OVER the past few days, global attention has been directed towards Haiti because overlapping crises mean that the nation’s more than 11 million people are faced with dire living conditions. Now, more than ever, I think Haiti needs support.
Based on reports, the country is battling violence, a shortage of much-needed fuel, an outbreak of cholera, and starvation.
The violence, in particular, has mounted since the assassination of the country’s President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. Now, some non-governmental groups working in the country dub this the worst period the country has experienced, even beyond the fallout from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in 2010 that obliterated the Haiti economy.
Now, countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and others worldwide have been deciding how best to support the country without worsening a rather tenuous climate. And I think it is important that restorative aid is provided, but without hurting the millions of innocent people.
Haiti has always held a soft spot in my heart. As a Caribbean student of history, it would be impossible and dishonest for me to view Haiti as anything less than a beacon of strength and resilience.
When it was known as Saint Domingue, Haiti was France’s crown jewel- the wealthy island with abundant sugar resources that was the source of French riches. But, it wasn’t long before Haiti became the first independent Black nation, forcing the French away.
That victory came with its unique challenges, however. After becoming independent in 1804, the country was immediately made a pariah state internationally. A new nation that existed because of a successful revolt of enslaved people was a dangerous thing when enslavement was still the widely accepted practice. And so, Haiti found itself paying reparations to French slave owners and oppressors for more than a century, which perpetually stagnated the country’s development.
So, I’d argue that Haiti has always been battling one crisis after the next since its literal creation.
In 2019, when I attended the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA XIV) in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), I was well-taken care of by a group of Haitian fashion designers and another group of Jamaican artisans. Because we spent much time together over those ten days, the designers managed to demonstrate the quintessential Haitian fortitude.
Designer Dayanne Danier, who heads Bien Abye, was one person who managed to demonstrate to me just how resilient the Haitian people continue to be (though, I needed no convincing). She told me stories of how Haitians make do with little resources but numerous challenges, in hopes of sharing their gifts of food, fashion, and the arts with the world. She told me how Haitians find ways of supporting each other even amid the unavoidable disasters they face and the inexcusable amount of racism and xenophobia. Danier herself was someone doing her part to help empower women by providing them with employment opportunities and connecting them with international markers.
But Haiti is no Cinderella story to be schmaltzy about.
The country and its people have experienced far more challenges than they ought to. Challenges that they did not create or initiate. For far too long, too, the country has been synonymous with poverty. Now, witnessing the country grapple with mounting, overlapping crises is hard to stomach.
It is surreal to imagine that while we enjoy our motorcade and Diwali celebrations here, millions of people in Haiti are grappling with unimaginable woes and we are living through history again. If there is any glimmer of hope, however, Guyana and other sister CARICOM states have been their full support for whatever interventions are needed on the island and that could potentially lead to a de-escalation of the situation.
One hopes so, at least.
If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com
