians and leaders are often used as scapegoats in order to fulfill their missions. On the other hand, those unpatriotic Haitians have minds to reason. They should have always seen their country first, not the money offered to commit treasons.
Although indeed post-colonialism mind concept plays a bit part in it as well, nevertheless, it has been 207 years since Haiti has been an independent nation. Despite centuries of post-colonialism, until now lots of foreign and Haitian writers are still blaming former colonialism period on the Haitians social issues thus Haitians that choose to perpetrate treasons.
Past-Colonial time can't be blamed anymore for Haitians who choose to do wrongs to their country and people. To repeatedly continue blaming post-colonialism after past centuries about some wicked Haitians who choose to go agaisnt their country upon their own free will is a form of defense (excuses that make no sense). Especially these are the people who earn high degree of academic education, they are, consequently, fully aware of their actions.
Not because orders to perpetrate treasons are authorized under the conditions of huge interests or large amounts some of money given, whereby homeland have to be betrayed. This is why God gives people minds: to think before acting in order to pass rightful judgments. This is for that reason, to pass a thorough judgment on the cause of Haiti's abject poverty, world of capitalism should not be blamed at first, unpatriotic and wicked Haitians that are used to suppress and oppress the country are the ones to blame first.
There are many third world nations on this sphere their citizens show respect, patriotism and royalty to their countries and governments. Treasonable offers for whatever interests or some amounts of money are not going to deviate their patriotic beliefs toward their countries.
The only time most members of these three sectors, entrepreneurship, academics and politicics, show patriotism toward Haiti is when circumstances are generally effected Haitian people. Patriotism does not mean to always be ready to express patriotic feeling only under circumstances, and when things are calm, the interests of the country are forgotten. Patriotism means citizens or a citizen of a country must be on the interests of his/her country at all time.
For instance, in early 1980's, when the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) accused Haitians of being the carriers of AIDS virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Nicholls xxxiv), Haitians of all colors and classes formed a march and walked on Brooklyn Bridge by hundreds of thousands -almost a million- to make their voices heard agaisnt FDA. So later when FDA removed the accusation, everything turned to the same habitually old custom: seeing only self-interest.
In fact, when analyzing such triumphant march of collective moment, it wasn't really a sign of patriotism among Haitians. As stated earlier, it was more a moment to defend their individualisms (self-interest). As at that time, all Haitians, regardless color complexion and class status, were being discriminated as AIDS carriers all over the United States (if not in the world), thereby, it was a must for them to defend their individualisms.
Defending individualism is a longtime déjà-vu among Haitians. It is something that derives way back from colonial period. During that time, division had always existed among the revolutionary slave leaders. Jean Jacques Dessalines and Toussaint L'Ouverture were in the North West regions, and Pinchinat, Beauvais and Rigaud were in the South region.
Subordinate leaders and leaders of both geographical regions didn't get alone (James 165). Each time, however, they had to revolt agaisnt the colonizers, they had to come together (James 206). Thereafter, they had separated. Eventually, it was that superficial togetherness, which made them won the battle of independence of Haiti.
Therefore, these examples demonstrate how nationally collective mind interests and patriotism are important among the citizens of a nation. A country's prosperity depends upon nationalist or patriotic citizens. If the sectors that are responsible for the prospects of the nation are amiss, no leader can save that country.
President John F. Kennedy said once, "Ask not what your country can do for you. But, ask what you can do for your country." (Brainy Quote 5).
In common sense, a leader all alone can not solely achieve progressive changes within a country. The prosperity of a nation requires teamwork. And the teamwork is based on civil citizens, politicians and leaders that devote for the interests of their country.
Even though there exist different opinions or ideas among a people, however, this does not mean there's a lack of mind collectiveness and patriotism on behalf of the country. Different opinions or ideas are parts of human’s interactions. The reality is, in the end, it is from different opinions collective agreements are always achieved.
In a democratic society, people must respect others' viewpoints. When respecting others' point of views, this is not to say agreement is reached. They are solely respected... Among lots of Haitians, respecting opposite-political opinions of others is a huge problem. Most debates, whether on air, TV or live audience, always turn into chaos.
In addition, differences of political opinions even lead good friends and family members to hate one another. Such mentality or behavior has nothing to do with patriotism and democracy. Freedom of speech is a part of democracy as well, regardless how awful the speech is. Freedom of Speech may be prohibited unless it is inflammatory.
Haiti's problem is not impossible to solve. It can be overcome. There's always a solution for every problem. And the solution for the problem of Haiti, i.e., most members of the entrepreneurial, educated and political sectors shall embrace virtue and nationalism.
"Facts About Haiti." 10 August 2011. <http://www.umiereministries.com/FactsAboutHaiti.html>.
"Haiti's Gross Domestic Product in 2009." Global Finance. 10 August 2011 <http://www.gfmag.com/gdp-data-country-reports/260haiti-haiti-gdp-country-report.html/#axzzlUfVCeT98>.
“Haiti-Introduction.” Global Security.org. 24 August 2011. <http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/haiti/intro.htm
James, C.L.R. The Black Jacobins. 2nd ed. New York: Vintage Books Inc., 1989.
Kennedy, John F. Brainy Quote. P 5. 13 December 2010 <http://www.brainyquote/quotes/authors/j/john_f_kennedy_5.html>.
Nicholls, David. From Dessalines to Duvalier: Race, Colour and National Independence in Haiti. 3rd ed. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1996.
"Richest Caribbean Islands for 2010." Caribbean Entertainment Magazine. 2 February 2011. 22 August 2011. <http://www.caribbeanemagazine.com/2011/02/richestcaribbean-islands-for 2010.html
By Luders Allen
August 27, 2011
No leader can save Haiti: not until most members of the entrepreneurial, educated and political sectors sincerely embrace nationalism.
Signs of hope and prosperity will appear, one day, in Haiti, when most members of entrepreneurial, educated and political sectors, in which the future of Haiti depends upon, respect their fellow compatriots and embrace nationalism. As long as lack of respect and patriotism are fully preoccupied the minds of these three sectors, no President can save Haiti.
For most members of these three sectors, Haiti's progress lies upon individualistic mind concepts. Once they can have the money to fulfill their needs and wants, they don't care about the Haitian have-nots. For them, Haiti is great. Therefore, the 50% illiterate Haitians, over 80% Haitians that live in abject poverty and Haiti that is known as the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere are just hearsays (Global Security.org).
Members in such groups would do anything to defend their personal interests, they have made some of the percentage in contraband, i.e., those big time entrepreneurs and politicians don’t contribute to Haiti’s national revenues and national funds for the needy people...
On the other hand, if they contribute or paid insufficient amounts, these taxable moneys are shared among corrupt and greedy politicians. The moneys go straight into their pockets. As a result, this is for that reason whenever a progressive nationalist leader (President) tends or wants to establish national regulations, they never want to support that President.
In Haiti, the population is about 8,800,000 people (CIA Factbook). And its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is only $7.724 billion USD a year (Global Finance). A Haitian senator in Haiti gets paid $10,000 USD a month, without counting monthly expense allowances, which is equivalent to $120,000 U.S. dollars a year. Furthermore, when combined into Haitian's currency, it is equivalent to 4,729,800 gourdes (HTG) yearly.
A densely poor country as Haiti, how come a Senator is paid that much amount of money? Meanwhile, over 80% of the population lives in dense poverty. And in fact, to live large in Haiti, one does not need to get paid $2,500 U.S. dollars a week. $1,000 USD weekly is enough for someone to live well (maybe even large) in Haiti.
E.g., Bermuda which is the richest country in the Caribbean (Caribbean Entertainment Magazine), the Bermudian Senate President, who is the highest senate member in the Senate Chamber, only gets paid $45,548 U.S. dollars a year (Strangeways).
If those Haitians politicians, who make the legislative bodies of the country, were conscious and pragmatic nationalists, they should have realized that politicians in every official position have been overpaid. Therefore, their salaries should have been cut in half, and the portion of that money would go to the country's national revenues in order to reduce poverty and social backwardness in Haiti. Overtime, there would be some improvement of prosperity.
Among Haitian politicians, eagerness to run for office or to occupy an official position in Haiti is purely based on self-interest. Most Haitian politicians are after two things only: (1) feeding their pockets in whichever ways they can possibly be fed, (2) their titled positions are their priorities, which make them privileges, well known and historical figures. For the most part, they don't care, thereafter, about Hatian people and Haiti.
What makes the situation worst: these same individuals of todays that are against the prospects of Haiti or serve as gridlocks for the benefits of the have-nots, yesterdays were the members of the lower class. Transition of an advanced class status makes them becoming the enemies of a class they were once parts of. This is to say they forget where they came from.
On the one hand, although national and world's capitalisms, especially worldly capitalism, profoundly attribute to Haiti's poverty, their schematic suppressions upon Haiti, most of the time, have never been vividly shown, unpatriotic citizens, politicians and leaders are often used as scapegoats in order to fulfill their missions. On the other hand, those unpatriotic Haitians have minds to reason. They should have always seen their country first, not the money offered to commit treasons.
Although indeed post-colonialism mind concept plays a bit part in it as well, nevertheless, it has been 207 years since Haiti has been an independent nation. Despite centuries of post-colonialism, until now lots of foreign and Haitian writers are still blaming former colonialism period on the Haitians social issues thus Haitians that choose to perpetrate treasons.
Past-Colonial time can't be blamed anymore for Haitians who choose to do wrongs to their country and people. To repeatedly continue blaming post-colonialism after past centuries about some wicked Haitians who choose to go agaisnt their country upon their own free will is a form of defense (excuses that make no sense). Especially these are the people who earn high degree of academic education, they are, consequently, fully aware of their actions.
Not because orders to perpetrate treasons are authorized under the conditions of huge interests or large amounts some of money given, whereby homeland have to be betrayed. This is why God gives people minds: to think before acting in order to pass rightful judgments. This is for that reason, to pass a thorough judgment on the cause of Haiti's abject poverty, world of capitalism should not be blamed at first, unpatriotic and wicked Haitians that are used to suppress and oppress the country are the ones to blame first.
There are many third world nations on this sphere their citizens show respect, patriotism and royalty to their countries and governments. Treasonable offers for whatever interests or some amounts of money are not going to deviate their patriotic beliefs toward their countries.
The only time most members of these three sectors, entrepreneurship, academics and politicics, show patriotism toward Haiti is when circumstances are generally effected Haitian people. Patriotism does not mean to always be ready to express patriotic feeling only under circumstances, and when things are calm, the interests of the country are forgotten. Patriotism means citizens or a citizen of a country must be on the interests of his/her country at all time.
For instance, in early 1980's, when the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) accused Haitians of being the carriers of AIDS virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Nicholls xxxiv), Haitians of all colors and classes formed a march and walked on Brooklyn Bridge by hundreds of thousands -almost a million- to make their voices heard agaisnt FDA. So later when FDA removed the accusation, everything turned to the same habitually old custom: seeing only self-interest.
In fact, when analyzing such triumphant march of collective moment, it wasn't really a sign of patriotism among Haitians. As stated earlier, it was more a moment to defend their individualisms (self-interest). As at that time, all Haitians, regardless color complexion and class status, were being discriminated as AIDS carriers all over the United States (if not in the world), thereby, it was a must for them to defend their individualisms.
Defending individualism is a longtime déjà-vu among Haitians. It is something that derives way back from colonial period. During that time, division had always existed among the revolutionary slave leaders. Jean Jacques Dessalines and Toussaint L'Ouverture were in the North West regions, and Pinchinat, Beauvais and Rigaud were in the South region.
Subordinate leaders and leaders of both geographical regions didn't get alone (James 165). Each time, however, they had to revolt agaisnt the colonizers, they had to come together (James 206). Thereafter, they had separated. Eventually, it was that superficial togetherness, which made them won the battle of independence of Haiti.
Therefore, these examples demonstrate how nationally collective mind interests and patriotism are important among the citizens of a nation. A country's prosperity depends upon nationalist or patriotic citizens. If the sectors that are responsible for the prospects of the nation are amiss, no leader can save that country.
President John F. Kennedy said once, "Ask not what your country can do for you. But, ask what you can do for your country." (Brainy Quote 5).
In common sense, a leader all alone can not solely achieve progressive changes within a country. The prosperity of a nation requires teamwork. And the teamwork is based on civil citizens, politicians and leaders that devote for the interests of their country.
Even though there exist different opinions or ideas among a people, however, this does not mean there's a lack of mind collectiveness and patriotism on behalf of the country. Different opinions or ideas are parts of human’s interactions. The reality is, in the end, it is from different opinions collective agreements are always achieved.
In a democratic society, people must respect others' viewpoints. When respecting others' point of views, this is not to say agreement is reached. They are solely respected... Among lots of Haitians, respecting opposite-political opinions of others is a huge problem. Most debates, whether on air, TV or live audience, always turn into chaos.
In addition, differences of political opinions even lead good friends and family members to hate one another. Such mentality or behavior has nothing to do with patriotism and democracy. Freedom of speech is a part of democracy as well, regardless how awful the speech is. Freedom of Speech may be prohibited unless it is inflammatory.
Haiti's problem is not impossible to solve. It can be overcome. There's always a solution for every problem. And the solution for the problem of Haiti, i.e., most members of the entrepreneurial, educated and political sectors shall embrace virtue and nationalism.
Sources
"Facts About Haiti." 10 August 2011. <http://www.umiereministries.com/FactsAboutHaiti.html>.
"Haiti's Gross Domestic Product in 2009." Global Finance. 10 August 2011 <http://www.gfmag.com/gdp-data-country-reports/260haiti-haiti-gdp-country-report.html/#axzzlUfVCeT98>.
“Haiti-Introduction.” Global Security.org. 24 August 2011. <http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/haiti/intro.htm
James, C.L.R. The Black Jacobins. 2nd ed. New York: Vintage Books Inc., 1989.
Kennedy, John F. Brainy Quote. P 5. 13 December 2010 <http://www.brainyquote/quotes/authors/j/john_f_kennedy_5.html>.
Nicholls, David. From Dessalines to Duvalier: Race, Colour and National Independence in Haiti. 3rd ed. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1996.
"Richest Caribbean Islands for 2010." Caribbean Entertainment Magazine. 2 February 2011. 22 August 2011. <http://www.caribbeanemagazine.com/2011/02/richestcaribbean-islands-for 2010.html
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